06 Nov 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: affliction or persecution arises, all these things are done in parables, already behind time, at one time or another, because it had no root, breath of life, bring forth fruit, caused to stumble, choke the word, contamininated soil, defeat the simmering unrest in our land, defect from the truth, desires for other things, did yield fruit that sprang up, disciplined enough, divine help, doctrine, don't count the cost, endure but for a time, fail to respond tothe word sown, faith, fidelity, followers of Christ, for the word's sake, four kinds of people who hear the gospel, Friday chant, Friday Mantra, further your glorious kingdom, have a race to run, have no root in themselves, he that hath ears to hear let him hear, hear the Word, hearing they may hear and not understand, help us to be responsible, his satanic matesty, holy spirit, illegitimate matters, immediately it sprang up, immediately offended, immediately receive the gospel, impulsive people, increased and brought forth, it becomes unfruitful, it had not much earth, it withered away, it yielded no fruit, Jesus Christ, legitmate matters, LOVE, make the most of each day, mercy, no depth of earth, obedience, offended because of persecution, omnipotent help, other fell on good ground, our serious problems are escalating, our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffe, our witness for Christ is not good enough, preoccupied people, receive our comeuppance at sometime, receive the word with gladness, refresh our memory, rejection of the gospel, remain solid ground, salvation, Satan cometh immediatetly, Satan has a stranglehold on our world, seeds sown on stony ground, seeing they may see and not perceive, some a hundredfold some sixty some thirtyfold, some fell among thorns, some fell by the wayside, some fell on stony ground, sown among thorns, sown on good ground, spiritual reality, stand strong and steadfast, such as hear the word, take priority over the gospel, take the gospel to heart, taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the cares of this world, the days keep rolling along very quickly, the deceitfulness of riches, the fowls of the air devoured them, the fruit of faith, the lusts of other things, the mystery of the kingdom of God, the parable of the sower, the seed is the word of God, the sower soweth the word, the thorns grew up and choked it, the throne of grace, the weekend is here at last, there went our a sower to sow, these ungodly times, they by the wayside where the word is sown, truth, unresponsive people, unto them that wre without, unto you it is given to know, when the sun was up it was scorched, wisdom, wise guidance, with Jesus' awesome help, your generous help
Today’s Scrip-Bit 6 November 2026 Mark 4:14.
Mark 4:14. The sower soweth the word (the seed is the word of God).
And it’s another upcoming weekend as our Friday Mantra reminded us this cloudy and windy first Friday in November. Voices were raised in gleeful shouts of ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday, and the weekend is here at last!’ Yes friends, the days keep rolling along very quickly, as though they have a race to run and they’re already behind time. But that’s okay, for as believers in, and followers of Jesus Christ, we don’t need to worry about the quickly passing days because we are taught to, and are disciplined enough to make the most of each day with His awesome help.
And since the Lord God Almighty was gracious enough to allow us to enjoy His breath of life for another day, it’s only right that we keep our promise to continue looking at the parable of the Sower and the seed. And to refresh our memory and bring some continuity to the topic, we’ll quickly review the parable. Today however, we’ll give you Mark’s version. (smile) He writes: ‘And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine (act of teaching as well as the content), Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: and it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air devoured it up.
And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up, and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred (fold). And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
And when he was alone, they that were about him, with the twelve asked of him the parable. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery (secrets or hidden truths) of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without (outside), all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted (turn), and their sins should be forgiven them.’ (Mark 4:2-12)
You see that Mark, as well as Luke, don’t record like Matthew does, the full explanation Jesus offered to the disciples as to why He spoke to the people in parables. And as I said yesterday, I believe it was important for us to at least know about it, that’s why I used Matthew’s version. But now knowing it, we can use the shorter versions of the story. (smile) Anyway, Mark continues: ‘And he (Jesus) said unto them, Know ye not (don’t you understand) this parable? and how then will ye know (understand) all parables?
The sower soweth the word (the seed is the word of God). And these are they by the wayside, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction (tribulation) or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended (caused to stumble).
And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts (desires) of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.’ (Mark 4:13-20)
Yes friends, those are the explanations for the different places that Jesus spoke of in the parable. And per the scholars, ‘Jesus interprets the parable thus: ‘The four soils represent four kinds of people who hear the gospel. (1) Unresponsive people, they by the way side, fail to respond to the seed or word (gospel) sown, so Satan quickly removes it lest they be saved. (2) Impulsive people, the stony ground, are those who immediately receive the gospel, but not counting the cost, have no root (spiritual reality) in themselves. They believe for a while, but soon are offended (defect from the truth) because of persecution. Their rejection of the gospel is as speedy as their reception of it.
(3) Preoccupied people, those among thorns, allow legitimate matters (cares of this world) and illegitimate matters (deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things), to take priority over the gospel. And (4) some people, good ground, hear and receive (take to heart) the gospel, which bears the fruit of faith, obedience, and fidelity in them.’ And unfortunately, all of that still happens today, possibly even more than back in Jesus’ time, as our world becomes more deceitful, greedy, evil and ungodly, and his satanic majesty prances around with a big smile on his ugly face.
But fortunately we all receive our comeuppance at some time or another, and Satan and all his evil cronies will eventually receive theirs, while we, the righteous ones will dwell in peace and LOVE with our heavenly Father! And as we look forward with great anticipation to that time, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Friday Chant, seeking divine help to remain solid ground, bearing plenty good fruit. Altogether: ‘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. You know our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving, and we desperately need your help to fix them.
Heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. So please give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly. And despite the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times, help us to be responsible, and get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that we can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out next week and further your glorious kingdom by the good example we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And the sad fact my fellow believers, is that we also need to wake up and smell the coffee, because our soil has become contaminated, thus our witness for Christ, is not as good as it ought to be, else Satan would not have such a stranglehold on our world. So let’s get up right now and begin doing something productive about it nuh! Much LOVE!
…with all the contaminants currently floating around…it is indeed difficult to maintain good soil…but with Jesus’ help, it is certainly possible…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
31 Jul 2026
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a splendiferous weekend, addicition, alcoholism has both physical and psychological effects, allow things to get out of hand, an uncontrollable urge, arouses brawling, at the last, be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, be filled with the Spirit, be not drunk with wine wherein is excess, behold strange things, booze, brown girl in the bottle, by the good example we your faithful believers set, Caribana weekend, Christians, Civic holiday, criminal activity, death-provoking waters, defeat the simmering unrest in our land, delusion, divine aid, enslavement, excess libation, exercise a modicum of circumspection, faith, fallen into similar traps, family upheaval, firewater, Friday chant, further your glorious kingdom, get moving for Christ, get sufficient fun fellowship rest and relaxation, glorious weather, goes down smoothyly, he that lieth on the top of a mast, help the rest of us to be responsible, help those who are floundering, holy spirit, I felt it not, I was not sick, I will seek it yet again, in these trying times, intoxication doesn't count as wise living, it biteth like a serpent, Jesus Christ, look not thou upon the wine when it is red, Lord we desperately need your help, lose our sense of equilibrium, LOVE, mercy, moderate drinking, omnipotent help, our minds playing tricks on us, our sinful world, problems are escalating, Prohibition in the U.S, recreational drugs, renewed and refreshed in soul body and mind, salvation, seek another drink, self-control, self-discipline, sky high addictions, stand strong and steadfast, stingeth like an adder, strong drink is raging, stumbling, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the BIBLE, the intoxicating liquid, the throne of grace, the weekend is here at last, they have beaten me, they have stricken me, they that go to seek mixed wine, they that tarry long at the wine, thine eyes behold strange women, thine heart shall utter perverse things, to fix our problems, trusting faith, truth, unconscious wounds, unexpected storms, wake up and and smell the coffee, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright, when it sparkles in the cup, when shall I awake, who hath babbling, who hath contentions, who hath redness of eyes, who hath sorrow, who hath woe, who hath wounds without cause, whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise, wine is a mocker, wisdom, wise guidance, witness for Christ, your generous help
Today’s Scrip-Bit 31 July 2026 Ephesians 5:18.
Ephesians 5:18. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess (dissipation), but be filled with the Spirit;
And the shouts of ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday and the weekend is here at last!’ were even more boisterous than normal because this last day of July begins the Civic Holiday long weekend with Caribana and all the other festivities taking place, in Toronto and neighbouring cities. And with the glorious weather we’ve been having over this past week, hopes are at the maximum for a splendiferous weekend!
But as always, please, let’s remember that modicum of circumspection in all our activities, because you know the dire consequences that can occur when we lose that sense of equilibrium and allow things to get out of hand. So let’s enjoy the weekend, but as Bruh Paul warned the Ephesians, ‘And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess (dissipation), but be filled with the Spirit;’ (Eph. 5:18) (smile)
And as I was chuckling at that last sentence, I was led to some more scripture that advise against excess libation. And who do you think is at the top of the list on the subject? None other than Cousin Sol, the wisest and richest man ever, who had many opportunities to test his theories. In chapter 20 of Proverbs, he solemnly declares: ‘Wine is a mocker, strong (intoxicating) drink is raging (arouses brawling): and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.’ (Prov. 20:1) Yes friends, wine is indeed a mocker because it deceives those who imbibe it, and that doesn’t count as wise living.
But the passage I like on the subject is this from Proverbs 23, where Cousin Sol really gets into it. He says: ‘Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry (linger) long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour (sparkles) in the cup, when it moveth itself aright (goes down smoothly). At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder (viper).Thine eyes behold strange women (strange things), and thine heart shall utter perverse things.
Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick (hurt); they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it (another drink) yet again.’ (Prov. 23:29-35) And does Cousin Sol ever know what he’s talking about, for any of us who has imbibed too much have fallen into similar traps, with our minds playing tricks on us, because that’s how alcohol affects the human body.
And the scholars offer these explanations of the passage. ‘Six rhetorical questions drive home the fact that alcoholism has both physical and psychological effects (vs.29) These effects are further specified: physical and psychological poisoning (vs.32); delusion (vs.33, strange women should be translated “strange things”); stumbling (vs.34); unconscious wounds (vs.35a)); and enslavement (35b).’ That last one we would now couch in nicer terms, calling it ‘addiction’ rather than ‘enslavement’, but the effects are all the same, a very strong, uncontrollable urge to imbibe the dangerous liquid.
And the sad part is that alcohol has become one of the biggest businesses in our society today, with the resultant addictions running sky high. Unfortunately too, it’s the source of much family and relational upheaval, as well as criminal activity, both in an attempt to get the alcohol or to get funds to purchase it. It’s one of the worse products that our society produces and embraces, but it also brings great wealth and fortune to those who produce and sell it. And nothing’s wrong with a drink of alcohol now and then, but the problem is that many of us don’t have the self-control or self-discipline to moderate ourselves when imbibing it, so we go on imbibing until it’s too late.
And what’s the first question we’re asked when we visit somebody: ‘Yuh want a drink?’ Ah mih people, firewater, the brown girl in the bottle, booze, and the many other names by which we call it, is the devil’s own concoction, for I’ve seen family and friends reduced to absolutely nothing by being addicted to the drink. And there’s nothing sadder than seeing a well-educated, once prosperous person, wandering the streets in an alcoholic daze begging for money to buy the stuff.
But the people who prosper from it don’t really care. In fact many of them are alcoholics themselves, only thing is they don’t have to go around begging for money to buy it, and they can hide behind their wealth and power and ease of getting the intoxicating liquid. And there’s no sense in prohibiting it’s production and sale either, for look at what happened during the period called Prohibition in the U.S in the early part of the last century. Alcohol flourished underground more than ever, and criminal activity increased severely over it’s sale and acquisition.
The problem is that whatever mankind truly desires, it will get one way or the other. Just look at all the prohibiting laws on the other kinds of recreational drugs, yet they still are out there in vast quantities, making money for some, as well as causing criminal activities over them. Who knows the answer my fellow believers? I certainly don’t. But we must make sure we help those who might be floundering in those kinds of murky and death-provoking waters. And to help us help them, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Friday Chant, seeking divine aid in these troubled times.
Altogether: ‘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. You know our many serious problems are escalating instead of improving, and we desperately need your help to fix them. Heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat the simmering unrest in our land. So please give our leaders the wise guidance to handle these unexpected storms properly.
And despite the anxiety and confusion of these ungodly times, help us to be responsible, and get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that we can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out next week and further your glorious kingdom by the good example we, your faithful believers set. So that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’
And having said all of that, we believers also need to wake up and smell the coffee, because our witness for Christ in these trying times is certainly not good enough. So let’s wake up and get moving for Christ! Much LOVE!
…if you can’t control your imbibing…then don’t imbibe…
Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien
19 Jul 2019
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a dearth of basic necessities, a right heart, actions today, another week of work, casual Fridays, Christians, do it again next week, dunk, eat drink be merry, enjoy, fellow saints in Christ, fellowship, flash floods, flashing his whip, followers of Jesus, for tomorrow you may die, Friday chant, fun, furthering God's kingdom, generous, give generously, giving to God's church, he that watereth, help to do God's work, I was a stranger, I was an hungered, I was sick, I was thristy, in Jesus name, in prison, in soul body and mind, in the public swimming pool, inconsistent rain, it hasn't been easy, make that decision then, mind-boggling, more miserly than the unbeliever, most generous givers, naked, of our time, on the left hand, people have less than you, prepared for, proper motives, prosperous, refreshed, relaxation, renewed, rest, shall be made fat, shall be watered himself, slave driver, summer heat, talent and treasure, TGIF!, Thank God is Friday, the cottage by the lake, the devil and his angels, the fruits of your labour, the level of poverty, the liberal soul, the reality of life, the weekend, the workingman's song, thrown into everlasting fire, what a paradox, with the goats, ye came unto me, ye clothed me, ye gave me drink, ye gave me meat, ye took me in, ye visited me, you reap what you sow, your generous help
Proverbs 11:25. The liberal (generous) soul shall be made fat (prosperous): and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
And then it was Friday; the worker’s favourite day, especially in the summer where the dress rules are sometimes relaxed for something called ‘casual Fridays.’ Some people don’t even work on Fridays during the summer months, they take the time off to get to the cottage and enjoy a longer weekend.
All power to them yes! Less wealthy or privileged folks like me can’t afford to do that, so we have to stay here in the city and bear the brunt of, endure the heat of the raging sun. (smile) But I’m okay with that, because going to the cottage also has its own drawbacks. I’m comfortable right where I am, and with age creeping up on me, the desire for change is not that strong. (smile)
And the ordinary workingman seems to agree with my sentiments as he belts out his weekend song. ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday yes! Thank Him for granting us this release in the weekend, specially in the summer, else we’d all die from heat exhaustion and overwork. And though the weekend sorta too short, we still going to enjoy it as much as possible.
And where yuh see we in the full swing of summer now, with all the summer heat and flash floods and inconsistent rain, the weekend is we only saviour, where we could get to do what we want, when we want, with no slave driver flashing his figurative whip at you any time yuh try to take a rest.
But nobody ever said life was going to be easy, but you have to enjoy the fruits of your labour, and this weekend we surely going to do that; eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow you might die! We going to party, go out and play in the park… and since I can’t afford to go to the cottage by the lake, we just going to go and dunk we self in the public swimming pool, like all mih other working class friends and them.
We not greedy, but we do like to be able to enjoy we time some. So as you enjoy the weekend, please remember to give thanks to God for whatever li’l you have eh, because it have plenty people who have plenty less than you!’
And isn’t that the gospel truth friends! Whatever little you have, there is always someone, somewhere who has even less than you. What a paradox! Even in the supposedly first world countries there’s a level of poverty in some areas that’s just mind-boggling. You can’t believe that amongst all the prosperity there is such a dearth of basic necessities. But that’s the reality of life, and for some reason or other we just can’t seem to, or want to fix it.
However my fellow saints in Christ, please remember what Jesus said, about the unfortunates and those who helped them. ‘For I was an hungered (hungry), and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.’ (Matt.25:35-36)
Yes precious people of God, that’s the kind of thing we’re supposed to be doing as servants and followers of Jesus, because if we don’t, when Jesus comes to judge, He’ll put us on the left hand with the goats, who’ll be thrown ‘into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.’ (Matt.25:41) Yes friends, ‘even as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.’ (Matt.25:40)
So please, let’s stop concentrating on ourselves and concentrate on what Jesus wants us to do nuh; that’s helping the poor and needy. Remember too that we reap what we sow. And as Uncle Charles (Charles Stanley) likes to say, we reap what we sow, more than we sow, and later than we sow. So be it bad or good, our sowing produces a big harvest of the same things we sow.
And though it’s nice to have earthly wealth and be comfortable, that’s not the prescription for greatness in Christ’s kingdom. Hear how Cousin Sol, in his God-given wisdom, puts it nuh. ‘The liberal (generous) soul shall be made fat (prosperous): and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.’ That’s how it is in God’s kingdom my people. The more you give, from a right heart, with proper motives, the more the Lord will increase you. And that’s exactly how it ought to be.
Consequently, Christians ought to be the biggest and most generous givers in this whole wide world! But unfortunately we’re not. We’re even more miserly than plenty of the unbelievers. And strangely, but unfortunately, where we’re most miserly is in giving to God’s church.
We’ll go out and buy all the nonsense the world has to offer without a qualm, but giving an extra penny to help do God’s work, brother, for so many of us believers, it’s like pulling teeth without any anesthetic. But everybody wants to see a nice, clean, spruced up church. How yuh thing it’s going to get so eh, if we don’t give generously of our time, talent and treasure eh?
Anyhow, enough sermonizing for today! And who knows if it will make any difference anyway. (smile) So let’s go home chanting our Friday Chant, in all sincerity and true sense of purpose. ‘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!’
Enjoy the weekend friends, but please keep in the back of your minds, which hand you want Jesus to put you on; on the left as goats, or on the right as sheep, for your actions today, will help make that monumental decision then. Much LOVE!
…Jesus came to help…the poor, the sick, the lost and the needy…and that’s also what He expects of His followers…
25 May 2018
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a deceitful world, against their parents, all for Jesus, all we do, association with Jesus, be thankful, be wise as serpents, Behold, beware of men, Bombay Bhel Indian Restaurant, brother, celebrate, children shall rise up, close to home, deliver you, discrimination, dring, eat, endureth to the end, exploded a bomb, fellowship, foolish reason, for a testimony, for my name's sake, for my sake, four days of labour, Friday chant, fun, furthering God's kingdom, get a break, get into our souls, Glory be, good weather, harmless, hated of all men, identification with Jesus, in Jesus name, in that same hour, innocent as doves, innocent people, it burn him, like leggo beasts, live in fear, LOVE, Lucifer, lustful song, lustily singing, mind body and soul, Mississauga, never leave nor forsake, no manly parts, not enough boundaries, not wine and roses, party, pay for that holiday, persecution, persevere, projectiles, promise of perseverance, ps and qs, refreshed, relaxation, renewed, rest, scourge you, send you forth, shall be saved, sheep in the midst of wolves, take no thought, TGIF!, Thank God is Friday, the father the child, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of your Father, the weekend, the workingman, to death, to the end, too much leeway, unfair massa, video surveillance, week of work, what you speak, wolfish world, your generous help
Matthew 10:16. Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless (innocent) as doves.
Beautiful! Beautiful! Beautiful! That’s the only way I can describe yesterday friends. It was more of a summer than a spring day, with the heat from the sun radiating somewhere in the mid-twenties, suitably accompanied by a cool, brisk breeze. And today seems like it’s going to be more of the same. Glory be!
Oh I know you folks who live in the tropics are accustomed to that kind of weather all the time, but we poor northerners have to be thankful and celebrate when we get it, especially after the strange winter weather we’ve just had. (smile)
But unfortunately all is not wine and roses, for it seems that two misguided men went into a Bombay Bhel Indian Restaurant in my city of Mississauga last night around 10.30 p.m and exploded a crude bomb of projectiles injuring about 15 people, some of them critically. Ah Lord eh! They were obviously well covered from head to foot, so that the video surveillance couldn’t detect them.
Obviously they had no manly parts, injuring innocent people for whatever foolish reason. I don’t know exactly where this particular restaurant of the chain is located, but it certainly doesn’t feel good when these sorts of things begin happening close to home. We can’t allow those fools to have us live in fear though, so let’s keep on going with God and hope the powers that be catch them soon.
Now it’s Friday and the workingman is out there lustily singing his lustful song. (smile) ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday oui! And it come quickly this week because was only four days of labour for that greedy and unfair massa. And I know how it burn him to pay us for that holiday, but we do get a break here and there.
But enough about massa, is the weekend and we time, so let’s get on with enjoying it nuh. And the good weather is providing so many more options for doing that. So eat, drink and party like leggo beasts’ mih people! For who knows whether you’ll be around tomorrow! Hn, Hn! Thank God for Fridays and the weekends yes!’
So what do we believers have to say to that eh? Too much leeway, not enough boundaries! It’s only allowing Lucifer to get into our souls and destroy them. And we counter with our Friday Chant: ‘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.’
Yeh friends, we always have to be on our p’s and q’s when we live and work for Jesus because there is nothing the enemy likes more than to get into our souls and spoil our witness. That brings us to our Bit, a strange but interesting pronouncement of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to His disciples. ‘Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless (innocent) as doves.’
Oh my brethren, to be wise but innocent is not an easy task to accomplish in this evil, very wolfish world! But if Jesus says to do it, then it must be doable and He will give us the wherewithal to do it.
But Jesus does warn: ‘But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against (to) them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up take no thought how or what (do not worry about) what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.’ (Matt.10:17-22)
Yes faithful believers, we’re living in a very deceitful world and thus need to be very careful of whom we pick as our associates. Now here are some explanations from the scholars. ‘10:17-22. Take no thought means “Do not be anxious.” (See Mark 13:9-13; Luke 12:11-12; 21:12-19) It shall be given you promises that the inner prompting of the Holy Spirit would tell them what to say in each situation they would face.
For my name’s sake: They would endure great persecution because of their identification with Jesus Christ. But he that endureth to the end shall be saved is a promise of perseverance, not a teaching that salvation may be lost. Rather, it indicates that those who are truly saved will indeed endure to the end.’
There we have it friends: We will face persecution and discrimination because of our association with Jesus. But we need not worry about what to say or do, because the Holy Spirit that dwells within us will advise us. And we just need to hang in, to truly believe, to persevere in His name right to the end.
Remember, Jesus has promised never to leave nor forsake us once we stay true to Him, and if we believe, we’ll grab hold of that promise so tightly we’ll never loose it. Much LOVE!
…all we do…must be all for Jesus…
30 Dec 2016
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: actions, alcohol, alcoholic beverages, as wise, attitudes, be filled with the Spirit, be not drunk with wine, Beelzebub, being a witness, character, Christians, disaster, dissipation, drinking champagne, drunk, drunk or sober, everybody black up, exposing sins, fellowship, filled by the Spirit, Friday chant, frivolities, fun, furthering your glorious kingdom, giving thanks, gospel truth, Granny's advice, high class ones, hymns, I made it through, in Jesus' name, intoxicated, Jesus Christ, licentious celebrations, Lucifer, making melody, making the most of every opportunity, mind yuh business, New Year's Eve, not as fools, one drumbeat, one leader, partying, perilous morally, ps and qs, psalms, redeeming the time, refreshed, relaxation, renewed, rest, sinful times, singing, smiling from ear to ear, snow, spiritual songs, submitting yourselves, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the fear of God, the Holy Spirit, the lost, the Most High God jehovah, the will of the Lord, thoughts, under the influence, virtues, walk circumspectly, waters flowing, wherein is excess, wisdom, your generous help
Ephesians 5:18. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess (dissipation): but be filled with the Spirit.
Aw shucks friends, is it Friday already? It surely is. But that’s what happens when you only work three days of the week, you don’t realize that time is flying by. And please be careful out on the roads this morning because some snow fell again last night. Steups! Like it’s becoming a regular habit now! A li’l bit every night now.
But that doesn’t stop the Friday workers posse from enthusiastically declaring: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday…And New Year’s Eve Friday too! So you can imagine the partying! Brother! Waters flowing for so…an’ everybody black up! With the high class ones and them drinking champagne to ring in the New Year!
But regardless of what yuh drinking, you have plenty time to drink it, because is another long weekend. No work till Tuesday! Mama Yo! Thank the Lord for Fridays and long weekends yes!’
And all of that is gospel truth my people. There will be more drinking this New Year’s weekend than at any other time of the year. And we certainly need to remember Granny’s wise advice: ‘Sonny Boy, drunk or sober, please mind yuh business.’
Yes friends, because at this time of year, Lucifer is smiling from ear to ear, knowing that the probability of getting into our lives is much higher than normal with all the licentious celebrations planned for it.
So let’s chant our Friday Chant which gives us a different and better perspective on how to use our weekends. All together 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.’
It’s three days this weekend, but that scenario does make more sense, and is a better-balanced way of life, which we need if we’re going to succeed in this crazy, ungodly world.
That brings us to our rather appropriate and explicit Bit. (smile) ‘And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess (dissipation): but be filled with the Spirit.’ Ah friends, it couldn’t be any more explicit than that!
But before we get into our Bit, let’s look at a few verses before it. Bruh Paul told the Ephesians quite openly. ‘See then that ye walk circumspectly (carefully), not as fools, but as wise. Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.’ (Eph.5:15-17)
Yes my fellow believers, we have to be very careful how we live in these wicked and sinful times. Now here are some explanations from the scholars. ‘5:16. Redeeming the time (or “making the most of every opportunity”).
Contextually, the specific opportunity in view is that of exposing the sins of the lost and being a witness to them. Because the days are evil assigns a reason to seize each opportunity. It is because the sins being committed during these days are so evil.’ And are they ever!
‘5:17. Wherefore looks back to the evil days of verse 16. Since the current age is so perilous morally, Christians must clearly understand what the will of the Lord is.’
Then Bruh Paul got into our Bit. And the scholars provide an interesting explanation of it.
‘5:18. This verse gives an example of what is and what is not the Lord’s will (v.17). Believers are not allowed to be intoxicated with alcoholic beverages; the reason for this prohibition is wherein is excess; that is drunkenness leads to moral intemperance.
This is clearly contrary to God’s will. His will is that Christians be filled with (by) the Spirit; that is, they are to allow Him to fill them with God’s own life, character and virtues.
The analogy between these two moral states is this: a person filled with wine is under its influence; similarly, a Christian is filled with the Spirit when He (the Holy Spirit) controls his thoughts, attitudes, and actions.’
And it all makes a whole lotta sense, for who wants to be controlled by alcohol eh, when the Holy Spirit of the Most High God Jehovah can successfully control us!
Okay, so a small portion likes the control of the alcohol, but that’s not wisdom my brethren, because then you have no idea of what you’re doing, and it will eventually lead to some serious disaster. That’s definitely not the will of the Lord for His people.
Now let’s continue with Bruh Paul’s spiel to the Ephesians, re what they should be doing. ‘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; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.’ (Eph.5:19-21)
Yes precious people of God, those are the kinds of things expected of us! It doesn’t mean we can’t have fun, but we need to have our p’s and q’s about us if we don’t want to succumb to Beelzebub’s evil and sinful frivolities.
So please let’s think sensibly about what kind of New Year’s Eve we are going to have nuh…whether we will bow to Lucifer or to Jesus Christ. I’m depending on us to make the right decision. Much LOVE!
…a man can only march to one drumbeat at a time…likewise…he can only have one Leader at a time…
25 Dec 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a Saviour, a son is given, and heaven and nature sing, and wonders of his love, Christ came to save the lost, Christ the Lord, Christ's birthday, Christmas, Counselor, drunk or sober, faithful promises of Jesus, far as the curse is found, fear not, fellowship, For unto us a child is born, Friday chant, fun, furthering God's glorious kingdom, gladness, glorifying God, glory to God, good tidings, gospel truth, have seen a great light, He rules the world with truth and grace, I bring you good tidings of great joy, Isaiah's prophecy, Jesus is the Light of the world, joy, Joy to the world, judgement, justice, let earth receive her king, LOVE, Merry Christmas, on earth peace good will to men, peace, persecuted, relaxation, renewed and refreshed, repeat the sounding joy, rest, shepherds keeping watch, swaddling clothes, the angel of the Lord, the city of David, the everlasting Father, the land of the shadow of the death, the Lord is come, the mighty God, the people that walked in darkness, the Prince of Peace, the saviour reigns, the throne of David, the Virgin Mary, the zeal of the Lord, this shall be a sign, truth and grace, upon them the light hath shined, Wonderful, your generous help
Isaiah 9:2. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
MERRY CHRISTMAS !
