25 Apr 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a doer of the work, a forgetful hearer, adrenalin, attitude towards work, aura of love, Christian, complaining, confidence, death, enthusiasm, evil, followers of Christ, free from the law of sin, friends, fun, glorious kingdom, gospel truth, heart, holy spirit, humble servants, invincible, Jesus Christ, lies, life in the Spirit, LOVE, mankind's fallen nature, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, no condemnation, peace, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality, righteousness., salvation, shall be blessed in his deed, sinful flesh, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, the law of the Spirit, the perfect law of liberty, the principles of sin, the things of the flesh, the things of the Spirit, treasure, truth, ungodly world, walk after the flesh, whining, win souls for Christ, wisdom
James 1:25. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed (in what he does).
Awright friends, it’s Monday morning, so let’s get up and get ourselves ready to go to work nuh. No whining and complaining about how we feeling sick and tired and otherwise. We know that we have to go back to work every Monday morning, so it behooves us to get ourselves together for that time.
And especially as followers of Christ, we shouldn’t be full of whimpering excuses for not wanting to work. Jesus is sick and tired of us and our less than Christian attitude towards work. So let’s throw all of that out the window, and instead sing a rich and moving rendition of our Monday Morning Battle Hymn.
As one earthly choir, but sounding heavenly, with Jesus as our choirmaster, let’s sing: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Now that was most excellent my people! Jesus was very pleased. Yuh see how we can come up to scratch when we need to, and when we put our hearts and souls in it. Now let’s go out into that wicked and foolish world and use that adrenalin that’s currently pumping through our veins and bodies to help us do what we’re supposed to do; win souls for Christ!
And we’re going to continue with the Bit of the last few days. ‘But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed (in what he does).’
And that’s gospel truth! That’s the way our God operates; you do what He desires and He blesses you.
Now we’ll continue looking at some of the passages that the scholars referenced when they spoke about the ‘perfect law of liberty.’ ‘It is a law of liberty because it frees from the principles of sin and death.’ And one of the references for that was this one, where Bruh Paul talks to the Roman church about ‘Life in the Spirit.’
‘There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for (on account of) sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
That the righteousness (righteous requirement of) the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh, do mind (set their minds on) the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.’ (Rom.8:1-5)
Yeh friends, that’s as simple as it gets. Jesus came to set us free from the bondage of sin, through righteousness. But we have to give up the things of the flesh and live by the things of the Spirit if we want to accomplish that wonderful ideal.
Now here are a couple of notes from the scholars. ‘8:1. Many manuscripts omit “who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” They don’t say why, but it seems that the sentence is better explained with those last few words.
‘8:3. Law…was weak: There is nothing inherently wrong with the law. The presence of sin renders the believer powerless to do what the law demands. The likeness of sinful flesh: Christ was truly human but not a sinner. (2 Cor.5:21).’
So my brethren, we see that the basic problem with mankind is his fallen nature, his sinful leanings based on the lusts of his flesh. That’s what Jesus came to correct through the righteousness of those who believe in Him, and live according to the law of His Holy Spirit, not in accordance with man’s fleshly lust.
And as Jesus said: ‘For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.’ (Matt.6:21) That means if we are bent on seeking earthly treasure, then our hearts will be grounded in the world and the things of the flesh.
However, if, as Jesus desires, we are more concerned with seeking heavenly treasure, then our hearts will be set on the things of heaven, the things of Jesus, and we’ll be living by the law of His Spirit, not by that of man, and the prince of darkness, Lucifer.
And we’ll conclude today with that most important aspect of our Christian faith. Now let’s show the world as we go forth today, that our treasures and our hearts are indeed set on the things of heaven and not those of earth, for that is indeed true wisdom. Much LOVE!
…the treasures of earth are corruptible…but those of heaven are incorruptible…and thus much better for laying up…
24 Apr 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a doer of the work, a forgetful hearer, a party, an inspiration, believers in Christ, believing in jesus, celebrate, Christians, coiffured, dancing, energy, faithfulness, force ourselves, free from bondage, giving thanks, glorify God, glory hallelujah, go to church, God's mercy, happy, joy, joyous, led astray, Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, LOVE, loving kindness, magnificent and magnanimous God, man-made rules, meet in secret, One Year Book of Bible promises, outward show, peace, persecuted, pick sense from nonsense, pinned their hopes, praise, praising, radiance, reading the Word, redemption, religiosity, religious achievement, revelation of God, righteousness, Ruth Harms Calkin, shall be blessed in his deed, singing, spiritual acumen, talking to God, the Alpha and the Omega, the be all and end all, the First and the Last, the goodness, the perfect law of liberty, the Secret, time, to know Jesus, traditional church law, union with Christ, wisdom, worship
James 1:25. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed (in what he does).
Oh my fellow believers in Christ, it’s Sunday! Glory Hallelujah! What a joy it is to be able to get up and go out to church and worship with other believers!
How awesome it is to get together and praise and celebrate the goodness and LOVING-kindness of our wonderful Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Receiving in return His unbeatable strength, unsurpassed wisdom, unconditional LOVE, ever-faithful care and heart-felt compassion! Glory Be!
Oh friends, how I wish the majority of us would feel like that on Sunday mornings. Hn! The sad reality though is that too many of us force ourselves to get up and go to church because it’s expected of us; just like work on a Monday morning. There’s no joy in our spirits like if we were going to a party.
But friends, it is a party we’re going to! Isn’t there singing and dancing, and praising and giving thanks? There surely is! It’s not just a mournful, dirge-like experience that we’re forced to live through. So why, for so many of us, going to church is like pulling teeth eh?
We ought to be happy and joyous, celebrating the occasion to be able to get together freely in public to glorify our Creator. Many of our fellow believers around the world don’t have that privilege. They have to hide and meet in secret, in out of the way places to have church. And in many places they are persecuted for simply believing in Jesus! That means we have the best of all worlds, but simply don’t appreciate it.
Anyway, enough of my ranting, (smile) listen to this excerpt from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. As soon as I read it, I knew that it would be most appropriate for this glorious Sunday morning.
