17 Aug 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a magnificent day, a perishable crown, acceptable unto God, achieve glory, always abounding in the work of the Lord, an awesome greeting, an imperishable crown, an incorruptible crown, an indisputable fact, be a castaway, be disqualified, be not conformed to this world, be of good cheer, be rewarded with glorious victory, be transformed by the renewing of your mind, be ye steadfast, bondaged to Satan, bought with a price, bring it into subjection, but one receiveth the prize, by the mercies of God, children of the Most High God, Christ's sacrificial death, Christians, clothed by freedom in Christ, competes for the prize, conquering power, constantly bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, disciplining our minds and bodies, divine aid, does man have access to God, don't allow the world to contaminate you, enter thou into the joy of the Lord, even our faith, every man that striveth for mastery, expect to come out victorious, face the music of the working world, faith, faithful over a few things, fill us with steadfast faith, find favour with God, finished my course, finished my race, fought a good fight, furthering your glorious kingdom, getting serious about living for Jesus, give me at that day, glorify God in your body and spirit, go out to meet the enemy in battle, God is sovereign over the world, God's presence within us, he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God, holy, holy spirit, honour God with how we live our lives, humble servants, humbly ask, I beseech you therefore brethren, I discipline my body, i have overcome the world, I have preached to others, I keep under my body, I therefore so run, in a practical manner, in me ye might have peace, in our endeavours for Christ, in the world ye shall have tribulation, into the evil and ungodly world, invincible, irrevocable presentation, Jesus Christ, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keeping lives and families together, kept the faith, know ye not, lest that by any means, LOVE, make thee a ruler over many things, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mercy, my beloved brethren, not as one that beateth the air, not to me only, on Christ's behalf, one more Monday, one more time unto the breach, only through the Son, present your bodies a living sacrifice, prove what is that good and acceptable perfect will of God, put on the new man, rejuvenation of spirit, rewarded with a crown of righteousness, run not as uncertainly, run that ye may obtain, sally forth with confidence, salvation, self-control, so fight I, sure conquerors, take off the old man, temperate in all things, thankful for jobs, thanks be to God who gives us the victory, the BIBLE, the christian life begins with total commitment, the indwelling of the Holy spirit, the joy of the Lord, the judgement day, the parable of the five talents, the renewed vitality and enthusiasm, the righteous judge, the righteousness of God is manifested, the throne of grace, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, these things I have spoken unto you, they which run in a race run all, this is the victory that overcometh the world, through him that loved us, through our Lord Jesus christ, to lead and guide all your servants, to obtain a corruptible crown, trials and tribulations, truth, unmoveable, unto all them that love his appearing, we surrender our all to you, we're not afraid, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, well done thou good and faithful servant, whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world, who is he that overcometh the world, wisdom, ye are not your own, you've wrought in our weary souls, your body is the temple of the holy Ghost, your incredible aura of love, your labour is not in vain, your reasonable service
Today’s Scrip-Bit 17 August 2026 1 John 5:5.
1 John 5:5. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God.
One more Monday, one more time unto the breach dear friends, one more time to face the music of the working world! And though we may experience numerous trials and tribulations in our endeavours for Christ, we fully expect to come out victorious because we are the children of Most High God, and thus sure conquerors through him that LOVED us. And that’s an indisputable fact! If we diligently pursue God’s will for our lives, then we will eventually be rewarded with glorious victory!
As John so rightly states in his first epistle: ‘For whatsoever is born of God (every believer born of God) overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God.’ (1 John 5:4-5) And I like the scholars’ explanation of that last verse. ‘There is conquering power through this confession because God is sovereign over the world, and only through the Son does man have access to and find favour with God.’
Jesus Himself also spoke about overcoming the world when He said to the disciples, and consequently to us. ‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33) So John’s words are gospel truth.
And Bruh Paul corroborates John’s words with his own testimony to the Corinthians: ‘But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain (futile) in the Lord.’ (1 Cor. 15:57-58)
And that’s for sure! The Lord will never give us work to do, then not reward us if we do it diligently and excellently. It’s like Bruh Paul wrote to Timothy in his last letter. ‘I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course (my race), I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that LOVE his appearing.’ (2 Tim. 4:7-8)
Yes, my brethren, all who LOVE the Lord and faithfully do His bidding will be rewarded with a crown of righteousness come the judgement day. It will be just like the Jesus describes it in the parable of the five talents, where one of the servants did a good job with the duties given to him, and the Master rewards him thus: ‘Well done thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee a ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of the Lord.’ (Matt. 25:21)
Wow! What an awesome greeting, and what a magnificent day that will be when we receive it from Jesus! And how do we achieve that glory in a practical manner? Listen to some practical advice from Bruh Paul contained in his first letter to the Corinthians, which ties in very nicely with his comment to Timothy about running his race. ‘Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery (competes for the prize) is temperate in all things (has self-control).
Now they do it to obtain a corruptible (perishable) crown; but we an incorruptible (imperishable crown). I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under (discipline) my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway (be disqualified).’ (1 Cor. 9:24-27)
Yes friends, it all begins with disciplining our minds and bodies, getting serious about living for Jesus. As Bruh Paul further advocates: ‘I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable (rational) service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God.’ (Rom. 12:1-2)
Now that’s not easy to do, but if we are to truly serve Christ, then we must do our best and don’t allow the world to contaminate us, neither in soul, body or mind. And according to the scholars, ‘This means that the Christian life begins with total commitment and irrevocable presentation. And our bodies are now to be presented to God as a channel through which the righteousness of God is manifested.’
For as Bruh Paul spells out in 1 Corinthians. ‘What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye were bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are Gods.’ (1 Cor. 6:19-20) Yes mih bredrin, we no longer belong to ourselves, but to God who paid a rather high price for us, through Christ’s sacrificial death, and with the indwelling Holy Spirit, or God’s presence within us, we are now called to honor God with how we live and treat ourselves.
And for divine aid to help us do that, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour!
We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And having our prayers answered, let’s now go out and do sincere battle with the enemy on Christ’s behalf! Much LOVE!
…take off the old man…bondaged to Satan…and put on the new one…clothed by freedom in Christ…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
10 Aug 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a built-in barrier, after ye have suffered a while, all will face temptation, allow your incredible aura of love, ambassadors of Christ, as a roaring lion, be able to bear it, be sober be vigilant, be tempted above that ye are able, begin a new week of work, buffeted by the enemy's wicked taunts, called us unto his eternal glory, cast into the lake of fire, casting all your care upon him, christianity, destructive schemes, disobedient to God's will, embrace Jesus and His salvation, eternal separation from God, exalt you in due time, experienced by your brethren, faith, fill us with steadfast faith, furthering your glorious kingdom, go out to meet the enemy in battle, God is faithful, god the father, God the Holy Ghost, God the son, God will make a way of escape, greater is he that is in you than he that's in the world, have it more abundantly, have overcome them, he careth for you, hell fire and damnation, holy spirit, humble servants, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, I am come that they might have life, if god be for us who can be against us, in bondage to sin, Jesus Christ, Jesus has the keys to hell death and the grave, jobs, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keeping lives and families together, live under the heavy yoke of Satan, LOVE, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, make you perfect, mercy, negative consequences, no temptation has overtaken you, our weary souls, out and about on Monday, penchant for the lustful things of the world, rejuvenation of spirit, resist Satan, resuscitation of spirit, sally forth with confidence, salvation, Satan's looking for company, scriptures to strengthen us in temptation, sealed until the day of redemption, secured by God through the Holy Spirit, spread our salt and light, stablish strengthen settle you, such as is common to man, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, the BIBLE, the crucifixion death and resurrection of Christ, the evil one, the God of all grace, the lake of fire, the options of salvation and eternal life, the renewed vitality and enthusiasm, the same afflictions are accomplished by your brethren, the strongest trio in our corner, the thief cometh not but to steal, the throne of grace, the way to spend eternity, the worst thing that can happen to a human soul, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever, to kill and destroy, to lead and guide all your servants, tormented day and night for ever, truth, walketh about seeking whom he may devour, we know we're invincible, we're not afraid, wearing your protective spiritual armour, whom resist steadfast in the faith, wisdom, with the temptation, work diligently for Christ, ye are of God little children, your adversary the devil
Today’s Scrip-Bit 10 August 2026 1 John 4:4b.
