Today’s Scrip-Bit 21 September 2007 Psalm 46:1-2‏

20 Nov 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 46:1-2.    God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
More encouraging words from the Psalmist David. Seems like I’m on a Psalms roll these last few days, but there’s nobody who expresses his faith and LOVE for God better than David. In the good times, as well as the rough groundings, he always had the Lord in his heart, his mind and his mouth. When he states that ‘God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble’ yuh better believe he knows what he’s talking about. It was only through the watchful oversight of God and His guiding hand that David managed to defeat Goliath in the first place, then overcome his numerous enemies later on, including Saul and his own son, Absalom. The same thing applies to us as believers; our great and mighty Father is always looking out for us. In times of despair, when our faith is low, it’s to His loving, empowering, welcoming arms we should run. He will always help us in times of trouble. He says He will never let the righteous suffer. And He’s a keeper of  his word. David had so much faith in God, that he advocates we should not be afraid even in times of great peril and natural disasters; the earth moving and mountains being carried into the sea. Guess in reality he could be referring to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Now we know it’s difficult not to be afraid when caught up in that kind of catastrophe. But beneath it all Friends, we should still have a little of the faith flame burning, like a pilot light on a furnace, that stays on constantly, even when the furnace is not operating. Friends, we can’t ever let our pilot light go out, else we’d be completely lost. I believe David would have loved the modern analogy, which says, like All State, we’re in safe hands, the safest, when we put our trust in, and rely on the guidance of Our Heavenly Father. He’s always in control, always with us. He’ll never let us down. Much LOVE & Plenty Faith Boosting. We sorely and surely need it.

Today’s Scrip-Bit 20 September 2007 Ecclesiastes 9:18‏

20 Nov 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Ecclesiastes 9:18.   Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroyeth much good.
 
That is so true! Everybody knows that wisdom is better than weapons of war, at least I hope so, because where true wisdom resides, war will not be present. Wise people don’t kill and destroy for stupid, selfish reasons. However, we also know about that one bad apple that spoils the whole batch. That terminology is also appropriate in almost every situation that contains more than one; one fruit, one individual, one whatever. Just like the weakest link in the chain has the most potential to cause problems, so does one contrary person greatly endanger a good thing. It’s a strange phenomenon though, that in this world of ours, the negative seems to get so much more attention and publicity than the positive. Just look at what our media outlets consider worthwhile news, overwhelmingly negative stuff. You can listen to all the news broadcasts on all the stations for any one day and don’t hear one positive item, but they will all be pushing the ugly, gory, unsavoury stuff. Hn! How sad. It’s the same with believers. In most churches (hopefully) you’ll find mostly sincere people who genuinely want to make a difference, but invariably there’s always one bad seed, not necessarily bad in the true sense of the word, but someone who’s always stirring the pot, causing controversy, arguments, divisions and consequently instability. And that’s the one who always gets the spotlight. The other good, uncontroversial 99 percent is conveniently dismissed or forgotten. We do seem to be attracted to those who step outside the pale, who don’t conform. And in some instances that’s good and necessary, otherwise life will not improve, just remain the bland, same old, but Friends we’ve got to be careful  with that sort of attraction, because in numerous cases it detracts from, rather than improves the situation. A case in point is the new love-in that we have with so called celebrities. The cult of the celebrity! Hn! The ones who are making all the news are the unproductive ones, the ones who don’t contribute anything positive to the society; Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, Nicole Ritchie, etc, etc, They are essentially parasites; living off other people’s money and largesse. But every move they make is reported like some important event, while you don’t hear anything about the ones who are actually doing something worthwhile. Chuh! The nonsense irritates my soul no end. We’ve only got ourselves to blame for that though. If we weren’t buying the trash magazines and tabloids, or listening to all the programmes dedicated to the nonsense, it would certainly die down, and eventually go away. Anyway Friends, let’s be careful about the way we interact with each other personally, as well as in whatever groups we belong to. Let’s aspire to be wise and not be the one bad apple to spoil the good ones. Much LOVE & Much Wisdom to help us in our interactions. Whew! Never thought I could write so much on so little. (smile) Be quiet children. Hope it makes sense.

