21 Apr 2022
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a friend of God, a man after His own heart, as for me and my house, bounden duty, clear direction for my life, come unto me all ye that labour, curse, divine protection, he leadeth me beside still waters, he maketh me to lie down in green pastures, he that hath ears to hear, hold on tightly to Jesus, I shall not want, LOVE, my yoke is easy and my burden light, negative word, our backs are against the wall, self-control, surely goodness and mercy shall follow me, the great invitation, The Lord is my shepherd, the sinful pleasures of Satan, thou anointest my head with oil, Thursday Blessings, we will follow the Lord, ye shall find rest for your souls
Psalm 23:1. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want (meaning I will lack nothing that I truly need).
It’s a rainy Thursday morning. But Jesus is with us, and He will certainly see us through whatever the devil and this evil world tries to throw against us. As the song says, ‘I know that God is not finished, He’s not through with me. Although I am delayed, I am not denied.’
Wow! What a wonderful promise to hold on to. Yes, because God’s grace and mercy holds us together in times of trouble, as well as in times of prosperity, so that we won’t let go. And we desperately need to keep seeking and striving to stay in God’s good grace and mercy, if we sincerely desire to be a fruitful child of His. And one word we should never use is ‘DEFEAT.’
So, when our backs are against the wall, when we’re in the valley of the shadow of death, remember to hold on tightly to the hand of Jesus, which is always reaching out to us. And He will undoubtedly lift us up, restore our souls, and lead us out of the valley to clean clear waters, to victory in His name. And that’s exactly why Bruh David could confidently write in our favourite psalm.
‘The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want (meaning I will lack nothing that I truly need). He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters (that’s calm waters of rest). He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy (LOVING-KINDNESS) shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.’ (Ps. 23:1-6)
Yes friends, life is not easy for many of us, but as the song says, ‘You don’t have to cross Jordan alone.’ The Lord will cross with you, if you don’t give up on Him! And we could not find a better example of that than in the life of Bruh David, whose life was rough and ready ofttimes through no fault of His own. He did good, but others held out evil to him.
But in a mighty show of faith in the God of his forefathers, he never gave up. He stayed always close to the One who promised to be there through all kinds of weather. And that’s why he became the mightiest king of Israel, and despite his own sinful behaviour was touted as a friend of God and a man after His own heart. And that’s why we can’t ever beat God’s grace and mercy, once our heart is truly hungry and thirsty for Him and His Word!
So, though we are worried, troubled or concerned about anything at all, the right way to go about fixing it is by going to Jesus and asking for His divine help, because with Him nothing is impossible, which means He can do anything that needs to be done. And furthermore, He will NEVER turn down your request for help. In fact, He’s offered this Great Invitation to all who seek rest and peace.
Listen up to this awesome invitation, that NO ONE else can even deign to offer, because they don’t have nowhere near the mighty power that Jesus has. So He opens His arms wide to all and sundry by inviting: ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of (from) me; for I am meek and lowly in heart (gentle and humble): and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ (Matt. 11:28-30)
Oh my faithful brethren, what an amazing and most reassuring invitation! It’s free to anyone who needs rest and peace from their earthly burdens. Yes, whosoever will may come, is the eternal message of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. For as the man sings; ‘I’ve got Jesus, and that’s enough…that’s enough!’
Words of indisputable truth my fellow saints. For if you have Jesus then you don’t need anyone or anything else in this life, because He is the Creator, the Saviour, Advocate, Prince of Peace, Immortal Judge and the fountainhead of Grace, Mercy and LOVE! That covers every aspect of life, so how can you need anyone or anything else besides Jesus eh?
And for those foolish ones of us who seem to like the sinful pleasures of Satan and think that He is such a big man, just remember he was once the number One Angel, but because of greed and foolish pride rebelled against his Creator and was summarily kicked out of heaven with the other fools who rebelled with him, to walk this earth in sorrow and hard times, until time for his ultimate demise in the lake of fire. So, if you want to end up there with the evil one, suffer the worst fate possible, that of eternal separation from the Father, then follow the fallen one, Lucifer.
But as for me and my house, we will follow the Lord! That’s an indelible fact! And the sad part is that it doesn’t take a whole lot of wisdom, but simple common sense to realize that that’s the right, the best path to take in this crazy and confused world. But to each his own, and as the Good Book warns: ‘He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.’ (Matt. 13:9)
Now, for those of us who are listening, (smile) let’s go home declaring (oh yeahhh!!!) our Thursday Blessings, blessings the Good Lord has generously bestowed on us to do His earthly work. In loud and proud 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 now my fellow saints, it’s our bounden duty to go out and use those undeserved blessings in a manner that will cause others to come to Christ and LOVE and honour Him the way we do! Much LOVE!
…In Christ Jesus…we have ALL…that we can ever want or need…
Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8
16 Oct 2019
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a glorious future with Jesus, a lamp unto my feet, a light, acclamations, bind them, boost our spirits, Chinese food, christ jesus, empty, enlightening the eyes, eyes fixed straight ahead, fear, glad to be alive, God will supply all my needs, hands on the plough, his riches in glory, judgments of the Lord, keep our faith strong, keep thee, lack of fuel, me and my house, middle frame, more desirable than gold, not looking back, perfect, rejoices the heart, rejoicing the heart, restoring the soul, reverential awe, reward, running low, saints in Christ, stalling, sweeter than honey, tak with thee, Thanksgiving celebrations, the breath of life, the hump, the law of the Lord, this the day the Lord has made, thy word, unto my path, warned, we will follow the Lord, we will rejoice and be glad in it, Wednesday Wail
Psalm 119:105: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
So it’s the middle frame of the week, or what you call the hump – and I’m still in J.A, enjoying some warmth and sunshine. (smile) I didn’t do much yesterday, mostly rest. A couple of friends dropped by, then we went out in the evening and had some Chinese food. But I know that some of you in chilly Canada are still recovering from all of the hectic Thanksgiving celebrations, and are just dying for Friday to come. But hang in there, it will be here much sooner than you know.