1 John 4:4b. greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
And we’re out and about again on a sunshiny but somewhat cloud-covered Monday, as ambassadors of Jesus Christ, anxious to spread our salt and light before the unbelievers of this evil and ungodly world, so that they can come to know and understand the valuable options of salvation and eternal life that the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus made available to all mankind.
That they would no longer have to live under the heavy yoke of Satan, the evil one, whose only desire is to turn us away from Jehovah God, to keep us in bondage to sin and darkness, to be rebellious and disobedient to God’s holy will, thus destroying our souls and ending up in eternal separation from our Creator, the worst thing that can happen to a human soul.
That’s why Jesus in His talk about being the good shepherd warns us: ‘The thief cometh not but for (except) to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.’ (John 10:10) The long and short of the story friends is that Satan is looking for company to face all the negative consequences that He will eventually face, like hell fire and damnation for a thousand years, then after being released for a short while to continue his destructive behaviour, finally being tossed into the great lake of fire and brimstone to be tormented day and night for ever. (Rev. 20: 1-10)
Oh my people, is that the way we desire to spend eternity? Obviously not, that’s why we must embrace Jesus and His salvation while resisting Satan and all his destructive schemes, or as Peter puts it: ‘Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in (experienced by) your brethren that are in the world. (1 Pet. 5:6-9)
Yes mih bredrin, all of us will face temptation, but when we trust Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we receive a built-in barrier, the Holy Spirit, that helps us to resist said temptation. But it doesn’t occur automatically; we also need to talk to and listen to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to guide us. Please note that the devil has no real power against us unless we give it to him, for the Holy Spirit has sealed us until the day of redemption, (Eph. 4:30) which means that believers are marked, owned, and secured by God through the Holy Spirit until their final salvation. (Eph. 1:13-14)
And the wonderful thing about all of that is as John says in his first epistle: ‘Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them (false prophets): because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.’ (1 John 4:4) And that’s one thing we must never forget; Jesus, in the form of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us, is greater than Satan or any of his evil cohorts in this dark world. And Satan knows that too, since He’s been defeated by Jesus’ crucifixion, death and resurrection, and now possesses the keys to hell death and the grave.
But the evil one is optimistic if nothing else, plus he knows our penchant for the lustful things of the world and thus keeps coming back to us every so often to try to inveigle us to fall for his temptations. But here are a couple of scriptures that ought to strengthen us in the face of Satan’s attacks. Bruh Paul writes thus in his first letter to the Corinthians: ‘There has no temptation taken (overtaken) you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear (endure) it.’ (1 Cor. 10:13)
In other words, the Lord might not allow us to escape the temptation, for whatever reason(s) He has, like testing our faith, but He will certainly give us the strength to endure said temptation. And Peter ends his talk about resisting the devil thus: ‘But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish (confirm), strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.’ (1 Pet. 5:10-11)
So you see once we’ve accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour, we are never alone, so there’s no reason to fear the evil doers and evil schemes of this evil world, because we have the strongest trio in the universe in our corner; that’s God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. And they are so wonderful that they have invited us to come to the throne of grace at any time to find help. So, let’s do that right now through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn nuh.
Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together. We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour! We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And having had that resuscitation of spirit and confidence, (smile) let’s go out and work diligently for Christ, like we ought to! Much LOVE!
…if God be for us…who can be against us eh… (Rom. 8:31)
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
03 Aug 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a fugitive, a lowly sheperd, all of it, all the earth may know, allow your incredible aura of love, always remembered, anointed king of Israel, August Civic Holiday, avoid negative consequences, begin a new week of work, carrying your loved ones as you go, celebrating, Christians, constantly bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, David moves from glory to glory, David refused to kill Saul, David taunted Goliath, divine aid, doing heroic deeds, doing right by everyone, every day, every hour, every minute that we have breath, expect the best, faith, faithfully holding them in prayer, fight the traffic, fill us with steadfast faith, filled with the Lord's Spirit, furthering your glorious kingdom, get to work on time, give the carcasses of the Philistines, go out to meet the enemy in battle, Goliath, good example of moving forward is faith is David's story, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine, holy spirit, honouring this life, how you move beyond what's comfortable, how you move forward in faith, how you show up, I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, I will smite thee, if the Lord spares life, into the evil and ungodly world, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, jobs that serve a useful purpose, July In Touch Devotional, keeping lives and families together, killing a lion and a bear, knowing God is carrying you through, lead and guide your servants, LOVE, loving sacrifically, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mercy, modicum of circumspection, moving forward with God, not perfectly, on the long days, on which side his bread was buttered, out of the paw of the bear, out of the paw of the lion, places his trust, present with the people around you, rejuvenation of spirit, remaining steady, remembering where God has taken you so far, rise and shine, sally forth with confidence, salvation, Saul's jealousy, stand strong in the Lord, staying open to where God will take you, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, take thine head from thee, the battle is the Lord's, the BIBLE, the boring days, the God of his forefathers, the God of the armies of Israel, the life you'e been entrusted with, the Lord be with thee, the Lord saveth not with sword and spear, the Lord that delivered me, the Lord will work it out to your advantage in the end, the Lord's anointed, the rain dampened the party spirit, the renewed vitality and enthusiasm, the throne of grace, the wish-it-were-already-tomorrow days, there is a God in Israel, these difficult and uncertain times, this day will the Lord deliver thee into my hands, to the wild beasts of the earth, truth, unto the fowls of the air, waited twenty years to become king, we're here for that journey, we're not afraid, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, weary souls, wisdom
Today’s Scrip-Bit 3 August 2026 1 Samuel 17:37a.
1 Samuel 17:37a. David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.
And then it was Monday; the August Civic Holiday, which means many of us don’t have to rise and shine early and fight the traffic to get to work on time, but can continue partying,. (smile) And although yesterday’s rain somewhat dampened the party spirit, today has opened bright and sunshiny, so that party spirit will obviously be easily renewed.. Anyway, let’s remember not to overdo it, to apply that modicum of circumspection, and thus avoid any negative consequences. (smile)
Now, let’s look at an interesting article in poem form from the July In Touch Devotional. There’s no title as such, so please read with me. ‘This is how you move forward in faith: by remembering where God has taken you so far and staying open to where He’ll take you tomorrow. This is how you show up: by carrying your LOVED ones as you go, every hour, every day – not perfectly but faithfully holding them in prayer. This is how you move beyond what’s comfortable: by LOVING sacrificially, doing right by everyone, honouring this life you’ve been entrusted with. Even on the long days, the boring days, the wish-it-were-already-tomorrow days. Remaining steady, present with the people around you. Knowing God is carrying you through. We’re here for that journey. All of it.’