It’s titled ‘The Secret,’ and it says: ‘I couldn’t help but watch her As we sat in the service together Last Sunday morning… Her white hair so neatly coiffured Her hands resting on her open Bible Her smile so beautifully tranquil. When the hymn was announced She sang with a glowing smile. Occasionally during the message She nodded her head in assent.
(O Lord, what peace she portrays.) After the service I spoke to her: “You are an inspiration, my dear. I hope I may sit with you again.” She thanked me profusely. Then she added with shining joy “Isn’t it wonderful to know Jesus? I mean – really KNOW Him!” In that instant, dear God I knew the secret of her radiance.’
Oh precious people of Jesus, that is how we ought to be, and can be if we’d only invest some more time and energy in truly getting to KNOW our amazing, magnificent and magnanimous God! And we can only do that by seriously reading His Word, sincerely talking to Him in prayer and joyfully fellowshipping with other believers.
And by the way, the promise attached to that poem is ‘Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.’ (Phil. 3:8 NL.V)
Oh what indisputable truth that is my brethren! There is nothing that’s worth more in this mish-mash world than truly KNOWING Jesus! For He is indeed the Be All and the End All of our world; the First and the Last; the Alpha and Omega! Oh praise His Holy Name my people!
That brings us to our Bit: ‘But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed (in what he does).’ More truth of enormous proportions my brethren!
And we’ll continue looking at the references that the scholars gave re ‘the perfect law of liberty.’ We saw what Jesus had to say about His coming to fulfill the law not destroy it. (Matt.5:17) Now listen to Bruh Paul, as he talks about zeal but no righteousness.
‘Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record (witness) that they have a zeal of (for) God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.’ (Acts 10:1-4)
And the scholars explain that last verse thus: ‘10:4. Christ is the end of the law: Israel mistook the purpose of the law. The law pointed to the righteousness that is attainable only by belief in Christ. Israel also mistook the scope of the law. The righteousness to which it pointed was universally available to all who responded to God’s revelation of Himself through the law.
But by Paul’s time many had substituted works for faith. Rather than seeking redemption in God’s mercy, they pinned their hopes on their own religious achievement.’
And unfortunately many of us are doing the same thing today my people. We are concentrating too much on our religious works and achievements, and not enough on the righteousness that is necessary, and can be attained from a sincere and purposeful union with Christ.
Ah friends, many of us are being led astray by the religiosity of the church; the concentration on man-made rules and regulations, the many do’s and don’ts that have become institutionalized down through the ages. It’s time for us to be free from the bondage of traditional church law and return to what is truly important, the spiritual acumen that Jesus died for us to have; the true inner faithfulness and righteousness, not merely the outward show to look good in public.
Now I hope that this message makes sense, but as I always say, we Christians are bright enough to pick sense from nonsense. (smile) And if the message does nothing else, I hope that it puts a joy in our hearts, minds, bodies and spirits to get up and go to church this Sunday morning, for that is indeed the wisdom of the ages my fellow believers! Much LOVE!
…oh the true joy of really knowing Jesus…nothing to it can compare…
22 Apr 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a doer of the work, a forgetful hearer, authority, blessed in his work, blessings, burden, Christian, Christians, commandments, contentment, Corville Peters, difficult circumstances, earth, faith, faithfulness, fellowship, fete, Friday chant, friends, fun, generous help, glorious kingdom, hate, hate met love, heaven, heaven met earth, Jesus' work, kingdom of heaven, labour, Law, Live at the Cross, LOVE, moderation, one jot, one tittle, plan of God, practice what you preach, principles of the law, refreshed, relaxation, renewed, rest, revitalization, reward, slaving, sweat, TGIF! Thank God is Friday, the perfect law of liberty, the souls of men, the weekend, time to party, true believers, truth, verily, vocation, week of work, wisdom, worship
James 1:25. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed (in what he does.
Well mih people, the day that we all seem to crave has finally come around again – it’s Friday!
And you know that means joyful shouts of ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday! The weekend’s here! No more labour, no more sweat! Time to party, time to fete! Thank you God for Fridays and the two days off from slaving for massa! Only wish everyday was Friday!’
Yeh friends, don’t we all wish that everyday was Friday. Only thing about that is if we didn’t work, we wouldn’t eat nor have a roof over our heads. So though it sounds real good, it’s not practical in the real world. Neither is too much partying and feting. Moderation and contentment should be our motto, not extremes.
Anyway, since today is Friday, let’s chant our Friday Chant, which gives us a much better perspective on the use of the weekend. As one chanter now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Yes my brethren, the weekend ought to be one of rest and revitalization and worship, with elements of partying so that we can have the necessary wherewithal to go back out next week, strong and ready to do Jesus’ work.
And here I want to mention a little thing I heard brother Corville (Corville Peters) from the Christian call in t.v. show ‘Live At the Cross,’ say recently. He said: ‘At the cross, where heaven met earth, and hate met LOVE, and LOVE overcame.’
Oh friends, how true that all is! Whenever hate meets LOVE, LOVE will ALWAYS prevail, because LOVE is by far the stronger of the two emotions. To LOVE under difficult and unfair circumstances as we Christians are supposed to do, is not easy.
And that’s why for some of us, LOVING is more difficult to do than hating. But LOVE is what we should be all about, because that’s our vocation as true believers in Jesus Christ.
And with those awesome words of wisdom, (smile) let’s turn to out Bit. ‘But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed (in what he does.’ More words of indisputable truth my friends!
And we’ll continue where we left off yesterday with Christ talking about the law, that He didn’t come to destroy it but to fulfill it. ‘For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot (Gr. iota) or one tittle (smallest stroke in a Hebrew word) shall in no wise (by no means) pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.’ (Matt.5:18)
And the scholars explain that thus: ‘5:18. Verily I say is a unique form used by Jesus throughout His preaching to draw attention to the authority of His message.
Verily (Gr. amen) means “truly” or “certainly.” It is used as a designation of authoritative teaching. One jot or one tittle refers to the most minute letter and marks of the Hebrew alphabet.