In the meantime, keep giving thanks and acknowledging the Lord’s goodness in acclamations, like: ‘This is the day the Lord has made, we WILL rejoice and be glad in it.’ ‘God will supply all my needs according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus.’ ‘As for me and my house, we WILL follow the Lord.’ ‘Something good is going to happen TO me today. Something good is going to happen THROUGH me today!’
Yes friends, acclamations of scripture keep our faith strong, keep us going, especially when we don’t have time to get into serious prayer. Those li’l reminders of God’s everlasting goodness and mercy boost our spirits when our spiritual fuel is running low, and keep us from getting down to empty and stalling for lack of fuel. How wonderful is the Lord’s Word! The psalmist said it best: ‘Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.’
How marvellous! The Lord’s Word shines a light on the path we ought to tread and guides our feet therein! Give Him some thanks and praise my people, for being such a wonderful God and Father to us rebellious children of men! How could we believe anything else but that He LOVES us eh? It’s only LOVE that causes Him to care for and consider our frail bodies and souls the way He does.
And re the Lord’s Word, I like how Cousin Sol talks about it in his warning against adultery. ‘My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother. Bind them continually upon thine heart (mind), and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.’ (Prov.6:20-23)
Oh my precious saints in Christ, isn’t that just wonderful? The Word of God is all powerful! It leads you on your life journey, keeps you when you’re asleep, and talks with you when you awaken! Mama Yo! It’s so full of everything that we need to do life in a righteous and godly manner; like a lamp giving light to show the way, as well as the instructions and consequences of staying on the path on which it leads us.
And if that doesn’t convince you, then listen to Bruh David from Psalm 19 – The creation and covenants of God. ‘The law of the Lord is perfect, converting (restoring) the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear (reverential awe) of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and (the drippings of) the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.’ (Ps.19:7-11)
Ah friends, I ask again, how wonderful is the Lord’s Word eh? It is perfect, restores the soul, makes the simple wise, rejoices the heart, enlightens the eyes, it’s clean and endures forever. But yuh know what? It’s also more desirable than gold, and even sweeter than honey! Brother! Then it warns you and gets you rewards for keeping it! How then can there be anything better in the universe than the Word of the Law then eh mih breddren? Impossible! Because the Lord’s Word is a one-stop shop; there you can get EVERYTHING you need for living this earthly life in a righteous and godly manner. So please, let’s go shop there nuh, for that’s wisdom of the highest order!
And for those of us who already favour that establishment, let’s go home now declaring (steups!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our steadfast position in Christ Jesus. As one now, in all sincerity: ‘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!’
So let’s keep that up nuh, for if we do, the future will be even more glorious than we can ever imagine! Much LOVE!
…the Lord’s Word…all we ever need in this life…
01 May 2019
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all things work together for good, an action word, as for me and mine, benefits of the working class, Book of the Law, C.E.O of Disney, called to his purpose, catching their nen-nen, claw back, Daily Bread Devotionals, dance the maypole, day of judgement, do according to all therein, exorbitant remuneration, faith, faithfulness to God, fourteen thousand times more, greedy, halfway home, hands on the plough, hard won rights, have good success, in the darkest hours, Labour unions, life hands us lemons, looking to the future with christ, LOVE, loving hand of God, make lemonade, make thy way prosperous, Management Class, May Day, meditate day and night, not looikng back, out of thy mouth, pass through the fire, pass through the water, power hungry, profit margin, promises of God, shall not depart, the bottom line, the breath of life, the eyes of faith, the righteous judge, to them who love God, true success, we will follow the Lord, Wednesday Wail, wet Wednesday
Joshua 1:8. This book of the law shall not depart out of (shall constantly be in) thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Welcome to a dark, wet Wednesday first of May in my neighbourhood friends! Hn! And just the day I have to go out the street and do some stuff. But as the old people would say, ‘a li’l rain never hurt anybody!’ I really don’t want to get caught up in it though, since I haven’t fully recovered from this cough and cold that’s been harassing me for the last ten days or so.
And speaking about coughing, would you believe a bout of that seemingly unrelenting cough just took me by surprise? Ah Lord eh! But we all have to do what we have to do. Unfortunately the May Day Parades, if any, and the dancing of the Maypole will be wet affairs.
But look at how things can go out of style eh? When I was growing up dancing the Maypole was a big thing, and May Day Parades were plentiful and well attended. But now most people don’t know what dancing the Maypole means, and May Day Parades are smaller and less plentiful because Labour Unions are weaker, as the greedy and power-hungry Management Class steadily claw back hard won rights and benefits of the Working Class.
Nowadays very few work places have any real meaningful benefits, and oftentimes the workers have to pay a healthy amount into them. But it’s all about the bottom line, the profit margin and the exorbitant remuneration of the executive class. I read recently where the C.E.O. of Disney made something like 14,000 times the amount of the ordinary working person in that company. Yes fourteen thousand times, something like sixty something million!
By whatever standards friends that is ridiculous! I don’t believe that any C.E.O. anywhere does that much more work than the ordinary people in the company, and thus deserves so much more. Meanwhile a lot of the folks working there are catching their nen-nen to make ends meet. Long time I haven’t heard that term. (smile) ‘Nen-nen’ is jut an old term for ‘Aunt,’ but used thus, means finding life difficult.
Whatever happened to social justice eh my people! Steups! I don’t see how you can be living high on the hog and see others just scratching and scraping to get by and feel comfortable! But friends, please remember that the Lord is THE righteous judge, and He will have His day of judgement and the wicked will pay for all their wrongdoing!
Meantime, let me remind us of two very important details of this earthly life, as described by Daily Bread Devotionals. The first is that in the darkest hours of life, only through the eyes of faith can we see the true and LOVING hand of God. And secondly, Faithfulness to God is true success!
Ah mih people, there’s no doubting those two things! When life is really throwing us lemons, the only way we can make lemonade is by having true and strong faith, knowing that our wonderful God is riding shotgun with us even through those rough times and He will eventually turn them around and bring us out even better than before.