That poem definitely contains some very interesting and valuable information, and I like how they break it down into sections; like how to move forward in faith, etc. And talking about moving forward in faith, the article advises we do that by remembering where the Lord has taken us from and staying open to where He’ll carry you later. And one of the best examples of that in the Bible is Bruh David. As we read his story, we see how he moves from glory to glory as he places his trust in the God of his forefathers.
He began as a lowly shepherd, then suddenly found himself anointed to be the next king of Israel. (1 Sam. 16:13) And when King Saul questioned his ability to fight the Philistine giant Goliath, he confidently informed Saul about his killing of a lion and a bear while managing his father’s sheep. ‘David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee.’ (1 Sam. 17:37)
Furthermore, when Bruh went out to meet Goliath, he boldly taunted him: ‘Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite (strike) thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hands.’ (1 Sam. 17:45-47)
Mama Mia! Was Bruh David the teenager, ever filled with the Lord’s Spirit, remembering how the Lord had helped him in his fight with the lion and the bear, and expecting Him to do the same against the giant Philistine. And so said, so done. Bruh David became a hero, and continued doing heroic deeds, but always remembered on which side his bread was buttered, constantly moving forward with God, growing in faith, even when Saul’s jealousy made him a fugitive. Then, when he had the chance to kill Saul, he refused to do it, considering him the Lord’s anointed.
And how many of us would have waited some twenty years after being anointed to become king eh, while going through all the tough times he encountered? Not many. But that’s the only way to grow in faith; remember what the Lord has taken you through, expect the best, but stand strong in the Lord, even if it doesn’t happen, knowing that in the end, the Lord will work it all out to your advantage.
And I’m chuckling here friends because I never expected to spend so much time on this one aspect of the poem, but that’s how I was led. And since time and space are now in short supply, if the Lord spares life tomorrow, we’ll continue looking at the other aspects of the poem. In the meanwhile, let’s humbly but confidently approach the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid in these difficult and uncertain times.
Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together. We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour! We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!
And we’re expected to make inroads into the enemy’s ranks and further God’s kingdom, every minute that we have breath, meaning that we do it all the time, even when we’re celebrating. (smile) Much LOVE!
…never forget who brought you to where you are…and who will take you further…Almighty God…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
27 Jul 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a desire for easy living, a desire to be comfortable, a little folding of the hands to sleep, a little sleep, a little slumber, a prowler, a secret destination, a secret purpose, allow your incredible aura of love, amenitites that make life easy, as a thief in the night, as one that travelleth, be as busy as the days, be prepared for whenever Jesus returns, be ye also ready, begin a new week of work, buffeted and bombarded, busy like bees, consider her ways and be wise, diligence, dire poverty, divine aid, faith, fill us with steadfast faith, filled with doom and gloom, for in such an hour as ye think not, foresight, furthering your glorious kingdom, gathereth her food in the harvest, get left behind, go out to meet the enemy in battle, go to the ant thou sluggard, having no guide overseer ruler, he becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand, holy spirit, how long wilt thou sleep O sluggard, into the evil and ungodly world, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs that serve a useful purpose, known when the thief would come, laggards, laziness leads to dire poverty, lead and guide all your servants, leaves a lot to be desired, life lessons, living in our efforts of yesteryear, living on past glory, LOVE, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mercy, not allowed his house to be broken into, perpetual laziness, poverty comes quickly and unexpectedly, prepare for unpredictable circumstances, prepare for unpredictable situations, prosperity comes from diligent work, prosperity requires contiual diligence, provideth her meat in the summer, raise our work ethic, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, sally forth with confidence, salvation, self-motivation, serve a useful purpose, so shall thy poverty come, stop being lackadaisical, suffer the resulting consequences, sure conquerors, the ant is a self-starter, the enemy's evil schemes, the error of their ways, the goodman of the house, the hand of the diligent maketh rich, the last Monday in July, the sense of entitlement, the Son of man cometh, the throne of grace, this generation's work ethic, thy want as an armed man, treading down a road to certain destruction, truth, unpredictable times, unstable and uncertain times, we surrender our all to you, we're not afraid, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, what a surprise, when wilt thou arise, wisdom, work ethic, would have watched, wrought in our weary souls
Today’s Scrip-Bit 27 July 2026 Proverbs 6:6.
Proverbs 6:6. Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
And here we are on a hot, somewhat cloudy day; the last Monday in July…what a surprise! It should not be, because the days are rapidly moving ahead as though they have some secret purpose; some secret destination to reach in a certain amount of time and they are just busy like bees going about their jobs, regardless of if it’s causing some of us problems. (smile)
The truth though, is that we should be just as busy as the days are, doing what God has called us to do. We cannot afford to be laggards, or else we’ll simply get left behind and thus suffer the resulting consequences. And that advice is even more apropos for today’s world than ever before, since every day more problems are arising and what was once a reasonably sure and secure life, now seems unstable and uncertain at the best of times.
And how are we supposed to behave, you ask? Generally speaking, as Jesus desires, but I guess more specifically and to the point, as Cousin Sol advises in Proverbs. ‘Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide (leader), overseer or ruler, Provideth her meat (grains, bread) in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.’ (Prov. 6:6-8) Now that’s a wonderful bit of advice for all of us!
Yes friends, Cousin Sol is using the lowly ant to teach us life lessons re that most important subject of work ethic; ‘featuring themes of diligence, foresight and self-motivation.’ And that’s rather interesting, since the ant has neither, leader, ruler nor overseer to guide him, but nonetheless knows instinctively to collect food in the summer harvest months so that he will be able to survive in the hard, cold winter months. In other words, as the scholars say: ‘The ant is a self-starter, and is wise enough to prepare for unpredictable circumstances.’
And all of us know that our crazy times can, and will produce unpredictable circumstances, that’s why it’s ever so necessary to do our best and be prepared for them when they come. But Cousin Sol doesn’t only point out the ant’s wise work ethic; he also preaches to the sluggard, lazy person directly, showing them the error of their ways.
He asks? ‘How long wilt thou sleep (lie down, be lazy), O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth (a prowler), and thy want (need) as an armed man.’ (Prov. 6:9-11) Yes my bredrin, perpetual laziness is filled with only doom and gloom. As Cousin Sol points out; it leads to dire poverty, and that dire poverty will come as quickly, unexpectedly and decisively as a robber or thief hits in the dark of night.
Remember how Jesus warned about His return. ‘But know this, that if the goodman (master) of the house had known in what watch (hour) the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered (allowed) his house to be broken up (into). Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.’ (Matt. 24:43-44)
Oh my people, just as we should stop being lackadaisical and be prepared for whenever Jesus returns, likewise we must stop being lazy in our work habits and prepare for the unpredictable circumstances that will arise, but which we will be unable to handle if we continue to be lazy. And sadly, in our very progressive world, we possess too many amenities that make life much easier than before, and when we add the sense of entitlement that currently permeates our society, they have bred a desire for comfortable, easy living.
