Today’s Scrip-Bit   7 January 2024 Micah 4:3b.

07 Jan 2024 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Micah 4:3b.       nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.

And it’s Sunday once more, the first of this new year of 2024, and although there’s been some decent snow activity, the sanctuaries of the Lord will still be overflowing with the uplifting and encouraging vibes and emotions of the recent Christmas and New Year’s celebrations. Glory to God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit! Yes, our Triune God deserves all the accolades we can ascribe to them! 

Now, though our world hasn’t yet changed for the better, we still hold out hope that in this new year Christ’s church, that’s we believers, will make a substantial difference to the colour of our world. Instead of it being filled with the darkness and the evil of Satan, we will fill it with the light and LOVE of Jesus Christ, transform it through the power of the LOVE REVOLUTION! Yes friends, Christ expects big things from us this year, that means we have to get an early start to our revolutionary activities; like right now. 

And what better way to begin than with this old favourite, the African American Spiritual titled ‘Gonna Lay Down My Burdens’ or ‘Down by the Riverside’ or ‘Ain’t Gonna Study War No More.’ (smile) That’s how many names the song has, as well as many different verses, and obviously there is no known author, but it’s been recorded numerous times since the first recording by the Fisk University Jubilee Quartet in 1920. And it’s such a very appropriate song for the violent and warlike times our world is currently going through. So let’s offer up sweet and sincere sacrifices of praise to heaven with an up-tempo, rocking, scintillating modern version of the song. 

Singing: ‘I’m gonna lay down my burdens down by the riverside Down by the riverside down by the riverside Oh I’m gonna lay down my burdens down by the riverside Ain’t gonna study war no more Well I ain’t gonna study war no more ain’t gonna study war no more Ain’t gonna study war no more I ain’t gonna study war… I’m gonna lay down my sword and shield down by the riverside Down by the riverside down by the riverside I’m gonna lay down my sword and shield down by the riverside Ain’t gonna study war no more Well I ain’t gonna study war… I ain’t gonna study war… 

I’m gonna put on my long white robe, down by the riverside, gonna put on my long white robe down by the riverside Ain’t gonna study war no more Well I ain’t gonna study war no more ain’t gonna study war no more Ain’t gonna study war no more I ain’t gonna study war… I’m gonna try on my stary (golden) crown down by the riverside Down by the riverside down by the riverside I’m gonna try on my stary (golden) crown down by the riverside Ain’t gonna study war no more Well I ain’t gonna study war…I ain’t gonna study war…Ain’t going to study war no more.’ 

And what a day that will be my fellow saints, when the study of war will be extinct like the dodo bird! The problem though, is that we can’t only wish for it to happen, we have to do something concrete and productive to make it happen, for the enemy will try to stop us in any way they can, as warmongering is to their benefit. And just like the slaves sang it before the civil war as ‘an expression of religious hope and an allusion to escaping slavery,’ we sing it with the same religious hope but alluding to ending the atrocities of war that’s plagued mankind since the beginning of time. 

Meanwhile the reference to the ‘riverside’ in the song seems to be referring to the Jordan River in the Bible, where the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land, but was ostensibly a coded reference for the Ohio River that bordered the slave and free states, and where slaves could find a route of escape to the northern states and freedom…their Promised Land. And the words of the chorus ‘aint gonna study war no more,’ come from prophecies in the Old Testament; Isaiah 2:1-4, and Micah 4:1-5. The prophecies are almost word for word, but I prefer Micah’s version because he spells it out more fully and explicitly. (smile)

Let’s read: ‘But in the last days it shall come to pass, the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in (on) the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills, and people (peoples) shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of (out of) Zion, and the world of the Lord from Jerusalem. 

And he shall judge among (between) many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks (pruning knives): nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree: and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it. For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.’ (Mic. 4:1-5) 

Oh how beautiful that will be my brethren! Sitting below your fig tree or vine, unafraid of the warmongers, for there will be no more warmongers, just peace LOVERS walking in the name of Christ! Can’t wait to experience that time! (smile) And this is what the scholars have to say on those verses. ‘The phrase in the last days, as well as a comparison with other prophecies (e.g. Is. 2:2-4), indicates that the prophet is looking beyond the restoration from the Babylonian captivity to the days of the Millennium when every promise given to Abraham will ultimately be fulfilled.’ 