Today’s Scrip-Bit 19 September 2007 Psalm 19: 7-11‏

20 Nov 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

 Psalm 19: 7-11.   The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.  Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

What more can I say? The master poet and musician, David, said it all so many, many years ago. Everything about Our God and His laws is perfect and wonderful. All I can do is restate it somewhat in my own fashion. His perfect law refreshes our soul, while His testimony lends wisdom to those who don’t understand. Obviously His principles governing our conduct are right, bringing joy to our hearts as we gladly follow His unblemished, unsullied commandments that open our eyes, bringing us greater awareness of what He’s about. We need not fear Him, in the real sense of the word, but we must respect His authority and honour Him with the adulation that an all powerful Being like Him deserves… Oh, and His judgements, hn! Well they are nothing but just and uncorrupted, cause He’s incorruptible. And Friends, if the Friend of God, said that all these things are more desirable than gold, and are sweeter than honey, who are we to doubt him eh? Moreover David continues, and this is the important part, by them we are warned; they show us the right way, warn us when we are about to get in trouble with The Most High, and even better, when we follow His guidance we receive great rewards. So what are we waiting for Friends? Don’t we like great rewards? I’m sure we do, but the only way to achieve them is by following His rules and principles. So please let’s do that to the best of our ability. Don’t know if I did great justice to David’s words, but everything I said is true. Hope it resonates in your heart the way it did in mine.  As always, Much PEACE & Plenty, Plenty LOVE!

Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 September 2007 Psalm 13: 5-6.‏

20 Nov 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 13:5-6    But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.
 
Oh Glory Be! What wonderful words of trust and faith from that musical genius, that warrior king, that ardent believer, that worthless sinner, that Friend of God, David. As Believers, that’s how we should be greeting each and every new day that our eyes behold; faithfully trusting in Our God’s promise to shower us with mercy and loving-kindness, also acknowledging and rejoicing in the fact that Jesus died for us, providing us with Heavenly Salvation; the greatest gift ever bestowed on mankind. That’s more than enough cause to sing Our Lord’s praises with great gusto. But when we also add the worldly goodness shown to us individually; meat and drink in abundance, roofs over our heads, warm beds in which to sleep, nice clothes on our backs, the modern amenities of life, friends and family to socialize with, how can we not shout with joy and thanksgiving for the generous, bountiful manner in which The Most High deals with us, His sinful, disobedient, undeserving children eh? Yes Friends, Our Great God is certainly good to us. Let’s Praise Him and give Him Thanks everyday, while we spread His word of PEACE and LOVE, and share His bounty with His many not so fortunate children. Much LOVE, PRAISE, THANKSGIVING & SHARING!

Todays’s Scrip-Bit 17 September 2007 Mark 16: 15-16‏

20 Nov 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Mark 16: 15-16.   And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
 
That was J.C’s instruction to His disciples after His resurrection, when He appeared before them while they were eating. That instruction still applies to us today; and it’s an even bigger task now than it was then, simply because the world’s population is much larger now than in J.C’s time, spread over a much wider geographical area, speaking many different languages with varying degrees of hostility towards disciples. But they are still the same human beings, the fallen children who need to hear the word, accept and believe it, so that they can be saved. And they can’t hear it unless someone speaks it to them. Friends, that’s our job, the raison d’être of every believer, our mandate from the Most High; to go out and spread the good news of J.C’s death, His resurrection and ascension, ergo our salvation, whereby He paid the price for our sins once and for all. It’s an enormous task, of enormous importance, because those who have not heard the wonderful message of salvation will be damned, lost forever in eternity, without the the ultimate lifeline, Jesus. Friends, we can’t allow that to happen, so let’s take our discipleship seriously and support, in whatever way we can, those who are going outside of our  immediate environs to spread the word, while in our own areas we do our bit; talk the talk and walk it too. Much LOVE…and plenty plenty Discipleship, because there are many, many- actually too many- lost and hurting souls out there who desperately need to hear about J.C and experience His LOVE and salvation.

Today’s Scrip-Bit 16 September 2007 1 Samuel 15:22‏

20 Nov 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

1 Samuel 15:22    And Samuel said, Hath the Lord a great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than to the fat of rams.
 
In olden times,the Israelites used burnt offerings and sacrifices to the Lord as atonement for sins as well as for thanksgiving. On the eve of one particular battle though, the Lord instructed King Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions. However when the Prophet Samuel  questioned Saul about it, he answered that the enemy was destroyed , but the people had taken sheep and oxen and other things which should also have been destroyed and offered them as sacrifices to God. That’s when Samuel berated him, then informed him that because he had rejected the word of the Lord, the Lord had also rejected him as King. And though Saul wept and prayed and repented it made no difference. He lost the kingdom simply because he did not follow God’s instructions. And it was not even a complicated or difficult task; destroy everything. What part of that didn’t Saul understand? Friends, we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God, and although He’s a very generous and forgiving God, there are times when He makes us pay dearly for our disobedience. And the sad part is that most of the time His instructions are not very difficult to follow, but like spoilt children, we just like to have our own way. So let’s try and follow His instructions nuh, else, like Saul at some stage we’ll lose something very valuable to us, and no amount of begging, pleading and praying will restore it. Like the old people say, ‘if yuh doh hear, yuh going to feel!’ Much LOVE…with lots of obedience. It’s the essence of God.