Thus, the work ethic of this generation leaves a lot to be desired. And if they don’t wake up soon and realize that they are treading down a road to certain destruction, then that’s where they will eventually end up. And it’s very unfortunate, that we seem to gather more knowledge every day, but we also seem to lose just as much too, in particular this most important aspect; that prosperity arises out of sincere and serious work, but prosperity does not stick around long without continuous sincere and serious work.
And we see that happening all down through the ages; countries getting prosperous by encouraging a good work ethic, but when the prosperity arrives, the work ethic eventually dies and living on our efforts of yesteryear begin, and so does the decline and destruction of the society. However, as true believers in Jesus Christ, we have options, and one of those is to go to the throne of grace through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn seeking divine aid in these most unpredictable times.
Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together. We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour! We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And having said all of that, let’s now go out and raise our work ethic as required! Much LOVE!
…He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack (negligent) hand…but the hand of the diligent maketh rich… (Prov. 10:4)
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
06 Jul 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit, a corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit, a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, a new week of work, an unholy mess, apostasy will characterize the final days of the church age, believe not every spirit, beware of false prophets, blasphemers, boasters, bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, born of God, bounden duty, brutal, check the conformity of their teaching with the scriptures, Christ's return to earth, christianity, come to you in sheep's clothing, conquerors, covetous, deceitful workers, denying the power thereof, despisers of those that are good, disobedient to parents, distort the truth of the gospel, dog eat dog world, every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, every spirit that confesseth Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus is come in the flesh, face the rat race our world has become, faith, false accuser, fierce, figs of thistles, fill us with steadfast faith, from such turn away, furthering your glorious kingdom, gather grapes of thorns, get our act together, greater is he that is in you, haughty, have it more abundantly, having a form of godliness, heady, hereby know ye the Spirit of God, highminded, holy spirit, humble servants, in the last days perilous times shall come, incontinent, invincible, inwardly they are ravening wolves, irreconcilable, Jesus came the we might have life, Jesus Christ, keeping lives and families together, know them by their fruits, live a godly and abundant life, look like innocent lambs, LOVE, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, many false prophets are in the world, meet the enemy in battle, men shall be lovers of their own selves, ministers of righteousness, money lovers, over the weekend, proud, rat race, ravenous wolves, reckless, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, sally forth with confidence, salvation, Satan transforms himself, serve a useful purpose, slanderers, such are false apostles, surrender our all to you, than he that is in the world, thankful for jobs, the angel of light, the BIBLE, the devil only comes to steal and destroy, the help and comfort of the Holy Spirit, the nature of the beast, the omnipotent omniscient omni-present God, the spirit of antichrist, the throne of grace, the ushering in of the church age, time to turn up the heat on the devil, to lead and guide all your servants, traitors, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ, truce breakers, truth, try the spirits whether they be of God, turning away from the faith, unholy, unthankful, we have all the tools to handle it, we're not afraid, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, whose end shall be according to their works, wisdom, without natural affection, without self-control, wrought in our weary souls, ye are of God little children, your incredible aura of love
Today’s Scrip-Bit 6 July 2026 Matthew 7:15.
Matthew 7:15. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening (ravenous) wolves.
It’s Monday my brethren… and that means work! Yes, we’ve got to get out there and face the rat race that our world has become. But the good news is that we have all the parts and all the tools to handle it through the help and comfort of the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ that indwells us. We just have to get our act together and make use of what we’ve been given to live a godly and abundant life. And I believe the rat race and dog eat dog situation that our world has become was well described by Bruh Paul in his second letter to Timothy, when he solemnly warned him: ‘This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.’ (2 Tim. 3:1)
And the scholars explain that verse thus: ‘The last days began with the birth of Christ, (or the ushering in of the church age), and will culminate in Christ’s return to the earth to set up His kingdom. The prediction of perilous times indicates that apostasy (turning away from the faith) will characterize the final days of the church age.’ And there are indeed a lot of people turning away from the faith in these evil and ungodly times. Our world today is exactly like Bruh Paul describes it to Timothy.
‘For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous (money lovers), boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, truce breakers (irreconcilable), false accusers (slanderers), incontinent (without self-control), fierce (brutal), despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady (reckless), highminded (haughty), lovers of pleasures more than (rather than) lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.’ (2 Tim. 3:2-5)
Oh friends, if we go through all those categories, we’ll find that our world is indeed overwhelmingly full of each one, consequently why it’s in such a disastrous and chaotic state. For a world filled with so much ungodliness and evil cannot help but be disastrous and chaotic; it’s just the very nature of such a beast. So, we should not be surprised that some think that these are truly the last days, because our world is in such an unholy mess. And per the term, a form of godliness, the scholars explain that as having mere religion without power or spiritual life. That’s why Paul commands Timothy to stay away from those false teachers.
And Bruh Paul also warns about them in his letter to the Corinthians, where he writes; ‘For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed (transforms himself) as the angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.’ (2 Cor. 11:13-15)
And in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Himself warned about these false people. ‘Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening (ravenous) wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil (bad) fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil (bad) fruit), neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.’ (Matt. 7:15-18)
Those false prophets and teachers distort the truth of the gospel, and although they look like innocent lambs, they are instead ravenous and destructive wolves hiding under the umbrella of Christ’s gospel to lead people astray. And most of them preach one thing but live another. That’s why it’s of the utmost importance that we check the conformity of their teaching with that of the scriptures. That’s why John in his first epistle also asked his readers to test the doctrine of those who come pretending to be teachers of the gospel.
‘Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try (test) the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come, and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.’ (1 John 4:1-4)
And that’s the gospel truth my brethren! Christ who dwells in us believers, is greater than Satan who dwells in the followers of the world. And our strength to overcome lies in the fact that we are born of the omnipotent, omniscient, and omni-present God! So, although the antichrist and his cronies might be somewhat powerful and very deceitful, they are no match for those who believe in Christ. However, as we said at the beginning, we must be careful and use all the tools we’ve been given, if we want to be successful in this chaotic world.
Now, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, with humble confidence, (smile) seeking divine aid in these troubled times. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour!
We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’
Oh my fellow believers, it’s time we turn up the heat on the devil and his evil cronies! That’s our bounden duty! So let’s get to it nuh! Much LOVE!
…the devil only comes to lie and steal and destroy…but Jesus came that we might have life…and have it more abundantly…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
29 Jun 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a fine family, a job to go to, a new week of work, a powerful creative God exists, a roof over their heads, a short work wek, a state of chaos, alive and kicking, allow your incredible aura of love, be acceptable in thy sight, be in such a disastrous state, big celebration, bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, by them is thy servant warned, Canada Day, Christ is alive and kicking, cleanse me from my secret faults, clothes on their backs, converting the soul, don't have the opportunity to work, enduring for ever, enlightening the eyes, faith, fill us with steadfast faith, food on the table, furthering your glorious kingdom, give their eye teeth, go out to meet the enemy in battle, God's Law, God's law is authentic, God's preachers in the sky, God's special revelation, have dominion over me, holy spirit, humble servants, humbly ask, I shall be upright, innocent from the great transgression, invincible, Jesus Christ, keep back thy servant from presumptuous sins, keeping lives and families together, keeping the law brings great reward, kept from hidden sins, kept from willful sins, lack of knowledge, let the words of my mouth, look at it realistically, LOVE, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, making wise the simple, man's thinking be pleasing to God, mercy, more to be desired than gold, my redeemer, my strenght, objective proof, one twenty-four hour spin of the clock, opens the eyes of those in darkness, over the weekend, proclaim 24 hours a day that God exists, rejoicing the heart, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, sally forth with confidence, salvation, serve a useful purpose, speak a universal language, stop looking at any day with distaste, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, sweeter also than honey, take umbrage, the amenities we enjoy, the commandment of the Lord is pure, the drippings of the honeycomb, the fear of the Lord is clean, the heavenly bodies, The Heavens Declare God's Glory, the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous, the law of the Lord is perfect, the man of faith, the meditation of my heart, the rejuvenation of Spirit, the reverence of God, the statutes of the Lord are right, the testimony of the Lord is sure, to lead and guide all your servants, took the Lord's law seriously, truth, unfair jobs, we're not afraid, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, who can understand his errors, wisdom, you've wrought in our weary souls
Today’s Scrip-Bit 29 June 2026 Psalm 19:7.