That’s why we have and hold on tightly to promises like this: ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are called according to his purpose.’ (Rom.8:28)
And don’t forget this immortal promise given through Isaiah: ‘When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned: neither shall the flame kindle upon (scorch) thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee (in thy place).’ (Is.43:2-3)
Oh friends, it’s only with true faith can we accept those promises and live by them. And yuh notice that the Lord wasn’t only talking figuratively there, but also literally, as we see in the annals of Daniel where the three Jewish boys, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were rescued from the fiery furnace in Babylon because they refused to bow down to any other God but Jehovah.
The Good Book says they came out of the furnace that had been heated seven times hotter than normal, not even smelling of smoke! (Dan.3:8-30) Mama Yo! All glory and power and exaltation to our great God, who created this wonderful universe and still controls it from His heavenly throne! So there’s no need to be afraid of what man can do to us, because man is just a creation of Almighty God, and He has both the first and last say in all matters!
But friends, we do have to believe and stand strong in our beliefs. And the only way we can do that is by continual reading of God’s Word, meditation upon it, and serious and sincere communication with the Father Himself. That’s what He expects of us, as He so plainly said to Joshua when he made him leader of the Israelites after Moses’ death.
‘This book of the law shall not depart out of (shall constantly be in) thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.’
Oh my brethren, those aren’t my words, but the Lord’s, and if you don’t believe Him, then that’s your funeral, but I know that as for me and mine, we WILL follow the Lord. And for all of those who are in heady agreement with me, let’s go home declaring (right ho!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know our wonderful position in Christ Jesus!
Altogether in strong voice and sincere belief: ‘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 just to remind us…that future will be even more glorious than we can even imagine with out puny, finite minds. So please hang in there! Much LOVE!
…like LOVE…faith is an action word…so please…let’s action it nuh…
05 Apr 2019
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: as for me and my house, bake, enter in, eternal damnation, eternal life, fellowship, few find it, Friday chant, fun, generous help, keep my peace, killing a cat, leadeth unto life, leads to destruction, mangoes, more than one way, most rewarding, my pound of flesh, narrow is the way, relaxation, rest, roti, saltfish, Scarborough, serving Jesus, slave driver, smoke fish, sprightly, strait is the gate, TGIF!, Thank God is Friday, the weekend, two options, we will follow the Lord, wide is the gate, workingman's song, young
Matthew 7:14. Because strait (how narrow) is the gate, and narrow (difficult or confined) is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Well, well, well! If it isn’t that day that we all look forward to so much – Friday! The day we throw all our cares away! (smile) That means I’ve been in sweet Tobago for ten days, for two Fridays already… What a way the time travelling fast boy! Mih li’l vacation soon done and I don’t even know it! (smile) But yes, I know that the Bit late and all that, but as I explained earlier on the week, now is vacation time and the Bit won’t always be the first thing on the agenda.
And that was exactly what happened this morning. The duchess and I were both up pretty early, and as she wasn’t feeling too perky, I decided to take her out to breakfast at this place called ‘Dexter’s’ that had been highly recommended. We left here sometime after nine and after about a ten to fifteen minute drive we found it. And it was as recommended and even more, the food was good, and the ambiance of the place was nice.
But hear tory nuh: As I went in, it was upstairs the building, I asked for Dexter and talked about how I’d come so far just to check it out. The slim, middle-aged, medium height negro fella behind the counter with the grey and white scraggly beard assured me that that was Dexter’s and the food was indeed good. So I told him all I want is for the duchess to be happy when we left. Again, he assured me that she would be.
And believe me people, she was! Ah never see the duchess eat up everything on her plate so yet. And I wasn’t backward either, the bake and smoke fish and saltfish was going down good with the sorrel drink, and I wanted to eat it all at once…but common sense prevailed, and I left some to bring home for later. Right now though, as I write in the living cum dining room, because it’s too hot to write outside, the sweet smell of some mangoes sitting on the counter opposite are just assaulting me like crazy. (smile) Think I’ll return the assault when I’m done here!
But getting back to Dexter. When we finish eating, we talking, and he tell me about having a blessed day and thanks for coming and such. So I think he just being friendly and Christian, but when I was ready to pay, and ask him if he takes visa, he come back with, ‘Wuh yuh doing me pappy? I didn’t just tell you to have a blessed day and doh worry about nothing!’
It took me a few seconds to realize that he was saying I didn’t have to pay for the food. And he continued with a laugh: ‘Somebody else already paid for your food!’ Well I couldn’t do anything else but laugh too, say thanks, and promise to come back sometime to check out the breakfast and the roti he sells downstairs, since he boast about how is the best roti in Tobago, and he would compete with even the best in Trinidad!
Ah hope so yes, because I haven’t eaten a roti since ah here. Went to check out some place called Rena’s in town yesterday, but they had run out. Finally went into Scarborough yesterday, but wasn’t thrilled with it, but that’s a story for another time. Anyway on the way back home this morning, we stopped at a supermarket to pick up some things we believe we needed. And yuh know that means walking through the whole supermarket, even though you just come out with a couple bags. (smile)
So by the time we reach home was after eleven, and since we not as young and sprightly as we used to be, we had to rest first, only thing is that rest lasted for about two hours, so that’s why I’m now writing the Bit. And all of that is the gospel truth mih people! But ah done take up too much time with my nonsense, so leh we listen to the workingman as he waiting impatiently in the wings to sing his Friday song.
And as always he bellows out: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday oui, and slave labour done for another week yes! The darm slave driver and dem look like they want you to make blood from stone, they driving you so hard every blooming day! Yuh can’t take a li’l break without deh eyes boring into you, as if to say, who tell you you could take a break eh? But thankfully I doh bother with them nuh, because I know I does do my work and they can’t tell me no nonsense bout that! Steups!
Look, sometimes I does just want to wring the so and so slave driver and them neck when ah see how they taking advantage of the junior employees. But that not going to solve the problem, so I try and keep mih peace and get my pound of flesh some other way, because my mammy tell me it have more than one way of killing a cat yes! And my mammy never lie to me yet! (smile) But the long and short of the story is that today is Friday and the weekend, my time starting now. So I going to do my own thing and doh bother with nobody else nuh! Thank God for Fridays and weekends yes mih breddren!’