He explained that even the smallest statement in the law must be fulfilled. A “jot” (yodh) is the smallest letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It functions as a Y in English and looks similar to an apostrophe. A tittle is a small projection on the edge of certain Hebrew letters to distinguish them from one another.’
So we see friends, that the law is still, and will always be of supreme importance in our lives. And Jesus continues: ‘Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.’ (Matt.5:19)
And here’s what the scholars have to say about that. ‘5:19. Because of the seriousness of the law, Jesus emphasizes the importance of keeping even its smallest details. However, in the ultimate plan of God, the law was not to become an extra burden on the souls of men.
Rather than pointing the way to salvation, the law convinced men of the need of the Saviour. Therefore, whoever shall teach men so but shall not live what he teaches, he shall be made least in the kingdom of heaven. But whosoever shall do and teach the principles and precepts of the law shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
This simply means that God will reward the faithfulness and effectiveness of our lives, and there will be varying degrees of blessing and reward in heaven.’
Ah mih breddren, yuh see it all comes right back to the old saying, about practicing what we preach. In our Christian faith, it’s not right or lawful to say one thing and then do another.
And in closing today, I want us to ponder our individual lives and see to what extent that is a factor in them, because we all do some of it, at various times, to a certain degree.
And as always, with God’s help, let’s try and banish that sort of behaviour from our lives, for as we can see from Jesus’ teaching, it is a critical aspect in our heavenly rewards and blessings. Much LOVE!
…a practicing Christian…must always try to practice…whatever he or she preaches…
21 Apr 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a child of God, a compassionate heart, a doer of the work, a forgetful hearer, a great family, a positive outlook on life, abundance, blessed, clear direction for my life, conviction, courage, creativity, curse, degenerated, divine protection, enthusiasm, eternal life, everything I do will succeed, faith, favour, foundation, friends, fulfillment, Glory be, God's Law, God's supernatural wisdom, good friends, good health, in concert, in the name of Jesus, legalism, LOVE, man-made rules, neck of the woods, negative word, New Testament, obedience, Old Testament, Pharisees, promotion, prosper, salvation, self-control, self-disicpline, sincerity, spiritual intention, strong will, success, succour, supernatural strength, talent, the Beatitudes, the error of their ways, the Good News of Jesus' Gospel, the Jewish faith, the Mosaic Law, the perfect law of liberty, the saving grace, the spiritual side of our faith, this man shall be blessed, Thursday Blessing, to destroy the law, to fulfill, true portrait of christ, wisdom
James 1:25. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed (in what he does.
And then it was Thursday friends! Wow! This week has certainly rushed by quickly, and I’ve just been too busy for my liking. Hn! But the saving grace is that in my neck of the woods, all the days this week were just beautiful! Glory be! No rain, sleet nor snow, just bright sunshine and warm temps.
And here this nuh, yesterday I was up in the northern part of the city, getting some repairs done to my car stereo, and around 4 pm, while sitting in the passenger seat with the door open, my legs hanging out, I felt the urge to pull up the sleeves of my sweater to feel the sunshine…
Hn! But five minutes later I had to pull them back down because the sun was burning my arm. Brother! Meanwhile the gentleman repairing the stereo just had a thin vest covering his upper body. And he was white at that, which meant that my extra melanin wasn’t so great after all. (smile)
I believe though that the sunshiny weather might give way to rain some time today. But that’s okay, at least we had some wonderful consecutive days, and once it’s not the white stuff, I can handle it. Now let’s declare our Thursday Blessings with enthusiasm, sincerity and true conviction.
‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline!
I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life!
I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and everyday! Amen!’
Oh all praise and thanks and glory be to our awesome God my brethren! For He is indeed the ONE who makes all those blessings we just declared over our lives possible! And yet so many foolish people still refuse to believe in Him. Steups!
Ah really sorry for them yes. But all we as believers can do is tell them the Good News of Jesus’ Gospel and live our lives in concert and obedience to His holy will. Hopefully, before it’s too late, they will recognize the error of their ways and come to Him for succour, for salvation and eternal life. And I’m done preaching now. (smile)
Let’s turn to our Bit. ‘But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed (in what he does).’
Yeh friends, we reviewed that verse in the last couple days and in the scholars’ explanation, they quoted some verses of scripture that were relevant to it. Now I asked us to check out those relevant scriptures, but since our lives are oh so busy, I’m sure not many, if any of us did so, I decided to lay them out today.
And we’ll go through the scholars’ explanation once more and highlight the verses as we go. ‘1:25. The perfect law of liberty probably refers to the teachings of Christ and His apostles. This law is perfect, since Christ brought to completion the teachings and work of the Mosaic Law…’
And here the scholars refer to Matthew 5, Christ’s take on the law. ‘Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy but to fulfill.’ (Matt.5:17)
Yuh know something friends, this is going to take much longer than I expected yes, because the scholars have some good explanations for every verse here. But that’s the whole point of the matter; to learn and understand as much as possible of the scriptures.
So here goes the scholars’ explanation for that verse. ‘5:17. Having laid the foundation of the message in the summary statements of the Beatitudes, Jesus now proceeds to show the superiority of His message to that of the law of Moses.
He makes it clear that He had not…come to destroy the law. That is, the New Testament Gospel is not contradictory to the Old Testament Law; rather it is the ultimate fulfillment of the spiritual intention of the law. Where the law had degenerated into legalism among the Pharisees, Jesus now takes the law beyond mere outward observance to the inner spiritual intention of God.’
Ah my people, I hope that resonates soundly with us all, because the same thing is happening today. Legalism, the man-made rules and regulations of our denominations are killing the spiritual side of our faith.
Like in the days of Jesus, where the Pharisees, the leaders of the faith, were full of outward show but little inner conviction, we are today hearing plenty talk and seeing much legalistic outward show, but there’s little true spiritual obedience to God’s Law.
Now friends, as supposed believers in Christ, we definitely have to do better than that. No wonder so many unbelievers consider us hypocrites, as Christ did the Pharisees and the other leaders of the Jewish faith.
