Today’s Scrip-Bit 20 September 2008 Genesis 41:52‏

20 Sep 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Genesis 41:52    And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.
 
Yes Friends, that’s the Lord’s way: Stay faithful during times of trial, and He shall reward you beyond your wildest dreams, as He did with Joseph, who interpreted Pharaoh’s dream as being 7 plentiful years and then 7 of famine. He also advised him on how to handle the situation; ‘look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt,’ (vs.3) to collect a fifth of the food in the good years, and store it against the time of the famine. Pharaoh liked the advice, and after some rumination on a suitable person for the job, said to Joseph, ‘Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art. Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.’ (vs.39-40) So Pharaoh dressed Joseph in fine clothes, gave him his personal ring, placed a gold chain around his neck, had him ride in the second chariot, ‘And they cried before him, Bow the knee.’ (vs.43) ‘And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.’ (vs.46) Pharaoh also gave him the priest’s daughter, Asenath for his wife, who bore him two sons, Manasseh, ‘For God hath made me forget all my toil, and my father’s house. And the name of the second called he Ephraim, For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.’ (vs.51-52) And all God’s people said, WOW! Yes Friends,what an ascension! From a lowly Hebrew slave and a prisoner to being Pharaoh’s right hand man. Only our God can do that. All those years Joseph spent being subservient, was God’s way of training him for leadership, cause Friends, a good leader must also know how to be a good follower. It was a harsh testing, but Joseph withstood it with dignity, displayed integrity, belly and backbone all the the way through, and God justly rewarded him. Oh people, Joseph’s life is such a wonderful example for all us believers to emulate, for we all go through unfortunate circumstances which we don’t understand, but if we stay in faith, like Joseph, God will eventually work it out in our favour. And God’s machinations in Joseph’s favour, don’t even end there. The 7 prosperous years were closely followed by such widespread famine, that even in Canaan, Joseph’s homeland, it was severely felt. Jacob, his father, hearing there was corn in Egypt, sent ten of his sons down there to buy food for the family. He sent them all, except Joseph’s youngest brother, Benjamin, fearing some misfortune might befall him like Joseph. ‘And Joseph’s brethren came and bowed themselves before him, with their faces to the earth.’ (Gen.42:6) It was some twenty years later, but Joseph knew them. They however did not recognize him in his Egyptian finery, speaking the language, he used an interpreter. ‘And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them.’ (Gen.42:9) ‘We were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright: and behold your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.’ (Gen.37:7) Oh Friends, what a masterful strategist is our God. Twenty odd years after the dream, his brothers did pay obeisance to him. Wow! If I could only concoct stories half as good as those, infused with the attendant drama, then I’d be a most excellent writer. And the moral of the story? It doesn’t pay to ridicule the dreams of others, cause oftimes, like the stone the builder refuses, they become the head cornerstone. Much LOVE!…with God…dreams can come true…only believe…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 19 September 2008 Genesis 41:16‏

19 Sep 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Genesis 41:16    And Joseph answered Pharaoh saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.
 
Oh yes Friends, we’re continuing Joseph’s story. It’s such a unique, intriguing tale, that once I began, I felt compelled to take it to the end. It encompasses so many things; mercy, forgiveness, treachery, justice, injustice, hardship, faithfulness, purpose, steadfastness and integrity, all of which a believer must either possess or withstand. Above all, it shows the mysterious workings of our wonderful God; the way He builds His dramatic scenes that eventually bring rewards to the righteous and glory to His Holy Name. Wow! Excuse the ole fella, he was just on a roll. (smile) Anyway, Joseph innocently languishes in prison for two years after the baker is hanged and the butler reinstated. Then the Lord puts the next step of his plan into action. As a writer, one has to admire the Lord’s script. He now has Pharaoh dream about seven fat pigs and seven meagre ones, also seven fat ears of corn and seven shrivelled ones, and both the meagre kine and shrivelled corn eat their fat, healthy counterparts. The dream worries Pharaoh, but none of his astrologers or magicians can interpret it. Then, and only then, did the ungrateful butler remember Joseph. Typical human nature! Only in times of trouble, do we remember those who helped us. The butler would probably have felt Pharaoh’s wrath if the dream had not been interpreted. So the ole ingrate jumps up and says to Pharaoh, oh, ‘I do remember my faults this day.’ (Gen.41:9) Yeh! Two years later. Then he tells Pharaoh about Joseph’s correct interpretation of his and the baker’s dreams. Obviously Pharaoh sends for Joseph. Note what the Word says here; ‘and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.’ (vs.14) Yes Friends, Joseph made himself presentable. I admire how he always picks up on the subtle necessities of a situation. Compare that to Jesus’ parable of those from the streets invited to the rich man’s wedding, who didn’t dress the part and were turned away. Also, when Pharaoh talks about Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams, he wisely deflects the credit from himself to where it rightly belonged. ‘It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh and answer of peace.’ Joseph was certainly wise beyond his years. I guess all the hardship he’d suffered had opened his eyes to the reality of life, had made him emotionally strong, but thankfully not cynical. That’s something a lot of us believers need to address. Some feel that because we have all the wonderful promises of God to look after us etc, life should be much easier than it is. But Jesus specifically said believers would be persecuted for His name’s sake, but we should let it be our testimony, by standing strong. (Luke 21:12-13) But too many of us falter as soon as things get tough, become cynical, start questioning God, or just stop believing altogether. Friends, that’s the wrong attitude. Look at Joseph nuh. I doubt  if any of us have suffered unfairness and injustice like he did. But he didn’t give up, didn’t get cynical or start doubting God. No. He stayed faithful, even though it wasn’t easy, and he must have died inside a million times over. He never doubted for one moment the goodness of the Lord, and that it would eventually shine brilliantly on him. Let’s take a page from Joseph’s book nuh Friends. It’s a perfect example. Much LOVE!…steadfast and true…that’s the way for you…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 September 2008 Genesis 39:21‏

