Time for Believers to wake up and stop being negligent of their Christian Duties!

16 Sep 2024 Leave a comment

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

Daniel 11:32b.       the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits.

 And it’s a new work week, a new Monday in the middle of September, calling for us to get ourselves together and get on with making a living. And though it’s only been a couple of weeks since school reopened, meaning the summer holidays are over, before we can say ‘John Henry,’ we’ll be celebrating our Canadian Thanksgiving in mid-October. That’s just how quickly the days, weeks and months are moving. And if we don’t move forward with them, we’ll get left behind. 

But thankfully, there’s no fear of that happening if we keep Christ first place in our hearts, souls, bodies and minds, as the Great Commandment says, (Mat. 22:37) for Christ is the very heart and soul of the universe! He made it, as John tells us: ‘All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.’ (John 1:3) And the beauty of it all, is that He’s still in the forefront of it, controlling it with his awesome power. That means when we stick to him like white on rice, there’s no way we’ll ever get left behind! Glory Be! 

For as the Bible tells us in Daniel: ‘the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits.’ (Dan.11:32b) And Hebrews further explains with these marvellous utterances: ‘And what shall I more say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and of Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed (became) valiant in fight (battle), turned to flight the armies of the aliens.’ (Heb. 11:32-34) 

Wow, mih bredrin! What mighty men of faith have gone before us and done wonderful exploits for God through their amazing faith. And likewise, in these turbulent and evil times, which might just be the last days of the church age, we too, desperately need to know our great God through amazing faith, so that we can do what He requires of us. For if this indeed means the soon coming of Jesus to Rapture His church, then we do need to get busy doing our best to bring others to Him, for those who are left behind after the Rapture, will undergo a real terrible time in the Great Tribulation. I don’t think we would wish that terrible time even on our worst enemy. 

So it’s of the utmost importance that we get deeply involved with our wonderful God, and then seriously begin doing what we should have been seriously doing all along; that’s being the salt of the earth and the light of the world, like Jesus desires! How can we encourage others to come to Christ when our salt has lost its flavour, and our lights are dim, instead of shining brightly like a beacon on a hill? It’s virtually impossible! We need to remember that as disciples of Christ, as His ambassadors down here on earth, He’s expecting us to live lives that will cause others to want what we have, that’s salvation and eternal life. 

And they can only acquire those marvellous things by accepting Him as Lord and Saviour. However, if we are not being great examples of Christian living, of righteousness and LOVE, of peace and compassion, of kindness and generosity, of forgiveness and mercy, then others won’t ever desire to come to Christ and accept the many benefits that He has to offer, only to be lost forever to eternal separation from God, the worst thing that can ever happen to a human soul. 

And sadly, right now my fellow believers, our Christian witness leaves a lot to be desired. For we’ve gotten fearful, lazy, easily intimidated, full of compromise and way too comfortable with the easy living and many helpful amenities of modern life. Consequently we find it difficult to sacrifice any of our time, talent and treasure for any one else’s sake. And as someone once said, ‘the worst kind of Christian is a comfortable one.’ And that’s the Gospel truth! For then we only talk the talk, but never walk the walk. 

And I believe this except from an article on the freedomalliance.org website, by Leigh Kohler, says it all. He writes: ‘Daniel 11:32 teaches us that the knowledge of God combined with the strength that comes from God is the most powerful and enduring force against the evil in the world. As believers, when we see what is sacred to God desecrated all around us, we cannot just sit idly by. 

The great preacher Charles Spurgeon once said: A church that does not exist to reclaim heathenism, to fight evil, to destroy error, to put down falsehood, a church that does not exist to take the side of the poor, to denounce injustice and to hold up righteousness, is a church that has no right to be. Not for yourself, O church, do you exist, any more than Christ existed for Himself.’ And We certainly cannot dispute the truth of those words my fellow saints, for we have certainly been negligent in doing all the things Christ’s church  was and is expected to do. 

Now, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, seeking divine aid to turn it all around. 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!’ 

And if we ever hope to see divine aid, we need to do as our prayer says; turn from our evil ways. Much LOVE!

…God gives believers wisdom and strength to do His will…why then aren’t we doing it…perhaps…because we are not true believers…

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

The Overwhelming Importance of the Bible in a Believer’s Life!