Today’s Scrip-Bit 15 September 2007 Romans 14: 17 & 19‏

19 Nov 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

‏Romans 14: 17&19    For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
 
Paul is setting values for the Roman Church to live by. Believers aren’t to concern themselves too much with food,  physical stuff or outward appearances, but should focus more on living right in God’s sight; dwelling in peace with each other, and being joyful in the Holy Spirit that resides within us, and makes us yearn for Godly ways. When we become Believers, the Holy Spirit enters our soul and becomes our conscience and guide, a powerful instrument of God, a reflection of His personality. We ought therefore to seek the paths that bring peace, rather than negative avenues which aren’t part of God’s plan. J.C. called seekers of peace, children of God, because that’s what The Most High is all about; PEACE & LOVE. That’s our mandate; to seek peace and do positive things, stuff that uplifts and educates us, that encourages and helps us to grow in the faith. Friends, is that how we’re living, seeking peace and uplifting values? I sincerely hope so. Much LOVE and plenty, plenty searching for peace…we desperately need it in these troubled times.

 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 14 September 2007 Matthew 15:10-11‏

19 Nov 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

‏Matthew 15:10-11:    And he called the multitude and said unto them Hear and understand. Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

 
Today’s Bit was easy. While reading around it to get the context, lo and behold I found the perfect explanation, given by Jesus himself. The Scribes and Pharisees had been harassing Him about His disciples not washing their hands before eating, and He retorted with a blast about their traditions transgressing the commandments of God. Later on, Peter asked for an explanation of the parable. (Matt.15:16-20) ‘And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out in the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts; murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.’ There you have it! Straight from the horses mouth, not second hand. And Friends, though we seem to be communicating more in this era of almost instant communication, from the turmoil in the world, it’s obvious we are communicating the wrong things. And it all starts with our words. The  Internet and cell phones drive us to talk more than we should, increasing the chances of defiling ourselves. So please, let’s listen to J.C. and pay greater attention to what comes out of our mouths. Much LOVE…with plenty less defiling.

 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 13 September 2007 Psalm 9:10

19 Nov 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 9:10    And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.
 
But of Course! If we know His name and don’t put our total trust in Him, then we’re foolish. He is the Mightiest of the Mighty, The One True God. Who else can do what He does? He created everything, controls everything and offers the best of everything; the best attitude, rules, philosophy, rewards etc. Name it, and He does it best! So why are we afraid to trust Him? And He is faithful too, will never forsake those who search for, or come to Him with a right heart. Now that’s very important too. It means that we should be genuine, really wanting to know Him, and to live according to His precepts. If it’s one thing He dislikes is a hypocrite, so don’t go to Him just trying to use Him for your own worldly purposes. Remember, He sees all and knows all. He knows we are not perfect and expects us to fall every so often, but He looks at our hearts, and if they are tuned to Him, He will protect  and guide us. You know, this is the only offer in the world that does not adhere to the dictum, that if it sounds too good to be true, then it is. God’s offer to look after us if we put our trust in Him and live by His rules with a kind, caring heart, is just what it says it is…GOOD & TRUE! So friends, let’s be penny wise and not pound foolish nuh. Let’s trust, honour and obey Him: the all powerful, everloving Creator, so we can receive and enjoy His tender mercies and lovingkindness.  Much LOVE.
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 12 September 2007 Luke 12:15.‏

19 Nov 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Luke 12:15.     And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of things which he possesseth.
 
J.C spoke those words 2 thousand years ago, and they are still relevant today, perhaps more so, since we’ve become a wealthier and more materialistic society. The next generation seems even more attracted to the stupid ‘bling.’  Even the word sounds vapid and senseless. We tend to evaluate people by the so called importance of their jobs, the size of their houses, the number of expensive cars they own. But do they really find time to enjoy these luxuries, if they are working so hard to get and maintain them?  And it’s these same people who pay big dollars to lie on a shrink’s couch and tell them their personality problems. Guess the poor folks can’t afford that luxury. It’s also the wealthier folk who tend to commit suicide more often. What does that tell us? That wealth does not necessarily equal health, neither physical or mental. A lot of young people today hungry for the upper echelons of society are dying of stress in their upward struggle. A person’s worth should be measured by their character. That does not mean we should not aspire to well paying jobs and buy ourselves nice things, but those things should not define us. Our defining traits should be things like integrity, kindness, decency, faithfulness, friendliness, humilty and generousity. Greed, jealousy, envy and impatience have taken over our society. We’re constantly bombarded by ads that make us feel inferior or out of style, so we’ve got to have what everybody else has, now. Friends, beware of this attitude. It’s unhealthy. We don’t know what others have done to get their material benefits; sometimes they’ve sold their soul to the enemy. Please, let’s not sell ours.  LOVE! 

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