We need to paint a true portrait of Christ to the unbelieving and ungodly world. And we can only do that when we are comfortable in our own skins, and have a true conviction of our faith, which leads us to both hear the word and do it. So today, let’s ponder how that reflects in our individual lives nuh, for it’s the only wisdom that’s appropriate for a child of God. Much LOVE!
…Christians are blessed…when they both hear and do…according to God’s Law …and not to man’s…
20 Apr 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: affliction, alive and kicking, all I have needed, altruistic service, assurance, beat vehemently, Beelzebub, beholding his face in a mirror, blessings, bridleth not his tongue, built a house upon the earth, controlled speech, deceives his own heart, foundation, founded upon a rock, great is thy faithfulness, harvest, hope for tomorrow, I am halfway home, I'm not focusing on the past, I'm not turning back, I'm so glad to be alive, if any be a hearer of the word, inner life, Jesus Christ, LOVE, make a mockery of, manifold witness, mercy, morning by morning, my eyes are fixed straight ahead, my hands are on the plough, new mercies I see, no shadow of turning, not a doer, obedient to His will, our Lord and Saviour, pardon for sin, peace, praise and worship, pure religion, religion, religious, separation from the world, springtime, strength for today, strong foundation, the breath of life, the flood, the house built on the rock, the obits, the rock that's jesus, the ruin of that house, the tide of life, thou changest not, thy compassions fail not, thy hand hath provided, to a glorious future with Jesus, tragic times, trap, vain, visit the fatherless, Wednesday Wail, widows, wisdom, write it indelibly
James 1:23. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding (observing) his natural face in a glass (mirror).
Aye mih people, would you believe that yesterday was almost as nice as the day before, not as warm, but just as sunshiny, and less windy too? Oh, and today is promised to be more of the same, Glory Hallelujah!
And since the best way to begin our prayer time is with praise and worship, I’ll invite us to sing this old hymn of much renown. Please sing with me, my fellow believers.
‘Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father; there is no shadow of turning with thee; thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not; as thou hast been thou forever will be. Refrain: Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed thy hand hath provided; great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, sun, moon and stars in their courses above join with all nature in manifold witness to thy great faithfulness, mercy and love. Refrain
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide; strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! Refrain…’
Oh friends, what beautiful words of LOVE and assurance! Our God has been faithful since day one, and He will be faithful till the end of eternity…and even thereafter! (smile)
And having offered praise in song, let’s now do it in prayer. So please declare with me our Wednesday Wail with sincerity and truth.
As one wailer now: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home.
My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
Oh my brethren, on Jesus is exactly where our eyes and lives should be focused! And we do that by being obedient to His will and the wonderful plan He has for each and every one of our lives! Glory be!
And am I ever so glad to be alive and kicking this beautiful Wednesday spring morning! Hn! I looked at the obits and neither my name nor picture were there… Oh praise the Lord for that my people!
And that brings us to our Bit: ‘For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding (observing) his natural face in a glass (mirror). For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.’ (James 1:23-24)
Ah friends, I just had to add that last verse so we could fully understand what kind of man James was talking about. And it’s indeed sad and unfortunate that so many of us supposed believers fall into this trap of Beelzebub.
As James explains: ‘If any man among you seem to be (thinks he is) religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain (useless). Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.’ (James 1:26-27)
Yes my brethren, we ought to talk our talk, but also walk our walk by helping those in need, because that’s why Jesus came to earth…to help us, save us from our abominable sins.
And the scholars offer this explanation of those verses. ‘1:26-27. In verses 22-25 James has rebuked mere listening – by the hearer who does not do. In verses 26 and 27 he rebukes mere doing – by the doer who leaves his inner life unchanged. James offers not a formal definition but three key aspects of pure religion: controlled speech, altruistic service, and separation from the world.’
And there we have it friends; a simple, but tried and true guideline of how to be a true Christian. And we’ll end with these immortal words of Jesus on the subject. He is here talking about the house built on the rock.
‘And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like. He is like a man which built a house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built a house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.’ (Luke 6:46-49)
Truer words were never spoken my friends! For whatever we build, unless it has a strong foundation, it will not last when the tide of life come against it.
As the scholars wisely declare: ‘6:46-49: To hear what Jesus teaches and not to respond is as foolish as building a house with no thought for its foundation.’
So please my fellow believers, lets seriously consider it all nuh; write it indelibly in our hearts, minds, bodies and souls, for it’s from our Leader, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, whom we have publicly declared to follow.
Let heavenly wisdom therefore be our call, and let’s not make a mockery of our Saviour and ourselves in these trying and tragic times by being disobedient to His will. Much LOVE!
…unless the foundation is built on the rock that’s Jesus…the edifice will NOT stand…
18 Apr 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: adrenalin, aura of love, blessings, captives, challenging circumstances, chutzpah, complain, confidence, Creator, don't worry, enthusiasm, eternal life, ever-LOVING God, evil, faith, faithful, faithfulness, for He is good, friendly, friends, generous, generous help, Gentiles, get angry, glorious kingdom, Glory be, his mercy endureth for ever, holy spirit, invincible, Jeremiah, Jesus Christ, jobs, joy, lies, LOVE, loving kindness, magnificent and magnanimous God, mammoth undertaking, mercies, mercy, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, negative emotions, never leave nor forsake us, O Give thanks unto the Lord, Old Testament, positive, proactive, provider, Psalm 117, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality, rest, sacrifice, sacrifice of praise, salvation, serve a useful purpose, sincerity, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, straight and narrow path, surrender, the Lord of hosts, the voice of the bridegroom, this is the day the Lord has made, trust, truth, ungodly world, we shall rejoice and be glad in it, whine, wisdom, zest
1 Chronicles 16:34. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
Oh friends, it’s a new day, filled with the many new mercies and blessings showered down on us by our magnanimous, magnificent, ever-faithful, ever-LOVING God! Oh glory be!
And since that’s so, it’s only common sense that we declare with sincerity and enthusiasm, like the psalmist of old: ‘This is the day the Lord has made, we SHALL rejoice and be glad in it!’