But friends, we don’t have to wait that long to do something about the warlike nature of our world. In the meanwhile we can do stuff to reduce that warlike nature. And we had better do something very quickly because the war cries are ramping up pretty fast, with new theatres of war opening up almost daily. Not to mention that everyday we are building better weapons of mass destruction. 

So, if we want our grandchildren to see a somewhat green and luscious world, with normal and not emaciated people in it, we had better do something almost immediately, because when the nuclear holocaust erupts, and that can be any day now, there won’t be much of God’s great creations left. Much LOVE!

…the peculiarity of war is that everyone loses…even the supposed victor suffers serious loss…but yet…war dominates our planet… 

Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ                  

Today’s Scrip-Bit   22 June 2023 Isaiah 44:18.

22 Jun 2023 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Isaiah 44:18.       They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.

And so, we’ve come to Thursday, somewhat cloudy, but another milestone day in our work week, because it’s the day before our beloved Friday! But have you ever noticed that every day of the week is a milestone day? Yes. Monday is the hard day when we go back to work. Tuesday lets us know that we’ve successfully gotten through the Monday that we dreaded. 

Wednesday is the day we catch our second wind. Thursday lets us know that Friday is near. And blessed Friday, the one we all pray to reach, means that the work week is ending. Meanwhile Saturday is our lazy day, and Sunday the day we gather in fellowship to praise our wonderful God! Wow! Every day serves some purpose, though they might be somewhat simple-minded. (smile) 

So what shall we talk about on a serious note today eh? I don’t have a clue. But the best way to find something is to open the Good Library and see where it leads us. So, here goes! 

And lo, and behold, the good Library opened unto the 44th chapter of the Book of Isaiah. And I was pointed to these verses on the foolishness of worshipping idols. Please read with me. ‘They that make a graven image are all of them vanity (useless); and their delectable (precious) things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not; nor know; that they may be ashamed. Who hath formed a god, or molten (moulded) a graven image that is profitable for nothing?’ (Is. 44:9-10) 

And those are very good questions my faithful brethren. Who can form a god or molten image that is profitable eh? Nobody, because those things have no value, are utterly worthless. They are made by man, for man, so how can they be gods? Then Isaiah lays into the people, the workmen who make those graven images, the smith and the carpenter. 

And the scholars give us a good explanation of the scriptures. ‘44:9-20. This expose of idolatry is the most taunting in all of the Bible. The prophet Isaiah, serving as the spokesman of Yahweh, reveals the utter foolishness of polytheistic pagan idolatry (worshipping more than one god). The graven image (carved idol) is called vanity (nothing). Delectable things refers to the adornment of idols with gold, silver, and precious stones. 

The prophet announces that the idols themselves are their own witnesses. They see not, nor know. Therefore these inanimate objects are profitable for nothing. Isaiah then berates the workmen  (artisans) for designing and constructing their idols in the figure of a man. He exposes the basic fallacy of idolatry, a god made in the image of a man. Thus the prophet’s criticism of one who would worship an idol carved from the same tree that he would use for firewood is that he feedeth on ashes.’  

Oh yes my people, Isaiah does a good job on those workmen. From verse 13-17, he ridicules them about cutting down a tree, using it to make a god-like image of man, then from the same tree, he burns some to keep himself warm, then uses some to bake bread. ‘And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto (before) it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, deliver me; for thou art my god.’ (Is. 44:17) 

Wow! How wise is that eh? The same stuff you use to warm yourself, cook with, you also bow down to! That’s why Isaiah then spoke of a deceived heart. ‘They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand. And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part (half) of it in the fire; yea, also I have beaked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree? He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?’ (Is. 44:18-20) 

Ah friends, unfortunately that same misfortune has befallen many of us in this supposed enlightened day and age. Many of us have had our hearts deceived by the lying, untrustworthy enemy into turning away from God, our Creator and Provider. We have been so bamboozled that we can’t realize we’re believing a lie, when we say, there is no God. And that’s why our society is steadily falling into the mire of darkness and destruction. We are imploding, destroying ourselves from within. 

The Lord doesn’t need to destroy us for our wicked and ungodly behaviour, we are doing it ourselves. He just has to sit back and watch us foolishly destroy the wonderful planet and all therein that He made and gave to us. Things have gotten so bad that instead of destroying us for our wickedness, the Lord will have to save us again from ourselves, for with each passing day we draw nearer to a nuclear holocaust, with the increase in the manufacture and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the unbridled hate and resentment overflowing in our world. Let’s hope and pray that the Lord intervenes before it’s too late. 