And I know that many of us believers in Jesus Christ also declare (right ho) the same sentiments too, though we can’t be as border less and boundary less as he can be. So let’s chant up our Friday Chant now showing our gratitude for the weekend nuh. All together now with verve and sincerity:
‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yes friends, we need to walk a narrower path than the world, because as Jesus says: ‘Enter ye in at the strait (narrow) gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat. Because strait (how narrow) is the gate, and narrow (difficult or confined) is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.’ (Matt.7-13-14)
Mama oh Mama! That’s it friends, only two choices, two options in this life; the narrow and strait way that leads to Jesus and eternal life, or the broad and destructive one that leads to eternal damnation! The choice is ours. Let’s hope that most of us will say like Joshua: ‘As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!’ (Josh.24:15) That’s wisdom of eternal proportions! Much LOVE!
…serving Jesus might not be easy…but it sure is most rewarding…
02 Jan 2019
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a new song, abominable sins, acceptable year of the Lord, acclamations, adrift, as for me and my house, be joyful in their king, beautify the meek, Beauty for Ashes, capsize, comfort all that mourn, communication, congregation of saints, early to bed, early to rise, focusing on the future, garment of praise, glorious future with Jesus, glory hallelujah, halfway home, harp, humble, I can do all things through Christ, I will not tolerate strife, in his people, in the dance, Israel, lost, LOVE, make our lives right with Jesus, not turning back, nothing can separate us from God, oil of mourning, praise His name, Praise ye the Lord, sacrifice His Son Jesus, salvation, saved, sing Hallelujah, spirit of heaviness, strengthens me, thank God, the breath of life, the Lord takes pleasure, the stormy sea of life, this is the day the Lord has made, unconditional LOVE, vengeance of God, we will follow the Lord, we will rejoice and be glad in it, Wednesday Wail, will not quit, with timbrel, Zion
Psalm 149:4. For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek (humble) with salvation.
Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man, healthy, wealthy and wise! Hn! I don’t know about the truth in that nuh, because I went to bed fairly early, and got up fairly early, and I’m not feeling any healthier, wealthier or wiser! (smile) However, we are going to begin the day wisely by declaring a few acclamations to get us on the right path, that with our wonderful God.
So please declare (Chuh! still spelling it wrong) with me: ‘This is the day the Lord has made, I WILL rejoice and be glad in it!’ (Ps. 118:24) ‘God will supply ALL my needs through His riches in glory, through Christ Jesus!’ (Phil.4:19) ‘I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me!’ (Phil.4:13) ‘I WILL NOT tolerate strife in my life!’ And finally: ‘As for me and my house, we WILL follow the Lord!’ (Josh.24:15)
Yeh friends, that ought to keep us going for today. But just to be on the safe side, I also want to have us declare (Bravo! Spelled it right) the Possibility Thinkers Creed from Gramps Schuller’s (Dr. Robert H. Schuller) Hour of Power Devotional.
Please declare (another right one) enthusiastically and sincerely with me: ‘When faced with a mountain, I will not quit! I will keep on striving until I climb over, find a pass through, tunnel underneath, or simply stay and turn the mountain into a gold mine – with God’s help!’
Mama Mia! No friends, we WILL NOT QUIT! NEVER! For quitting is not in the vocabulary of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, so therefore it should not be in ours either! And having got us off on the right track, let’s see what we can find to keep us there… (smile)
And the Good Book opened this morning unto a most appropriate Psalm: Psalm 149, which declares (right ho!): ‘Praise ye the Lord, (sing Hallelujah). Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. Let Israel rejoice in him that made them (their maker): let the children of Zion be joyful in their king.
Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek (humble) with salvation.’ (Ps.149:1-4)
Yeh mih people, that last verse is what I want us to ponder on today and write it indelibly in our hearts and souls. For if we don’t believe that our Maker takes pleasure in us, we’ll just be lost and adrift and eventually capsize on this stormy sea of life. The Lord really does enjoy us; walking and talking with us, taking part in ALL of our affairs, etc. etc! Why do you think He made us eh? So that He could have joyful communication with us!
Why do you think He went to such great lengths to sacrifice His only Son Jesus Christ for us eh? So that we could be saved from our abominable sins and thus be able to spend an enjoyable life with Him, both here on earth and in heaven for all of eternity! And that’s a long, long time! Do you think He would wish that upon Himself if He didn’t like and enjoy us? No way!
So please let’s get it our stubborn heads that our God sincerely LOVES and enjoys us! Obviously He doesn’t like our disobedience and continued sinfulness, and will chasten us when necessary, but as He’s said so often in His Word, His LOVE is UNCONDITIONAL! That means NOTHING can change His mind on us!
As Bruh Paul states so eloquently and emphatically in Romans: ‘For I am persuaded that neither death, not life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the LOVE of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Rom.8:38-39) My brethren, it’s up to us to believe that!
Now hear Bruh David’s take on the subject from Psalm 35: ‘Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all day long.’ (Ps.35:27-28) Glory be mih people! Our God delights in us!
And if you don’t believe Bruh David, then listen to this promise made through the prophet Isaiah, re good tidings of salvation to Zion. ‘To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
To appoint unto (to console) them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.’ (Is.61:2-3)
Oh my faithful believing friends, do you think the Lord would go to all that trouble if He did not take pleasure in us and was very concerned about our welfare? I certainly doubt it. Anyway, enough preaching. (smile) And since it’s Wednesday, let’s go home declaring (got it!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the world know our sure and much envied position in Christ Jesus.
Wailing as one now: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home.
My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And that future will be even more glorious than we ask or imagine! Much LOVE!