Yes precious people, that’s the only reaction that makes any sense. For if we whine and complain and get angry and let all the negative emotions control our lives, we definitely will not rejoice. However, if we are positive, proactive, generous, friendly and faithful, we stand a much better chance of truly enjoying our day.
Oh, I know that is difficult for some of us to do because of the difficult and challenging circumstances we are currently facing, but not to worry, our awesome God says that if we trust Him, He will never leave nor forsake us, and He has His Holy Spirit living within us to help and guide and comfort us, which proves His faithfulness.
Anyway, it’s Monday, and like it or not, we have to go back out to work and face the heathen horde. So to help us to handle that mammoth undertaking, (smile) let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with much zest and plenty chutzpah.
All together now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Yes mih breddren, that ought to get our motors cranked up and the adrenalin flowing freely. And it wasn’t a bad rendition either, as the smile on our choirmaster, Jesus’ face acknowledged. So let’s get out there and do whatever is necessary to win lives, or cause others to come to Him for salvation and eternal life nuh, because that’s our bounden duty.
Now let’s turn to our Bit. ‘O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.’
And all of you, my fellow believers know that that is the endearing, everlasting truth! That means we can trust our God with our lives, surrender them to Him, because He is exceedingly good and merciful, and will not lead us astray, but through His Holy Spirit, will keep us focused on the straight and narrow path that leads to Him.
And we’ll conclude this series of messages on the goodness and mercy of our wonderful Creator, God and sure Provider by checking out some more of the instances where our Bit is used. We find it used a lot especially in the Psalms. Yes friends, those words, or some variation thereof, begin Psalms 106, 107, 118, and 136.
Meanwhile Psalm 117 – The truth of the Lord endureth forever – in its two verses simply says: ‘O praise the Lord, all ye nations (Gentiles): praise (glorify) him, all ye people. For his merciful (LOVING) kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever.’ (Ps.117:1-2)
And the scholars have an interesting note on it. ‘Psalm 117. Well known as the shortest chapter in the Bible, this little psalm contains a great message. Though some have denied it an independent existence, attaching it to Psalm 116, Psalm 117 has all three elements of the hymn of praise: a call to praise (v.1), a cause for praise (v.2a,b), and a conclusion , which, in this case, is a simple praise ye the Lord (v.2c).
The fact that the nations and people (lit. “peoples”) are addressed in verse 1 makes this psalm the only one in the Psalter addressed in its entirety to the Gentile world. Its evangelical mood was still baffling to some of Paul’s readers. This is one of the four passages that Paul quotes from the Old Testament, in Romans 15, to prove that God is interested in saving the Gentiles.’
And now you know it friends! (smile) And the last instance of the use of our Bit for today comes from the prophet Jeremiah. He is here promising a glorious return to the captives when Judah will be revived.
‘The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the Lord of hosts: for the Lord is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land (the captives of the land to return), as at the first, saith the Lord.’ (Jer.33:11)
Ah friends, I do hope that we took the sacrifice of praise into the Lord’s house yesterday and faithfully worshipped and fellowshipped with others of our faith, so that we could be renewed and fully equipped to go out and face the dark, evil and lustful world today and all week. Anything other than that, simply makes no sense at all. Much LOVE!
…if we don’t get our batteries of faith and trust recharged on Sundays…then we won’t have the necessary energy and power to withstand the enemy during the week…
17 Apr 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a loud voice, after effects, after one time is two, all is well, Amen, Ark of the Covenant, Babylon, Beres Hammond, blessings, captivity, Christian brethren, circumspect, contrast, cooking, cultures, dance, despised, despising God, dinner, diverse congregation, donating food, everlasting goodness, excuses, fellowship, for He is good, for the life in me, giving thanks, glory to God, health, his mercy endureth for ever, honour, Israelites, joy, leftovers, leggo-beast, levites, lustful lifestyle, material possessions, might, noise, O Give thanks unto the Lord, pockets broken, power, practice what you preach, praise and worship, proportional, reasons not to go to church, shouted for joy, size, splendour, St. Francis, thanksgiving, the day of small things, the foundation, the Lord's Day, the Lord's sanctuary, the Lord's work, waiting for that break, wake up and smell the roses, weeping, West Indian, wisdom
1 Chronicles 16:34. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
Ah mih breddren, the ole fella went out and party last evening… the first time in ages too. In fact, the first time since New Year’s Eve! Glory to God! But the ole fella must really be getting old if it takes three and half months between his partying. (smile)
Oh it was nothing spectacular, just our church’s first International Dinner and Dance held in the church’s auditorium. And was it ever well attended, over a hundred beautiful souls. And talk about food; all kinds of food from all the many cultures of our rather diverse congregation.
And would you believe that after everybody had their fill, with seconds and thirds, and people bought food to carry home, there were still loads of food left. And this was no catered affair, just members of our congregation cooking and donating food from their particular culture.
And please note that the West Indian fare was first and foremost – as usual. (smile) Ah can’t help it people, ah just biased towards mih West Indian victuals and way of life. And if is one thing, no two things the St. Francis congregation can do well, is eat and party, led by our inimitable Fr. Jeff.
And the ole fella partied too, to the good music that the D.J. spun, with my natural enthusiasm obviously, but not with my leggo beast antics. It seems that those days are over, and now I have to be more circumspect about my physical activity.
But look at that nuh; the ole fella can’t party as physically and energetically as he used to. I guess, as they say, after one time is two. Hn, hn! And by the grace of God, and some man-made medication, the knees are holding up well this morning. Praise be!
Anyway friends, today is Sunday, the Lord’s Day, and that means we have to get ourselves to church and praise and worship and fellowship with our Christian brethren. I do hope that all of the partiers’ last night can get up and get to church this morning, and they are not suffering from the after effects of the night before. (smile)
Or they don’t use that as an excuse, cause you ever notice how we Christian folks can find all sorts of reasons not to go to church, but none not to go out and indulge in the lustful lifestyle of the world. We just don’t seem to hold going to church as sacred and important as we ought to.
Now enough of my two cents worth, let’s check out our Bit. ‘O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.’