Now, let’s go home declaring (chuh!!!) our Thursday Blessings, generously bestowed on us, so that we can do our part in avoiding the holocaust. Altogether 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 every day! Amen!’ 

Now friends, it’s our bounden duty to take those blessings and go out and use them just as generously with those we meet, so that they can wake up from the enemy induced stupor, come to Christ and stop worshipping Satan and/or foolish man-made idols. Much LOVE!

…how can a man worship the image of a man…when that same man…in the twinkling of an eye… returns to the dust from whence he came… 

 Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ        

Today’s Scrip-Bit   10 May 2023 Matthew 6:33.

10 May 2023 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Matthew 6:33.        But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Yes! It looks like we’re going to get three consecutive sunshiny days at long last! Glory be! You in the tropics wouldn’t understand how good that can be during the wet, rainy spring season. And yes, the frozen ground and the plants do need water to moisten them up and give them nourishment to grow, but too much of a good thing can also be bad. Just look at the recent severe flooding that’s occurred in the Western Province of British Columbia, where they got too much rain, and the forest fires in the middle Provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, where they didn’t get enough. 

Life is meant to be a fine balancing act, and if anything drives it off that precarious scale, disaster often follows. And we can see that in the life of man too. He was made to live in communion with His creator and heavenly Father, but he’s stubbornly, and oh so foolishly turned away from Him! So what’s the result of that imbalance eh? A chaotic world, where wars and rumours of war reign, where hatred, religious conflicts, poverty, sickness, economic disaster, climate change and the disasters that they bring are running riot. 

And we can carry on with much more of the chaotic stuff that’s happening because mankind has turned away from a gracious, merciful, forgiving and LOVING God. That’s the tragedy of the ages! And until we wake up and realize why our world is in such a calamitous state, we’ll keep on the downward trend to total destruction. Can you believe that at this stage of our existence, knowing our very fragile current situation, despite the overwhelming disaster that one mistake, or one madman can trigger, we’re still in a race to build bigger and better weapons of mass destruction? 

What’s wrong with us eh? Why are we so pig-headed that we keep rolling along the path that will bring certain destruction, and not the one that will bring redemption and salvation? Didn’t we hear, or didn’t we understand what Jesus said so long ago? ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt. 6:33) Yes friends, man was made to seek first the spiritual things of God’s kingdom and not the material things of this evil and fallen world. 

If we make the righteousness that’s characteristic of God’s kingdom our priority, then Jesus promises that all the material stuff we need will be supplied. Bruh Paul also promised it when he said: ‘But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 4:19) What’s it eh? Don’t we have faith in the promises of God? Don’t we think we can live a life that’s characterized by the righteousness of God? If not, then the words spoken by Bruh Paul to the Philippians: ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me,’ (Phil. 4:13) are a complete and utter waste of time. 

In fact, it’s a total lie! And all else that flows from it is nothing but fallacy and falsehood. Oh my fellow believers, Jesus will NEVER lie to us, or refuse us His help in anything we undertake in His will and His name. Let’s believe that nuh, because it’s what our faith is based on. Otherwise all the fuss we make about His death and resurrection, salvation, eternal life et al is a complete waste of time. We cannot believe one aspect of Jesus’ ministry and philosophy and don’t believe the others. So it’s very necessary that we believe it all if we are to benefit from it. 

And if you don’t believe that God will supply all our needs if we put our sincere trust and faith in Him, then listen to what He did for Cousin Sol, way back when, when he became king of Israel on the death of his father, Bruh David. One night, in a vision, the Lord asked Cousin Sol what He wanted, and he asked for wisdom and understanding to rule the people in a wise and godly manner. Now the Lord gave him that wisdom and understanding, that’s why to this this day, he’s still known as the wisest man ever, because the Lord said; ‘so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee, shall any arise like unto thee.’ (1 Kin. 3:12) 

But listen to this, as the Lord continues: ‘And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any (anyone) among the kings like unto thee all thy days.’ (1 Kin. 3:13) Yuh see that friends, Cousin Sol didn’t ask for wealth and honour, but the Lord gave them to him anyway, because of his trust and faith, and in such abundance too, that no other king was as rich and honoured as him. But yuh know what, the Lord interspersed one proviso amongst all the showers of blessings. 