…TODAY…is the day…to make our lives right with Jesus…
17 Oct 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a draft of air, a glorious future with Jesus, a long road, a longing ache, a perfect heart, a terrific boss, bitterly, bursting with thnaksgiving, captain of my people, colourful sails, deity, dog days, doldrums, eagles, enjoy it, faithfulness, Father of all creation, fifteen years, generously rewards, glory, Glory Halleujah, good in thy sight, grace, gratitude, greatly deserves it, halfway home, heal thee, hearing the surf, heart and soul, Hezekiah, honour, in truth, iron birds, Isaiah, Jamaica, joy, king of Judah, Land of Wood and Water, laughter, loving kindness, mercy, Most High God Jehovah, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, never miss the water, not turning back, obedient to God's will, out of danger, planes, praise, profuse praise, promise, Sea Breeze, set thine house in order, sickness, tears of joy, the breath of life, the captain of my people, the Lord of hosts, the word of the Lord, thy prayer, till the well run dry, unto death, unto thy days, walked before thee, we will follow the Lord, Wednesday Wail, wept sore, Xaymaca, zeppo
2 Kings 6:a. And I will add unto thy days fifteen years…
All praise and honour, glory and exaltation to the Most High God Jehovah, the Lord of hosts, the Great I AM, the Father of ALL Creation! Please give Him much thanks and praise, because He greatly deserves it! He is indeed most worthy of all our thanksgiving! Praise His Holy Name!
And if you’re wondering why such profuse praise to Almighty God at the beginning of the Bit…well it’s simple: My heart and soul are just bursting with thanksgiving and gratitude, because once again He has shown His amazing faithfulness in my life. Yes friends, during the dog days, the doldrums of my illness, I would lie in my bed and hear and see the planes going by in the distance like eagles gliding along on a draft of air, and my heart would just fill with a longing ache to board one of those iron birds and just fly away to some exotic destination.
But yuh know what mih people? In those sad, sick and frustrating times, the Lord would gather me in His Ever-LOVING arms and comfort me with the promise that one day soon, I would fly away on an iron bird to an exotic destination. And friends, in all faithfulness, through His exceeding grace, mercy and LOVING-kindness, the Lord has kept His awesome promise. And that’s why my inner being is just bursting with joy and thanksgiving, and tears of joy are filling my eyes and flowing down my cheeks.
Oh mih people, the ole fella is in J.A, Jamaica; in Xaymaca, the land of wood and water…and beautiful women! Seen quite a few already! (smile) Glory be to the Most High God Jehovah! And the sea, sand, salt, sun…and rum are most excellent, just as the Lord promised! Had a colourful, red, green and blue shark-bite cocktail last night. (smile) How can I therefore not LOVE Him and proclaim His awesome name eh?
Oh my faithful believers, our God is indeed a most wonderful Deity, a terrific Boss, a hard taskmaster who expects diligence and excellence from us, but who also generously rewards us when we are obedient to His Holy Will! Praise His name my people, for there’s no other like Him!
And now, as I write this, feeling the cool sea breeze float through the open door, hearing the surf break upon the sand and see the small boats with their colorful, blue, yellow and green sails, and hear the laughter of other travellers down below, I can’t help but realize how blessed I am! Glory to God!
And as I just read this over, tears again filled my eyes. It’s been a long road my brethren, almost two years of sickness…and not completely out of danger yet. I was so close to going home to Him, but He gave me a reprieve, for which I am everlastingly grateful! As they say here in J.A: ‘yuh never miss the water until the well run dry!’ In my case I was blessed that my well had not run completely dry. So friends, let me seek for a scripture that will admirably fit our Bit today. Soon come!
Oh friends, it didn’t take long. Before I could even open the Good Book the zeppo came; the sickness of Hezekiah, king of Judah. The Good Book says: ‘In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah, the son of Amoz came to him and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying, I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore (bitterly).
And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came again to him, saying, Turn again and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord. And I will add unto thy days fifteen years…’ (2 Kin.20:1-6a)
Oh friends, I don’t know if I can compare my sorrow and weeping and goodness to Hezekiah’s nuh, but I do know that there was a lot of prayer and some tears. And the Lord in His mercy saw fit to grant me some more time here on earth. I don’t know if it’s fifteen years, or more, or less, but I do know that however much it is, I will enjoy it, and will praise and exalt His Holy name as much as I can, because He has been so good to me and mine. Glory be people!
When someone is good to us, we tell and show them thanks, so why not to our Maker and God eh? And I know that I’m not the only one so blessed, so why aren’t we praising and thanking our Saviour much more than we are eh? I don’t know the answer nuh, but it’s time to go home, so let’s declare our Wednesday Wail, letting the world know our position in Christ Jesus.
As one strong voice now: ‘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 Jesus promised that it will be glorious, then I know it will be so indeed! Much LOVE!
…as for me and mine…we WILL follow the LORD…no doubt about that…
P.S. Sorry that it’s so late, but I was really tired after the long journey…no longer accustomed to it (smile) and I just got the necessary energy to set up my stuff. And as always, when I’m on vacation, I can’t guarantee what time the Bit will go out, (smile) but you will get it. Much LOVE! Time for the beach now!
23 Aug 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a holy calling, Acclamation Day, according to our works, all things work together for good, as for me and my house, assurance, before the world began, called according to His purpose, Christ-like, compassionate heart, confidence, courage, curse, divine perspective, eternal glory in Christ, faith, flaming colour, friends show their love, God will supply all my needs, his own purpose and grace, his riches in glory, human perspective, I can do all things through Christ, I will live a balanced life, I will not tolerate strife, if God be for me, implicityly trusted, in times of trouble, Job, life changing power, LOVE, make me strong, make things happen, negative word, passion, power in the Word, promise, restore me, self-control, self-discipline, sincerity, success, suffered a while, sufficient rest every day, the God of all grace, the good of all, this is the day the Lord has made, those that Love God, Though he slay me, Thursday Blessings, true disciples of Christ, we will be glad and rejoice in it, we will follow the Lord, who can be against me, words of truth and power, yet will I trust in him
Romans 8:28. And we know that ALL things work together for good to those that LOVE God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Well friends, this is Acclamation Day! I’ve listed a few acclamations for us to speak out loud, because we all know that there is power in the Word of the Lord. The universe was created by the Lord speaking words of truth and power, and when we speak His words, we also project truth and power and make things happen. Some of you might want to copy this list, possibly adding some personalized ones and speak them out loud everyday.
