Some of the Dramatic Scripture involved in Christ’s Birth!

10 Dec 2024 Leave a comment

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

Luke 1:46-47.       And Mary said, My soul doth magnify (exalt) the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

This Tuesday morning, a couple of weeks before Christmas doesn’t give one the enthusiasm to be up and about the Father’s business, because it’s wet, cloudy and chilly, with no signs whatsoever of the sun hovering in the background. There’s even an advisory warning about fog. But despite the inclement weather, we still need to get out there and work for Jesus. Remember, to be true disciples, we need to pick up our crosses every day and bear them the way that He did His. 

And in this Christmas Season, there’s nothing better to put a smile on our faces and a li’l pep in our steps than remembering all the drama, the machinations and nuances the Lord placed in the amazing story of Christ’s miraculous birth. So, let’s continue from where we left off yesterday, where the angel spoke to Mary about the birth of Jesus, and then Joseph was advised to marry her despite the very serious circumstances.  

Now, what does Mary do after she gracefully informs the angel Gabriel: ‘Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.’ (Luke 1:38) Well the Bible tells us: ‘And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted (greeted) Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation (greeting) of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: 

And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence (why) is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation (greeting) sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. and blessed is she that (who) believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.’ (Luke 1:39-45) 

Oh friends, isn’t our God a great dramatist? Of course! Who else would have thrown in a li’l tidbit to Mary about her cousin Elizabeth’s pregnancy, knowing that it would drive Mary to seek out the hitherto barren woman? And who else would have filled Elisabeth with the knowledge of what was happening with Mary but the Holy Ghost who made His sudden appearance when Mary greeted her. What I like most about that story though is how John the Baptist leaped with joy in his mother’s womb when he heard Mary’s call. He knew that the mother of his cousin Jesus, the one he was coming to light the way for was nearby. 

Oh my people, only our good God could make such miraculous things a reality. And who knows, if Mary had already been impregnated by the Holy Ghost, the two children might have had their own womb-based conversations. (smile) For remember, with God, nothing is impossible! Now, how is that for a story to put a smile on your face this inclement Tuesday morning eh! And since it’s all about Jesus, it must be out of the ordinary, dramatic and not always understandable by mere humans. 

It’s like the Lord said through the prophet Isaiah. ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.’ (Is. 55:8-9) That’s telling us friends! Most of what God does is way beyond our finite understanding, and if were able to understand it all, then we wouldn’t have any need for a God. 

And after Elisabeth’s blessing and encouragement, comes one of the most beautiful passages of scripture, one we call ‘The Magnificat.’ Joyful words mouthed by Mary that shows her deep conviction. Please read those beautiful words of divine understanding with me. ‘And Mary said, My soul doth magnify (exalt) the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low esteem (lowly state) of his handmaiden (maidservant): for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. 

And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats (thrones), and exalted them of low degree (lowly). He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen (helped) his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.’ (Luke 2:46-55) 

Now, how many teenagers today could rattle off such scriptural stuff eh? Not many, if any. And though back then the children were brought up learning and memorizing scripture from early days, we can still see the power of the Holy Ghost working in Mary as she emptied her soul before the Lord. I wonder though, if she understood right then, how hard it would be for her as her esteemed Son went through a most difficult life. 

I guess that’s why having given birth to Jesus in the stable and the shepherds came and saw him and noised about all that they had heard from the heavenly host, the Bible tells us: ‘But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.’ (Luke 2:19) And that’s not the only time it says so. Obviously Mary was a thoughtful woman. She had to be after undergoing such extraordinary godly favour. 

But on the other side of the coin, the reality of the situation, that she could do nothing about, seeing the ‘sufferation’ her fist born son had to endure, must have broken her heart several times during her lifetime. But sometimes that’s the price we have to pay while doing God’s work, the sacrifices we make, as we daily take up our crosses and follow Him. 

The Bible then concludes that aspect of Mary’s story by saying, ‘And Mary abode with her (Elisabeth) about three months, and returned to her own house.’ (Luke 1:56) Can you imagine the conversations between those two blessed women, or those between Jesus and John the Baptist in their wombs? (smile) Remember, anything’s possible with our God! 

And, having put a smile on our faces, and lifted our spirits some, let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting all the world know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’ 

Now friends, we are duty bound to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!

…without the birth of Jesus…there’d be no Christmas…or eventual salvation…

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

The Importance of Christians believing that Nothing is Impossible with God!