Listen up: ‘And if you will walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen (prolong) thy days.’ (1 Kin. 3:14) Oh my fellow believers, the key to the whole thing, the key to all the wealth and honour of the kingdom of heaven is simply walking in the Lord’s will and ways. He doesn’t expect us to be perfect, because He knows that He did not create perfect but imperfect, sinful, disobedient souls. Just look at some of the stuff that Bruh David did, nuh; adultery and murder, yet the Lord still considered him a friend and a man after his own heart and made him the greatest king ever of Israel. 

But the big difference is that Bruh David always sought the Lord. He knew on which side his bread was buttered, and thus brought every problem to God and did his best to stay on the straight and narrow path. So why is it so difficult for us to understand that our bread is also buttered on the same side as Bruh David’s was eh, and with even small faith, keep going to Him for refuge and understanding, and the things we need in this life? I can’t answer that question, but I do know that I’m trying to do like Bruh David, and though I’m far from perfect and have made many mistakes, the Lord has still blessed me with stuff that I certainly don’t deserve. 

Life hasn’t been easy, but all through it I can now see His hand working on my behalf. And He will work on the behalf of anyone who sincerely puts their trust in His Son Jesus Christ and do their best to stick to His statutes and commandments. And what better scripture to close with than these words from Bruh Paul to Timothy. ‘But refuse (reject) profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.’ (1 Tim. 4:7-8) 

What more can I say eh? Not much. But for those of us who are sincerely trying to practice godliness, let’s go home declaring (awright!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our marvellous position in Christ Jesus. Altogether 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!’ 

Now friends, let’s just keep om seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness so that others can see that it works. Much LOVE!

…the devil is destroying our world…so why aren’t we turning to the One who wishes to save it eh…Almighty God… 

 Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ 

Today’s Scrip-Bit   27 March 2023 Psalm 107:1.

27 Mar 2023 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Psalm 107:1.          O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy (LOVING-kindness) endureth for ever.

Aye mih people, it looks like spring has really sprung this Monday morning in the last week of March. Once again, you can hear the joyful birds singing their sweet songs of morning praises to their Creator and giving their thanks for seeing another day. Now that’s what we should also be doing, because we have even more to be thankful for than the birds of the air. The sun’s up and shining brightly, and I believe the weather is above the freezing mark, giving us another reason to be glad for the air we breathe and God’s breath of life that’s energizing our souls, our bodies, and our spirits. 

And all of God’s children said a grateful and thankful: ‘Thank you Lord for your magnanimous gifts to your underserving children!’ That brings to mind the opening verse of Psalm 107: ‘O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy (LOVING-kindness) endureth for ever.’ (Ps. 107:1) And that’s the indisputable truth friends! God’s mercy (LOVING-kindness) is from everlasting to everlasting! That’s why we are still around to tell the tell the tale. 

Unfortunately though, not as many of us as should, do truly give God thanks for His mercy and goodness. Right now, so many people and situations are crying out for the removal of God from our society, but please think for a moment, if we actually got rid of God – which by the way will NEVER happen – what would become of us eh? We certainly can’t govern or rule ourselves. Just look at the mess we’re in right now, even with God somewhat in the picture. Can you imagine if there was no God to help us up when we falter and fall, like so many of us are doing? 

And what I can’t understand, is that we can’t fix our problems, but we don’t have the wisdom to turn to God, because our foolish pride and the devil’s goading is preventing us from doing so. Oh friends, I beg of you to listen and turn back to God. Please look at what’s happening to our world; the scary, unpredictable weather conditions, with more powerful hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and so many other natural disasters than we’ve ever known at one time. Not to mention, the pervasive drought and famine all over, the economic futility and poverty in a world of plenty. 

Then add the worldwide sickness and disease in a time when we’re transplanting hearts and other organs like it were child’s play, but the scourges of cancer and stress are still consuming our young in great numbers because of the food we eat and the lifestyle we live. We’ve put man on the moon and are tearing up and down in space, like it was our own backyard, while focusing on building ever bigger and more powerful weapons of mass destruction. No wonder there are wars and turbulent times all over. It’s almost impossible to find a place on the globe where there’s no strife and serious unrest. 