So let’s begin with this all important one for starting our day on the right foot. ‘This the day the Lord has made, I WILL rejoice and be glad in it!’ (Ps.118:24) ‘God WILL supply ALL of my needs through His riches in glory through Christ our Lord and Saviour.’ (Phil.4:19) ‘I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me!’ (Phil.4:13) ‘I WILL NOT tolerate strife in my life!’
‘As for me and my house, we WILL follow the Lord; that’s for sure!’ (Josh.24:15) ‘If God be for me, who can be against me eh? NOBODY! (Rom.8:31) ‘I WILL live a balanced life and I WILL get sufficient rest each and every day!’
‘Friends show their LOVE in times of trouble, not in happiness.’ (Euripides) ‘And the God of all grace, who has called me to His eternal glory in Christ after I HAVE suffered a little while, WILL Himself restore me and make me strong, firm and steadfast.’ (1 Pet.5:10)
Oh me oh my! What beautiful words of promise, courage, confidence and assurance my people! It’s God’s Word; the Truth! And if we speak them with passion, sincerity and strong faith, then they will eventually come through.
But we have to keep on speaking them and believing them even when we don’t see anything happening in the natural. Just believe that the Lord is working out ALL things for our good in the background, and in His time and fashion we will see them come to pass!
And how do we know all of that eh? Because our Bit, God’s truthful Word assures us of it. ‘And we know that ALL things work together for good to those that LOVE God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.’ What an awesome and wonderful God we serve my brethren!
And the scholars offer this explanation of that verse. ‘8:28. To them that LOVE God is the human perspective. God is working all things together for good, but those who LOVE God are best able to appreciate this fact because they LOVE Him no matter what. (c.f. Job 13:15). To them who are called is the divine perspective. Scripture often refers to believers as “the called” or “the elect.”
Yeh people, God’s overall purpose is to work out everything for good in the universe He created, but those of us who LOVE Him with pure hearts and are thrilled to do His will, can appreciate His doings more than those who aren’t familiar with Him. And as the scholars suggest above, Job puts it in flaming colour. ‘Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain (defend) my own ways before him.’ (Job 13:15)
What powerful words of faith and trust my brethren. As the scholars declare: ‘13:15. Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him expresses the unquenchable faith of one who lives by faith, not by sight. Even when it appears that God Himself has turned against Job, he will still trust God.’
Oh my believing brethren, do we believe that strong, that even when God seems distant or turned away from us, we still trust in Him? For all our sakes I do hope so, because that’s the level of faith we need to become truly Christ-like.
Remember, even when Jesus Christ cried out on the cross about being forsaken by the Father, although it was the roughest moment of His existence, He still trusted Him implicitly because He knew that the Father would never really turn against Him, that what He was doing, was for the good of ALL.
And we too have to come to that level of faith friends, so that whatever happens in our lives, even though it seems at odds with God’s Word, and we don’t understand it, we don’t doubt His overall purpose of goodness.
Now hear these words of Bruh Paul to Timothy as he warns him to stay true to His purpose in Christ. ‘Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began (time).’ (2 Tim.1:9).
Yes faithful followers of Christ, we’ve been called long before everything was set in motion, so let’s stand strong now and do what we’ve been called to do nuh, as true disciples of Christ. And today being Thursday, let’s shout out our Thursday Blessings, to let the whole world know how truly blessed we are, as followers of the one and only Jesus Christ, the Lord of Lords, and King of Kings.
In full voice now: ‘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 a day of acclamations and declarations of God’s Word! Now let’s go out and share those wonderful blessings with others who are not so fortunate, for that’s why Jesus blessed us with them. Much LOVE!
…there is power in the Word…power in the Word…life changing power…in the Word of the Lord…
25 Aug 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a brand new day, a flood, a good report, a mature Christian, a no-brainer, a rewarder, Abraham, according to your faith, an inheritance, ancestral home, another week of work, ark, as for me and mine, be it unto you, believe in Jesus, blessings, builder, Christians, conviction, crossing boundaries, damnation, diligently seek him, faith, fear, fellowship, fiasco, forgiveness, foundations, Friday chant, fun, furthering God's kingdom, generous help, glory hallelujah, God's economy, godly action, grace, Hades, heir, hell fire, impossible to please God, in Jesus' name, in yuh face, interaction, Jesus Christ, licentiousness, Lucifer, maker is God, massa, mercy, my time, Noah, on safe ground, only begotten Son, our heavenly Father, overboard, put the enemy to shame, realization, reassuring words, relaxation, rest, restrained attitude, reverence, righteousness, seeing is believing, sincerity, spiritual ability, strength, TGIF! Thank God is Friday, the cross at Calvary, the evidence, the evil world, the Father of all believers, the land of promise, the promise of God, the substance of things hoped for, the weekend, the Word of god, the workingman, things not seen, trucking on, true believers, understanding, vulgarity, we will follow the Lord, wisdom
Matthew 9:29b. According to your faith be it unto you.
Oh my beautiful friends, it’s a brand new day! Glory Hallelujah! A new day filled with all the good stuff that our wonderful heavenly Father prepares for us daily. Things like, mercy, blessings, forgiveness, grace, strength, wisdom, understanding etc. etc.
And I believe today is Friday… But yuh know what? After the fiasco of a couple of days ago, let me just check the computer to make sure that it is Friday, because I don’t go and mess up again. (smile) Awright, the computer says that it is Friday, so we are on safe ground there.
And that’s why the workingman is going around singing, ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday! Thank God is the weekend! My time will soon be mih own, not controlled by massa. And I can eat and drink and party all I want to, with him not being able to say a darm thing! In yuh face massa! Thank God for Fridays and the weekends oui!’
Now, as usual, the workingman’s Friday song does go somewhat overboard, crossing boundaries that we Christians should not exceed, but our Friday Chant displays a more restrained attitude to the weekend.