Psalm 19:7. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting (restoring) the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
And one more twenty-four-hour spin of the clock brings us back to that wonderful day called Monday! Some people will take umbrage at calling Monday wonderful, but if we look at it realistically, we’ll discover that we’re alive and kicking, we have a job to go to, a fine family with a roof over their heads, clothes on their backs and food on the table, and we’re going back out to work on this Monday so we can keep all of that good stuff happening…and even possibly improving.
Now, we’d be surprised to know how many people don’t have that opportunity to work, or the amenities we have, but don’t truly appreciate, and they would give their eye teeth to have them. So please let’s stop looking at Monday, or any other day for that matter, with distaste, because it disturbs and disrupts our poor work ethic. (smile) And are we ever so blessed here in Canada, that this will only be a four-day work week since we are celebrating Canada Day on the first of July. Wow! The week’s not only short, but we get a big celebration right in the middle of it! What more can we ask for eh? Not much.
Today, we’ll look at a few verses from Psalm 19, titled, ‘The Heavens Declare God’s Glory.’ In the first six verses, Bruh David talks about how the heavens continually show us God’s power. It’s like the scholars explain: ‘The point of the first six verses is that the heavenly bodies are objective proof that a powerful, creative God exists. The heavens are God’s preachers in the sky who proclaim 24 hours a day the truth that God exists, and furthermore, they speak a universal language.’
Those six verses, you can read for yourself, but today we’re concerned with the next few, which tell us about God’s special revelation, His law, which Bruh David describes thus: ‘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 of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgements 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 honeycomb (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)
Oh my people, you see how wonderful and valuable the law of our God is for living this earthly life! And Bruh David uses five different synonyms to describe it: law, testimony, statutes, commandment and judgement. But however you term it, in its perfection; it has the awesome power to convert or restore our souls. It’s sure, no dispute whatsoever over it’s authenticity, plus it’s able to add wisdom to the simple and unenlightened. Then it’s so right that it causes our hearts to rejoice when we contemplate it. The Lord’s law is also pure, so pure that it can enlighten the eyes, that’s open the eyes of those consumed by darkness and lack of knowledge.
And don’t’ talk about the fear or reverence of our great God; that is clean and endures forever! Meanwhile His judgements, or justice are always true and righteous. Furthermore, God’s law also warns us when we’re doing wrong, better still, keeping God’s law, offers plenty rewards. Oh friends, the law of our God is so precious and desirable that it’s more desirable than gold, and it’s even sweeter than honey, or the drippings of the honeycomb! Wow! Can you imagine that? Most likely not, otherwise we would be obeying His law much more than we’re currently doing, and our world would not be in such a state of chaos and uncertainty.
That’s why Bruh David continues: ‘Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from my secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great (much) transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength (rock), and my redeemer).’ (Ps. 19:12-14) That’s all a sinful man can ask.
And the scholars explain those last verses thus. ‘The man of faith can respond only with a prayer that he be kept from both hidden sins (vs. 12) and willful sins (vs.13); and that even what he thinks may be pleasing to the Lord.’ And that’s the truth; we can’t keep the law without God’s help, and in His awesome generosity, He’s invited us to approach the throne of grace in confidence and humility to seek His divine aid in troubled times. And we are in troubled times right now, so let’s take Him up on His offer through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn.
Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together. We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour! We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And if our prayer was sincere, God will keep His promise and do what we asked. Then it’s up to us to keep our promise by going out and successfully engaging the enemy in battle! Much LOVE!
…if we only took the Lord’s law seriously…our lives and our world…would not be in such a disastrous state…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
15 Jun 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a God that forgavest them, allow your incredible aura of love, as far as the east is from the west, begin a new week of work, between the two cherubims upon the ark, bounden duty, buffeted by the enemy's wicked taunts, christianity, commune with thee from above the mercy seat, consequences of their evil deeds, divine aid, exalt ye the Lord our God, executest judgement and righteousness in jacob, faith, far from our goals, fill us with steadfast faith, furthering your glorious kingdom, God has absolute power, God is omnipotent, God is worthy of our complete devotion, God LOVES justice, God's capacity for forgiveness, God's in a category of His own, God's perfect in goodness and righteousness, god's perfect sense of justice and righteousness, he is high above all the people, he sitteth between the cherubims, holy spirit, humble servants, humbly ask, into the evil and ungodly world, invincible, Jesus Christ, keeping lives and families together, let the earth be moved, let the people tremble, let them praise thy great and awesome name, limitless power, LOVE, make hay while the sun shines, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mercy, Moses and Aaron among his priests, need to be alert, our God is holy, put out the effort, rejuvenation of spirit, sadly lacking, sally forth with confidence, salvation, serve a useful purpose, so far hath he removed our transgressions, spake unto them in the cloudy pillar, stick to God's plan and purpose for our lives, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, thank you for our jobs, the ark of the covenant, the BIBLE, The Holiness of God, the indisputable truth, the king's strength also loveth judgement, the living truth, the Lord exonerates our human transgressions, the Lord is great in Zion, the Lord reigneth, the magnanimity of God, the mercy seat, the renewed vitality and enthusiasm, the throne of grace, them that call upon his name, they called upon the Lord and he answered them, they kept his testimonies, thou dost establish equity, to lead and guide all your servants, to meet the enemy in battle, tookest vengeance of their inventions, truth, uprightness, we're not afraid, wearing your powerful protective spiritual armour, what's propelling the time, wisdom, worship at his footstool, wrought in our weary souls
Today’s Scrip-Bit 15 June 2026 Psalm 99:5.
Psalm 99:5. Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.
So, Monday’s come around again my brethren… and so quickly too. Yes, it’s a somewhat cool though sunshiny Monday. And can you imagine we are also in the middle of June? Another couple of weeks and June is toast, as well as half of the year. I don’t know what’s propelling the time to move so quickly, but, unfortunately, we cannot do anything about the speed with which the days and months are passing, so we therefore need to be alert and stick to the purpose and plan that God’s set out for our lives. Or, as the old people would say, make hay while the sun shines. (smile)
And today, we’ll look at a passage of scripture that we don’t pay much attention to, that’s Psalm 99, titled The Holiness of God. The psalmist begins it thus: ‘The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved (shaken). The Lord is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people. Let them praise thy great and terrible (awesome) name; for it (he) is holy.’ (Ps. 99:1-3)
And all of that’s the living truth my fellow believers! Our God is indeed great and mighty, with power that surpasses that of all others put together; meaning He is omnipotent, or has absolute, limitless power. Therefore, the people ought to sing His praises, and exalt His awesome and holy name, for He is indeed worthy of our complete devotion. Or as this overview says: ‘Our God is set apart, for a special purpose; is perfectly pure, unique, and in a category of His own, thus perfect in goodness and righteousness.’ And we certainly cannot doubt any of those descriptions of our wonderful Sovereign Deity!