Yes friends, that’s what we ought to be doing this Sunday in the Lord’s sanctuary; giving thanks for His everlasting goodness to us undeserving human beings. That reminds me of the words of the old Beres Hammond song ‘Giving Thanks.’
‘Morning sun rising behind me, Stars at night come out to remind me, To give thanks for all the things that I have. All is well, I’ve got my health and in such good shape, Pockets broken, I’ve got nothing, waiting for that break,
So I’m giving thanks, for all I’ve got, I’m giving thanks, whether or not, I’m giving thanks for the life I’ve got, I’m giving thanks now, Yes I’m giving thanks for all I’ve got, I’m giving thanks, whether or not, I’m giving thanks for the life in me, I’m giving thanks…I’m giving thanks…’
Oh my people, if we’d only give a little more thanks to our wonderful God, our lives would be so much better! I guess we don’t realize that our blessings are proportional to the thanks that we give. Even if we don’t have anything, that’s material possessions, we still have life to be thankful for.
And to remind us that a lot of other folks don’t have even life this morning, just read the obits. So please, let’s wake up and smell the roses nuh, let’s acknowledge the mercy and LOVING-kindness of our awesome Creator. That’s all He’s asking of us yes; to appreciate what He done, is doing, and has promised to do for us.
And we’ll continue checking out instances of our Bit being used in the Good Book. Yesterday we saw it used when Bruh David brought up the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, and when Cousin Sol finished building the Lord’s temple. Today let’s look at how it was also used when the Israelites returned from their captivity in Babylon and laid the foundation for the rebuilding of the Lord’s house.
The book of Ezra describes it thus: ‘And they sang together by course (responsively) in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.
But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted for joy: so that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.’ (Ezra 3:11-13)
Ah friends, do we shout with such joy nowadays when we are doing the Lord’s work? I don’t think so. But you can see how happy the Israelites were that they were in the process of rebuilding God’s sanctuary. And we’ll close with an explanation from the scholars on that joyous time.
‘3:12-13. It had been about 50 years since the first temple had been destroyed, and many of the older men (ancient men) who had seen the earlier building, wept now because of the sorrowful contrast in size and splendour.
When the temple was completed later in 520 B.C; there were still some of these old men who wept again. Haggai 2:3 and Zechariah 4:10 relate Zechariah’s challenge to those who “despised the day of small things.”
Oh friends, please, let’s not despise small things, because EVERYTHING, big or small has been made and provided by God. Consequently, it means that we are despising God, when we despise the things He’s made or allowed to be made. That’s certainly not wisdom! Much LOVE!
…Blessing…and glory…and wisdom…and thanksgiving…and honour…and power…and might…be unto our God…for ever and ever…Amen… (Rev.7:12)
P.S. Sorry friends, it could have been earlier, but I had to practice what I was preaching; I had to leave and go to church. And it’s a good thing too, because it’s in one of today’s readings that I heard the afterthought above. Please have a blessed day! Much LOVE!
15 Apr 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a modicum of circumspection, bear false witness, behind the eight ball, catch 22, Christians, courts, Cousin Sol, dangerous times, deal falsely, defraud, discrimination, do not steal, evil, fellowship, fraudulent activities, Friday chant, friends, fun, generous help, glorious kingdom, go and come again, greedy employers, high spirits, hockey playoffs, horrendous situation, illegal immigrants, in Jesus' name, in your power, kill, let the party begin, lie to one another, LOVE, man's inhumanity to man, massa, no more work, Old Testament, onerous labour, oppression, physical shape, positive outlook, poverty wages, relaxation, rest, rob, Robert Burns, say not to thy neighbour, set his heart, steal, strangers, Ten Commandments, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the Good Book, the lusts of our flesh, the onus, the poor, the slaves are free, the sun go down, the weekend, time consuming, tomorrow I will give, underground economy, ungodly world, vocation to love, wages, week of work, when thou hast it by thee, wisdom, Withhold not good
Proverbs 3:28. Say not unto thy neighbour, go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
‘No more work…no more work…’ The voices rise up like a groundswell, before bursting into a crescendo of… ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday! And no more work…No more work! The slaves are free for two days! No massa to boss we around! So let the party begin! Thank God it’s Friday…And no more work…No more work…’
Yeh friends, the weekend is here and we’ll be free from onerous labour for two days. Please let’s use those precious day wisely. Let’s not behave like leggo beasts (smile) and concentrate on satisfying the lusts of our sinful flesh, but rather try to keep some balance in them. Or as Jeeves would say, introduce a modicum of circumspection.
And to help us do that, let’s chant instead our more wholesome and sensible Friday Chant. As one now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
Ah my people, that’s a much better disposition of our short free time! Thereby we get some of everything and we’re refreshed and anointed to start the following week in high spirits and good physical shape.
We need to begin each new week with a fresh and positive outlook on life, otherwise we’ll end up behind the eight ball before we even start, and consequently won’t be able to do Jesus’ work like we ought to.
Now let’s turn to our Bit, a rather interesting piece of wisdom from Cousin Sol. ‘Say not unto thy neighbour, go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.’
Oh my people, my people, that seems to have been a problem in Cousin Sol’s time, and believe me, it is still a problem in our time! How often have we done it eh? We owe somebody something, whether it be money or otherwise, and though we have it right at hand, we just can’t bring ourselves to hand it over, and tell the other person to come back tomorrow.
In the verse before our Bit, Cousin Sol puts it this way. ‘Withhold not good from them (the owners) to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.’ (Prov.3:27)
That’s a sin, my brethren. And it’s been one from the beginning of time. Hear how Moses spells it out to the Israelites on God’s behalf. ‘Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another… Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.’ (Lev.19:11,13)
But how often do we see just that happening in these evil and ungodly times eh! Steups! The wicked and greedy employers nowadays are taking advantage of the poor workers, paying them poverty wages, and on top of that making it difficult to collect the little pittance owed them.
And it’s not only happening in the underground economy, amongst illegal immigrants, but also in the main economy, where employers blatantly withhold employees money and they have to resort to the courts to try and get it.