22 Jul 2024 Leave a comment

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

Mark 9:23.       If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

Monday, oh Monday, we’re ready for you this week! We went to church yesterday, fellowshipped with other believers, sang the praises of God, gave Him much thanks and received His awesome blessings and grace to enable us to go out and do His work this new work week! Then we rested and privately meditated on God’s Word, and got up with the rising sun! 

Wow! That’s why you’re so shocked to see us up and about our Father’s business so early on a Monday morning! Yes, I know, because we’re usually complaining and dragging, tired from all the weekend’s activities. But not today…and hopefully on many other Mondays too! From here on in, we’re going to try and do it right…with Almighty God’s help of course! 

We know it’s not going to be easy because the world has so much stuff, so many carnal distractions to throw at us, to get us off course, but we are heaven bent on doing a better job in the days to come. We’re going to do our best to both talk our talk and walk our walk, all in Jesus’ strong and mighty name! 

Yes Monday, that’s our faithful promise! And you can laugh and carry on all you want, but just remember that he who laughs last, laughs best. And what does that mean? Basically, it means that ‘the person who has control of a situation in the end is most successful, even if other people had seemed originally to have an advantage.’ 

Oh Monday, as Jesus told the mothers of Israel as they followed Him to the cross, weeping. ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.’ (Luke 23:28) Yes Monday, don’t weep for us, because we’ll do just fine. Instead weep for yourself because we’ll be taking over things from now on. 

No more long faces and frustrated sighs on a Monday morning. We’ll even take the traffic jams in a godly manner; no more complaining about them, but handling them with a sense of peace and calm, even listening to some uplifting music or preaching while slowly crawling along the highways and byways. 

Yes, that’s what we’re all about in these upcoming days. So prepare yourself to meet much godly resistance. You won’t be lording it over us any longer. We’re taking charge of the whole week, right from the start on Monday, to end on Friday. For this is our time now! You’ve been usurped, kicked out, and we’re now the power behind the throne, the new rulers on the block. So take that Monday! 

And if you don’t like it…tough potatoes. There’s nothing you can do about it. We suggest you just stay quiet and dormant in your lair as the new kids on the block take over and run the new show… our way! And all God’s children said a loud and proud: ‘All praise to the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, who were since the beginning of time, and will be forever more! Amen!’ 

Ah friends, if we could only turn that make believe scenario into reality! And it’s not impossible, because with God, our heavenly Father, nothing is impossible. I didn’t say it nuh, but the angel Gabriel to Mary, Jesus’ mother when he came to tell her about finding favour with God and being the future mother of the Son of God. He confidently tells her: ‘For with God nothing shall be impossible.’ (Luke 1:37) Referring to her cousin Elisabeth’s earlier barrenness, but who was then pregnant with John the Baptist. 

And furthermore, Jesus expanded on that saying when he told the father of a demon possessed son: ‘If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.’ (Mark 9:23) That includes us my brethren. And why is nothing impossible to us through God? This commentary explains it simply and succinctly: 

‘He (God) gives us the strength to overcome obstacles, the courage to face our fears, and the wisdom to make wise decisions. When we believe that “nothing is impossible with God,” we are opening ourselves up to a world of possibilities. We are saying that we believe in God’s power and that we trust Him to work in our lives.’ 

And of course it’s easy to say, but rather difficult to do, unless we are totally ‘in for a penny and in for a pound.’ In other words, we are prepared to meet all the challenges involved and make all the sacrifices necessary. But that’s where most of us fall down, for we’ve become so addicted to the comfortable way of life that we now have no desire to meet challenges or make sacrifices. 

Consequently, our Christian faith is suffering, it’s on a downward spiral and the enemy is thus gaining a greater stronghold in the land. But that’s not the way the Lord desires it. No! He desires that we rule the roost, not the evil and ungodly enemy. And we’re going to have to come up real strong and courageous to turn things around. But we know we can do it, because nothing is impossible to us believers through the power of our God. We just have to get up the gumption to do it. (smile) 

And to help us do that, let’s go to the Father, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid in our fight for supremacy. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You this Monday morning for life and strong faith in Christ, despite the mass confusion in our world. Heavenly Father, You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems. 

Yes, we have all sinned and seriously disobeyed Your Word, but You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, who has faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face. So, we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading for wise guidance and direction to alleviate our problems. 

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

But friends, that aid won’t come until we turn from our evil ways, humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek God’s face! Nuff said! Much LOVE!