18 Sep 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Genesis 39:21    But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
 
Oh Friends, I can’t resist a Wow! (smile) Imagine that nuh! As a slave, Potiphar put Joseph in charge of his household, all his belongings, then, as a prisoner, the keeper also put him in charge of the jail’s administrative affairs. And like Potiphar, ‘The keeper of the prison looked not to anything that was under his hand: because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper.’ (vs.23) Yes people, it seems too good to be true, but it is. And it can happen to any of us who stay faithful when unfair and undeserved things come against us. I can attest to that Friends. Oh, I’m nowhere in Joseph’s class, but looking back on my life, I see negative, undeserved stuff happening, that caused me to rack my brain as to the why and how of it all. Like Joseph, many times I never understood what was happening but continued doing the best I could, and then, like the problem, a solution would suddenly appear. It’s only in the last dozen years or so, I finally realized that some of those tough times was the Lord testing me. There were too many clutch situations, to be mere coincidence. I’m sure if many of you look back on your own lives, you’ll find similar situations. Friends, that’s the Hand of the Lord at work in our lives. Remember, He never gives us more than we can bear. Joseph must have known this, for it seems that through all the injustice and unfairness, he just kept right on being faithful, doing good and being trustworthy. That’s the kind of integrity, we, as believers must have people. If we don’t show it, then it destroys our reputation and Jesus’, making others turn away from the faith. Look at Joseph; even when Pharaoh’s butler and baker were put in jail, under his direction, the Word says, ‘and he served them.’ (Gen.40:4) Note again, Joseph’s penchant for service; like Jesus. It’s an attitude we should all emulate, cause it’s an integral part of our faith. He also interpreted the dreams of the butler and baker: in three days, the butler to be restored to his position, and the baker to be hanged. This seems to be the only time, in all his misfortunes, that Joseph asked a serious favour of anyone. He shared his innocence with the butler. ‘But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house.’ (Gen.40:14) Three days later, on Pharaoh’s birthday, he held a party for his servants, and as Joseph predicted, restored the butler to his former position and hanged the baker. ‘Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.’ (Gen.40:23) Oh Friends, how that must have hurt Joseph. I know how it feels, for I’ve had more than my fair share. To me, there’s nothing worse than ingratitude. My family’s possibly tired hearing me talk about it. But it’s very important to show your appreciation. Sometimes all you want is a mere thanks and a simple acknowledgement of your help, but not even that is forthcoming. But such is the life of the believer people. We’re expected to withstand the knocks of misfortune with a smile, and turn the other cheek too. Hn! It’s not easy, and I’m sure Joseph didn’t find it easy either, but nonetheless, he persevered, with a good spirit and a right heart, and so too should we Friends. Please remember that. Much LOVE!…your sorrows…give all to Jesus…in return…He will give you joy…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 17 September 2008 Genesis 39:6‏

17 Sep 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Genesis 39:6    And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.
 