What a catch 22: they already have no money, then have to resort to the expensive and time consuming courts to retrieve what is legally theirs. Hn!
And even when, and if they are successful in court, there is no mechanism in place that compels the employer to pay up. He or she just ignores the court order and things remain the same.
Oh friends, what a sad state we’re in! In these troubled and dangerous times, in the immortal words attributed to the Scottish Poet Robert Burns (1759-1796), man’s inhumanity to man is not making countless thousands, but countless millions mourn.
Some will say it’s always been like this, but does that make it right, or should we not try to change it? Certainly not!
Unfortunately my fellow believers, the onus is on us to try and improve the horrendous situation. It’s all a part of what Jesus came to earth to do; save and serve. And now it’s our turn to do so. But sadly, a lot of us supposed Christians are taking part in the discrimination and fraudulent activities that are being perpetrated on the poor and unfortunate.
But listen to what the Good Book says about the oppression of servants. ‘Thou shalt not oppress a hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates:
At his day (each day) thou shalt give him his hire (wages), neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the Lord, and it be sin unto thee.’ (Deut.24:14-15)
Oh precious people, it couldn’t be any plainer than that. And for you supposed sophisticates, who believe the Old Testament is tired and passé, listen to Jesus as He responds to the rich young ruler asking about how to inherit eternal life.
‘Thou knowest the commandments, do not commit adultery, Do not kill (commit murder), Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.’ (Mark 10:19)
So friends, today, the Ten Commandments are still applicable, although they’re not in vogue, and fraud is still a crime and a sin, and is unfortunately very prevalent in this highly technological world of ours.
In closing, let me just remind us, that as followers of Jesus, we are not expected to be involved in fraudulent behaviour, but are expected to help put it out, whenever we encounter it. In our vocation to LOVE and serve, it’s our bounden duty to eliminate as much fraud and sin as possible.
So, as we go out today, to do Jesus’ work, please, let’s remember that, and do our best to curb and eventually eliminate such wrongdoing, for it is the wisdom of the ages. Much LOVE!
…withhold not what belongs to others…for someone will withhold what belongs to you…
P.S. The hockey playoffs have begun with a bang! (smile) Check them out. Much LOVE!
14 Apr 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a compassionate heart, a great family, a magnanimous Deity, a positive outlook on life, abundance, alive and kicking, all praise and glory to God, and follow me, ashamed, be cast away, be gracious to you, blessings, care, clear direction for my life, compassion, courage, creativity, curse, declare blessing, deny ourselves, divine protection, everything is doable, faith, favour, for my sake, fulfillment, gain the whole world, glorify, good friends, good health, he said to them all, hockey, if any man will come after me, in the name of Jesus, Joel Osteen, late mornings, late nights, let him deny himself, lose himself, lose his life, LOVE, loving kindness, may the bless and protect you, may the Lord smile upon you, mercies, negative word, of a truth, on a daily basis, peace, praise, praise the Lord for His goodness, promotion, prosperity, relationship with Jesus, revere, save his life, self-control, self-discipline, selflessness, strength, strong will, success, supernatural wisdom, take up his cross daily, talent, taste of death, terms of discipleship, the kingdom of God, the Son of man, Thursday Blessing, undeserving children of men, victorious living, walking with Jesus, wisdom, with God's help, worship, zeppo
Luke 9:23. And he said to them all, If any man will (desires to) come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Oh friends, oh friends, it’s Thursday, another bright and sunshiny day in my neck of the woods! And on top of that, it’s also supposed to be warmer than yesterday.
Oh, all praise and glory be to our amazing God, who bestows, who showers us with new and wonderful mercies, blessings and LOVING-kindness each and every day!
Wow! How could I not LOVE, worship, praise, revere and glorify such a magnanimous Deity eh!
And all God’s people declared a loud and proud, ‘Praise the Lord, for His goodness to the undeserving children of men!’
Yes my people, we do deserve to praise our heavenly Father for His unselfish care and compassion for us. Just wish that we could show Him and each other the same kind of care and concern. Anyway, since it’s Thursday, it’s time for us to confidently declare our Thursday Blessing…
And with a thoughtful frown, the congregation asks: ‘What yuh talking about eh? Didn’t know we had a Thursday Blessing.’
Well the truth is my precious people, I didn’t know that either until a couple nights ago when I got this zeppo. (smile)
And the story goes like this. As part of my devotions, I read an old devotional written by Bubba (Joel Osteen) in his early days of ministry. It had to be, because it’s old and beat up now, with some of the pages falling apart, and it was already old when I discovered it at my mothers place some years ago and we began reading it everyday, even when we couldn’t remember Bubba’s name. (smile)
It’s called ’30 Thoughts for Victorious Living.’ I don’t know if Bubba even remembers that he wrote something like that, the amount of stuff he’s written over the last few years. But I like it; it serves my purposes, and I will continue to use it as long as I can.
On a point of interest, most of my devotionals are old, but I prefer them to some of the new-fangled stuff that’s out there now.
Anyway a couple days ago I was reading the devotions for the 11th of the month, which says ‘Declare Blessing’, and the prevailing scripture for that is the blessing instituted by our God long time ago for the Israelites. ‘Say to them, may the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favour and give you His peace.’ (Num.6:24)
And the opening lines of the devotion are: ‘A blessing is not a blessing until it is declared! So today declare a blessing over yourself and others. Speak that blessing in the name of Jesus!’ And then he goes on to declare some blessings.
Now the other day when I finished reading it, it suddenly occurred to me that it would make a good prayer for Thursdays. I thought about a couple of names, like ‘Thursday’s Temptation,’ or ‘Thursday’s Tantrum’ (smile) but eventually ended up with ‘Thursday’s Blessing’ as being more appropriate.
And what I’ve done is basically taken Bubba’s general blessings and individualized them. So please declare with me now my brethren our Thursday Blessing, in a loud, proud, sincere and confident manner.
‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment!
I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and everyday! Amen!’
Yes friends, that’s our Thursday Blessing. I like it, and I do hope you like it too. It’s basically a rework of the Lord’s blessings promised to the Israelites in Deuteronomy 28:1-14.
