The Importance of Christians Knowing Scriptures Associated with the Specifics of God’s Promises! Part 3.

24 Jan 2026 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 121:2.        My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

Here we are friends, on this lazy-day Saturday, betwixt and between bright sunshine and dark cloudiness. Let’s hope the sunshine wins the day. (smile) And as it’s still pretty cold, snowy and dangerous out there, if you don’t have to go out, then don’t. Just stay inside and enjoy the fruits of your labour with rest and friendly communion with God. And we’ll begin the latter half of that equation by offering up our ‘Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer.’  

As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’ 

Now, if our hearts were sincere and true, then the Lord will flood them with peace and goodwill, for there’s nothing He LOVES more than His children seeking greater intimacy with Him. And having accomplished that, let’s turn to our unfinished business with the poem, ‘Promises and Non-Promises of God’ where we still have to check out scriptures dealing with the promises for ‘help from above, unfailing sympathy, and undying LOVE.’ 

So, let’s get right into scriptures dealing with ‘help from above.’ And as expected, God’s promises in any area are numerous, but we’ll begin with these most reassuring words from Psalm 121, titled, ‘God Neither Slumbers Nor Sleeps.’ Please read with me: ‘I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills (mountains), from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved (slip): he that keepeth thee will not slumber. 

Behold he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper (protector): the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve (keep) thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve (keep) thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth and for evermore.’ (Ps. 121:1-8) There you have it friends, a golden promise that help comes directly from the Creator, who shields us from danger both day and night. 

And we’ll highlight one more scripture on help from above, one that many of us know but don’t action in our everyday lives. The prophet Isaiah declares on the Lord’s behalf: ‘Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee: yea, I will help thee: yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.’ (Is. 41:10) Now how much more assurance can the Lord give than that eh? None really. 

So let’s move on to ‘unfailing sympathy.’ And I like how this commentary explains it. ‘Scriptures regarding unfailing sympathy, compassion, and comfort emphasize God’s proximity to those in pain, the emotional connection of Jesus to human suffering, and the promise of ultimate relief from distress.’ But again, there are so many verses of promise to choose from that it just boggles the imagination.

Anyway, these most reassuring words from Bruh David in that magnificent Psalm 34, surely capture the idea of God’s sympathy and compassion for His children. ‘The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite (crushed) spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.’ (Ps. 34:19-19) 

Oh my people how much more sympathy can we ask for eh? Meanwhile, in Jeremiah’s Lamentations, he highlights the very essence of God’s sympathy, when remembering God’s faithfulness, he writes: ‘This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.’ (Lam. 3:21-23) 

But here is one of the greatest promises of heavenly empathy, as the author of Hebrews declares to us. ‘Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into (through) the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession (confession of faith). For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched (sympathize) with the feeling of our infirmities (our weaknesses; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly (confidently) unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.’ (Heb. 4:14-16) 

Ah my fellow believers, there’s nobody who can sympathize, empathize and show more compassion than Jesus, because He knows firsthand what we experience in this evil and ungodly world! And that finally brings us to the last of the promises; ‘undying LOVE.’  And I won’t even bother to tell you that there are oodles of scriptures that talk about that, because it’s the most important attribute of God, and why He made us in the first place. 

And possibly the greatest showing of God’s undying LOVE, is this verse from the lips of Jesus to Nicodemus the Jewish teacher. ‘For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ (John 3:16) Then there’s one of my favourite scriptures, from the pen of Bruh Paul to the Romans. ‘But God commendeth (demonstrated) his own LOVE toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.’ (Rom. 5:8) 

Yes mih bredrin, God didn’t wait for us to change our ways, His LOVE was so great that He went ahead and did His part, trusting that we would eventually do ours. What greater LOVE can be shown eh, than breaking your own heart by giving up your only Son to save a bunch of ungrateful sinners and doing it before they were even fully aware of it? And just for good measure, or lagniappe, we’ll throw in these wonderful assurances of Bruh Paul to the Roman church. 

‘Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors, though him that LOVED us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the LOVE of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Rom. 8:37-39) That says it all my people! 

Now let’s close with what this commentary calls the ‘Core Themes of God’s Undying LOVE: (1) His Unchanging Character: God’s LOVE does not fluctuate based on human performance, but is rooted in His faithful character. (2) His Sacrificial Action: The ultimate proof of this LOVE is Jesus Christ laying down His life. (3) God’s Eternal Presence: His LOVE is described as “everlasting” and “never fails,” offering comfort through trials.’ 

And this cold, snowy, lazy-day Saturday is an excellent day to understand, appreciate and accept God’s great promises, so that we can have the good and abundant life that Christ promised and died for us to have! Much LOVE!