…we need to stop crying and complaining…and truly start believing…that nothing’s truly impossible with God…

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit 21 September 2018 1 Peter 5:8.

21 Sep 2018 Leave a comment

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

1 Peter 5:8.   Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.
 

And then it was Friday…And I have to chuckle because yesterday, Thursday, I wanted to go and visit my mother’s grave site, but because it looked cloudy and rain was forecasted for the afternoon, and it’s a long drive, I didn’t do it. But lo and behold, while having an afternoon nap and going through some dream in my home, my mother suddenly appeared beside me. 

In astonishment, I looked at her and said, ‘Aye Mols, I didn’t know that you were here.’ She never replied, but just gave me a bad eye, or as the Jamaicans would say, cut her eyes at me, a look that spoke volumes, one that said something like: ‘Yes, I’m here. I’ve been here all the time. You’ve just been too busy to notice me!’ 

Ah friends, the mysterious ways in which the Lord rebukes us eh! And the interesting part is that though it was cloudy all day, not a drop of rain fell. Chuh! So it’s not cloudy today, and I don’t think they are calling for rain, so hopefully, after writing the Bit, I’ll get up off my fat fanny and make the long drive to look for the lady. That’s the least I can do for her under the prevailing circumstances. 

And since it’s Friday, yuh better believe the workingman is already singing his weekend song: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday! Hurray for the weekend! We time! We time to do as we please, without any interference from any bosses. Steups! The boss and them so full of foolishness it ain’t funny. Deh so prejudice! The things they ask we to do, they’d never ask any of deh family or friends to do nuh! But because we work for them, they pay we a li’l pittance, they think they could pile all the nasty work on us. 

But they have another think coming yes! Because one day when we get really fed up of all the abuse and indignity, the persecution and inhumanity, we simply going to rebel! But until then, we just going to keep we cool and enjoy we weekends; letting out we frustrations then. So let the partying begin! As they say: ‘Thank God for Fridays and weekends yes! Don’t know what we’d do without them!’ 

 Ah mih people, our world is getting rougher, more cruel and more inhumane everyday. Man’s inhumanity to man is certainly increasing as life plummets downwards. But as believers in and followers of Jesus Christ, we’ve been given the unenviable task of trying to stop it from falling further and raise it back up again to a godly level. 

Hn! I know some of you are sighing and saying that’s an impossible job, but please remember that NOTHING is impossible where our Lord and Saviour is involved. Yes, it might be difficult, but we have all the tools to fix it…and Jesus by our side to help, so we just have to get serious, buckle down and fight the good fight. 

And I know that many of us believers feel the way the workingman feels about our society, but as Christians we’re not allowed to go out on the limb like he does. We have boundaries in place to keep the enemy out, that’s why our weekend song is different from his. So let’s sing ours nuh, our Friday Chant, with the same verve and enthusiasm with which he sang his song. 

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.’ 

Yes my fellow believers, we need fun and fellowship and relaxation too, but we also need to control our natural sinful nature and not give Beelzebub any chance of invading our space. And yes, I know we recently had this passage of scripture as our Bit, but it’s one of those commands we need to hear over and over and over again, because with the constant demands and busy pace of the world we’re very liable to forget it. 

So here goes: ‘Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.’ And that is the indisputable truth my brethren! Lucifer and his evil henchmen are always on the prowl, seeking victims they can take advantage of. And we can’t let our guard down because they’ll jump in at even the least invitation. 

So Peter continues his warning. ‘Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in (experienced by) your brethren that are in the world.’ (1 Pet.5:9) Yeh friends, we have to stand strong and resist the enemy and all his evil machinations. 

It’s not easy, and we all are afflicted in some manner or the other, but Peter guarantees us that if we stand strong: ‘But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish (confirm), strengthen, settle you.’ (1 Pet.5:10) 

What a wonderful God we serve and worship my faithful brethren! That’s why we can sincerely say like Peter did: ‘To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.’ (1 Pet.5:11)

So please hang in there my people, even though there seems to be no hope, for once you’re alive…and working with Jesus…there is always hope! Much LOVE!

…the Lord will make a way for us…where there seems to be no way…that’s His faithful promise…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 24 December 2014 Luke 1:38

24 Dec 2014 Leave a comment

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

Luke 1:38.   And Mary said, Behold the handmaid, (maidservant) of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. and the angel departed from her.