But before we move on, here’s this interesting info, per ‘he sitteth between the cherubims.’ It comes from when God gave Moses the instructions for constructing the ark of the covenant. He told him: ‘And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune (speak) with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.’ (Ex. 25:21-22) So it’s no lie; the Lord definitely sits between the two cherubims. (smile)
Then the psalmist continues: ‘The king’s strength also LOVETH judgement; thou dost establish equity (uprightness), thou executest judgement and righteousness in Jacob. Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.’ (Ps.99:4-5) Ah friends, the Lord’s LOVE of justice and righteousness certainly cannot be denied. It’s renowned throughout the universe, for it’s one of the foundational elements of who He is. And He is most definitely worth exalting and being worshipped at His footstool on account of His perfect sense of justice and righteousness.
So the psalmist continues singing God’s praises: ‘Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the Lord, and he answered them. He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance (statute) that he gave them. Thou answeredst them, O Lord our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions (on their evil deeds). Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy hill: for the Lord our God is holy.’ (Ps. 99: 6-9) And isn’t that the indisputable truth? It surely is!
Now that last section of the psalm deals with the magnanimity of our God; His awesome and amazing capacity for forgiveness! And yes, there are consequences for our wrongdoing, but the wonderful thing about our outstanding God is that He doesn’t hold our disobedience against us, but casts them away and totally forgives us. ‘As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.’ (Ps. 102:12) That’s how completely the Lord absolves or exonerates us of our human transgressions.
Wow! Isn’t He the greatest! He surely is! So, basically the psalm is about making known to all and sundry, God’s greatness, His heightened sense of justice and righteousness, as well as His awesome ability to forgive. That makes Him pure, perfect, unique, holy and worthy to be exalted and worshipped! And now, since we’re so far from those goals, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning battle hymn, seeking divine aid to make us more like our wonderful God.
Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together. We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour! We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!
And friends, we won’t improve ourselves or our situations unless and until we put out the effort to do so, an effort that’s so far been sadly lacking. So let’s get up and turn things around nuh, for we have all the tools to do so! Much LOVE!
…it’s our bounden duty…to exalt and worship our heavenly Father…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
08 Jun 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a beautiful summer's day, all the upright in heart shall follow it, allow your incredible aura of love, another work week, As many as I love I rebuke and chasten, be not among the winebibbers, be ready to accept corrections from God, be thou in fear of the Lord all the day long, be wise and guide thine heart in the way, be zealous therefore and repent, Blessed is the man whom the Lord chastens, bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, chasteneth him betimes, chastening, chastens him promptly, child abuse, Christians, completely congruous with human practices, conquerors, corporal punishment, dangerous jobs, deliver his soul from hell, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, discipline, don't envy sinners, drive it far from him, drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags, drunkards, erred in their upbringing, evil and ungodly ways, faith, fighting to stay alive, fill us with steadfast faith, foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, forgotten the exhortation, forsake his inheritance, freedom to do what they want, furthering your glorious kingdom, futile, get serious about living in righteousness, give him rest from the days of adversity, gluttons, god, God's principle of discipline, he that loveth him, he that spareth the rod hateth his son, hear thou my son, holy spirit, humble servants, if thine heart be wise, if you beat a child with a rod he will not die, invincible, irresponsibility, Jesus Christ, jobs that serve a useful purpose, jobs we sometimes don't like, judgement shall return unto righteousness, judgement will prevail in the end, keeping lives and families together, lawlessness, let not thine heart envy sinners, LOVE, love and corporal punishment are not incongruous, make progress, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mercy, minor hardships, my heart shall rejoice, my innermost being shall rejoice, my reins shall rejoice, no sense of responsibility, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him, over the weekend, parent like God, parental advice, prosper with the Lord's help, relief from adversity, reverence the Lord all day, riotous living, sally forth with confidence, salvation, scourgeth every son he receives, self-correction, speaketh unto you as unto children, surrender our all to you, teaches him out of thy law, tend to spoil those we love, thanks for our jobs, the church at Laodicea, the correction of a child, the current level of misbehaviour, the drunkard and glutton shall come to poverty, the hustle and bustle of our crazy world, the Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, the Lord will not cast off his people, the Lord's mysterious movements, the pit be digged for the wicked, the rejuvenation of Spirit, the renewed vitality and enthusiasm, the riotous eaters of flesh, the rod of correction, the thoughts of man are vanity, the throne of grace, there is a hereafter, there is an end, thine expectation shall not be cut off, this evil and deceitful world, time to tune in and listen to God's wisdom, to lead and guide all your servants, to meet the enemy in battle, tough love, truth, try to live as righteously as possible, two complimentary aspects of trianing, we're not afraid, wearing your protective spiritual armour, when thy lips speak right things, whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, wisdom, withhold not correction from the child, wrought in our weary souls, your hope shall not be cut off
Today’s Scrip-Bit 8 June 2026 Revelation 3:19.
Revelation 3:19. ‘As many as I LOVE, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore and repent.’
Another work week has opened my fellow believers, meaning it’s Monday, a beautiful summer’s day, and we’re back in the hustle and bustle of our crazy world, fighting to stay alive and prosper with the Lord’s help. Let’s remember we cannot make any progress in this evil and deceitful world without His awesome help, so it’s time to tune in and listen to His wisdom through the Holy Spirit that indwells us for that purpose.
And in keeping with the Lord’s mysterious movements, I opened the Good Book just now, looking for something to write on, and lo, and behold, it opened at this interesting scripture in Revelation, where Jesus is sending His message to the church at Laodicea, stating: ‘As many as I LOVE, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore and repent.’ (Rev. 3:19) And that’s a known fact, one that’s referred to several times in the scriptures.
The Lord is the original implementer of the system of tough LOVE. Unlike some of us earthly parents, when we LOVE a child or somebody else, we tend to spoil them, allowing them to get away with stuff you’d not let someone you don’t LOVE to get away with. And that’s one of the big reasons today’s children are so spoilt, have no sense of responsibility and cannot handle even minor hardships because their parents or someone who LOVED them erred in their upbringing. But that doesn’t work with our heavenly Father. If you want to be LOVED by Him, then you must be ready to accept corrections, discipline or chastening.
The author of Hebrews puts it quite plainly. ‘And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children (sons), My son, despise not thou the chastening (discipline) of the Lord, nor faint (be discouraged) when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord LOVETH he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.’ (Heb. 12:5-6) And that’s a direct quotation from Cousin Sol’s wisdom in Proverbs 3:11-12.
And the scholars offer this interesting explanation: ‘God’s principle of disciplining His own people is completely congruous with human practices. This quote from Proverbs 3:12, stating God’s practice corresponds to the commands God gave to fathers: ‘He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that LOVETH him chasteneth him betimes (promptly).’ (Prov. 13:24; cf. 22:15; 23:13). LOVE and corporal punishment are not incongruous; they are two complimentary and necessary aspects of training.’