Let’s chant it now in unison and sincerity nuh. ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yeh friends, as true believers in Christ, we need to refrain from the vulgarity and licentiousness allowed by the workingman’s song. We need to at least dial it back a few notches like our Friday Chant, because that kind of wanton behaviour is not a part of Christ’s manifesto.
Rest and fellowship are two important parts of the believer’s weekend, so that we can go back out next week in great shape and put the enemy to shame! Wow!
And we can use these simple but reassuring words of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ from our Bit to help us do that. ‘According to your faith be it unto you.’
Yeh mih breddren, faith is what keeps us trucking on in Jesus! Without it, we won’t see a lot of godly action in our lives, however, as our faith grows, so will our godly interaction.
And the Good Book explains: ‘Now faith is the substance (realization) of things hoped for, the evidence (conviction) of things not seen.’ (Heb.11:1)
In other words, faith is simply believing stuff, or for stuff before we actually see it or them. Unlike the evil world, which says, seeing is believing, God’s economy stresses, when you believe it, then you’ll see it. So to be a mature Christian, one has to be strong in faith.
And as the Good Book continues: ‘For by it (faith) the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds (ages) were framed (prepared) by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear (are visible).’ (Heb.11:2-3)
Ah mih people, it’s only through faith that we can believe in Jesus, whom, unlike the disciples, we never saw, or that God created the universe and all therein from nothing.
That’s why the Word further tells us: ‘But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.’ (Heb.11:6)
So if you don’t believe that God exists, then you obviously can’t believe in Him, or His rewards for obedience and walking in His will. And that’s why a lot of people today discount and discredit our Christian faith; they don’t have the mental and/or the spiritual ability to believe in stuff they can’t see, they’re too spoiled by the world’s belief system.
Anyhow, enough about all of that, let’s point out some concrete examples of strong faith. Hear the Good Book again. ‘By faith Noah, being warned of (by) God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear (reverence), prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed, and he went out not knowing whither he went (where he was going).
By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange (foreign) country, dwelling in tabernacles (tents) with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked (was waiting) for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.’ (Heb.11: 7-10)
Yeh friends, those two men were asked to do things they could not understand; Noah to build an ark in preparation for a flood, and Abraham to leave his ancestral home and go to heaven knows where just on a promise of a God he did not know.
But yuh see how it all worked out properly through their FAITH! Noah’s family was the ONLY one saved from the flood, and Abraham became the Father of ALL believers…through FAITH! They didn’t see in reality what God was talking about, but they BELIEVED!
And that is what many of us need to do right now friends; truly believe in God; that He exists, and wants the best for those who believe in Him, so much so that He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ to die on the cross at Calvary to redeem our abominable sins.
Now why would such a powerful world-creating Deity do that if He didn’t truly care eh? No reason whatsoever! He could have simply said: ‘Chuh! They like Lucifer so much, well let them go down to Hades and suffer hell-fire and damnation with Him!’
But He didn’t. And that’s where faith comes in. Much LOVE!
…it’s a no-brainer…as for me and mine…we will definitely follow the Lord…
12 May 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: ., a fine time, another week of work, balance, be quiet, believers, blessed, borders boundaries, born again, complacency, confidence, consequences, death, decisions, desolation, despised reprooof, destruction, devices, discretion, dwell safely, eat of the fruit, extremes, facades, faithful promises of God, favour, fear, fellowship, fools, free and clear, Friday chant, from fear of evil, fun, furthering your glorious kingdom, generous help, glory to God, go overboard, gospel truth, grace, hated knowledge, His will, in Jesus' name, keep our heads on sraight, knowledge, LOVE, Lucifer, maximizing, no brainer, not be afraid, plans, pleasures, praise his holy name, prosperity, refreshed, reject, relaxation, renewed, rest, safely through, schemes., slay, sleep sweet, stumble, substance, talk to God, terror, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the fear of the Lord, the promises of God, the simple, the Son shining brightly, the time spent with Jesus, the weekend, the wicked, to each his own, top priority, trouble, understanding, walk safely, waywardness, we will follow the Lord, whoso hearkeneth unto me, wisdom, wisdom of God, witness, work for Christ, workingman, worldly lusts
Proverbs 1:33. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet (secure, at ease) from fear of evil.
And once more friends, we’re truly blessed on this Friday morning with both the Sun and the SON shining brightly! Glory to our great God! Praise His Holy Name!
Remember though, that we’re seeing this day because He has important plans for us to perform, so we need to talk to Him and find out what’s up in His will today.
Mean while, the ordinary workingman is more concerned about the days off on the weekend, as he delightedly declares: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday! The weekend’s here… We free and clear… and a fine time will be had by all…eating and drinking and partying! Wow! Thank God for Fridays and the weekends oui!’
Ah mih people, extremes are not good for us. We need some sense of sensible balance in our lives, otherwise we’re liable to go overboard one way or the other, like the ordinary workingman.
I believe that our Friday Chant provides that sensible balance, so let’s chant it now nuh, so that we can keep our heads on straight. (smile) In unison now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yes my fellow born-again believers, for us, maximizing the time we spend with Jesus and doing His work should be our top priority every day of our lives!
That means we need to set serious borders and boundaries in all that we do, and then ask Him to help us stay within those parameters, since stepping outside them will only sully our work and witness for Him. Amen!
And if you doubt me, then listen to these fateful words of Cousin Sol to those who reject the wisdom of God. ‘For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord: They would (have) none of my counsel: they despised all of my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices (schemes).
For the turning away (waywardness) of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity (complacency) of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet (secure, at ease) from fear of evil.’ (Prov.1:29-33)
What a magnificent promise that’s embedded in our Bit, my people! And what I just can’t understand is why we turn away, foolishly reject the wonderful promises of God, when we full well know that they are all sound and sincere, and that He never reneges on any of them.
But as they say; to each his own, and we have to lie down on our beds however we make them up. (smile) Long time I haven’t heard that one. My wise mother use to preach it to me all the time.