And yet we look down our noses at the Israelites who had God’s goodness surrounding them, but when they became prosperous turned away from Him because of foolish pride, believing they had engineered their prosperity on their strength. In Deuteronomy 8, Moses warned the Israelites of that very thing. But they didn’t listen, and it’s the very same thing we are doing today. We’ve entirely forgotten that it’s the Lord God Almighty who has given us the power to get wealth and prosperity. (Deut. 8:18) 

But the big difference between the Israelites and us is that when they suffered their disastrous times for turning away from God, they eventuallywoke up, realized their mistake and turned back to Him, and were reinstated in His mercy. But not us. We’re so modern and inventive, twenty-first century people, we don’t need some far away, nebulous being to handle our affairs. And that’s why all the negative stuff that’s currently overwhelming our world is going to continue, with Satan forcing us down further into the mire of darkness, until we either wake up and smell the roses, or our world implodes. 

We certainly cannot continue in this negative vein, without more disastrous things happening, because each one just fuels the other. Remember the basic law of God’s economy? You reap what you sow, more than you sow and later than you sow! And we’re already reaping the harvest of our earlier negative deeds, but one day, if we persist in this negative manner, we’re certainly going to reap the big boomerang. Remember, another law of nature is what goes around comes around. 

That’s why we should take these cathartic, cleansing and refreshing words of Psalm 107 very seriously. ‘Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness (LOVING-kindness), and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron (prisoners): Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned (despised) the counsel of the most High: 

Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help. Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder (broke their chains in pieces). Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness (LOVING-kindness), and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he hath broken the gates of brass (bronze), and cut the bars of iron in sunder.’ (Ps. 107: 8-16)  

Yes my people, that’s what the Lord did for the children of Israel, and what He will do for us if we get wise and ask Him. And there’s no better time to do that than right now! So, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn and place our petition before Him. Altogether now:  ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You this Monday morning for life and strong faith in Christ, despite the mass confusion in our world. We desperately need Your divine help, for You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems. 

Heavenly Father, we admit that we have all sinned and seriously disobeyed Your Word, but we know that You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, who has faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face. That’s why we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading with You to give us wise guidance and direction to alleviate our problems. 

And Father, we pray that you will ease the pain of the many who are suffering from negative situations. Please show them Your awesome grace and mercy, and keep Your promise that You’ll hear our prayer, forgive us, and heal our land if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again, we say: Amen!’ 

And if we truly expect a positive answer from heaven, then now is time for us to keep our part of the covenant and turn from our evil ways. Much LOVE!

…God is the Creator and Controller of the universe… while we are only frail and fragile created beings…why do we keep forgetting that eh… 

 Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ  

Today’s Scrip-Bit   11 November 2022 Proverbs 5:21.

11 Nov 2022 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Proverbs 5:21.       For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth (observes, weighs) all his goings. 

Prologue:    Yes friends, the Bit’s late and pretty long today, I had no choice, but it’s oh so good! (smile) 

At long last it’s Friday! A rainy-day Friday in my area. And many of us have already shouted TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday! But then again many of us are blessed because we don’t have to go to work since it’s a holiday, we’re celebrating Remembrance Day, in memory of the many who died unnecessarily on our behalf in the first World War. ‘Remembrance Day was first observed in 1919 throughout the British Commonwealth. It was originally called “Armistice Day” to commemorate the armistice agreement that ended the First World War on Monday, November 11, 1918, at 11 a.m.—on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.’ 

Since then, we’ve mourned the loss of many others who gave their lives on our behalf, so that we could have the freedoms we now enjoy. And it’s good to have a day of Remembrance for those who died, but what about those who lived through those disastrous wars eh? The politicians talk a good talk on days like today, and parade out some of the veterans, but the truth is, those veterans are being very badly treated by our society. We forget them once this day is over. They struggle to find housing, money and good health care for the many injuries and traumas that they suffered in the wars they fought for us. 

Please, if we think so much of them, why do they have to fight to get their just deserts eh? Let’s show them true appreciation by setting up good services for them so that they don’t have to struggle and fight to live a half-decent life in a land that they’ve given so much of their efforts to. And on this day, many of us remember the poem written in 1915 during the fierce fighting in Europe by Canadian Physician John McCrea (1872:1918) It’s titled ‘In Flanders Fields.’ Let’s read it now with much gratitude as we remember all those who unselfishly gave up their lives for us in the many wars we’ve fought down through the ages. 

‘In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, LOVED, and were LOVED, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.’ 

Yes friends, many of our brethren lie buried in the fields of Europe. And not all of them in decent graves, but they died valiantly, seeking the peace and freedom that we desired, and now have. So please let’s guard them zealously, for they were won with much bloodshed and heartache. And we have a phrase we use at this time of year: ‘Lest We Forget.’ But you know what? I think we’ve forgotten! We forgot soon after the end of the First World War, otherwise there wouldn’t have been a Second World War, the Korean War, the Vietnamese War and the many other wars and strife filled situations that have taken place, and are still taking place right now since we coined that phrase. 

