Today’s Scrip-Bit 21 July 2008 Isaiah 54:10‏

21 Jul 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Isaiah 54:10    For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.
 
Oh Friends, what powerful reassurance from the Most High! Isaiah 54 talks about the Lord’s everlasting LOVE for Israel. Even though the high places of the earth crumble and disappear, His unfailing LOVE for us, His sinful, disobedient children, will never waiver, falter or die. Isn’t that wonderful? Friends, no one else has a God with such a magnanimous heart! That’s sort of  redundant, since He’s the one and only God. (smile) His LOVE though is so unconditional that…that there are no words to aptly describe it. That’s why Bruh David could claim; ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea…God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.’ (Ps.46:1-2,5) The promises of our God are sacred Friends. He stands on His Holy Word, which inspired so much confidence in our forefathers. And nothing has changed since then. The promise in His Word still stands today, as a ray of hope, a shining beacon to all who call upon Him, from which to draw shelter, guidance and strength. That’s the purpose of the Word people; to uplift us when we’re weak, weary and afraid. Just the very knowledge that such a caring Being is looking out for us, is enough to boost our confidence and strengthen us in the ongoing fight with the powers of darkness and evil. And when He reinforces that concern by also promising, ‘neither shall my covenant of peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.’ Oh Friends, that extra assurance should boost our belief and resolve a thousand fold. There should be no doubt whatsoever left in our timid, fearful, hearts and minds about His deep, abiding concern for us. As Psalm 89, God’s sure promise to Bruh David, declares: ‘My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him. His seed also will I make to endure forever, and his throne as the days of heaven.’  (vs.28-29) And since Jesus was of Bruh David’s lineage, and we are followers of Jesus, that means those promises also apply to us. Oh Glory be to His Holy Name! His LOVE, peace and compassion will never desert us. His mercy and loving kindness will always be there for us to call on, both in good times and in bad. Friends, if we remember nothing else, please remember that the Lord’s LOVE is unconditional. Regardless of what we do, or how far we stray, we can always return to His fold and count on Him to receive us like the prodigal son, with open arms, calling together friends and neighbours, saying; ‘Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.’ (Luke 15:6) Yes Friends, it’s a mighty, merciful God, Jehovah, we worship. Let’s give Him the unending thanks and praise He’s due. Much LOVE!…there’s no heart…as encompassing as…our heavenly Father’s…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 20 July 2008 John 10:17‏

20 Jul 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

John 10:7    Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
 
And the fascination continues Friends.(smile) But whom better to be fascinated by than Jesus eh? What positive assurance and confidence He displays people. ‘Therefore doth my Father love me..’ If Jesus was sure of one thing in His earthly life, it was the great LOVE, His Father had for Him, for He proclaims it often. Listen to John 5:20; ‘For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth him all things that himself doeth: and he will show him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.’ What a monumental declaration! One, He could not make, unless it was true. And why does the Father LOVE Him? ‘Because I lay down my life that I might take it again.’ More powerful words again people. Ideas too big for the human imagination to grasp then, and even now too. No wonder His listeners felt He wasn’t for real. And if those ideas weren’t monumental and preposterous enough, hear this statement: ‘For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.’ (John 6:38) And that Friends, is why the Father LOVED Him so much; because He was obedient; giving up His exalted position at the Father’s side in heaven, to come down to this wretched earth and die for a bunch of ungrateful, godless sinners, who couldn’t or wouldn’t accept or understand His immense sacrifice. Now who wouldn’t LOVE and adore such an obedient son eh? Most of us wish our earthly sons had even one iota of Jesus’ obedience. And then Jesus clarifies it all people: ‘No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself…’ (vs.18) Get that straight Friends; nobody was taking Jesus’ life, He was giving it up Himself, as a sacrifice for us, and as He pointed out to the disciples.’Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.’ (John 15:13-14) Praise Him people! He considered us worthy enough to be called His Friends, and therefore worthy to die for. What unselfishness! Very few of us have the parts to make such a magnanimous sacrifice. And can you believe, that after giving up His most prized possession, His life, for us, we still don’t show Him much gratitude or appreciation. How sad. Then, just to be sure the people understood, Jesus announced; ‘I have the power to lay it down, and I have the power to take it again.’  (vs.18) Wow! It wasn’t a one and done thing people. He could give it, then pick it back up. ‘For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.’ (John 5:26) The Father was indeed generous, but as we know, He never gives us a job to do, without providing the necessary tools to do it. Jesus is a perfect example. The Lord wanted him to be a sacrificial lamb, so He gave Him mental and emotional strength, as well as the power to give His life, then take it up again, since that was the only way Jesus could accomplish His will. Jesus ends with another profound statement. ‘This commandment have I received from my Father.’ (vs.18) Yes Friends, it’s all about obedience. The Lord prizes it above all else. As Jesus said earlier on in John 6:38. ‘For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.’ It’s the same with us people; when we accept Jesus as our Saviour, we’re born again, giving up the old life of sin and sorrow, and taking up a new one of joy and commitment to the sinless lamb who died on that old rugged cross, so that we could have salvation and eternal life. Please, let’s follow His example; be obedient to Him, as He was to His Father. Much LOVE!  …only three things to following Christ…obedience…obedience…obedience…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 19 July 2008 John 10:15‏