And it’s the gospel truth! I can tell you that from personal experience. For whatever decisions we make, we will have to live with the consequences arising from them. And you see what the Lord promises for those who refuse to accept His wisdom – death and destruction!
But hear the wonderful things He has in store for those who accept Him; His wisdom, knowledge and understanding. ‘My son, let them not depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace (favour) unto thy neck. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.’ {Unfortunately I had to wake up from one of those sweet sleeps this morning to come and write the Bit. (smile}
‘Be not afraid of sudden fear (terror), neither of the desolation of (trouble from) the wicked, when it comes. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken (caught).’ (Prov.3:21-26)
Oh my breddren, if I have those wonderful promises from the Creator of the universe, why would I hearken unto the lies and deceits of a fallen angel, a fool like Lucifer eh, who’s only true offers are death and destruction? No way Jose! That only shows that I don’t have true wisdom and understanding.
So please, I implore us, let’s give up all the nonsense, the worldly lusts and pleasures trumpeted by Lucifer, for they are only false facades, simple storefronts, with no substance to them, or behind them.
Instead, let’s seriously and sincerely, diligently and wisely accept the faithful promises of Jehovah God nuh, and thus live our lives the way He desires, so that He can bless us now and forever. Now that is true wisdom and understanding to the nth degree! Much LOVE!
…as for me and mine…we will follow the Lord…that’s a no brainer…
05 Mar 2017
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a person of excellence, a shield, all the day long, another one bites the dust, as for me and minse, be joyful in thee, believers, bless, bless the righteous, blessed assurance, blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, bondage, born of his spirit, cancer, caring, celebrate life, chains of fear, compassion, confidence, delight, ever-faithful, excellence, favour, free from fear, glory divine, God's Word, goodness, heaven, heir of salvation, hope, Jesus' comforting arms, joy, leukemia, looking above, lost in his love, LOVE, loved life, next life, praising my saviour, promises, purchase of God, rapture, rejoice, reluctant to believe, reneges, resting in peace, sacrifice of praise, salvation, scourge of humanity, shout for joy, submission, take it in stride, the righteous, this is my song, this is my story, thou good and faithful servant, trust, trustin God, visions of rapture, waiting, washed in his blood, watching, we will follow the Lord, whose hope is the Lord, wisdom
Jeremiah 17:7. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.
‘And another one bites the dust!’ Yes my brethren, another friend of mine has been smitten by that unrelenting scourge of humanity, cancer – the leukemia strain. Ah Lord eh! Will it ever end? Perhaps not, so we need to take it in stride. For about two years she courageously battled the disease, but all to no avail. I guess God just had other plans for her.
We celebrated her life yesterday with a most hearty goodbye. Everyone said she would have been most impressed by it, because she LOVED life, and always gave of her best in all aspects. That was the overwhelming sentiment; Lovine was a person of excellence! And I’m sure Jesus held His arms wide open to her, as He joyfully declared: ‘Welcome home, Crescent Lovine Vernon-Micaleff, thou good and faithful servant!’
And though it will be hard on the family and friends who are still here, we all know that she is resting in peace in the comforting arms of Jesus, smiling down at us, telling us not to worry, that eventually we will meet again. And we all know that, so though she may not be here physically with us, her spirit will always remain in our hearts.
And in her honour today, we will open our praise and worship with one of the last songs she asked her family to sing with her before she passed away – the wonderful hymn of praise and trust ‘Blessed Assurance.’
So friends, let’s rock heaven with the sacrifice of praise of our lips as we sing: ‘Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood. (Refrain): This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long; This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long.
Perfect submission, perfect delight, Visions of rapture now burst on my sight; Angels, descending, bring from above Echoes of mercy, whispers of love. (Refrain): Perfect submission, all is at rest, I in my Savior am happy and blest, Watching and waiting, looking above, Filled with His goodness, lost in His love. (Refrain) This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long; This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long.’
Ah mih people, all heaven was touched by our heartfelt rendition! And yuh know what? The only way to be able to truly believe and enjoy those sentiments contained in the hymn is by doing what our Bit advises. ‘Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.’
Yeh friends, we can only have that joy and confidence in His LOVE and caring and compassion and meeting Him in heaven in the next life to live forever, when we totally believe, trust and hope in Him and His Word! That’s why I can’t understand why so many people today are running away from God, instead of towards Him, for He is the ONLY ONE who can save us from both ourselves and the evil world around us!
The only thing that can break the chains of fear which keep us in bondage is total trust in the Lord God Almighty, not partial! And until mankind recognizes and acknowledges that, we’ll just keep sinking further down in the mire of evil in which we’re currently immersed. End of sermon! (smile)
Now let’s check out some soul searching scripture that corroborates our Bit. Listen up first to the psalmist from Psalm 125 – God surrounds his people. ‘They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion which cannot be removed (moved), but abideth for ever. As the mountains are round about (surround) Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.’ (Ps.125:1-2)
What a marvellous promise my fellow believers! If you don’t want to believe it and then act on it, there’s not much I can say. Now hear this most awesome promise of our most amazing God. Jeremiah speaks on His behalf. ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil (calamity), to give you an expected end (a future and a hope).’
Now why would God make such a wonderful promise if He didn’t mean to keep it eh? And we all know that He’s ever-faithful and never reneges on any of His many promises, so why are we so reluctant to believe Him and put our entire trust in Him eh? Only God alone knows yes!
And we’ll close with these wise and wonderful sentiments from Bruh David, taken from Psalm 5 – A prayer for protection. ‘But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that LOVE thy name be joyful in thee. For thou, Lord wilt bless the righteous: with favour wilt thou compass (surround) him as with a shield.’ (Ps.5:11-12)
Oh friends, I don’t know what else to say nuh, except, that as for me and mine, we will follow the Lord. That to me is the wisdom of the ages! Let’s hope that you and yours feel the same way. Much LOVE!
…trusting God…is the only way…to be free from fear… (Uncle Charles – Charles Stanley)
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