Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 July 2008 Isaiah 64:8-9‏

11 Jul 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Isaiah 64:8-9    But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. Be not wroth very sore, O Lord, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.
 
Oh Friends, our world’s in such a sorry state, that we might do well to pray like Isaiah for the Lord to come down from His high heaven and intervene in man’s affairs. ‘O that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence. As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence.’ (Is.64:1-2) Yes Friends, that seems to be the surest solution to the ungodliness and wickedness permeating our world today. Isaiah continues to set the stage, declaring that when the Lord did awesome things we didn’t expect, He came down and the mountains quaked at His presence. (vs.3) Who knows if He’s not already doing that, cause recently many fires are burning, the earth is quaking something terrible, and water is certainly boiling in all the hurricanes, tsunamis, cyclones etc. But is anybody paying attention? And Isaiah goes on, that since the beginning of time, there’s been no other God like Him; one who acts on behalf of those who wait on Him, and meets those who rejoice in doing right and obeying Him. (vs.4-5) And having acknowledged God’s glory and mercy, halfway through verse 5, he gets to the point; ‘behold thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.’ He admits that the Lord is angry for the people have sinned a long time, and wants to know if they will still be saved? Then he pitches the reasons for our sinfulness. ‘But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags: and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities like the wind have taken us away.’ (vs.6) That’s so true Friends: mankind has fallen to depths of sinful depravity as never seen before. If Isaiah thought his people were bad, he would hold his head and bawl at the extent of our ungodliness. ‘And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.’ (vs.7) What else do we expect if we don’t call on God with enthusiasm and zeal eh? Can we blame Him if He’s hidden His face from us, and left us to rot in our sinful state? Surely not. But it’s a well laid out prayer by Isaiah; for after giving God His glory, and explaining why we’re sinful, as if God doesn’t already know that, he comes to the crucial part. ‘But now O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter, and we all are the work of thy hand.’ Hn, hn! Isaiah is trying to sweet talk the Lord, butter Him up, a bit late though. Then, in climax, he pleads: ‘Be not wroth very sore, O Lord, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.’ Yes Friends, we’re all His people, but too many of us don’t act that way, so how can we in good conscience plead for mercy? It’s time for us to give God some reasons to be merciful to us. Don’t we ever get tired of begging and pleading? If we come to Him with a right heart, we’ll get it automatically. But Friends, it’s got to start with us renouncing our evil ways, and sincerely trying to develop a right heart, through calling on His Holy name and being obedient to His Word. That’s the only way to avoid His wrath and enjoy His mercy. Much LOVE!…no sincere repentance…no mercy..

Today’s Scrip-Bit 10 July 2008 Daniel 12:2-3‏

10 Jul 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Daniel 12:2-3    And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
 
Yes my Friends, the Great Tribulation will come; we just don’t know when. Jesus said only the Father knows that. Meaning, we’ve always got to be prepared, for it can come today, tomorrow, or eons from now. Our job is just to be ready, because after the Tribulation comes the Resurrection, when ‘many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake…’ But note people, they shall awake to different things; ‘some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.’ And Friends, not because Daniel prophesied this some twenty five hundred years ago, it won’t come true. He prophesied other seemingly impossible things that did come to pass. The Lord also likes to inform us of things long before they happen; give us enough time to correct our lives, or enough rope to hang ourselves; our choice. Look how long the Messiah was spoken of before He actually came. And people, this same Messiah confirmed Daniel’s words. ‘Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice. And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.’ (John.5:28-29) Friends, those were the words of Jesus, our Leader, Saviour and Redeemer, and as His followers, we ought to believe Him. So if we want to awaken to everlasting life on that resurrection morn, then we’d better start preparing now, by truly accepting Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, by truly living for Him, and being obedient to His Holy Word. It’s sad but true, only those who put their trust and faith in Him will rise to eternal life. Also the ‘wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament.’ Solomon made it quite clear: ‘The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.’ (Prov.3:35) Jesus authenticated it. ‘Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.’ (Mat.13:43) And people there’s more; ‘they that turn many to righteousness,’ shall be ‘as the stars for ever and ever.’ Oh Friends, that means if we bring any lost souls to Christ, our rewards will be even greater. Sol said it too. ‘The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he that winneth souls is wise.’ (Prov.11:30) James also touched on it; ‘…he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death…’ (Jam.5:20) And Bruh Paul declared: ‘There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.’ (1 Cor.15:41) There we have it Friends; short and sweet.(smile) Good reasons to live for Jesus in this earthly life, so that we can awake with Him to everlasting salvation on the Resurrection Day. And the harder we work, the greater our rewards. What can be better than that eh? Not much. So what are we waiting for eh Friends? Let’s grab the bull by the horns, start working enthusiastically for Jesus, who wants everybody to awaken to everlasting life. Much LOVE!…Jesus warned…who hath ears to hear…let him hear…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 9 July 2008 Jude 20-21‏

09 Jul 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Jude 20-21    But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost. Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ into eternal life.
 