19 Jul 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

John 10:15    As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
 
Oh Friends, by now you’ve realized that I’m fascinated by Jesus’ philosophy and how He shares it. The past couple days we’ve been looking at His remarks in John 10, about the enemy trying to entice the sheep, believers, away, but the sheep staying put, because they only respond to the shepherd’s voice. With Jesus claiming that He was the good shepherd, come not to destroy but to save His sheep and provide abundant life for them. His sheep knows Him and He knows them. Today, he delves a little deeper into the pastoral scenario, by saying, ‘As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father.’ In Mat.11:27, He expands on this: ‘All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son, and he to whomsoever the son will reveal him.’ Yes Friends, that’s certainly a tight knit duo. The Father provides the Son with all He needs, they hang out together, and it’s only possible to know the Father, if the Son reveals Him. ‘I am the door, by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved…’ (vs.9) So to get to the Father, we must go through Jesus. ‘And I lay down my life for my sheep.’ Words of awesome sacrificial intent people! That’s why He could extend the great invitation to us: ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ (Mat.11:28-30) Oh Friends, where or when will we ever get a better offer eh? Nowhere and no time! Who else is promising to look after us like a good shepherd, even unto death? Who else is willing and able to relieve us of our burdens and bear them Himself? Who’s royalty, but humble enough to desire to teach us lowly sinners, and refresh our weary spirits? Who else is offering an easy yoke and a light burden Friends? Tell me who else nuh? Nobody but our beloved Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! But that’s not all: ‘And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also must I bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.’ (vs.16)  Sing Hallelujah People! What a caring, thoughtful man! Jesus wanted no one left out from His promise of salvation, that’s why He told the Jews about His other flock, the Gentiles, whom also needed saving. And the Lord is such a great script-writer, that He foreshadowed this from the days of Isaiah. ‘I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles.’ (Is.42:6) ‘The Lord God which gathereth the outcast of Israel, saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.’ (Is.56:8) Oh praise the Lord people! And Bruh Paul assures us that the prophecy was fulfilled. ‘For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us…that he might reconcile both unto God, in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.’  (Eph.2:14,16) Wow Friends! What a mighty man was our Saviour Jesus! Slaying the enemy with one fell swoop, by His sacrifice on the cross, bringing both Jews and Gentiles into one body, bound for glorious salvation under His merciful, astute leadership. Now it’s our turn Friends, to go out into all the world and continue His mission, to bring all His children into the one flock. Let’s do it with vim and vigour nuh. Much LOVE!…a true believer…must model themselves…after Jesus…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 July 2008 John 10.9‏