Oh Friends, those words should be written of us all! Yes, how good and how pleasant it would be to the Father’s heart, to hear those trustworthy sentiments expressed of all his children. Joseph’s story is held up as one of utmost faithfulness. Even as a youth, he knew his calling was to be extraordinary. So he walked around in his coat of many colours, dreaming big dreams. It’s senseless to dream small. But when he told them to his brethren, they laughed him to scorn and called him a worthless dreamer. Then, because of envy, he was also his father, Jacob’s favourite, they sold him into slavery, to be taken to Egypt. But the conniving brothers killed a young goat, spread its blood on his multi-hued coat and convinced Jacob that he was dead. Imagine being sold into slavery around seventeen years old, by your own kin, and taken to a far off land with a different language, food, and customs. But Joseph did not get disheartened and bawl, woe is me! He didn’t fully understand what was happening, but knew that if he remained faithful, all would be revealed. ‘And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man..’ (vs:2) Friends, that’s what happens when we stay steadfast and true. It wasn’t coincidence that Potiphar, a captain in Pharaoh’s guard bought him. Nor that he saw the Lord’s prosperity abounding in him. That was the Most High setting up one of His big drama scenes. ‘And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him.’ (vs.4) Now that last part of the sentence is very important; ‘and he served him.’ That’s how believers ought to act; faithfully serve both man and God. Anyone we work for, deserves just as much faithfulness as God. We can’t be unfaithful with man and expect to be faithful to God. That won’t wash with Him. And because of Joseph’s reliability, Potiphar put him in charge of all he owned. And ‘the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake.’ (vs.5) But I like how the Word says; ‘And he left all he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat.’ (vs.6) Wow! What trust and confidence! Oh Friends, can the people around us do that? Can they trust us with all they have? If not, then we’re doing something wrong. Wherever we go, we should display an attitude that instils trust. That’s the mark of a true believer. ‘And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.’ Sadly though people, when the Lord singles us out for great things, He never makes it easy. He always tests our mettle to see if we have the parts required for the job. And so He did with poor Joseph, starting with His master’s wife, who desired ‘to know’ him.(smile) But Joseph continually refused. He couldn’t break his master’s trust, but even better, declared; ‘how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?’ (vs.9) Note Friends, the Lord was still at the forefront of his thinking. And the drama rises. Unfortunately, one day the wife finds him alone in the house and makes her move; grabs his shirt. But Joseph shrugs it off in her hand and runs. Then in typical woman scorned style, she claims he accosted her and puts on a big act for her husband. It still happens today. Oh deceiver, thy name is woman! And mankind is still just as irrational and emotional where women’s supposed virtues are concerned. Potiphar  flies into a rage. All his trust and confidence in Joseph suddenly disappears on one deceitful woman’s complaint. Ah Friends, life sure is cruel. It seems he never even gets Joseph’s side of the story, just carts him off to jail, ‘a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in prison.’ (vs.20) The injustice of it all! But that’s life! Much LOVE!…though life’s unfair…we must be faithful… 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 16 September 2008 Luke 6:49‏

16 Sep 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Luke 6:49    But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built a house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.
 
Oh Friends, what rather appropriate words of Jesus! The founding fathers of America must be weeping and moaning, shaking their heads in disgust and dismay, sadly wondering how a country they founded on the Word of God, ends up being the Devil’s Advocate. That’s because their descendants did not heed Jesus’ words to build upon a rock, but instead built upon the porous earth, and now the whole house of cards is tumbling down; the chickens are coming home to roost. Oh how the mighty have fallen! But Solomon said it long ago: ‘He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house: but he that hateth gifts shall live.’ (Provs.15:27) America is likened to a melting pot, but that’s a fallacy, the many different ingredients haven’t melted, they’re still there, large as life, making it more like a Guyanese pepperpot, with everything rolling around in their original form, seeking their own ends, and in the process creating a mass of contradiction and confusion. Yesterday I wondered, but today I’m sure; this is the hand of God. Too many self fulfilling prophecies to be mere coincidence: Several hurricanes, one right after the other, devastating their oil producing region; the same oil whose ever increasing price and dependency has recently been causing severe hardship around the world. Then it’s financial pillars are crumbling because they were built on greed and crookedness…let’s give them their respectable names; avarice and chicanery. The state of their economy is worsening every day, again through their greed, sending the high paying, productive jobs offshore to increase profits. And the leadership; hn! An arrogant, inefficient, fear mongering group of wealthy, powerful old boys, who have mired the country in disagreements and unwinnable wars around the globe, costing the country billions of dollars daily, while at home, the homeless, the jobless and widespread poverty dramatically increase. They never learned from the Vietnam debacle. And all this, in the midst of a Presidential Election that’s been turned into a Barnum and Bailey like circus, where the sex, race and other unimportant attributes of the candidates glean more attention than whether they can handle the real issues of homes, jobs, economic stagnation, financial ruin and lack of adequate health care. Oh Friends, why is there so much more style than substance in the greatest country the world has ever seen? And even if you don’t like what they stand for, you must admit, as America goes, so goes the rest of the world. Their culture, music, clothes, food and corporations still dominate the planet. Where else can you package worthless and overpriced goods and sell them to the rest of the world at exorbitant prices, thus artificially raising the wealth index? Only in America! Then the insatiable desire for more; more profits, power and size, spawned a whole host of new, unsound investments, all in the name of shareholder value, that’s today drowned in a sea of bankruptcy! And sadly, the ones who really drove these vehicles of doom won’t suffer many, if any reprisals, possibly come out better off, by selling the rights to their infamous exploits. But again, that’s only in America! Ah people, who knows where this will end? But as I tried to hammer home yesterday, the one thing we have going for us is HOPE; HOPE IN GOD! Hopefully, we’ll all rise like the Phoenix from our ashes, but that won’t happen unless, and until we all start building our personal lives on that HOPE IN GOD. It must begin with us. Building our finances and personal relationships on a solid foundation, not one based on greed and chimerical investments. Aided by the Holy Spirit, we can resist the enemy’s temptation and build our houses on a sturdy, unshakeable, unmoveable rock; a rock named Jesus. Much LOVE!…rock of ages, cleft for me…let me hide myself in thee…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 15 September 2008 Romans 15:4‏