Yes Friends, though written long ago, that message still applies to us today, for just as people tried to dilute the faith and demoralize the early believers, the same thing’s happening to us. Jude, identifies himself as James’ brother, (vs.1) making him Jesus’ half brother. See Mat.13:55, which lists his family. Anyway, scholarly thought has it that though Jesus’ family did not take kindly to His earthly ministry, ‘For neither did his brethren believe in him.’ (John.7:5) later on, several had preaching ministries, including Jude. Here, he’s writing to Christians beset by false teachers, moving stealthily amongst them, stirring up confusion regarding doctrine and behaviour. ‘Certain men crept in unawares… ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (vs.4) Friends, we’re also experiencing that. Many false preachers and teacher’s exist out there today, only sowing confusion and division, preying on the gullible. But Jude says to stand strong, ‘and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith…’ (vs.3) He goes on to remind them of the Israelites deliverance from Egypt, but how the Lord destroyed the unbelievers. Also about Satan and his angels fall from grace, and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. (vs.5-7) ‘Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion and speak evil of dignities.’ (vs.8) Yes people, we too are surrounded by many of those, who pervert the Word, inserting their own visions and dreams, becoming immoral, insubordinate and openly critical of authority. Jude strenuously warns his readers to be wary of them, for they have forsaken God, instead seeking personal profit and stirring up strife. The same ones who attend the LOVE feasts, occasions to celebrate the Lord’s Supper, but do so in a selfish, ostentatious manner, not showing the proper respect and reverence due to such a touching ceremony, who, in reality are barren and dead, with nothing good to offer. (vs.11-12) ‘These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage,’ (vs.16) Oh Friends, we know them: The pompous, arrogant ones, using hifalutin language to impress and gain their own ends. But remember the warnings of the apostles about false prophets in the last days. Jesus himself said it. ‘And many false prophets shall arise and shall deceive many.’ (Mat.24:11) ‘But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost. Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ into eternal life.’ Oh people, therein also lies our prescription for these troublesome times. As beloved followers of Christ, we need to build ourselves up in our faith; raise it to new, higher levels, through praying and communing with the Holy spirit, our helper. Above all, we should keep ourselves in the LOVE of God; let His LOVE shine in, through and out of us, to others, while waiting with bated breath, for the mercy of Jesus, for eternal life, at His second coming. As Jesus said, ‘He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.’  (Mat.24:13) Much LOVE!…it’s not about us…but all about Jesus…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 8 July 2008 Job 2:9-10‏

08 Jul 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Job 2:9-10    Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God and die. But he said unto her. Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall not we receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
 
Ah Friends, Job surely was a man of integrity. Imagine all his misfortune nuh, then to top it off, his wife telling him to ‘curse God and die.’ Hn! Who needs spouses like that eh? Spouses are supposed to be empathetic, understanding and positively encouraging, not trying to drive one more nail into our coffins. Many of us are undergoing adversity for which there seems to be no good reason; we’re dwelling in faith, doing our best to be obedient, but yet the enemy is constantly knocking on our door, and we simply can’t understand why. But take heart people, for He who promised is faithful, and won’t let us undergo trials for no good purpose. Whatever affliction He allows us to experience, He will use for our good in some way. Remember He created the master plan, and has total control. Few of us possess Job’s fortitude and wisdom, so in times of unbelievable hardship, our faith will tend to waiver, and the enemy is always on the prowl, ready to jump into any chink in our armour and buffet us with even more negative vibrations than usual. But Friends, that’s exactly when we need to stand strong. Sometimes it’s the Lord’s way of testing to see if we’re ready for promotion to the next level of success, ready for greater responsibility. I’m talking from personal experience here, because, in my naivety, I once asked the Lord to give me the patience of Job. Hn! Since then, He’s surely been trying my patience. (smile) I belatedly realized, that patience can’t be given or granted; it must be earned, and only through trials and tribulation. Sometimes, like cream, I rise to the top, at others, I fail miserably; like a few days ago when I abused the phone. But I never follow Job’s wife suggestion; curse God, though it can be tempting at times. As Job reasoned, the world is finely balanced, for every positive there’s a negative, so if we receive good, we must expect to receive bad too, hopefully much less. I know that doesn’t help when we’re undergoing constant trials, but we have to learn to grin and bear it. And Friends, most importantly, we also have to learn to support our spouses in crises. That’s why God created them; so we’d have an earthly partner to lean on, to help, to talk things over with. Jesus emphasized, that a house divided, cannot stand. It’s precisely what we’re creating when we ridicule, brush aside or denigrate our spouse’s feelings or concerns. We won’t always agree, or attach the same importance to everything, but there’s no reason to treat their misgivings with disdain or contempt, simply because we don’t see eye to eye. It’s unacceptable treatment. Friends, downplaying or disrespecting our partner’s concerns is a sure way to poison the relationship, and possibly the most difficult problem to rectify, since we’re beating down their psyche, trampling on their self confidence, making them feel unimportant and of no account. A constant dose of that eventually wrecks their whole self image. And note carefully, it also negatively affects the person doing it, and eventually, the relationship. Friends, no one’s perfect, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, but we all need someone by our sides, whom we can trust to not shower us with negative criticism but listen to and empathize with us. Isn’t that why we chose those partners in the first place? So please, let’s be less critical of our spouses when they’re undergoing rough times, and instead help them to stand strong. It will benefit the relationship and all therein. Much LOVE!…our spousal role also includes…understanding…encouragement…and empathy…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 7 July 2008 Psalm 68:32‏

07 Jul 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 68:32    Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord. Selah.
 
Oh Friends, how I wish that reality existed in our world: That all the kingdoms of the earth were singing praises unto our God, Jehovah. But sadly, it doesn’t. Most are too busy with the evils of Mammon; greed, jealousy, idolatry, immorality, fighting amongst themselves and with their neighbours, to even notice that there’s a God who created and guides us. I wonder if Mammon’s followers ever take time out to consider how they got here, how they survive, and what’s going to happen to them after their fleshly body returns to the dust from whence it came? I guess not; else some, if not all, would surely conclude that everything couldn’t just appear from nowhere, then disappear, back into thin air again; that there must be some all powerful, supreme Being orchestrating the wonders of nature and the movements of man. Thankfully Friends, we know, esteem and worship that omnipotent Being called the Lord, who ‘rideth upon the heavens of heavens…he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice.’ (vs.33) Yes people, that’s our God, merciful and mighty! And if anyone knew about His might and mercy, it was certainly Bruh David, cause He raised him up from a lowly shepherd boy to become a mighty warrior King, an extraordinary poet, and a wise patriarch, extricating him from many follies, troubles and dangers along the way. So he was eminently qualified to testify about His greatness and emphatically declare, ‘Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds.’ (vs.34) And Friends, that’s no lie! The Lord looks after His own; guards and girds them with His awesome power wherever they might be. ‘Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.’ (vs.19) So if we trust in Him, the way Bruh Dave did, we too have no reason to fear the powers of darkness, for we’ll always be safeguarded in the circle of His strong, ever-loving arms. Consequently Friends, in appreciation for this unselfish expression of LOVE, all who fall under His wonderful spell, ought to shower Him with thanks and praise, ought to acknowledge His glory and majesty. As Bruh David advised: ‘Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth; O sing praises unto the Lord.’ Unfortunately too few people, and even fewer nations are doing this, my Friends. But as I keep reminding us, it’s our earthly job to reduce that number to zero; so that none of the Saviour’s precious lambs will be lost on His return. Now since we don’t know when He’s coming back, it’s imperative we get a move on, if we hope to accomplish our God-given task of winning all the earth’s souls to Him. It’s no easy task, cause the enemy will fight us tooth and nail. But Friends, fortunately, the advantage lies with us, for we have the Lord in our corner, and as Bruh David testifies, ‘the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.’  (vs.35) Please remember that Friends, and act confidently on it. Much LOVE!…to make gains… sometimes we must suffer pain…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 6 July 2008 Luke 6:22‏

06 Jul 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Luke 6:22    Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
 
Well Friends, it’s been another beautiful day in Paradise for most of us, but for the many who are living a hell on earth, let’s pray that their situation improves substantially and quickly. And I started the day on a better note than yesterday. Much to my surprise, I woke up humming a song called, ‘The Man from Galilee.’ It asks, Would you know Him if you saw Him? That puzzled me, cause I haven’t heard the song for a while. Then I guessed it was the Lord’s way of reprieving me from my petulant anger yesterday. He made sure I woke up with Him on my mind and in my mouth, so hopefully, I wouldn’t repeat the nonsense. (smile) Who say’s He’s not a thoughtful, caring God eh? But turning to Today’s Bit, I’m sure that many of us know the general feeling. As soon as some of your associates discover that you’re both a card carrying and practising Christian, they begin to shun and bad talk you. When you refuse to partake in their worldly schemes because they don’t fit into your Christian lifestyle, well then they really lambaste you. ‘Oh, who does he or she think they are eh? Before they use to do such and such. But now, since they find God, they get so high and mighty with dehself it ain’t funny. Deh too nice to associate with sinners like we now. Steups! Darm setta hypocrites and dem!’ Yes Friends, many of you have either heard of or experienced that sort of painful rejection and false aspersions cast on aspiring believers. Though sometimes it’s true. We wear the Christian face outside, but inside, it’s a different story. Jesus here was talking to His disciples, delivering what we call The Beatitudes. Informing them that those who suffer things like poverty, hunger, sadness, persecution and false accusations while faithfully seeking the Lord, sincerely doing His work, they will be rewarded in heaven. ‘Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.’  (vs.20-21) And traditionally, believers who’ve genuinely sought the Lord, not necessarily organized religion, have suffered this fate. They make the worldly uncomfortable, that’s why their reactions are negative. So if you’ve been ostracized, oppressed, or negatively affected for your beliefs, take heart Friends, you’re in good company. As Jesus said, ‘for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.’ (vs.23)  Going against the tide, against the world’s sinful ways was never easy, and will never be. But People, Jesus overcame the world, and as His followers, we have the same capacity; in cohorts with His Holy Spirit, we too can overcome this wicked world. It’s going to take some doing. But again, being in league with Jesus means that anything is possible. So please, don’t give up when the going gets extra rough; when we’re abused, persecuted or rejected for doing Jesus’ work. That’s when we most need to call on, and depend on Him. He’ll come through for us. So let’s do like Jesus says, stand tall and proud, and ‘Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for behold, your reward is great in heaven.’ (vs.23) Yes Friends, in the long run, it’s our rewards in heaven that really matter. Please try to garner as many as possible. Much LOVE!…earthly baubles pale…in comparison to heaven’s….

Today’s Scrip-Bit 5 July 2008 Psalm 77:2-3‏

05 Jul 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 77:2-3    In the day of my trouble, I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. I remembered God and was troubled. I complained and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.
 
Ah Friends, who knows the ways of our God eh, why He causes us to be bowed down with certain calamities? And I have  to chuckle shamefaced here, for this morning I picked up my bedroom phone extension and only got dead air. Puzzled, I went downstairs to the main one, found a red light on with a message saying, ‘Check phone cord.’ I checked all the cords, several times, with no positive response. But in between, I also angrily threw down the phone a couple times. Hn! Surprisingly it didn’t disintegrate. It’s an old one, guess they made them stronger then.(smile) Eventually, I got fed up and left it. A short while later though, after calming down, I decided to check out three adapters I found in a box of spare parts. The first two didn’t fit, but the third did. Whoopee! I plugged it into the wall and voila! Red light disappeared and dial tone returned. No one wants to wake up to a dead phone, but it’s not that important, especially when I had other phones to use. Friends, that’s what happens when the enemy sets upon us; we lose our focus, get upset over little things and ruin our day’s tempo. Thankfully Asaph, the writer of Psalm 77, titled, ‘Who is so great a God as our God?’ remembered the source of his strength when difficulties befell him. ‘In the day of my trouble, I sought the Lord.’ Yes Friends, our first response must always be; seek the Lord. And though his problems confounded him all night, and ‘my soul refused to be comforted. I remembered God.’ Another point to note people: When we cry out and don’t receive a response, don’t give up on our God; He’ll come through in due course. Asaph knew this. ‘I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed.’ Sleep deserted him, and he was so troubled that he couldn’t talk either. Then he began reflecting on olden times, the days of his ancestors, and his own past. ‘I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.’ (vs.6) Oh Friends, that’s a perfect example of how to confront serious problems, when God’s silent: Consider all that He’s done for our forefathers, our friends and family, and for us personally. And though that lead Asaph to ask questions like; ‘Will the Lord cast off forever…Is his mercy clean gone forever? Doth his promise fail for evermore? Hath God forgotten to be gracious? Hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies?’ (vs.7-9) He ended up correctly: ‘And I said, this is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.’ (vs.10-12) Friends, in tremulous times, that should be our modus operandi: Cry out to the Most High in sincerity; then ponder His eternal goodness and mercy to His disobedient offspring; renew our faith and wait patiently on Him. He always has a good reason for allowing whatever happens. But one thing’s certain Friends, He’ll never leave, forsake or fail us. That’s His undying promise. Believe it, and live by it. Much LOVE!…when we truly trust the Lord…we’re in the safest hands possible…Selah…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 July 2008 Proverbs 17:27-28‏

04 Jul 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Proverbs 17:27-28    He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
HAPPY 4th OF JULY!
Yes Friends, it’s Independence Day in the greatest country ever. Founded on Biblical principles, it rose to great heights using those principles. But sadly, in it’s heyday, like many of us, the U.S. somehow managed to lose it’s way, and now, that once awesome power is waning, as its rock, its foundation; the moral, ethical and spiritual concepts that once held sway, are no longer considered  important and are fast being relegated to the trash bin. And what’s God’s people doing about it eh? Not enough obviously, since it seems to be daily sinking further into the morass of ungodliness. Unfortunately, much of the world still sees the U.S as a shining example of prosperity, hungers for the American dream, and blindly copies its institutions and lifestyle. Meaning a lot of what is bad is exported. Oh Friends, we can’t allow God to become second class and of little account, neither in our countries, or around the world. We’ve got to get up off our rear ends and fight valiantly for what we believe in. The godless are doing that. We’ve got to stand united, as ONE, and say NO! We’re not going to let our God be removed from our lives and our institutions. Please support and elect those who stand for the same things we do. Although Solomon says that a wise man speaks few words and has a calm spirit, Friends, this is not the time for us to remain silent, or say little, else the power brokers and the ungodly will run roughshod over us. It’s time to let them know we’re not fools by not holding our peace and shutting our mouths. That’s when we’re foolish. We need to boycott, protest, demonstrate, whatever it takes, within God’s parameters of course. Remember, it’s the squeaky wheel that gets the grease, so it’s time for us to stand up and be counted. If we want to live a God inspired life, then we’ve got to fight for it. That’s what our forefathers did. It was not handed to them on a silver platter. We’re now a more talkative society with the advent of cell phones and other modern communicating tools, but much of our communication is dumb stuff, of no real uplifting value. And what should be mere tools, are now controlling us, by been brainwashed with the necessity to posses stuff made obsolete every other day, which many of us have little need for. It just leads to more control and enrichment for the haves. What we can and should do Friends, is use these devices to spread the Word. There’s never been a time when communication has been so available,easy and cheap, giving us a wide window of opportunity to spread the good news about our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Please, let’s not waste this God-given chance to spread the Word. We all talk a lot, but right now people, it’s also imperative that we speak the right thing; the Word of God, to as many as will listen. Time’s not on our side Friends, it’s later than we think, and to have any hope of success, we must start turning it around, NOW! So let’s get cracking nuh! Much LOVE!…stand up, stand up for Jesus…the trumpet call obey…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 3 July 2008 Matthew 26:56‏

03 Jul 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

 

Matthew 26:56    But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him and fled.
 