18 Jul 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

John 10:9    I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
 
Friends, never were truer words spoken. Jesus is the author of salvation. He died to redeem our sins. It’s only his sinless soul the Father found worthy to pay the hefty price required to cleanse us. So He’s rightfully the only one through whom eternal life can be attained. Yesterday He was talking in general terms about only the shepherd entering the door of the sheepfold, cause the porter won’t let in others. And even if they do manage to get in, the sheep won’t follow strangers, since they only recognize the shepherd’s voice. Hope we’re still only recognizing Jesus’ voice Friends. But sadly, those people did not understand. So He changed His tack, became personal. ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.’ (vs.7) Yes, it’s me Jesus, that you’ve got to pass through to get to the sheep. ‘All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.’ (vs.8) He’s referring to the Pharisees. Wonder if they realised that? ‘I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.’ Oh blessed be the name of Jesus! Friends, it’s only because of Him, His goodness, and obedience to the Father’s will, that we have such a bright future to look forward to. Joining His flock means we’ll have the greenest pastures, salvation, life everlasting, and all the good things that go with them. But following the stranger is disastrous; ‘For the thief cometh not, but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.’ (vs.10) Wow people! That’s one of Jesus” most profound statements; and He made many. He came, not to destroy, but to give us abundant life. What an awesome individual! ‘I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.’ (vs.11) The hireling though, the one working for pay, at the first sign of danger, will run away and leave the sheep unprotected, since he doesn’t really care about the sheep, just the money. (vs.12) And when Jesus talks about the good shepherd, any bright Jews listening, would probably remember Bruh David’s heartfelt anthem, Psalm 23; ‘The Lord is my Shepherd,’ and also Isaiah’s prophecy: ‘He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.’ (Is.40:11) Oh Friends, such powerful scriptures! They bring tears to the eyes. What a picture of compassion and LOVE, to be found nowhere else to such a degree! ‘I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.’  (vs.14) Bruh Paul attests to this: ‘The Lord knoweth them that are his.’ (2 Tim.2:19) ‘I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed..’ (2 Tim.1:12) Then Jesus makes another astounding statement: ‘..and I lay down my life for my sheep.’ (vs.15) Unbelievable people, truly unbelievable! Remember Jesus is saying all this long before He was crucified, meaning He was fully aware of the cruel suffering He had to undergo, but He stood tall, faced up to it like a man. Are we truly appreciative of all that He’s done, and is still doing for us unworthy sinners? ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ (John 15:13) Ah Friends, He walked His talk. What an awesome, wonderful person is our Jesus! How can we not love Him eh? Till next time. Much LOVE!…just remembering Jesus’ sacrifices…should make us want to reciprocate…

Today’s Scrip-Bit July 17 2008 John 10:3‏

17 Jul 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

John 10:3   To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
 
Oh Friends, is Jesus calling our names in the mornings when He’s gathering His flock to lead them out to pasture for the day? For all our sakes, I certainly hope so, cause if He isn’t, then things are real bad with us; meaning we’ve lost fellowship with Him, the worst thing that can ever happen to a believer. We should all be in Mary’s position, when she went seeking Him at the tomb on that glorious resurrection morn. In tears, because His body was missing from the tomb, she pleaded with a man she thought to be the gardener, to tell her where they’d taken Him. But it was Jesus, whom she did not recognize. And ‘Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.’ (John 20:16) Yes Friends, that’s how it should be: Jesus calls us by name, and we reply without hesitation, ‘Yes Lord.’ For, like the good shepherd that He is, ‘when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.’ (vs.4) Wow people! What awe inspiring leadership! After He gathers His flock, like a good, confident leader, He goes to the front, and performs His job; leads. He doesn’t hang back like so many impersonators to leadership, who allow their followers to bear the brunt of the battle. Jesus does that Himself; clears the way for us to travel safely. That’s the hallmark of a great leader; one who leads, not follows his troops into battle. And you know what Friends? That type of leadership brings out the best in followers too. They’d follow that kind of leader to the ends of the earth, even unto death, because they have immense trust and confidence in Him. Are we like that with our leader, Jesus? Are we willing to follow Him to the end, even unto death? I sure hope so. I hope we also know His voice well enough so that when He calls, and only Him, we follow. ‘And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.’ (vs.5) Heaven forbid Friends, that we follow the voice of strangers we don’t know. ‘For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.’ (2 Cor.11:13) Hn! Trust Bruh Paul to know and be able to ferret them out, because they don’t enter through the door, like Jesus. ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth;’ (vs.1-3) Oh Friends, please, please let’s open the door to our hearts and souls to Jesus nuh! For He’s the good shepherd. Let’s listen, learn, and become familiar with Jesus’ voice, so that we won’t respond to deceitful calls of strangers and workers of iniquity, but only to His comforting call, and gladly follow, wherever He leads. Much LOVE!…the best prescription for life…be a member of Jesus’ flock…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 16 July 2008 Matthew 6:1‏

16 Jul 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Matthew 6:1    Take heed that ye do not alms before men to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
 