Well Friends, it’s Wednesday, what’s usually the middle day of the workweek! But fortunately for many of us, it is the last day of this workweek… And all God’s people shouted a loud and grateful, ‘Glory Hallelujah!’

Yes my brethren, that’s because it’s Christmas Eve, the day before the big one, the fateful day on which our most wonderful Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, was born, some two thousand years ago. What a momentous occasion my people, one that changed the direction and fate of all humankind!
 
Oh Friends, the birth of God’s Son had to be a wonderful and auspicious moment! Why? Because it meant that our Immanuel, our God was with us in human form, thus adding humanity to His Deity.
 
And I know that many of us are still busy with the preparations for the Great Day tomorrow, but as we go through our motions, please let’s remember the real reason of the season, the real reason why we’re so busy making plans of and for celebration; the birth of Christ!
 
And consequently, let’s try to focus on that, rather than the worldly accoutrements we’re so busy with. Let’s consider what it would have been like if Jesus had not been born, so that we could eventually be reconciled to the Father and thus enjoy His blessed and free gifts of mercy, grace, forgiveness, unconditional LOVE, salvation and eternal life.
 
Oh Friends, whenever I remember or mention those wonderful gifts and attributes of Almighty God, our magnificent and magnanimous Creator, I get all choked up inside, and have to give the Lord a big shout of thanks and praise.
 
Because, just think what our situation would have been like if all that good stuff was not available to us eh, and free to boot. Hn! Our lives would have been totally miserable, and we would have been surely bound for Hades, death, and eternal separation from our heavenly Father!
 
That’s why I say; ‘Thank You Lord! Thank You ever so much for sending Jesus to light the way of darkness, so that we can now look forward to spending eternity in heaven with You, rather than in Hades with Lucifer! Thank You ever so much! We laud and magnify Your Holy Name! Amen!’
 
And today Friends, I just want to highlight the enormous faith of Mary, Jesus’ mother, because I don’t think she gets enough recognition for the great faith she possessed, even before it was such a popular thing.
 
I guess it was partly because she was a woman, living in a very patriarchal society, but without her supreme trust and complete surrender, none of what we’re currently celebrating would be possible.
 
The Good Book tells the story thus: ‘And in the sixth month (of Elisabeth’s pregnancy with John the Baptist) the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused (betrothed, engaged) to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
 
And the angel came in unto her and said, Hail (rejoice), thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind (considered) what manner of salutation (greeting) this should be.
 
And the angel said unto her, Fear not Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
 
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest (Most High): and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
 
Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man (I am a virgin)? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest (Most High) shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing (one) which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
 
And behold thy cousin (relative) Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid (maidservant) of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.’ (Luke 1:26-38)
 
Now just imagine that scene nuh Friends! You’re a female, Jewish teenager, living in a backwater town in Galilee, most likely without much formal education, engaged to be married, when this angel suddenly shows up with this outlandish proposal.
 
Wow! Would any of us have taken it so easily, so in stride and even accepted the proposition at all? I doubt it. The first thing was how could she get pregnant without lying with a man? Even in today’s advanced society, where there are all sorts of fertility methods, a man’s sperm is still essential for human reproduction.
 
But just supposing getting pregnant without actual intercourse was possible, we still need to remember Mary’s very sensitive position. If she were found pregnant before marriage, despite all her pleas of innocence, all hell would break loose in the small, steadfastly Jewish town.
 
Joseph, her fiancé would be thoroughly shamed, and become a laughingstock of the community. Mary’s family would be totally devastated, and she would possibly be an outcast for life.
 
But strangely enough my people, none of those possibilities fazed her. She did not even ask for time to consider the proposition. And in all of that, she only asked one question; how could she get pregnant without knowing a man?
 
And surprisingly, she seemed quite satisfied with the angel’s answer.  She obviously felt the leading of the Holy Spirit deep down in her soul and responded accordingly.
 
And so my fellow believers, should we also respond with alacrity when we feel the Spirit of God moving in us, although the circumstances may seem rather difficult, and even impossible in the natural realm, because as Gabriel so rightly said to Mary: ‘FOR WITH GOD NOTHING SHALL BE IMPOSSIBLE!’
 
Let’s remember that today Friends, as we go about making preparations to celebrate the incarnate, seemingly impossible birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! It is indeed worthy to ponder, because it generates wisdom and faith of the highest order! Much LOVE!
 
…faith can move mountains…by turning them into molehills…with the help of Jesus … we just have to believe…