It apparently comes from an 1897 poem by the English Poet Rudyard Kipling, titled “Recessional,” where he reminds readers not to forget what is not to be obliterated. In the poem, he underscores the phrase “lest we forget”: That section reads: ‘God of our fathers, known of old, Lord of our far-flung battle-line, Beneath whose awful Hand we hold Dominion over palm and pine— Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, Lest we forget—lest we forget!’ But unfortunately, in this modern day and age, we have very short memories and we keep forgetting the endless bloodshed and pain that strife causes us all. 

And I don’t know if our world has ever seen a time so strife-filled as right now. It’s happening all over the globe. Why is that eh? We’ve gotten more knowledge and technological power, more money and amenities than ever before, but yet we strive with each other over petty things and centuries old differences. Don’t we know, haven’t we realized through all the warfare and blood shed that violence and strife solve nothing. They just breed more and greater resentment and thus eventually more and greater strife. And we can see that very clearly because much of the strife that’s happening now began years ago that most of those involved in it don’t even really know about. But it’s in their land, their country’s benefit to fight for it. 

Ah Lord eh! We claim that we are God’s creation, the only one with a mind to think…Hn! And maybe we are, in terms of our physical construction, but we would have been better off without the mind that sets us apart from the other living beings. Why? If you have to ask that question, then it just proves my contention. (smile) None of the other living beings destroy each other for petty, unimportant reasons like we humans do. And like the more knowledge we gain, the more we focus it on weapons of war, of mass destruction and not on the betterment of the planet. 

Right now, we’re back on the nuclear war kick. Everybody’s developing and improving nuclear weapons. Isn’t that stupid, when with the first nuclear weapon fired, our world will be devastated, destroyed like it’s never been before, because everybody is going to join the fray, just to prove how powerful they are. We’re likely to wipe out all living things plants and animals. But yet we forge ahead with the foolishness. 

Oh friends, though my heart is sad, I can’t help chuckling because I just opened the Big Library looking for an appropriate scripture and it opened unto the Book of Proverbs, unto these wise words of Cousin Sol. ‘For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth (observes, weighs) all his goings. His own iniquities shall take (entrap) the wicked himself, and he shall be holden (caught) with the cords of his sins. He shall die without (for lack of) instruction, and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.’ (Prov. 5:21-23) 

Yes my people, that sounds very much like us in this day and age. Wickedness and lack of wisdom are flourishing, the dumbing down of our society is well underway, which can only mean that our days are numbered if we stay on the wide and winding path we’re currently on, the one that leads to destruction. But there’s another way; the straight and narrow way that leads to Jesus and eternal life. And I’m imploring us this Remembrance Day of 2022 to choose that path. Like Moses said to the children of Israel. ‘I call heaven and earth to record (witness) this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.’ (Deut. 30:19) 

Oh my fellow saints, that’s the exact stage we are at right now. We can either follow Satan and see our world go up in flames, or follow Christ and see it filled with eternal life. The choice is ours, but as Moses so wisely advised the Israelites, let’s choose life nuh so that our descendants and us can live. And to help us do that, the first step is always prayer. So, let’s take our problems to the throne room of heaven through our Friday Chant and place them before our gracious and merciful God. 

Altogether now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. You know it’s been rough… what with all the anxiety, the confusion and havoc that the several viruses and our many other problems are causing. We can’t seem to fix it on our own Lord, that means we desperately need your help. Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat both the viruses and the simmering unrest in our land. 

So Lord, we sincerely ask you today to give the governments and those involved in the forefront of this serious and unexpected storm, the wise guidance to handle the situation properly, with the least amount of loss to life and property as possible. And please help those of us who must go out to work amidst all the confusion, to be responsible and to stay safe, and avoid any more serious setbacks. And Lord, we fervently pray that You’ll use this situation to bring a lot of backsliders back to your fold, show them the error of their ways. 

And please introduce a whole new flock, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion by the example, we, your faithful believers set. Yes Lord, please use this pandemic, the discontent and dissatisfaction in our land that’s threatening to boil over, as a means of restoring faith in You, so that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’ 

And now, we must get on our horses and ride; ride like the wind, give it our best effort to save our world. We all know what to do. Much LOVE!

…the choice between life and death…is a no-brainer…life is obviously the better of the two… 

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