Another serious warning from Jesus, Friends. Yesterday we dealt with His teaching on prayer, today it’s alms giving or charitable deeds. Again, just like with prayer, we should not be charitable to mainly gain recognition for ourselves, to be considered important, or generous, or wonderful philanthropists. It’s not about us, but about pleasing God. And if we do it simply to impress or please men, then God offers us no reward. What a loss! For we all know the great rewards the Father has in store for those obedient to His will. ‘Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily, I say unto you, they have their reward’ (vs.2) There it is again; that ominous note in Jesus’ voice about the rewards of the hypocrites. I doubt it will be a good reward. So to avoid that unpleasant return people, we should not be publicizing, making a big deal of our charitable efforts. No boasting and beating of our chests, informing the whole world of how charitable we are. ‘But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.’ (vs.3) We should give so freely, cheerfully and spontaneously, hopefully giving with both hands, keeping each too busy to notice the other. ‘That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.’ (vs.4) Yes Friends, that’s the way our Lord operates; do your deeds quietly, and He’ll reward you openly, and have the hypocrites stammering about injustice. ‘But..huh..how come they get all that eh, and doh seem to do no charitable work? While we, yes we,’ pointing to themselves, ‘who everybody knows, do so much and give so much, yet only get this little bit?’ Hn,hn! I think the Lord gets a kick out of the hypocrites incomprehension of their measly rewards for plenty work. But as we said yesterday people, and will keep on saying, it all comes right back to the state of our hearts; our motives and reasons for our actions. If our motives aren’t right, the Lord will ignore us. The hypocrites motives are completely wrong, they give to please, to impress, and receive recognition from men; ‘everybody knows’  that’s their trump card. But those who receive great rewards, do it quietly, without a lot of hoopla and fanfare; to please God, not to gain human recognition. That’s the whole crux of the matter people; pleasing God or pleasing man. Remember Friends, God despises pride more than most sins. He dislikes them all, but apparently the proud, arrogant, overconfident person, just seems to get His dander up rather fiercely. There’s nothing wrong with doing charitable deeds publicly, in fact, we’re commanded to give generously and cheerfully of our time, talents and resources, it’s just when we adopt the wrong attitude and wrong motive, that it becomes ugly and does us more harm than good. So Friends, let’s give generously in faith, and do good unceasingly to those in need. If others find out, fine, acknowledge it, but don’t keep score and beam it to the whole world. Our God doesn’t take kindly to that. And we want to displease Him as little as possible. And when we pray, ask Him to help us increase our giving, so that we may have more to unselfishly offer the needy. Much LOVE!…our giving…should be…to please God…not man…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 15 July 2008 Matthew 6:8‏

15 Jul 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Matthew 6:8   Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask.
 
Now that’s an irrefutable fact Friends! Our Creator and guide laid out the plans for each of our lives, so He must know what we need to live successfully. Jesus is teaching here on prayer. When He says, ‘Be not ye therefore like unto them,’ He’s referring to the crowd pleasers, the publicity seekers, those who want to be seen praying and considered righteous. ‘And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They shall have their reward.’ (vs.5) Lord forbid people, that we should pray like the hypocrites! And Jesus’ tone on that last sentence, about they getting their reward. Hn! It sounds a little too ominous for my liking. Don’t think I want to partake nuh. Anyway Friends, praying is to be done seriously to the Lord, not merely for seeking the attention of men. We need to have the right attitude, the right reason, which is approaching God for a worthwhile purpose, with reverence and faith, not just to look righteous in the eyes of men. ‘But when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.’ (vs.6) Now note here people, Jesus is not saying that we should only pray behind closed doors. He’s not condemning public prayer, just its improper use. There’s certainly need for us to pray in church and other public gatherings. What He’s talking about is making a show of it. Just do our personal praying quietly with no attention seeking, or selfish and vain glorious motives. Not to please men, but to please God. And when we please God quietly, He’ll reward us openly, and have the hypocrites confused and angrily stammering: ‘Buh..but how come a bunch of sinners like them getting so much eh? An..and me..me who so righteous…always praying..praying here there and everywhere, only getting this small amount eh? But that not right nuh!’ Hn,hn! We all know the kind. But Friends, it always comes right back to the state of our hearts. Motive is God’s number one priority. Regardless of how religious, righteous and prayerful we think we are, if it’s not for the right reasons, but just for show and attention seeking, then the Lord will look on us with utter disdain. He’s certainly not into ego tripping or plenty talk. Jesus warned: ‘But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do; for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.’ (vs.7) Ah people, in the Lord’s eyes, a simple, heartfelt plea for ‘Help!’ is much better than a long rambling, repetitive spiel of woe and want. We only have to tell Him what’s in our hearts. For prayer is not supposed to be a means of changing God’s mind, or even getting Him to answer you, but for enlisting His great desire and inclination to help us. As believers, prayer should flow forth from our faith; the trust and confidence that the Lord knows what’s best for us, and will always act in our best interest. Realizing this Friends, nowadays I seldom pray for anything for myself, cause He knows all the big things I desire. Now I try to sit patiently and wait till He’s ready, for I’ve learned from hard experience, that I’ll get the desires of my heart, but only when He’s ready. So there’s no use in fighting it, but I do work towards them. We’ve got to make the necessary preparations, before He can do His part. Ah Friends, life can be very uncertain and confusing, but through the power of faithful and sincere prayer, to a most merciful and understanding God, we can get relief from the cruel pangs of this wicked world. Please remember, that between the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, help is just a prayer away. Much LOVE!…three for the price of one…Wow!…the best deal in town…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 14 July 2008 Colossians 4:5-6‏

14 Jul 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Colossians 4:5-6    Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
 
Ah Friends, Bruh Paul’s advice is even more important to us today, than it was to the Colossians two millennia ago, for though the world seems to have changed so much over the years, it really hasn’t. Everything has just increased in size, operating on a larger scale now. Though the Church is bigger and more influential, it’s still divisive, possibly more so, and the enemy is also more powerful, so we’re still fighting on two fronts; from within, against ourselves, and also against the powers of darkness and evil. But before we can gain ground on either front, we first need a good strategy to faithfully follow. And there’s none better than Bruh Paul’s for the Colossians. It shows his knowledge, excellent grasp and adept use of the scriptures. He first advocates that we ‘Walk in wisdom towards them that are without…’ Be sensible and above board in our dealings with unbelievers. The Ephesians got the same advice. ‘See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.’ (Eph.5:15) Friends, that’s of the utmost importance. To do Jesus’ work properly, we must have our heads on right and set a good example. Jesus emphasized that in Mat.10:16. ‘Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.’ And while we’re walking in wisdom, we must also be ‘redeeming the time.’ The Ephesians got that message too. ‘Redeem the time, because the days are evil.’ (Eph.5:16) That means making the most of every opportunity, seizing every chance to witness to unbelievers; telling them the good news of Christ dying to pay for our sins and provide salvation; free, gratis and for nothing. Wow! All they have to do is believe. No gift can be greater than that Friends, so we must spread that news with joy and enthusiasm. Secondly, Bruh Paul stipulates: ‘Let your speech be always with grace,’ Wise conduct includes graciousness in daily speech; not brash and arrogant, but positive and self confident. ‘The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.’ (Eccl.10:12) Oh yes people, the Preacher certainly got that right. Chatting foolishness does irreparable harm. And that gracious speech of ours, must be ‘seasoned with salt;’ have strength and power and flavour to move the unbelievers; like good, spicy West Indian food. Just had some, and Friends, it sure moved me! (smile) Now it’s fine to be pleasant and gracious, but if our words lack the ability to create change, then it’s all for nought. ‘Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltiness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.’ (Mark 9:50) Absolute wisdom from our Saviour, people! And the result of all this? ‘That ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.’ Yes, engaging in wise, gracious conversation, suitably seasoned with salt, enables us to competently answer questions on the gospel of Christ. And it’s ever so important for us to get it right. ‘But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ye ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.’ (1Pet.3:15) Please Friends, let’s adhere to that basic strategy for spreading the gospel, witnessing with joy, winning numerous souls for Christ. Much LOVE!…your results…are only as good as…your plan…and your following it…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 13 July 2008 Exodus 15:2‏

13 Jul 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Exodus 15:2    The Lord is my strength and my song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.   
 
Friends, today the soul just called for, in fact, cried out for thanks and praise. And I never even checked Bruh David to seek suitable words. Got you there eh? (smile) But it’s still his style. Today I decided to look elsewhere, and in two two’s, the Most High led me to one of the greatest events in man’s history; the parting of the Red Sea, that allowed the Israelites to escape the pursuing Egyptians. ‘Thus the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians…and Israel saw the great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord, and his servant Moses.’  (Ex.14:30-31) Oh Friends, are we following suit? Everyday the Lord does some great work amongst us, helping us live this crazy, troublesome life in peace and LOVE. Do we acknowledge it with reverence and increased faith? We should. Like our forefathers, we ought to be bold and praise His Holy Name. ‘Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously:’ (Ex.15:1) And He was most victorious that day Friends; showing His awesome might and power to a stubborn, unbelieving people, who finally accepted Him for what He was; a powerful, merciful, promise keeping and loving God. And in respect and awe, they sang: ‘The Lord is my strength and my song.’  That He is for sure people! The One who gives us backbone and belly, enables us to stand strong against the forces of evil that’s dominating and destroying  Mother Earth. Yes Friends, He’s the One whom we cry out to in song, that hears our prayers and looks down on us with favour and mercy. And because He’s so merciful and mighty, ‘he’s become my salvation.’ Now isn’t that just wonderful? For all our needs, from dust to dust, we only have to deal with One Almighty Being, who’s Infinitely Everything to us. There’s only one name, Jehovah, we need to remember and call on. That’s why ‘he is my God.’ Of course people, He is our God! ‘And I will prepare him an habitation.’ Though He really doesn’t need it, but in gratitude and reverence, we’ll prepare a place of honour for Him, a central place where all can come and worship and praise Him. Cause, ‘Who is like unto thee O Lord, among the Gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?’  (Ex.15:11) Nobody Friends! Nobody can even come close. Wow! What a most magnificent Being! He’s ‘my father’s God, and I will exalt him.’ Oh people, that’s our raison d’être, our reason for being; to sing thanks and praises, to exalt the Most High. So let’s just get up and do that nuh Friends. It boosts our spirits, and also puts a great big smile of pride and joy on our Father’s face. Let’s raise our hearts, hands and voices in thanks and praise today, knowing that ‘The Lord shall reign for ever and ever.’  (Ex.15:18) Oh, I just love writing these Bits where no research is necessary; laziness…? (smile) It just flows so much easier and smoother, sounds  more sincere, less contrived, when it comes straight from the heart. Much LOVE!… our motto should be… give thanks and praise to God…always…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 12 July 2008 1 John 2:15‏

12 Jul 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

1 John 2:15    Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
 
Now that’s the gospel truth Friends. If we love the world, the LOVE of God is not in us. The world being the evil, the sin, the wickedness and ungodliness that makes up so much of human existence. ‘For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.’ (vs.16) James also warns; ‘know ye not that friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world, is the enemy of God.’ (4:4) And Friends, we definitely don’t want to be God’s enemy, for that means certain death and eternal damnation. But because of our inherent sinful nature, it’s difficult to forego those temptations that the world offers; ‘the lust of the flesh,’ physical desires; ‘the lust of the eyes,’ personal desires; and ‘the pride of life,’ self-interests. All of these add up to immorality, greed, envy, selfishness, strife, anger and the host of negatives that are not a part of God’s arsenal, which is based on that magic formula called LOVE. Logically then, one cannot in fact LOVE the world, because the things of the world are not found in the process termed LOVE. But one can wish for and aspire to these things. Or as Bruh Paul says in Romans 12:2; ‘And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed, by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God.’ Yes Friends, we can conform or be transformed, but it all boils down to a mind thing; we have to make a conscious decision to follow the dictates of God, rather than the tempting temptations of the world. Resisting the world is not easy people, but if we want to be in right standing with God, we’ve just got to buckle down and do it. I heard a song by the Jamaica group, Morgan Heritage, last night, which says what we need is LOVE, so that we can grow more LOVE. And it’s true. The only way to increase the LOVE in the world is to get more, so that we can grow even more. But it’s like the chicken and the egg controversy: Where do we get it from to begin with, so that we can grow and increase it? Only by more of us being transformed, my people, by the renewing of our minds and souls in faith, and adhering to the Lord’s principles. If we want to experience and increase the miracle that’s LOVE, we’ve got to get more in tune with God, who is the embodiment of LOVE. Wow! What words of wisdom! (smile) But seriously though Friends, we need to reduce our dependence on, and lust for the wicked things of our world. Even those who don’t necessarily want to get right with the Lord (not wise) should withdraw from too much involvement in the affairs of the enemy, for it’s fraught with danger, death and eternal darkness. It’s like been in a spider’s web or a maze; after a while you lose all sense of direction, don’t know which way to turn, you’re lost. Or else you’re tied up so skilfully in knots, unless you’re Houdini, it’s almost impossible to escape. But Friends, with the help of Jesus, anything is possible, that’s why we need Him so desperately in our lives. One last word of caution; remember ‘the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God, abideth forever.’ (vs.17). So I’d strongly suggest, if we want to experience eternity, to stop loving…no, stop conforming to the wicked ways of man, and start basking in the light of God’s LOVE. Till next time. Much LOVE!…the world dies…but Jesus lives forever…

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