…only as we understand, accept and action the promises of God…will we fulfill our God-given destiny…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour can Empathize with Our Earthly Problems, because He also faced them, while here in Human Form!

28 Feb 2025 Leave a comment

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

Hebrews 4:15.       For we have not an high priest who cannot be touched (sympathize) with the feeling of our infirmities (weaknesses); but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

And then it was Friday…and all the shouts of ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ have already gone up to heaven, and everyone is bracing for the weekend to see what kind of weather we’ll have. But whatever it turns out to be, we strong believers in Christ Jesus need to do the best we can to conquer it…if possible by just staying home. (smile) 

So, what shall we talk about on this last day of February 2025 eh? Can you imagine February’s done already, and next week Monday and Tuesday is bacchanal (Carnival) in T&T, and therefore Ash Wednesday is the next day. It will be an early Easter, but that might just serve to buoy some of us up in these cold and cruel times. And to help us further do that, here’s this month’s prayer from the In Touch Devotional, which I am sure will resonate with many of us in these difficult days. 

Please pray with me: ‘Lord, when it feels as if I have no one, give me a glimpse of Your presence. When I’m missing the support of others, show me Your generous provision and care. When life overwhelms me, help me remember You faced such moments too. When it seems no one understands my head or heart, remind me that You do – perfectly. God, my loneliness will come and go, but You are here to stay. Strengthen me with Your nearness and the LOVE of Your people. In Jesus’ name. Amen!’ 

What a beautiful prayer that is friends! It touches on so many basic problems we all have at some time or another. Yes, many of us often feel as if we have no one to turn to, with no support from our fellow man. And oh boy, does life ever overwhelm us, especially in these chaotic and disastrous times, when everyone is just seeking their own selfish and greedy way. And I can certainly relate to the aspect of where no one seems to understand your head nor heart. That just makes you frustrated, wondering if something’s wrong with you, and you end up asking, ‘Why, Lord, why?’ 

And though our loneliness comes and goes, it’s of the utmost importance for us to realize and faithfully believe, that our great and faithful God is always there with us. He understands our problems perfectly, because He also went through them while here on earth in the human form of His Son Jesus Christ. The author of Hebrews puts it thus: ‘Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into (through) the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest who cannot be touched (sympathize) with the feeling of our infirmities (weaknesses); but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.’ (Heb. 4:14-15) 

Now isn’t that wonderful news my brethren? Jesus came to earth as a man and encountered temptation just like we do, therefore He can empathize and sympathize with us when the devil comes against us. The only difference is that He did not succumb to any of the devil’s temptations, like so many of us do. He did not sin. 

That’s why the author of Hebrews could also pen these fantastic verses: ‘Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher (originator and perfector) of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction (hostility) of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds (become discouraged).’ (Heb. 12:2-3) 

Yes friends, when times get difficult and it feels like our whole world is falling down around us, that’s the most opportune moment to remember Jesus and His earthly sufferings, and do like He did. How He endured the terrible ‘sufferation’ for our sake, because the Father desired Him to, and through perseverance, longsuffering and faithful trust in the Father’s grace and mercy, kept Himself buoyed and keeping on despite the enormous hostility from His own people, the Jews, whom he had come to first save. 

Don’t think that He wasn’t disappointed that His own people refused to accept Him, but thankfully He was also here to break down the walls of separation between Jews and Gentiles, and in so doing save us outsiders also, by bringing us into His one fold. And He attests to that in the gospel of John. ‘I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold (Jews): them also must I bring (Gentiles), and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold (flock), and one shepherd.’ (John 10:14-16) Glory hallelujah! 

Oh what a blessed day it was when Jesus included us Gentiles in His movement of salvation! And yuh know what friends, that inclusivity now entitles us to do as the author of Hebrews further says: ‘Let us therefore come boldly (confidently) unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb. 4:16) And this is indeed a time of dire need! So altogether, let’s offer up our Friday Chant as a means of seeking divine aid. 

‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. You know it’s been rough…  because our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving. And it’s obvious we can’t fix them on our own, so Lord, we’re desperately crying out for your help. Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. We therefore ask you Lord to give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly. And please help the rest of us to be responsible and to stay safe amidst all the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times. 

We fervently pray too Lord that you’ll use the discontent and dissatisfaction in our land as a means of restoring faith in you. Return backsliders to your fold. Show them the error of their ways. And please introduce a new flock of believers, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion by the example, we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’ 

Now friends, our God is good and merciful and all those wonderful things, but He does expect some obedience to His Word and seeking His face in prayer and communion, if we expect to receive His divine aid. That means we have to pull up our breeches and become better witnesses for Almighty God! Much LOVE!

…no matter what your problem is…God can always help you with it…if you sincerely turn to Him…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien