15 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a wrathful man, Abraham, admonition, anger, appropriate behaviour, bane of our society, bear the blame, bear the brunt of damage, Bruh David, chief teacher, child education, children, common sense, contention, do right, don't provoke your children, duties, epitome of a father, Father's Day, fatherly guidance, godly father, gospel truth, Happy Father's day, head of the family, honour thy father and mother, houeholds without fathers, injustice, intruction, irresponsibility, justice, keep God's Word, keep the Lord's way, loss of temper, LOVE the Lord with all our hearts, Moses, necessary tools, patience, respect for parents, responsibilities, responsible father, righteousness., self-control, society is going downhill, strife, teach your children God's Word, the Ten Commandments, training, understanding, undue severity, ungodly households, ungodly world, what goes around comes around, wisdom, wrath
Genesis 18:19. For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgement (righteousness and justice): that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!
Oh my fellow Fathers out there in God’s great world, here’s wishing us a Happy Father’s Day!
And no doubt you’ll be surprised to hear that on such an auspicious day, I don’t know what to say. (smile) Or rather, I have so much to say, that I don’t know where to begin. Hn, Hn! So then, let’s begin at the most appropriate place nuh; the beginning.
The Lord thought that respect for one’s parents was so important that He enshrined it in His basic rules for living; the Ten Commandments. ‘Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.’ (Ex.20:12) And Moses repeats it in Deut.5:16. So one of the rules we must adhere to is honouring our parents, and on this particular day, our blessed fathers.
Now I don’t know how coherent this message will be, (smile) because I’m leaning towards just pulling out bits of scripture dealing with earthly fathers and what’s expected of them. Anyway, let’s see where the Lord leads us.
In the meanwhile, listen to what the Lord had to say in our Bit about Abraham as a father: ‘For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgement (righteousness and justice): that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.’
And that my people, is what our God would like to say, and have said of all earthly fathers! The epitome of a father is one who directs his household to keep God’s Word!
For as Moses reminded the Israelites in the wilderness: ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt LOVE the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thine house, and on thy gates.’ (Deut.6:4-9)
That my people is how important the word of the Lord is! Unfortunately though, in this modern day and age, very few families are doing that. And since the father is the acknowledged head of the family, (Eph.5:23) it rebounds badly on him. Consequently, there are way too many ungodly households in our society, and that’s partly why it is going downhill.
A responsible father ought to be saying, in the words of Bruh David: ‘Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear (reverence) of the Lord. (Ps.34:11) That’s because, as the caretaker of the family, a father is expected to have wisdom. No wonder Cousin Sol declares: ‘Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.’ (Prov.4:1)
But then again, in this modern day and age too many fathers are definitely not showing the wisdom that they ought to, and a lot of that stems from their not having fathers who had the necessary tools to teach them properly. This brings up the major problem of too many households without fathers.
Without a strong and godly father at the head of a household, that household will undoubtedly suffer some disadvantages, for a mother can only do so much, although there are many mothers who raise godly children. And even in households with fathers, the behaviour of the father is not always appropriate.
Cousin Sol says: ‘A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife (lessens contention).’ (Prov.15:18) And unfortunately, today a lot of fathers don’t have the patience and self-control and thus stir up a lot of strife in their households.
That brings us to Bruh Paul’s famous warning to the church at Ephesus. ‘And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture (training) and admonition of the Lord.’ (Eph.6:4)
And the scholars tell us: ‘6:4. Fathers can provoke their children to wrath by injustice, loss of temper, undue severity, cruelty, favouritism, suppression, sarcasm, ridicule, and misuse or abuse of authority. Nurture basically means “training,” here denoting spiritual education. Admonition is instruction that points out one’s responsibilities and duties. Of the Lord is in Greek a subjective genitive. This indicates that behind the parents’ rearing and instruction of their children stands the Lord as the chief teacher in child education. Parents do not rear children alone.’
And that’s the gospel truth my brethren! So you can see from that how important it is for a father to be a man of understanding and common sense, of justice and righteousness. But sadly, in this ungodly world we’re raising far too many ignorant, unfaithful fathers.
And I won’t even bother to get into the aspect of fathers siring so many children with different women and not even supporting them. Right now that’s the bane of our society. And you mothers have to bear some of the blame for that.
I’ll just end by saying, by pleading to the fathers out there, please, let’s start taking our responsibilities seriously nuh. It’s the children, our children who are going to suffer, who are in fact suffering from either poor fatherly guidance, or no fatherly guidance at all. And that does not bode well for the future of our society at all, for that trait will just keep being handed down from generation to generation, until it just turns into complete irresponsibility, and thus further damage to the children.
Oh fathers, please wake up and realize that when we don’t do right, it’s always the children who bear the brunt of the damage! It’s high time for us to try and replicate the behaviour of our Father in heaven towards us. I’m sure we wouldn’t like it if He ignored and abandoned us. Remember do so ent like so…and what goes around comes around! Much LOVE!
…fathers…provoke not your children to anger…lest they be discouraged… (Col.3:21)
14 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: according as he had need, at what cost, Barnabas, be in the world, believers unite in praise and prayer, boldness, caring, Christian lives, communal living, considerate, controlling influence, Cyprus, downfall, dwell together in unity, emboldened, evil, excess, filled with the Holy Ghost, filling of the Spirit, foolish pride, Friday the 13th, Gentile, glorifying God, grace, had all things in common, Herod, holy spirit, Holy spirit of Christ, I am in the midst of them, ignorance, integral part, Jesus Christ, Jew, Jewish rulers, John, lifted up their voice to God, Lord jesus, LOVE, Love of Jesus, mover and shaker, not of the world, Pentecost, Peter, Pontius Pilate, power of the holy spirit, presence of the Spirit, selling our faith short, signs and wonders, son of consolation, spake the word of god with boldness, speak thy word, stretch forth thine hand to heal, the Good Book, the heathen rage, the people plot vain things, the place was shaken, things of God, things of the world, threatening, thy holy servant Christ, thy servant David, ungodly ways, ungodly world, unity, where two or three are gathered together, will not share, wisdom, with one accord, witness of the resurrection
Acts 4:31. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
Oh Friends, it’s Saturday! Yeh, and you’ll notice that no evil spirits took hold of you yesterday, Friday the 13th. (smile)
That’s because you believe in Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit of Christ is immensely stronger than any evil spirit that exists. Our downfall though is when through ignorance and/or foolish pride, we don’t acknowledge the presence of the Holy Spirit and then follow His lead and guidance.
And yes, we’re going to continue looking at the works of the Holy Spirit after its widespread dispersal on that fateful day of Pentecost. And that’s because my people the Holy Spirit is such an integral part of our Christian lives, and if we don’t understand its use and its immense power we’ll be selling our faith and ourselves short. So please bear with the ole fella as he tries to raise our understanding of the most important element in our lives. (smile)
Yesterday we saw, where in the face of the multitudes glorifying God, and the lame man healed in their presence through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Jewish rulers had no just cause to punish Peter and John, so they simply threatened them before setting them free.
‘And being let go, they went to their own company (companions), and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine (plot) vain things? The kings of the earth stood up (took their stand), and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against his Christ.
For of a truth against thy holy child (servant) Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together. For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel (purpose) determined before to be done. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, by stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by (through) the name of thy holy child (servant) Jesus.’ (Acts 4:23-30)
Oh my brethren, how beautiful and heartwarming it is to our most gracious and wonderful God, when believers unite in praise and prayer! Remember, as Jesus so avidly and faithfully promised: ‘For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.’ (Matt.18:20)
And was He ever amongst that group of believers that day!
Hear the Good Book tell it, through the words of our Bit: ‘And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.’
Oh Friends, what a mighty mover and shaker is the Holy Spirit of Christ! And the scholars remind us: ‘4:31. As with Peter in verse 8, so now the whole body of believers experiences a renewal of the controlling influence or filling of the Spirit. See the note on 2:4.’
That deals with the difference between being baptized with the Holy Spirit, or the first anointing as a new believer, as opposed to the being refilled and refreshed at different stages of our walk of faith. Back in verse 8, Peter was recharged with the Holy Spirit which enabled him to stand up and boldly speak to the Jewish rulers.
And not only were the believers emboldened that day by the Holy Spirit, but their communal living was also vastly enriched. ‘And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that aught (any) of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things in common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices (proceeds) of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is being interpreted, The son of consolation (encouragement), a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.’ (Acts 4:32-37)
Oh my people, how good and how pleasant it is when believers dwell together in unity!
And though we know that kind of communal living won’t work properly in our society, there’s no need, no reason why we can’t be a more caring and considerate community of believers. The problem there is that we allow the world and its ungodly ways to come between us. For despite all the talk we talk, we’re still ruled by the things of the world and not by the things of God.
Yuh see how none of those early believers lacked for anything, and everyone was given as they had need? Hn! In our society though, so many lack and have need, while others have excess that they will not share. We’re always looking for a way to increase. And generally that’s not a bad thing…but at what cost? At what cost to others in our community, and at what cost to our relationships with our families and with our God?
That’s the question we need to ponder today my people; how much is our involvement in the ungodly world destroying our godly nature. Remember, we must be IN the world, but not OF it.
So let’s seriously consider our positions, then, with God’s ever-available and always generous help, try and come up better. For that’s eternal wisdom. Much LOVE!
…for though we be Jew or Gentile…of different creed and race…we all fall under the same all-encompassing LOVE of Jesus…
13 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: anxieties, bequeath, brave, can't stop God's time, centre of contention, Christ's Holy Spirit, confidence, conquer our fears, consternation, courage, courageous, dissension, energy, enthusiasm, evil, evil forces, fearlessly, fears, fellowship, for our children's sake, freedom, Friday chant, Friday the 13th, frightened, fun, further God's glorious kingdom, generous help, Gentile, glorified God, hate, Holy ghost power, holy spirit, inherent power, Jerusalem, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jew, Jewish leaders, John, joyfully, kindness, lead and guide, legacy, LOVE, miracle, opportunity, Pentecost, Peter, proclaim Jesus' name, pull up our socks, quandary, relaxation, resentment, rest, righteousness., salvation, source of power, stinking cesspool, TGIF! Thank God is Friday, the church body, the Lord's will, the name of Jesus, the weekend, threaten, touches a hidden nerve, trillion dollar question, troubled, truth, try in vain, wake up and smell the roses, week of work, wisdom
Acts 4:19. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
And then it was Friday…Friday the 13th to boot!
‘So what,’ shouted the people? ‘Who believes in those old-wives tales any way? We’ll still sing TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday! And thank God the weekend is finally here! No evil forces can stop that. For it’s the Lord’s will and desire! So shout it out loud and proud: TGIF! Thank God is Friday, and the weekend’s here!’
Yeh Friends, sure believers in Jesus don’t worry about the evil forces who are supposed to be in the ascendance on a Friday the 13th. Simply because none of those evil forces can stop God’s time. Jesus has already defeated them all, so they are only ‘flimming and flamming’ now, without any real power at all, just working on our natural fears and anxieties.
So let’s chant our Friday Chant with much energy and enthusiasm, that some will rub off on all of those who hear us. As one harmonious voice 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.’
Good chanting Friends, good chanting! Now let’s go and put it into practice. (smile)
And we’ll continue studying the stuff that the mighty moving of the Holy Spirit wrought at that memorable Pentecost, some two thousand years ago.
Yesterday we saw the apostles, Peter and John, stand up strong and brave to the Jewish leaders, with Peter boldly declaring that the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ was the source of their power. And that Jesus was the only one by whom salvation could be obtained.
Now the Jewish leaders were obviously unhappy with the situation, but what could they do? They had a group of uneducated, lower class men speaking bravely and powerfully to them, and a lame man who had been healed through their instigation, in the sight of countless people.
Those were facts they could not deny. But how were they to handle the delicate situation, without losing face and power; that was their quandary.
So they put Peter and John outside and ‘conferred among themselves, Saying, What shall we do to these men? For that indeed a notable miracle (a remarkable sign) had been done by them is manifest (known) to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly (severely) threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.’ (Acts 4:16-17)
Oh Friends, how the forces of evil are troubled and affrighted by the name of Jesus! So much so, that they try and stop us from speaking His Holy Name. Hn! But they do try in vain!
As the scholars so wisely and rightly declare: ‘4:12. The name of Jesus Christ is the centre of contention (v. 7, 10, 12) and ever will be. Salvation for Jew and Gentile alike is exclusively through the name of Jesus Christ (cf. John 14:6).’
Oh yes my fellow believers, you can bring up any other name in the world, in any kind of company, and none will cause as much contention as Jesus’!
Why my people? Because of the inherent power vested in that most remarkable name! It just touches a hidden nerve in our beings; a chord programmed thus by our Creator, at our creation. Else why would a single name cause so much contention, consternation and dissension eh?
Anyway, having made their decision, the Jewish leaders called the apostles back into the room. ‘And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.’ (Acts 4:18-20)
Oh mih breddren, what a way Peter has developed into this brave and courageous believer! So that he can now look the Jewish elders in the eye and tell them to get lost. Oh the power of Christ’s Holy Spirit! For it was simply Holy Ghost power that Peter was operating on.
‘So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how (for which) they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was showed (had been performed).’ (Acts 4:21-22)
Oh Friends, I just LOVE it! I just LOVE the way our wonderful God moves in His most mysterious ways, His works to perform! The problem though is whether we are allowing His Holy Spirit to put such courage and confidence in our everyday lives? That is the trillion dollar question my people!
And it’s obvious that as a church, as a body of worshippers in the name of Jesus Christ, we are falling far short of expectations, otherwise our world would not be in such an awful mess, lacking LOVE and kindness, but full of hate and resentment.
Oh my brethren, it’s time for us to conquer our fears, anxieties, or whatever is keeping us from doing a good job in Jesus’ name. It’s full time we allow His Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in all truth and righteousness, so that we can joyfully and fearlessly proclaim His name to all the world, as He desires.
We’ve seen how the Holy Spirit moved in the early believers, and it’s still working the same way today. It’s just that we aren’t making the most of it, although we have more information, freedom and opportunity to do so.
Ah Friends, let’s wake up and smell the sweet perfume of those lovely roses nuh. Let’s see the evil and hateful world for exactly what it is – a stinking cesspool – and come to the great realization that without our best efforts, our world will only become more evil and hateful.
Is that the legacy we want to bequeath to our descendants? I greatly doubt it. So let’s hitch up our breeches, pull up our socks and allow the Spirit of Jesus to work in us as it should nuh… for our children’s sake. That’s wisdom to the nth power! Much LOVE!
…a believer who doesn’t embrace the leading and guiding power of Christ’s Spirit…is no true believer at all…
12 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: always forgiving God, apostles, awesome power, be saved, benevolent, burn the candle at both ends, Caiaphas, christianity, church history, confidence, courage, crucifixion, diligently heed, don't let me quit, drama, ever-merciful, face a mountain, faithful, fear, fellow believers, find a pass through, focus, glory hallelujah, gold mine, good deed, good success, Gramps Schuller, Hallelujah, heard the word, heavenly Father, helpless man, high priest, Holy Ghost, holy spirit, illegal sect, impotent, Israel, Jewish leaders, John, keep pushing forward, LOVE, lover of drama, machinations, mind-boggling, Mountian moving prayer, mysterious movements, no other name under heaven, omnipotent, one of those days, patience, Pentecost, perception, perilous circumstances, perseverance, Peter, Peter denies Jesus, phenomenal results, positive, Positive Thinker's, possibilities, power of the Holy Ghost, praise and glory to God, Praise the Lord, praise the name of god, Provincial Election, rabbis, redemption, refilled brain, resurrection, righteousness., robert h schuller, Sadducees, salvation, self-control, Solomon's porch, stop looking back, strength to keep on striving, surrender, teaching of the resurrection, the chief cornerstone, the Good Book, the Lamb that was slain, the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the right path to truth, the stone rejected by the bulders, the workings of God's Spirit, transformation, tribulation, trust, truth, tunnel underneath, understanding, undivided attention, unmatchable, unstoppable, wake up call, wisdom, with God's help
Acts 4:8. Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel…
Oh Friends, this Provincial Election day of 2014 is turning out to be just one of those days…
One of those days when I went to bed in the wee hours of the morning – around 2 a.m – and thus was unable to answer the Lord’s early morning wake up call. Hn! And believe me, I had to come up with plenty self-control not to just roll over and go back to sleep. (smile)
The ole fella’s apparently forgetting that he’s not such a young un anymore, and can’t afford to burn the proverbial candle at both ends simultaneously, as he did in bygone days. Hn, hn! I never opened my bleary eyes until six a.m.
And as you can well imagine, half an hour later, I’m still trying to catch myself. But there’s no doubt that our most understanding and benevolent heavenly Father will soon bring me together unto myself, and unto Him, so that I can write a fairly sensible Bit. (smile)
And what better way to begin our Bit, this behind the eight-ball day, than with a rededication of the Positive Thinker’s Mountain Moving prayer from the pen of Gramps Schuller (Dr. Robert H. Schuller). So my Friends, let’s pray big and strong, faithful and positive.
‘Lord, when I face a mountain, do not let me quit! Give me the strength to keep on striving until I climb over, find a pass through, or tunnel underneath. And if my best efforts fail, give me the patience to stay and the perception to see the possibilities of turning my mountain into a gold mine with your help. Amen.’
Yeh mih people, that’s what we need to do each and every day of our earthly lives; stop looking back and instead keep on pushing forward, striving, with God’s help of course, to move the mountains in our lives, one way or the other. Why? Because it’s only through patience, perseverance and faithfulness that we’ll ever have good success.
And right now I can surely use a big dose of the Holy Spirit that was so widely noised about during Pentecost, the memorable time in our church history, which we’re currently studying.
Don’t worry though Friends, we’re getting there, slowly but surely. The tired and sleepy eyes are starting to focus, and the renewed and refilled brain is beginning to get its thoughts together. Praise the Lord! Hallelujah!
And we’ll continue from where we left off yesterday. That’s where Peter was preaching his second Pentecost sermon, this one from Solomon’s porch in the temple, after John and himself had healed a lame beggar through the power of the Holy Ghost.
And here’s how the Good Book recounts it: ‘And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, Being grieved (greatly disappointed) that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold (custody) unto the next day: for now it was eventide (evening). Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.’ (Acts 4:1-4)
Oh mih breddren, what a mighty moving sermon that must have been for so many people to come to salvation at one time! All praise and glory to God working in us through the unmatchable and unstoppable power of His Holy Spirit! Mama mia!
And the scholars share some useful info on those verses: ‘4:1. Luke gives an extended account here of the arrest and trial of Peter and John, as he does later with Paul, to demonstrate that Christianity is not an illegal sect even though continually attacked.
4:2. The annoyance to the Jewish leaders was twofold: (1) the presumption of the apostles to teach people as if they were recognized rabbis (cf. v.13); and (2) the teaching of the resurrection which was denied by these Sadducees (cf. 23:6).
4:4. Their phenomenal results may also have had something to do with their arrest. Five thousand men, plus women and children, have now turned to Christ in Jerusalem.’
But the drama of the story builds to even higher heights on the following day. For as you ought to know by now, that there is no greater dramatist and LOVER of drama, than our God Himself! (smile)
Listen to the Good Book tell it. ‘And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, and Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred (family) of the high priest were gathered together at Jerusalem. (Scholar’s note: Annas was the patriarchal, ex-high priest. His son-in-law Caiaphas held the political office (cf. Luke 3:2).
And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of (are judged for) the good deed done to the impotent (helpless) man, by what means he is made whole;
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
This is the stone which was set at nought of (rejected by) you builders which is become the head of the corner (chief cornerstone). Neither is their salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.’ (Acts 4:5-12)
And all God’s people declared a loud and thundering: ‘Glory Hallelujah! All praise to the Lamb that was slain for our redemption!’
Yes my fellow believers, what awesome power, courage and confidence the Holy Ghost put in Peter and the other apostles for them to stand up and speak so boldly to the powerful Jewish rulers and tell them where to get off! Praise the name of our great God!
Remember that just a few weeks earlier, Peter had been denying his association with Jesus. And at His crucifixion, only John, of all the apostles had had enough manly parts, been brave enough to show his face there. All the others apparently went into hiding, for fear of tribulation befalling them through association.
And truly, we can’t really cast a whole lot of blame and aspersion on the poor, uneducated, left in the lurch men for their less than stellar behaviour, because most of us would have done exactly the same thing – we do it now for even much less perilous circumstances.
But Friends, that’s the awesome, amazing, mind-boggling transformation that the Holy Spirit can bring about in us, if we’d only let it, if we’d only surrender our entire being to the LOVING machinations and wonderful, mysterious movements of our omnipotent, ever-merciful and always forgiving God!
So today, please let’s try and pay serious attention, diligently heed the workings of God’s Spirit within us nuh. For it’s right there within us, whispering quietly, trying to get our undivided attention, so that it can lead us on the right path to truth and righteousness, which Jesus requires of, and wishes for all those who sincerely surrender their entire being, and put their whole trust in Him.
That’s the wisdom of, and for the ages! Much LOVE!
…remember…if you don’t vote…don’t pray…don’t move as the Spirit guides you…you have no right to complain when things go awry…
09 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a life that's pleasing to god, a windy and fiery trail, adrenalin rush, all things in common, apostles, aura of love, baptism, breaking of bread, communal living, communism, confess their faith, doctrine, earthly pilgrimage, edification, enthusiasm, eternal life, evil, faith, fear, fellowship, further God's glorious kingdom, gladness, god head, God's people, good works, heavenly Father, Holy Ghost, holy spirit, humble servants, invincible, Jerusalem, Jesus Christ, jobs, lead and guide, lies, like pulling teeth, live the gospel of Christ, LOVE, lustful world, Monday Morniing Battle Hymn, new work week, outpouring of the Holy spirit, Pentecost, Peter, praise and thanksgiving, praising God, prayers, recharged your spiritual batteries, regeneration of the Holy spirit, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality, return of Christ, rise and greet the new day, salvation, serve a useful purpose, sharing, singleness of heart, sold their possessions, spiritual armour, spiritual unity, steadfast faith, sure conquerors, taunts, the Good Book, the gospel, the Love Revolution, true faith, true followers of jesus Christ, ungodly world, unsaved souls, weary souls, wicked, wiles, wisdom, wonders and signs, worthwhile inroads
Acts 2:47. Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be (were being) saved.
Oh Friends, it’s a beautiful Monday morning, the day after Pentecost! That means the Holy Spirit has recharged your spiritual batteries only yesterday, so please rise and greet the new day with praise and thanksgiving, as befitting true followers of Jesus Christ.
And though many still muttered and groaned like a normal Monday morning, generally speaking, the response to that request wasn’t too bad at all. Wonder of Wonders! (smile) But I know we can’t do without our adrenalin rush on the first day of the new work week, so let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn to get our spirits activated.
All together in loud and hearty harmony 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!’
Now that was a pretty good rendition Friends, no doubt aided by our recent filling, regeneration of the Holy Spirit; that incredible aura of God’s LOVE!
So yesterday we saw where the Holy Spirit blazed a windy and fiery trail down from heaven, and fell upon the apostles at Jerusalem, enabling them to speak of the gospel in the many different languages and dialects of the city dwellers. And after Peter preached a mighty sermon, some three thousand lost souls were saved that day. ‘And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.’ (Acts 2:42)
Now listen to this explanation from the scholars. ‘2:41-42. The pattern set here for new believers is normative throughout this age. They publicly confess their faith through baptism and join in fellowship, edification, and service within the assembly of God’s people.’
Oh my brethren, how I wish it was that simple in these convoluted and compelling times! But getting supposed Christians to publicly confess and participate in their faith today is like pulling teeth without anaesthetic. Anyway, what I want us to see today is the effect that outpouring of the Holy Spirit had on those first time believers.
The Good Book describes it thus: ‘And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by (through) the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted (distributed) them to all men, as every man (anyone) had need.
And they, continuing daily with one accord (mind) in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat (food) with gladness, and singleness of heart (simplicity), Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be (were being) saved.’ (Acts 2:43-47)
Yes Friends, it evolved into a kind of communal living; of sharing and praying and praising God together, and God increased their numbers daily. Yuh see what can happen when we live a life that’s pleasing to God!
However, here are some interesting comments from the scholars on that situation. ‘2:44-45. Communal sharing was practiced for a brief time by the early church but not throughout Acts. These believers were expecting the very soon return of Christ (as Peter demonstrates in his sermons of chs. 2 and 3), and they therefore sold their possessions. This did not last.
Such communal life is not taught by the apostles. Rather we are taught to be good stewards of that with which God has entrusted us and to share willingly and cheerfully (2 Cor.8, 9). Further, this does not correspond to Communism, because this resulted from a spiritual unity among the people and was a voluntary act (cf. 5:4).’
Oh Friends, I guess that style of living would be rather difficult, nigh impossible to do in these modern, greedy and selfish times. But my fellow believers, that shouldn’t stop us from fellowshipping and generously sharing what’s been entrusted to us by God, with those in need. For remember all that’s in our possession truly belongs to God, and we are just His managers while on our earthly pilgrimage. That’s why we can’t take it with us.
Now let’s get out there this Monday morning, in this wicked and lustful world, and live the gospel of Jesus Christ, spread His LOVE Revolution, ably guided and assisted by His Holy Spirit, so that unsaved souls can see our good works and true faith and greatly desire to come to Jesus for salvation and eternal life. For there’s no greater wisdom in all of heaven and earth than that! Much LOVE!
…what a powerful and intriguing God-head…the Father…the Son…and the Holy Ghost…
08 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a red letter day, a rushing mighty wind, abide, asenscion, awe, baptize with the Holy spirit, baptized with the Holy ghost, baptizing, be filled with the Spirit, be joyous, beautiful storm, breaking of bread, Christ's Resurrection, confounded, continued steadfastly, controlling influence of the Spirit, crooked generation, Day of Pentecost, defeated hell death and the grave, democratic appearence, diligence, dissipation, do Jesus' work, do not be drunk with wine, excellence, exhort, faith, Feast of the first fruits, fellowship, filled with the Holy Ghost, fire-like appendages, foregiveness, Galileans, get freindly with the Spirit of Jesus, glory hallelujah, guided aright, Holy Ghost, in the apostles' doctrine, Jerusalem, Jesus Christ, Jesus' promise, John baptized with water, lead and guide, moving like a magnet, Pentecost, permanent placing of the Spirit, Peter, Praise the Lord, prayers, promise of the Father, recharge our spiritual batteries, rechargeable battery, remarkable, remission of sins, repent, resurrection, righteousness., showered, sincerity, speak with tongues, spectacular happenings, testify, the gift of the Holy ghost, the Holy ghost power, the Holy Ghost showered en masse, three thousand souls, truth, wisdom, wonder
Acts 2:2. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Oh Friends, it’s the Day of Pentecost! Two thousand years ago, some fifty days after Jesus’ triumphant resurrection, where He defeated, hell, death, the grave and that foolish crook Lucifer, and some ten days after His ascension, the Holy Ghost came to earth as a beautiful storm; a storm of wind, laced with fire-like appendages.
As the Good Book describes it: ‘And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord (purpose or mind) in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven (divided) tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.’ (Acts 2:1-4)
What a mighty act of our mighty God! Thus fulfilling the promise Jesus made to the disciples just before His ascension. ‘And being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.’ (Acts 1:4-5)
Oh my people, the Lord was at work back then, just like He is now. That’s why we sing: ‘The Holy Ghost power is moving just like a magnet. The Holy Ghost power is moving just like a magnet. Moving here, and moving there. The Holy Ghost power is moving just like a magnet.’
Yes my people, the Holy Ghost power is busy all over the world, moving just like a magnet. So if you have even one iota of metal, one iota of Jesus Christ in you, be careful, or rather be joyous, for it will target you. And please don’t try to resist it; instead, let it fall graciously upon you, for there’s nothing as remarkable as the Holy Ghost power in all the heaven and the earth!
Ah Friends, what a day that day of Pentecost was when the Holy Spirit was first showered down en masse on all believers! Before that it was given to special people who God needed to do great works for Him, like the prophets. But since that day in Jerusalem, each and every believer is baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit.
As you can see from verse 5 above, Jesus promised that ALL would be baptized with the Spirit, as they came to the faith. And as the scholars point out, though the first set of scriptures only said that they were ‘filled,’ (Acts 2:4) they were indeed baptized with it.
Baptizing is the permanent placement of the Spirit in us, while filling is the continuous regeneration of that power. That means we have to continually renew the controlling influence of the Spirit in our lives, like a rechargeable battery, so that it can abide strong and powerful in our beings, and thus lead and guide us successfully in all righteousness and truth.
Now that day of Pentecost we’re talking about was not the first one, but it was an annual feast day in the Jewish calendar, occurring fifty days after the Feast of the first fruits, hence the name Pentecost in Greek. (Lev.15:15-22) And though it only lasted one day, it was certainly a joyous occasion, although I doubt that any of them could have been as joyous as that one when the Holy Spirit made its democratic appearance, beginning the promise of filling all and sundry that believed.
And that first day was truly a red letter day, for when the people in Jerusalem heard about the spectacular happenings, they came to where the apostles were, ‘and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue (language or dialect), wherein we were born?’ (Acts 2:6-8)
Oh yes Friends, there were all different kinds of people from many different places living in Jerusalem at that time, but yet these poor, uneducated Galileans spoke to each one of them in their own language. Glory Hallelujah! No lesser force than the mysterious movement of the mighty Holy Spirit was involved! Some people even mockingly said that they were drunk, but Peter, in his finest hour, got up and spoke to them. Read Peter’s sermon in Acts 2:14-42.
But my people, Peter’s speech was so great that day that I have to share the end, knowing that many of you won’t check out the scripture. (smile) ‘Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward (crooked) generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.’ (Acts 2:38-42)
And all God’s people declared a loud, ‘Praise the Lord! Hallelujah!’ Yes Friends, what a red letter day that was, and we still talk about today it in tones of awe and wonder!
However my people, it’s time for us to be moving on, so I’m going to exhort us, on this day of Pentecost 2014, to get downright friendly with that Spirit of Jesus that indwells us, and today recharge, refill our spiritual batteries, so that we can be guided aright and do Jesus’ work with the excellence and diligence that’s required of us. That’s a mark of true sincerity and everlasting wisdom! Much LOVE!
…and be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess (dissipation)…but be filled with the Spirit… (Eph.5:18)
07 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a time and season for everything, Ark of the Covenant, Bruh David, Bruh Paul, by the rivers of Babylon, carried us away captive, cataclysmic effect, expectant faith, faith, give glory unto God, glorify the Lord, God's manipulation, groundings, harpers harping with their harps, how can we sing the Lord's song in a strange land, hungry hope, Isaiah, Israelites, Jesus, keeping faith strong, magnify God, mainstays of faith, outlandish manner, Philippian jailer, praise the name of god with song, prayers, praying and singing hymns, repentance, required of us a song, reverence, securely anchored in God's Word, Silas, sing unto the Lord a new song, songs of our homelands, songs of praise, sound of the trumpet, thanksgiving, the power of faith, traditional songs, trust in the Lord, when we remembered Zion, wisdom
Psalm 69:30. I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.
Oh Friends, what better way to start this spring Saturday morn, than with song eh? None whatsoever!
So let’s sing: ‘By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. For there they that carried us away captive required (demanded) of us a song; and they that wasted (plundered) us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange (foreign) land? (Ps.137:1-4)
Now that’s the original and official version, (smile) not the one made into the popular song. But the Israelites questioned how they could sing the Lord’s song in a strange land? To my mind very easily, because the songs of their homeland were supposed to be one of the mainstays of their faith wherever they went.
Just like us today, many of us came from other lands, but wherever we go, we still sing some of the traditional songs of our homelands. Those traditional songs help us to acclimatize, have something we can turn to, and be comfortable with, in an otherwise foreign culture. So as far as I’m concerned, the Israelites should have been belting out their traditional songs because it would have given them some groundings, while keeping their faith strong.
Aye mih people, we are in song mode again, as per our Bit: ‘I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.’
And if you know the ole fella, you’ll know that there’s nothing he likes better than music. As far as I’m concerned that’s what the Lord made me to do – well to write words and music – but He’s had me lay the music aside for a while, while I get up to scratch on His Word.
At least that’s my hope. He’s put too much good music in my soul for Him to just take me home without sharing them. (smile) And as Cousin Sol so wisely says that there’s a time and season for everything, I’m waiting patiently, with hungry hope and expectant faith for my time to make music to magnify God.
Anyway Friends, today we’re going to delve into some interesting scriptures again about songs and music in our great God’s everlasting tableau. And a great example of that is when Bruh David brought up the Ark of the Covenant from Baale of Judah (Kirjathjearim) to Jerusalem.
The Good Book tells us: ‘And David danced (whirled about) before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of trumpet.’ (2 Sam.6:14-15)
Oh my people, it must have been something else to see Bruh David carrying on. Reminds me of myself when I was young. But I’m sure the Lord was not displeased, as was Michal, his wife (Saul’s daughter), who found it rather unbecoming for the king of Israel to be performing in such an outlandish manner in public – as did some members of my family. I just kept on dancing, (smile) but Bruh David put her nicely in her place. Read it in 2 Sam.6:20-23.
And as usual, we can’t leave out Bruh Paul. This time re the conversion of the Philippian jailer. Bruh Paul and Silas were imprisoned in Philippi, having been severely lashed and placed in the innermost part of the jail, with their feet fastened in stocks. But the Good Book says: ‘And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises (were praying and singing hymns) unto God: and the prisoners heard.’ (Acts 16:25)
Wow mih breddren! Imagine that nuh, beaten and locked up in a dungeon, they were praying and singing songs of praise at midnight. Most of us would have been moaning and groaning and complaining. But that’s the power of our faith Friends…if we stick to it.
And we all know what happened afterwards; a great earthquake struck and the prison doors were flung open and everybody’s chains were loosed. But nobody escaped. It was all God’s manipulation to bring the jailer and his family to repentance. What a marvellous and mysteriously working God we serve! Read the rest of the story in Acts 16: 26-40.
Meanwhile Isaiah, in talking about the servant (Jesus) coming to glorify the Lord, effervescently proclaims: ‘Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles (coastlands) and the inhabitants thereof.
Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains. Let them give glory unto the Lord, and declare his praise in the islands (coastlands).’ (Is.42:10-12)
And that’s as it should be my people! And we’ll close with a well-known verse from the pen of Bruh David, from Psalm 40 – Praise for answered prayer. “And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.’ (Ps.40:3)
Oh Friends, yuh see the many aspects contained in those few words: a new song of praise to God, which many shall see, and reverence and then trust in the Lord! What a cataclysmic effect our songs and prayers can have when securely anchored in God’s Word! And please note that’s a positive effect we’re referring to. (smile)
So please, let’s get ourselves together nuh, and keep the songs of praise and glory to our magnificent Creator continuously flowing, for that’s nothing but wisdom at its highest. Much LOVE!
…and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps…and they sung as it were a new song before the throne…and before the four beasts…and the elders… (Rev.14:2b-3a)
06 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: all God's works are done in truth, be filled with the Spirit, Bruh David, dissipation, drunk with wine, enthusiasm, everlasting joy, fellowship, Friday chant, furthering God's glorious kingdom, generous help, giving thanks always, glorify God, glory hallelujah, God gives songs in the night, God my maker, goodness, harbinger of the weekend, heartfelt, heavenly wisdom, holy holy Lord God Almighty, holy spirit, hymns, it's all good, Jesus Christ, joy, joy and gladness, LOVE, magnify God with thanksgiving, making melody in your heart to god, mercy, praise and worship, praise is comely, Praise the Lord, praise the name of god, psalms, redeemed, Rejoice in the Lord, relaxation, renewed vitality, rest, sacrifice in songs, saviour jesus christ, sing a new song, sing unto God, singing, Song of songs, songs, songs are an integral part of worship, spiritual songs, TGIF! Thank God is Friday, thanksgiving, the Book of Life, the Lamb of God, The Lord is my strength, the ransomed of the Lord, the seven seals, the weekend soon come, the word of the Lord is right, wisdom, with my song will I praise Him
Psalm 69:30. I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.
And then it was Friday, the harbinger of the weekend! And the working people were joyful and sang with great enthusiasm: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday, and slaving for massa done! Thank God is Friday yes! That means the weekend soon come, time to party!’
And who can really give them wrong, for after a hard week’s work, one needs to have some fun. But Friends, fun is not the most important part of the weekend, merely one of them.
Now let’s chant our Friday Chant, which will give us a better perspective on how to handle these important two days off. As one, in strong voice 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 people, the weekend is also a time for rest, relaxation and contemplation of God’s goodness and mercy with fellowship amongst other believers.
And then we have today’s Bit: ‘I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.’
Oh my brethren from the moment my eyes fell on it this morning I knew it was our Bit. That verse touches my heart and brings a tear to my eyes, (smile) because it’s so heartfelt, and besides that, songs are such an integral part of worshipping our magnificent and majestic God!
And as the psalmist, Bruh David, as I just discovered, tells us in the next verse: ‘This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs.’ (Ps.69:31)
So Friends, we see that our God even prefers sacrifice in songs of praise and worship to that of animals. As Hebrews informs us: ‘By him (Jesus) therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name.’ (Heb.13:15)
And what better way to do that than in song? Throughout the Good Book songs are mentioned numerous times as worthy praise to God. When we check out the Psalms, most of them were written as songs, many by Bruh David, who was an especially good ‘songmeister’ and used them all the time.
Cousin Sol was also a good tunesmith. He even wrote a whole book of them – Song of Solomon or Song of Songs – bursting with LOVE for his adored.
And what I want to do today is show how very important songs were, and still are, in praising and worshipping our wonderful Most High God. Let’s delve into some of those beautiful scripture passages now.
And where else we would start eh, but with God’s own ‘songmeister’, Bruh David. (smile) Listen as he profoundly declares: ‘The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.’ (Ps.28:7)
Even to Job’s buddy, Elihu, songs were important, as he bewails: ‘But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night.’ (Job 35:10) So we see here that even God puts songs in our hearts.
Now hear the psalmist as he heartily advises us to praise the Lord for His creation. ‘Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely (beautiful) for the upright. Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery (small lute) and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise (joyous shout). For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth.’ (Ps.33:1-4)
Oh my people, how can we ignore such expressive feelings eh? No way!
Meanwhile, in his foretelling of Israel’s return to Zion, Isaiah positively declares: ‘And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.’ (Is.35:10)
And Bruh Paul will not be left out, (smile) as he provides us with these wise words. ‘And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess (dissipation); but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (Eph. 5:18-20)
Now here’s the clincher; even in heaven, or should I say especially in heaven, songs are of great importance. Around God’s throne, John saw four ugly beasts, and what were they doing?
‘And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest (cease) not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.’ (Rev.4:8)
Yes Friends, even the ugly beasts were continually chanting God’s praises!
And that’s not all. When the Lamb of God took the Book of Life, what happened eh?
‘And he came and took the book (scroll) out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts (living creatures) and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps and golden vials (bowls) full of odours (incense) which are the prayers of the saints.
And they sung a new sung saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred (tribe), and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.’ (Rev. 5:7-10)
Yeh mih people, songs of praise and worship are oh so important in worshipping our magnificent God and Saviour Jesus Christ! Not only do they glorify Him, but they also put joy and LOVE in our hearts too.
So please, let’s keep right on singing those glorious psalms and songs of praise to Almighty God, so that we may continually glorify Him, and also keep our hearts and minds full of joy and LOVE! Oh Friends, that’s indeed heavenly wisdom! Much LOVE!
…praise Him, praise Him…Glory Hallelujah…He is LOVE…He is LOVE…
P.S. Oh Friends, please excuse the lateness of the Bit, but I was somewhat tardy in rising this morning, (smile) and then there was so much info to cull together and try to make sense of, that it took me longer than expected. But remember, it’s all good. Much LOVE!
04 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a good man, a light of the Gentiles, Antioch, apathy, Barnabas, be of good cheer, blaspheming, blessings, bold, Bruh Paul, Christians, cleave unto God, contradicting, encouraged, envy, eternal life, exhorted, exhorting them to continue in the faith, faith, fear, filled with joy, full of the HolyGhost, Gentiles, glorified the word of the Lord, glorious destination, God in favour, God of our fathers, heaven, Holy Ghost, i have overcome the world, jealousy, Jesus Christ, Jews, keep on keeping on, life is a bed of roses, mercy, Morning Neighbuh, not caring enough, opposition, persecution, perseverance, Praise the Lord, proselytes, proselytize the whole world, purpose of heart, rainy day, reject the Word of God, Sabbath, safe from harm, salvation, shook the dust off their feet, stand strong, Stephen, stoned to death, strengthening the souls of the disciples, surrender, synagogue, the Good Book, the good news of the gospel, the grace of God, the Great Commission, the greatest power on earth, the hand of the Lord, the nature of the human animal, the Word contains power, thorns, through tribulation we enter into the kingdom of God, Timothy, top of the ladder, trust, unworthy of everlasting life, weather forecaster, windy day, wisdom, with God's help
Acts 14:22. Confirming (strengthening) the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
‘Morning Neighbuh, morning! May the great and wonderful God of our fathers be with you this new day, showering you with His ever-flowing mercy and abundant blessings, while keeping you and yours safe from harm.’
And all God’s people declared a loud and grateful ‘Praise the Lord! Amen.’
Oh Friends, I guess I’ll never be a good weather forecaster, because I said that yesterday was going to be a rainy day Tuesday. Hn! But which rain fell eh? None! For by the time the sun rose the rain abated, and it turned out to be a hot, windy day Tuesday instead. I even had to turn on the A/C. Note, just to see if it was working after the long, harsh winter it endured. (smile)
What a life eh! A couple weeks ago we badly wanted heat, but now that we’re getting some of the natural stuff, we’re already crying out for cooler weather. Chuh! I guess though that that’s the nature of the human animal – when we have one thing we want something else, and vice versa.
But my people, I’m here to tell us that this earthly life is not a bed of roses… or rather, it is a bed of roses! That’s because one of the most beautiful of all God’s creation, the rose, grows at the end of a long, thorn riddled stalk, and to get to one, you have to carefully navigate the thorns on its stem.
Life is just like that my brethren. To get to the top of the ladder, or to the most beautiful parts of life, you have to carefully navigate through thorny paths, covered with brambles and all sorts of other obstruction. There is no clear, unobstructed path to our glorious destination of heaven and eternal life with Jesus Christ.
As our Bit tells it, in the immortal words of Bruh Paul to his protégé Timothy: ‘Confirming (strengthening) the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.’
And that’s no lie Friends, for all sorts of obstacles and stumbling blocks will crop up in a believer’s life, and it’s only with God’s help are we able to successfully navigate them. And we’re going to end this series of messages with a couple of scriptures pertaining to both the first and last parts of our Bit.
As to the first part; ‘Confirming (strengthening) the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith,’ let’s look at Acts 11, regarding the church in Antioch, where believers were first referred to as Christians.
After Stephen was stoned to death in Jerusalem, the disciples were scattered all over, teaching the gospel, but to Jews only. However, some of them, when they came to Antioch, began preaching the Lord Jesus also to the Gentiles.
The Good Book tells us: ‘And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. Then tidings (news) of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
Who, when he came and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted (encouraged) them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto (continue with) the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.’ (Acts 11:21-24)
Yeh Friends, we all need help and encouragement to keep on keeping on in our walk of faith, because it is not an easy row to hoe. And that fact is borne out later on when Barnabas brings Bruh Paul back to Antioch, where envious Jews did not want the gospel taught to the Gentiles.
‘And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought (begged) that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes (Gentile converts to Judaism) followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.’ (Acts 13:42-42)
But the opposition never ceased. ‘And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against (opposed) those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
Then Paul and Barnabas waxed (grew) bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you (reject it), and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.
But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable (prominent) women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts (region). But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.’(Acts 13:44-52)
Glory be! Ah mih people, what a beautiful example of when opposition comes against us, that we nonetheless stand strong in preaching the Word, and we will be strengthened and filled with the joy of the Lord and His Holy Spirit! That’s because the Word contains power, the greatest power on earth!
But jealousy and envy can move us to do evil, if we’re not very careful. The Jews at first didn’t want to hear about Jesus, and then they didn’t want the Gentiles to hear about Him either, so they stirred up false info to the powers that be, and had them run Barnabas and Bruh Paul out of town.
And unfortunately many Christians are behaving the same way, though not through jealousy, but through apathy, fear and simply not caring enough to share the good news of the gospel with others. Remember though my people, that that’s our Great Commission; to spread the good news of Jesus all over the globe. (Matt.28:19-20)
But it wasn’t easy back in those first days, and it certainly isn’t easy either in these last days. But with perseverance, strong faith, trust and surrender to our helpful and ever-LOVING God, we CAN, and we WILL proselytize the ENTIRE WORLD, just as Jesus commanded.
Oh Friends, I got so caught up in the first part of our Bit, (smile) that I went on longer than I expected. So like we’ll just have to leave the other stuff till tomorrow, God in favour.
Till then, please stand strong in the faith, and fearlessly and unashamedly spread the good news of Jesus to all and sundry, because that is indeed wisdom of the highest order! Much LOVE!
…in the world ye shall have tribulation…but be of good cheer…I have overcome the world… (John 16:33)
03 Jun 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: about the Lord's business, answering the bell, apostasy, awesome wisdom, be of good cheer, blasphemers, bleary eyed, boastful, brighter tomorrow, Bruh Paul, brutal, closer to the Father, corrupt minds, covetous, death, defeat, destined to undergo trials, disobedient, divers lusts, early rains, esoteric quest for truth, ever learning, everlasting glory, exhorting them to continue in the faith, false teachers, fires of this earthly life, followers of Jesus, forgiving, Glory Halleujah, God's Word, godliness, haughty, high-minded, horrific testing of Jesus, i have overcome the world, inherit everlasting life, invite Jesus into our eharts, irreconcilable, Jambres, Jannes, joy, kind, last days, lovers of pleasure, magnanimous, merciful, money lovers, more than lovers of God, Moses, muggy, overcome our trials, perilous times, proud, rain, rainy day Tuesday, reckless, redeeming grace, regneration, religion without power, reprobate, respite from heat, rewards, shall receive a hundredfold, silly women, slanderers, Son of man, sorrow, strengthening the souls of the disciples, success, tales of joy and sorrow, testimony, testing, the church age, the first shall be last, the kingdom of God, the knowledge of truth, the last shall be first, the will prevailed, throne of his glory, through tribulation we enter into the kingdom of God, Timothy, traitors, tribulations, triumph, troubled times, truth, Tuesday, twelve tribes of Israel, uncomfortable, unconsciousness, undeniable truth, understanding, undisputed wisdom, unholy, unthankful, wisdom, with God all things are possible, with the Lord's help, without self control, wonderful ideal
Acts 14:22. Confirming (strengthening) the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Oh Tuesday, oh glorious Tuesday! What tales of joy or sorrow, success or defeat will you bring? Let’s hope that there are many more tales of joy and success than sorrow and defeat.
I know for one thing, Tuesday’s brought rain, some of the early rains that we’ve so far been lacking. The rain began late yesterday evening and fell on and off during the night. So it looks like it will be a rainy day Tuesday.
But the rain didn’t seem to be the refreshing type that brings respite from the day’s heat, and yesterday was hot in my neck of the woods. The rain just caused the night to be muggy and uncomfortable, which made sleeping, even with all my windows open, a somewhat rough experience.
So much so that when the Lord called this morning, I had a hard time answering the bell. The old body just wanted to roll over and go back to sleep, feverish though it was. However Friends, I’m glad and proud to say that on this occasion the will prevailed, the will triumphed… Glory Hallelujah!
And here I am about the Lord’s business, though still somewhat bleary eyed. (smile) But as I always say, I have no doubt that our great, wonderful, forgiving, merciful and kind, magnanimous and understanding God and Creator will eventually bring me unto myself and unto Him, so that I can write something sensible in His Holy Name.
And that’s my testimony for this Tuesday morning, my people! (smile)
Yes Friends, the ole fella’s shaking it a bit rough this morning. But as we like to say, nothing but unconsciousness or death must stop the Bit from going out. Oh, it’s indeed a wonderful ideal, and so far, obviously with the Lord’s superior help, I’ve been able to live up to it.
Now that leads us nicely into our Bit. ‘Confirming (strengthening) the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.’
Unfortunately my brethren, followers of Jesus, just like our Leader, have been destined to undergo some trials and tribulation, some testing in the fires of this earthly life. Obviously most of us won’t be tested as hard and as horrifically as Jesus was, but some testing is indeed our lot.
And just like it brought Jesus closer to the Father, because He had to depend on Him for the wherewithal to do His bidding, even so our trials and tribulation ought to draw us closer to our Maker. For it is only through His redeeming grace and power that we can ever hope to successfully overcome our trials.
Now listen to these words of awesome wisdom and undeniable truth, re the coming apostasy (abandonment of religious faith), written by Bruh Paul to Timothy so long ago, but which are currently being fulfilled in these troubled times in which we live.
‘This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous (money lovers), boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection, trucebreakers (irreconcilable), false accusers (slanderers), incontinent (without self-control), fierce (brutal), despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady (reckless), high-minded (haughty), lovers of pleasure, more than (rather than) LOVERS of God;
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate (disapproved) concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs was also.’ (2 Tim.3:1-9)
Ah mih people, like Bruh Paul’s living today and writing about us! It’s definitely not a pretty picture of our world, but it is indeed a very truthful one.
And to help us understand those verses, here is some info from the scholars. ‘3:1-4. The last days began with the birth of Christ and will culminate in Christ’s return to the earth to set up His kingdom. The prediction of perilous times indicates that apostasy will characterize the final days of the church age.
3:5-9. A form of godliness is mere religion without power or spiritual life. Paul commands Timothy to turn away from these false teachers who prey upon silly women laden with sins, who are especially susceptible to false teachers.
Ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth condemns not intense study but some esoteric quest for truth apart from God’s Word. Jannes and Jambres, according to Jewish tradition, were the two magicians in Pharaoh’s court who attempted to duplicate Moses’ miracles (cf. Ex.7:11; 9:11).’
Oh Friends, I know that all we’ve been hearing about so far are trials and tribulations, but listen now to the rewards of living for Christ, as explained by our Saviour Himself.
He had just finished telling the disciples about it being ‘easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye shall also sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And everyone that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or fathers, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first. (Matt.19:24-30)
Now Friends, neighbours and fellow believers, I ask you, are those rewards worth the testing and trials of this earthly life? I humbly submit that they certainly are!
But the Lord’s left it up to each individual to make that life changing decision to follow His Son or not. Please, I implore us to make the right one today, and invite Jesus into our hearts and souls right now, so that we can enjoy a much brighter tomorrow with Him in everlasting glory!
Why? Because that’s the undisputed wisdom of this earthly life! Much LOVE!
…in the world ye shall have tribulation…but be of good cheer…I have overcome the world…
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