But try telling that to some of the parents and administrators of today nuh. Many of them claim that corporal punishment is child abuse, no wonder the current level of misbehaviour and irresponsibility is so high in our society. But there is punishment or discipline, and then there’s’ abuse, or taking the punishment too far. So, we might get away with misbehaviour from our earthly parents, but rest assured, we’ll not get away with it from our heavenly Father.
And it’s certainly interesting that Cousin Sol had so much to say about raising children. Let’s look at a couple of those references from above. The first one says: ‘Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.’ (Prov. 22:15) Now listen to this passage explicitly on ‘The Correction of a Child.’
Cousin Sol declares: ‘Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with a rod, he shall not die. Thou shall beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell (Hades). My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine (indeed my own heart shall rejoice). Yea, my reins (innermost being) shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things. Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in fear (reverence) of the Lord all the day long.
For surely there is an end (a hereafter); and thine expectation (hope) shall not be cut off. Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way. Be not among the winebibbers (drunkards); among the riotous eaters of flesh (gluttons): For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.’ (Prov. 23:13-21)
And you cannot find better parental advice than that. But our society has gotten so into evil and ungodly ways that many parents repudiate such advice, and thus allow their children absolute freedom to do what they want and give them whatever their little hearts desire. That only leads to the lawlessness and riotous living that’s become such a large part of our culture.
And Psalm 94 puts it this way. ‘The Lord knoweth the thoughts of a man, that they are vanity (futile). Blessed is the man whom thou chasteneth (instructeth), O Lord, and teachest him out of thy law: That thou mayest give him rest (relief) from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked. For the Lord will not cast off (abandon) his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance. But the judgement shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.’ (Ps. 94:11-15) Yes friends, the Lord offers us self-correction, but in the end, He will surely judge. Let’s remember that and thus try to live as righteously as possible.
Now, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid to help us do just that. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour!
We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!
Oh my fellow believers, it’s time to get serious about living in righteousness, so the Lord doesn’t have to correct us too much. Much LOVE!
…if we’d parent like God…with tough LOVE…half of today’s problems wouldn’t exist…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
01 Jun 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a beautiful summer Monday, a little folding of the hands to sleep, a little slumber, a prowler, a society is only as strong and productive as its people, a spirit of diligence, a wonderful work ethic, allow your incredible aura of love, another mistake, as good Christian folk, as one that travelleth, asking for forgivenss, be wise, begin a new week of work, beginning to decay, bring about positive change, christianity, Christians, Christians need to unite, colonies of ants are always busy, consider her ways and be wise, constantly buffeted, crazy idea, deeper and deeper, dire want, divine aid, do good work for Jesus, do nothing productive, do our duty, encouragement, enthusiasm, eventual poverty, expect forgiveness, faith, fill us with steadfast faith, furthering your glorious kingdom, gathereth her food in the harvest, get serious and come together, getting on in age, glorify Jesus' awesome name, go out to meet the enemy in battle, go to the ant thou sluggard, God has not given us a spirit of laziness, habitual laziness, having no guide leader overseer, holy spirit, hope and pray, how long wilt thou sleep O sluggard, humble servants, industriousness, into the evil and ungodly world, invincible conquerors, Jesus Christ, jobs, keeping lives and families together, leads to destruction, learn two important lessons from the ant, LOVE, make another apology, make living too easy, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mankind, many who choose to sit on our fannies, May only had thrity days, mercy, numerous separate entities, ONE body in Christ, one of the lowliest of God's creations, only human, our Father who art in heaven, over the weekend, perseveraance, poverty will come as suddenly and decisively as a robber, prepare for predictable circumstances, provideth her meat in the summer, quicksand, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, sally forth with confidence, salvation, self-starter, serve a useful purpose, sluggard, so shall thy poverty come, somebody looking over their shoulder, standing over it to make it work, suffeing from a lack of positive production, surrender our all to God, the ant has no taskmaster, the apple of God's creation, the BIBLE, the enemy's evil schemes, the first day of June, the habitually lazy person, the last of my mistakes, the mind sometimes gets fuzzy, the poor are getting poorer, the result of laziness is dire poverty, the rich are getting richer, the society begins going downhill, the throne of grace, the wisdom and knowledge imbued in man by God, this wealthy comfortable society, thy want as an armed man, to, to lead and guide all your servants, too many amentities, truth, turbulent and uncertain times, unfortunate circumstances, we're not afraid, wealth distributed more equitably, wealth is consolidated in too few hands, wearing God's powerful protective spiritual armour, when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep, wisdom, wise enough to, wise words that seem appropriate, work ethic, wrought in our weary souls, yet a little sleep
Today’s Scrip-Bit 1 June 2026 Proverbs 6:9.
Proverbs 6:9. How long wilt thou sleep (lie down), O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
Oh friends, the first day of June 2026 has turned out to be a beautiful summer Monday, which ought to give us encouragement and enthusiasm to get out there and do good work for Jesus! (smile) But, unfortunately, I need to make another apology for another mistake, don’t know how many of you noticed it, but this one was in Saturday’s Bit, where I claimed that that was the last day of the month … and I did it twice to boot, at the beginning and at the end. I don’t know where I got the crazy idea that May only had thirty days. My mind must be going on me.
And it seems like I had forgotten the old rhyme that they taught us back in the old days: ‘Thirty days have April, June and September; the rest have thirty-one, except February which has twenty-eight, but in leap years twenty-nine.’ But somehow or the other I got it in my mind that May only had thirty days. So again, I’m asking for your forgiveness, and as good Christian folk, expect you to give it to me most willingly, (smile) for the ole fella is only human and is also getting on in age, and you know the mind sometimes gets fuzzy when that happens. So, let’s hope and pray that will be the last of my mistakes for a while. (smile)
And on this marvellous Monday in June, let’s look at some wise words of Cousin Sol, that seem rather appropriate for these turbulent and uncertain times, and can only benefit us if we follow them. Now, Cousin Sol’s first admonishment in this passage is: ‘Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide (leader), overseer or ruler, Provideth her meat (grain or bread) in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.’ (Prov. 6:6-8)
Oh my people, what wise and wonderful words and ever so applicable to many of us in this wealthy, comfortable society, who choose to just sit on our fannies and don’t do anything productive. It’s as the scholars explain: ‘The sluggard is the habitually lazy person. He is admonished to learn two important lessons from the ant: (1) the ant has no guide, overseer, or ruler (vs. 7), meaning that the ant does not have to have a taskmaster standing over it to make it work; it is a self-starter. (2) The ant is wise enough to prepare for predictable circumstances (vs.8).’
Yes mih brethren, we’ve all seen how colonies of ants are always busy, especially in the summer months, when they go about collecting food and storing it away for the winter months when food is hard to come by. And they don’t need to be told to do that, or have somebody looking over their shoulder prodding them to do it. So, if ants, one of the lowliest of God’s creations, are so wise and have such a wonderful work ethic, why can’t mankind, the apple of God’s creation, with all the wisdom and knowledge imbued in Him by His Creator, react the same way to life eh?