Ah Friends, what a bunch of cowards! With friends like them, who needs enemies eh? (smile) They’d been hanging out with Jesus all this time, talking big, but as soon as the lynch mob sent out by the chief priests and elders showed up, they lost their gumption. Granted, Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of one of the high priest’s servants. Only to have Jesus rejoin it and rebuke him. ‘Put up again thy sword…for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.’ (vs.52) Wise words that we should all heed Friends. Whatever weapon we use to destroy others, that same weapon will most likely destroy us. Jesus was also insinuating that His kingdom would not be manifested by force before His death. As He subsequently asked. ‘Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? ‘ Wow! I like that bit of braggadocio. Now, since each legion of Roman soldiers had six thousand soldiers, that means Jesus would have had 72 thousand angels at His behest. Brother! What a fighting machine! But yuh know Friends, when we talk about obedience and obedient people, we’ve got to look at Jesus, for He epitomizes it. Though He could have had immediate, abundant help to extricate Him from that tenuous situation, He restrained Himself, ready to obey His Father’s will instead. Don’t think He wasn’t nervous and scared, remember He was in human form, and knew the pain of the torturous death He would suffer, for our sakes, would be terribly excruciating. But He’d already made His peace with that, after unsuccessfully asking the Father to abort the mission, by saying ‘O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.’ (vs.42) That’s why He asked the disciples, ‘But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?’ If He didn’t see it through, the scriptures would not be fulfilled, making a mockery of God’s Word from the beginning of time, turning all the prophecies of all the prophets into mere words, blown like chaff on the wind. He couldn’t do that. Likewise Friends, we, as believers in Christ have a great responsibility to uphold His ministry, and all that He lived and died for. We can’t, as the disciples did, simply run away at the first sign of difficulty. We’ve got to stand strong and face the music like He did. Otherwise we’d be unworthy of being called a Christian, His follower. Friends, yuh see how Jesus had it real rough. He came to die for us, an innocent victim, used as a scapegoat for worthless, ungrateful sinners. But He didn’t shirk His responsibility, although He had every right to. I doubt any of us will have it even half as hard. So after all He suffered in our name, how can we now deny Him, or run away when things get a bit rough eh? We will experience fear, but just like the Father sent the Holy Spirit to help Jesus in His time of need, He’ll send His spirit to help us in tough times. He did His Father’s work without question. Friends, let’s try and do His bidding without too much murmuring or complaining nuh. Life’s never going to be a bed of roses, but if we persevere, go bravely, with a right and willing heart, led by the Sprit, we’ll succeed, just like Jesus did. Much LOVE!…to truly follow Jesus…like Him…we’ve got to take up our cross…and walk…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 2 July 2008 Colossians 2:6-7‏

02 Jul 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Colossians 2:6-7    As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him. Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein in thanksgiving.
 
Ah Friends, why are people always trying to change our minds about Jesus eh? Is it because they know that He’s really the Way, the Truth and the Light, and they’re afraid of His awesome power? From the earliest days it’s been that way. The Colossian Church  had been set up by Epaphras, a follower of Bruh Paul, who taught them that Jesus was the Messiah, the Head of the Church, the Divine Lamb who died to atone for our sins, and to whom they should look for eternal salvation. But it seems that local busybodies were trying to undo the gospel with a synthetic philosophy based on paganism, Judaism and Christianity, advocating the worship of angelic beings, acting as intermediaries between God and man, plus stressing the means of salvation as some secret knowledge, cult members received after joining. It also imposed the old laws of Moses, and though it didn’t deny Christ, it lowered His status by not recognizing Him as a Divine Being, thus giving Him no special significance or saving grace to His death. Wow! What heresy! That’s what Bruh Paul was trying to fight from his prison cell in Rome. Sadly though Friends, the same thing is happening in the Church today. People are using the Church and the Word for their own selfish purposes, to advance their personal agendas, either by introducing incorrect stuff, or slanting the truth to their advantage. Consequently there’s much dissension, and the august body of Christ has lost it’s cohesion and direction. Remember, Jesus said, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or every house divided against itself shall not stand.’ (Mat.12:25) So how do we expect to beat the enemy, when we’re embroiled in our own internal feuds? It’s obvious Bruh Paul was greatly disturbed by that news and wanted to correct the heresy. But since he was in jail, all he could do was write to them. So ‘That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love,’ and that they might attain a mature understanding of the mystery of God and Christ. ‘In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.’ (Col.2:2-3) Yes People, Christ is the source of all wisdom and knowledge. ‘And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.’ (vs.4) Oh Friends, it would do us good to heed that warning also, for there are many out there with glib, deceitful tongues. Bruh Paul then praises them for ‘the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.'(vs.5) We should also be deserving of such praise. However, ‘As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him. Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein in thanksgiving.’ That’s how it should be people! The same way we were taught about Christ, received and grown in Him, that’s exactly how we’re to continue. We’re not to let ‘philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men,’ confuse us or lead us astray, for Christ is the Godhead, and in Him we are complete. Yes Friends, in Jesus, we have all we can ever need or want. Please remember that and walk accordingly. Much LOVE!…sufficient unto everlasting…is Jesus…

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