06 Aug 2024 Leave a comment

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

Joshua 1:8a.        This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth (shall continually be in thy mouth); but thou shalt meditate therein day and night,

Well, the Caribana weekend festivities are all over now, and it’s time to get back to the daily grind and common task, although there are still plenty of small summer activities left to be enjoyed. Not forgetting the granddaddy of all fairs, that in the Exhibition Stadium grounds which will soon open. But as always, the secret of longevity and godliness is moderation in all matters. 

Now, here are a couple more truths that we ought to be remembering on this wet and cloudy summer Tuesday morn. The first one says; ‘The Bible is God’s word to us still fresh through all the ages. And if we read it we will find God’s wisdom on it’s pages.’ Wow! What an awesome statement, but one that’s oh so true! And do we ever need God’s wisdom so desperately in these strife filled and chaotic times! 

That means we ought to be spending much more time reading and studying the Bible than we’re currently doing, because one of the main reasons for the disastrous state of our world is we have deliberately and rebelliously turned away from Almighty God, thus allowing Satan to manipulate our lives and keep us in sinful bondage, negating Christ’s death to free us from said bondage. 

Remember what Bruh Paul wrote to Timothy about the purpose of the Bible. ‘All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished (equipped) unto all good works.’ (2 Tim. 3:16-17) 

Yes friends, that’s the very noteworthy and important purpose of the Bible in our lives! It’s our Guidebook for godly living. So then how can we live godly lives if we don’t read and study it? How can we put its many wise truths into action in our lives, if we’re not constantly meditating on it, like the Lord strongly imparted to Joshua way back when he became the leader of the Israelites, after the death of Moses. 

‘This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth (shall continually be in thy mouth); but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.’ (Josh. 1:8) 

Oh my people, what’s in there that we cannot understand eh? The Bible is the ONLY way to true prosperity and success! The Lord said it, and if you’re a supposed follower of Christ, then you ought to believe it! No wonder so many of us have mediocre or even broken lives, because we don’t read and study the Bible and live by its dictates. It’s oh so simple. But nowadays mankind detests anything that‘s simple. If it’s not complex and complicated, then it’s of no use. 

But the truth is that simplicity is more akin to kingdom living than complexity. Look at Jesus’ earthly life; He lived very simply, but in that simplicity there was a profoundness that can never be matched. Remember what Jesus said to the disciples when they tried to stop children from going to Him? ‘Suffer (allow the) little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.’ (Matt. 19:14) 

Yes my brethren, even children can follow Christ, but the effect of Christ’s words were that for one to come into the kingdom, one must be simple, uncomplicated and obedient like a child. And I like this commentary on that scripture: ‘When Jesus said, “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me,” He was reaching out to a segment of society that was thought to be insignificant. Children, in their weakness and vulnerability, have much to teach us as adults. As we grow, the hardness of the world often makes our hearts callous.’ And that’s for sure! 

Now, Jesus was even more explicit earlier on when He took a child and placed him in their midst, and said: ‘Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’ (Matt. 18:3-4) Not like the rich, complex ruler who later came to him seeking what he could do to earn salvation. And when told to sell all his earthly goods and then come and follow Jesus, he went away sad and sorrowful, because he had a lot of earthly possessions. (Matt. 19:16-22) 

And right there is one of our problems; we place so much importance on our earthly possessions, that we end up allowing them to turn us away from God. But friends, God is the creator and owner of everything and everyone on the earth! As Bruh David so rightly says in Psalm 24. ‘The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the flood (rivers).’ (Ps. 24:1-2) 

And there’s’ no doubting that, as John also says in his gospel. ‘All things were made by him, (the Word – Jesus); and without him was not anything made that was made.’ (John 1:3) And if you still don’t believe, then listen as Moses adds his two cents worth. (smile) ‘Behold, the heaven, and the heaven of heavens is the Lord’s thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.’ (Deut. 10:14) So there’s no doubt that all the heaven’s and earth and whoever and whatever is therein, belongs to the Lord in it’s entirety, and we’re only stewards of His belongings. 

And no, I have not forgotten that I promised two truths. (smile) So here is the second. ‘One truth from the Bible is worth more than all the wisdom of man!’  And that’s an indisputable fact my fellow believers! Why? It’s simple: because God’s thoughts, ways and wisdom are ever so much higher than ours! Matter fixed! So please, let’s contemplate what that simple truth means and can do in our lives, as we go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra. 

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!’ 

That means we’re now 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!

…a true believer in Christ…ought always to have the scriptures in their hearts…at their beck and call…

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