Possibly because our society has gotten too wealthy and we have too many amenities that make living too easy. But wait, Cousin Sol isn’t done with the sluggard, for he continues: ‘How long wilt thou sleep (lie down), O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth (a prowler), and thy want (need) as an armed man.’ (Prov. 6:9-11)
And what’s that all about you ask? Listen to the scholars’ explanation: ‘Two questions about sleep are posed to the sluggard (vs.9). His answer is given in verse 10: “Just a little bit more sleep!” The result of such laziness is dire poverty, which will come as suddenly and decisively as a robber (v.11).’ And isn’t that the awful truth! Habitual laziness only leads to dire want and eventual poverty. No wonder there are so many needy people in our society. Now let’s note that all needy people are not lazy, but some have indeed endured genuine unfortunate circumstances.
However, there are indeed too many lazy people in our society, from which the work ethic is quickly disappearing, and once that happens, it’s only a matter of time before the society itself begins going downhill. That’s because a society is only as strong and productive as its people. And when we look around our world, despite our total wealth, which unfortunately is consolidated in too few hands, many societies are suffering from a lack of positive production and are thus beginning to decay.
Who knows if the wealth was distributed more equitably, if the situation would change, but for sure right now, the rich are getting insanely richer while the poor are getting inhumanely poorer, and that’s not a good situation for our world. So what can be done about it? We Christians, supposed believers in, and followers of Christ, are the only ones who can bring about positive change. But before we can do that, we desperately need to unite as the ONE BODY in Christ that we were created to be, not the numerous separate entities that we’ve become. And if we don’t unite soon, our world will just keep getting deeper and deeper in the quicksand that leads to total destruction.
And to help us do all we need to do to turn the situation around, let’s confidently, but humbly, approach the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn seeking divine aid. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour!
We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!
Now, let’s get serious and come together, so that we can do our duty and glorify Jesus’ awesome name! Much LOVE!
…Jesus has not given us a spirit of laziness…but one of diligence…industriousness…and perseverance…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
25 May 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a disciplined mind, add any enthusiasm to the situation, all for the glory of Jesus, all the days of thy life, allow your incredible aura of love, another new work week, as I was with Moses so will I be with thee, be constantly in thy mouth, be not afraid neither be thou dismayed, be strong and of a good courage, but of power love and of a sound mind, constantly bombarded by the enemy's evil schemes, dangerous and unfair jobs, depend on us to a large extent, divide for an inheritance, divine aid, don't be afraid of any task God gives us, don't turn away from the law, drilled into Joshua's brain, encouragement, face challenges, faith, fill us with steadfast faith, For God hath not given us a spirit of fear, furthering your glorious kingdom, get into the groove, God's conversation with Joshua, have good success, have I not commanded thee, have success, holy spirit, humble servants, humbly ask, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, I praise and thank you God, I will not fail thee nor forsake thee, inclement weather, inspire us to rise to greater heights, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, jobs that serve a useful purpose, keep our promises, keeping families together, living in fear, LOVE, make thy way prosperous, make worthwhile inroads into the enemy's ranks, mano a mano, meditate therein day and night, meet the enemy in battle, mercy, no man shall be able to stand against thee, no partying on Monday, observe to do according to all the law, observe to do all that's written therein, our omnipotent and merciful God, perform like you're capable of performing, positive reassurance of our faith, prerequisites for success, prosper, put it into action, reassurance, regardless of what happens, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality and enthusiasm, sally forth with confidence, salvation, step up to the plate, sudy the law and live by it, sure conquerors, surrender our all to you, the evil and ungodly world, the fulfillment of promises, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the gospel truth, the Lord thy God is with thee wherever you go, the lustful ways of the world, the throne of grace, this book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, to lead and guide all your servants, too comfortable in the pleasures of the world, truth, turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, we're not afraid, wearing God's powerful protective spiritual armour, wisdom, work all five days, wrought in our weary souls
Today’s Scrip-Bit 25 May 2026 Joshua 1:9.
Joshua 1:9. Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Another new work week my people. And this time we have to work all five days, no partying on Monday, like we did last week. (smile) And it will undoubtedly be difficult for some of us to get back into the five-day groove, but get back into it we must, if we’re to do Jesus proud. Then the inclement weather we’ve had over the weekend certainly doesn’t add any enthusiasm to the situation, but the bright sunshine and warm weather of this Monday ought to inspire us to rise to greater heights, all for the glory of Jesus! (smile)
And as we face our challenges today, please, let’s remember we can face them mano a mano, because of this most important acclamation, this positive reassurance of our faith: ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengetheneth me.’ (Phil. 4:13) And that’s the gospel truth, for whatever we need to do on Christ’s behalf, He will enable us to do it. And that reminds me of God’s conversation with Joshua, when He made him the leader of the Israelites after the death of Moses. He promised him: ‘There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. (Josh. 1:5)
Yes friends, the Lord gives us all wonderful promises, but sometimes the fulfillment of those promises depends on us to a large extent. And so it was with Joshua. The Lord made sure He pointed out certain things he needed to do to have a successful mission. He warned him: ‘Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance (you shall give as a possession) the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper (have success) whithersoever thou goest.’ (Josh. 1:6-7)
Please note that the Lord specifies two things in those two verses; that Joshua must stick to the letter of the law, and twice He warned him, to be strong and very courageous. Those were the prerequisites for success. Now that warning hasn’t changed since then. We modern day believers are still required to be strong and very courageous and obey the law in living for Christ. And let’s not say we can’t do it, because Bruh Paul has already declared that we are more than able, for ‘God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of LOVE, and of a sound (disciplined) mind.’ (2 Tim. 1:7) In other words, we need not be afraid of any task we are given.
But the Lord took His commands to Joshua so seriously that He expanded on them in the next couple of verses, when He warns: ‘This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth (shall be constantly in thy mouth); but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.’ (Josh. 1:8-9)
Oh my brethren, you see how the Lord drilled those three things into Joshua’s brain: First we need to study the law and live by it, don’t turn away from it regardless of what happens. Then we need to be strong and courageous, and we have all the tools to do that. And last but not least, don’t be afraid, because the Lord our God is with us wherever we go! What wonderful assurance that is my fellow believers! No other supposed God offers that kind of assurance and confidence to their followers because they can’t fulfill it. They don’t have the power or wherewithal to do so. Only the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, omnipotent and merciful can make such a promise and fulfill it!
But yuh know what friends, we can have all the encouragement and reassurance in the world from God, but until we believe it and put it into action, it’s all wasted. And that’s what the Lord was trying to push home to Joshua; you can do it, because I’ve given you all you need, and I’m here to back you up, but you need to step forward, step up to the plate and perform like you are capable of performing. The same goes for us today, as so many of us are living in fear, or have simply gotten too comfortable in the lustful ways of the world and thus are not stepping forward to do our duty.
However, we hope and pray that very soon, before it’s too late, we’ll all wake up and see the light and perform the way we ought to. Now let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn seeking divine help to turn things around. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise and thank You this Monday morning for our jobs; jobs we sometimes don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank You Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm You’ve wrought in our weary souls over the weekend. It’s that rejuvenation of spirit which now allows us to sally forth with confidence into the evil and ungodly world, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s evil schemes. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing Your powerful, protective spiritual armour!
We surrender our all to You, and humbly ask that You allow Your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit to lead and guide all Your servants, as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, thereby furthering Your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!
Now, let’s go out and keep our promises! Much LOVE!
…it’s not if we can…for we have all it takes…but if we desire to…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
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