Oh my fellow believers, friends, neighbours and the great unwashed, Jesus Christ is born! Glory Hallelujah! At long last the day for which we’ve waited is here, so to show our appreciation and gratitude let’s offer up some sacrificial praise and thanksgiving nuh!
Please sing with me: ‘Joy to the world! The Lord is come; Let earth receive her king; Let every heart prepare him room, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.
Joy to the earth! The savior reigns; Let men their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make his blessings flow Far as the curse is found, Far as the curse is found, Far as, far as, the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of his righteousness, And wonders of his LOVE, And wonders of his LOVE, And wonders, wonders, of his LOVE.’
Yes my brethren, our Lord and Saviour was born some two thousand years ago in the dirty and ‘dingy’ stable with the all the animals and their funky smell, but that didn’t bother Him one iota. And a lot of people wonder if God is so omnipotent and otherwise why He allowed His blessed son to be born in such lowly and humble surroundings.
Well Friends, that’s just because God wanted to show that Christ came to save the lowly, the lost, the needy, not the righteous and wealthy. Plus He also likes to ‘confuffle’ mankind by using the lowly and poor when others expect Him to use the wise and wealthy.
But be that as it may, today is Christ’s birthday and it is being celebrated all around the world with joy and gladness and good tidings to one and all. Even those who are being relentlessly persecuted are celebrating, because their faith is strong enough to withstand the persecution, for it’s based on the wonderful and faithful promises of Jesus! Glory to God my people!
And now turning to our Bit: ‘The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.’
And isn’t that the gospel truth my believing brethren? It certainly is, because Jesus is the LIGHT of this dark world, and when He was born His healing and comforting and saving light was let loose on the darkness and the people rejoiced, because they could then see their way clear by the brilliant LIGHT that Jesus brought to planet earth.
Now here is why our God is so great, especially when coming to promises. The prophet Isaiah foretold centuries before Christ’s birth this wonderful news that the people faithfully held on to for so long.
‘For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgement and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord will perform this.’ (Is.9:6-7)
And though it took many centuries for this to happen, in God’s time, His zeal did perform the promise through the miraculous birth of Jesus through the Virgin Mary.
Yesterday we saw how Mary’s faith was great, as she acceded to the Lord’s purpose in her life without any hesitation. Oh friends, are we doing the same eh? Are we getting in agreement with God’s plan for our life without too much hassle and doubt and anxiety? I surely do hope so, because that’s when the Lord performs His miracles in our lives and raises us up.
Now let’s turn to Luke and get his account of Jesus’ birth. ‘And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in their field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon (stood before) them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore (greatly) afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you:
Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes (cloths), lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward men.’ (Luke 2:8-14)
Yes Friends, that is what Jesus came to earth to bring; peace and good will to all mankind. Let’s never forget that because it’s one of the basic tenets of our faith.
And time and space has run out on us, but we all know how the shepherds ran to where Jesus lay and found Him just as the angels had declared, then they spread the good news all around the area, praising and glorifying God. (Luke 2:15-20)
Now that’s what we ought to do today and everyday my people. Anyway, today is Friday, and I believe it is one day when we badly need our Friday Chant to keep us in line, since the celebration of Christ’s birth is so phenomenal. So let’s go home chanting it with sincerity and enthusiasm nuh.
‘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.’
And please remember Granny’s plea, that drunk or sober we must mind our business. That is ever so important in these times of celebration. Merry Christmas my brothers and sisters in Christ! Much LOVE!
…Christmas…the time when Christ’s light…first shone in a darkened world…
P.S. The Bit’s early today friends, so no complaints. (smile) That’s because I wrote it right after I came from the 11 0’clock service at church. This way I can do my own celebrations without having to worry about waking up to write it. Oh there is indeed method to my madness! (smile) And though it’s somewhat long, I think it’s good. Hope you do too. Much LOVE!