Now let’s turn to our Bit, some very important words of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, re the terms of our discipleship. ‘And he said to them all, If any man will (desires to) come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.’
Yes my brethren, the number one rule in following Jesus is to deny ourselves, become selfless instead of selfish, as our world is today. That doesn’t mean we don’t look after ourselves as best we can and do stuff for ourselves, but that we are not the be all and end all of our earthly lives.
Just as Jesus came to serve and save, we too must concentrate on serving and saving, and on a daily basis too, which isn’t always easy. But as I keep saying, with God’s help, EVERYTHING is doable!
And we’ll end with Jesus’ words after our Bit. ‘For whosoever will (desires to) save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose (loses) his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged (benefited), if he gain the whole world, and lose himself (is destroyed), or be cast away (lost)?
For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels. But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.’ (Luke 9:24-27)
And there we have it friends, the self-explanatory, immortal words of Jesus on how we must approach our discipleship. Please, let’s take some time today to ponder our individual relationship with Jesus, re those terms of discipleship. And as always, with God’s help, try to improve them, for that’s the wisdom of heaven! Much LOVE!
…successfully walking with Jesus…takes lots of time…lots of selflessness…lots of care and consideration for others…
P.S. I know it’s long and late, but please be aware that the hockey playoffs have begun, which means that there’s lots of hockey every night, and thus there will be many late nights and consequently late mornings. (smile) Just bear with the ole fella nuh. He’s got to have a life too yuh know. And once he’s alive and kicking, the Bit will get there…eventually. Much LOVE!
11 Apr 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: accidents, almighty god, anguish, aura of love, bad weather, blessings, caring, confidence, conquerors, destruction, disdained, distress, drive carefully, enthusiasm, faith, faithful, fear, fools hate knowledge, friends, gospel truth, gusto, holy spirit, honey, humble servants, invincible, Jesus Christ, lies, LOVE, mature believer, miserable Monday, mock, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, morally dull, naive ones, naivete, personified, pour out my Spirit, practice, prophetess, public places, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality, reproof, salvation, scorners delight in scorning, seek me, set at nought, simple ones, simpletons, simplicity, skill in living, snowy, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, study, taunts, terror, the fruit of their own way, them's the breaks, training, truth, ungodly world, wet, whirlwind, wiles, windy, wisdom
Proverbs 1:22. How long ye simple (naive) ones, will ye LOVE simplicity (naivete)? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
And then it was a wet, windy, snowy, slushy, icy, miserable Monday morning! Ah Lord eh! When is this nonsense going to end eh? I guess a certain amount of bad weather is allotted for every year, and since we didn’t get it when we were supposed to, while I was away, we’re getting it now that I’m back. Chuh! That’s exactly why I went away when I did.
Hn, hn! The Lord and His mysterious ways eh! But them’s the breaks friends, we just have to grin and bear it, because we don’t any other choice. We’ve got to work, and thus we have to get out on the roads in the nasty weather. So let’s leave home a little earlier than normal, and please, let’s take our time and drive even more carefully than usual, because in this kind of weather it doesn’t take much to cause fatal accidents.
And to help us on our faithful and fateful journey this morning, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with as much gusto and enthusiasm as we can manage.
As one heavenly choir now. ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
Oh friends, if that was how a heavenly choir sounds, then I surely don’t want to hear an earthly one! (smile) Now it wasn’t terrible terrible, but it surely did not come up to our usual standards. And you could see the disappointment on Jesus’ face as He tried His level best to get us to perform better. Let’s hope we do a whole lot better with His work out in the world.
Now let’s turn to our Bit, but first the verses that precede it, so we can put it into its proper context. ‘Wisdom crieth without (calls aloud in the street); she uttereth (raises) her voice in the streets (plazas). She crieth in the chief place of concourse (concourses), in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, How long ye simple (naive) ones, will ye LOVE simplicity (naiveté)? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?’ (Prov.1:20-22)
Ah my people, those are very good questions. Why you ask? Because wisdom is the number one attribute we all should seek, and not the world’s wisdom, but that of Almighty God. And what is wisdom, you further ask? Technically speaking it’s simply “skill in living.”
And one doesn’t obtain that by just being one of the boys. But one must apply oneself to its study and its practice. You can’t acquire any skill without study and practice. Why then do we think we can acquire that of living without going through the necessary training process eh?
And Cousin Sol is declaring that wisdom is out there, everywhere, shouting her head off for people to come and learn from her. Apparently back then not too many people were answering wisdom’s call, and unfortunately, not too many of us seem to be seeking it today either.
And the scholars have this to say about the whole dilemma. ‘1:20-33. Wisdom is personified as a prophetess calling in public places to everyone to come to her and learn. Three groups are especially singled out in the appeal: the simple ones, or untaught; the scorners, or scoffers; and the fools, or morally dull (v.22). The consequences of rejecting wisdom are immense (vs.26-28).’
And that is indisputable truth my brethren! But wisdom, like our God, is so caring and faithful that she continues to call out to the unwise ones in our midst…and there indeed a lot of us.
‘Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded: But ye have set at nought (disdained) all my counsel, and would (have) none of my reproof.’ (Prov.1:23-25)
Ah friends, we see it every day; the many scorners, simpletons and fools who refuse to acknowledge and accept wisdom as an enhancement for their lives. But as the old people would say, if you don’t hear, you’re going to feel. So when we don’t heed wisdom’s call, then we will pay the price. \
For wisdom has declared: ‘I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear (terror) cometh; When your fear (terror) cometh as desolation (a storm), and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early (diligently), but they shall not find me:
For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord: They would (have) none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away (waywardness) of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity (complacency) of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet (secure, at ease) from fear of evil.’ (Prov.1:26-33)
And that my people is indisputable truth! So please, as we go about Jesus’ business today, let’s all seek the elusive, but ever so necessary and important attribute called wisdom nuh, for it’s the mark of a true and mature believer. Much LOVE!
…wisdom, oh wisdom…thou art sweet like honey…how I LOVE thee and diligently seek thee…
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