15 Sep 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Romans 15:4    For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
 
Friends, I want to continue talking about that marvellous feeling, the wonderful emotion termed HOPE. When I look around, I see a planet marred and ravaged by wars and natural disasters. And if that isn’t bad enough, the first world nations are all in decline: economic activity is rapidly being curtailed, exacerbated by the recent mortgage fiasco and the steady stream of production being outsourced to lower wage countries, resulting in loss of jobs and homes, families falling apart and society generally deteriorating with fear, violence, envy, immorality, greed, the rich getting richer, the poor poorer, God being relegated to the sidelines…the powers of evil just becoming predominant. That’s not an encouraging picture, but there’s something that can change it all: HOPE; HOPE IN GOD! As we said yesterday it’s the most potent motivator, encourager, reviver and refresher of daunted, discouraged souls and spirits. Yes people, HOPE’s the only thing that will pull our sad world out of the terrible state it’s in. As Bruh Paul says in the Bit, all the stuff that was written long ago was for our education, so that through patience, perseverance and the comfort the Word gives, we might have HOPE. For without HOPE, life stops. So I’ll stop rambling. (smile) Instead, let’s contemplate a few of those scriptural texts, that deal with HOPE. And we’ll begin with Bruh David and Bruh Paul, two men who were totally imbued with HOPE. Here’s Bruh David: ‘Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that HOPE in the Lord.’ (Ps.31:24) ‘And now, Lord, what wait I for? my HOPE is in thee.’ (Ps.39:7) ‘Why art thou cast down , O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? HOPE thou in God:’ (Ps.42:5) ‘But I will HOPE continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.’ (Ps.71:14) How can we not be inspired by those words of Bruh David eh? Now hear Bruh Paul: ‘For we are saved by HOPE: but HOPE that is seen is not HOPE: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet HOPE for it? But if we HOPE for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.’ (Roms.8:24-25) ‘Rejoicing in HOPE; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.’ (Roms.12:12) ‘But let us, who are of the day,be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the HOPE of salvation.’ (1 Thess.5:8) ‘Which HOPE we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast…’  (Heb.6:19) And obviously we must include Bruh Paul’s immortal words. ‘And now abideth faith, HOPE, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.’ (1.Cor.13:13) Now listen to Jeremiah: ‘Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose HOPE the Lord is.’ (Jer.17:7) ‘It is good that a man should both HOPE and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.’ (Lam.3:26) Solomon had this to say: ‘HOPE deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.’ (Prv.13:12) Wow! Trust Sol to be different. Meanwhile, Zechariah puts it thus: ‘Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of HOPE: even today do I declare that I will render double unto thee.’ (Zech.9:12) Yes Friends, HOPE cause us to get double. And I think it’s only fitting to end with words from the Big Fisherman, Peter: ‘Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and HOPE to the end for grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.’ (1 Pet.1:13) Yes Friends, that’s some of the scripture that was written to give us HOPE! I sincerely HOPE it does generate some much needed HOPE in all our souls. Much LOVE!…in Jesus…rests…the HOPE of the world…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 14 September 2008 Psalm 119:49-50‏

14 Sep 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 119:49-50    Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
 
Ah Friends, I’ve sadly decided to dedicate Today’s Bit to all those who have recently suffered the ravages of natural disasters; famine, earthquakes and storms; in particular the hurricanes Gustav, Hanna and Ike, that have wreaked such havoc in the Caribbean and the U.S. Ike’s wind power in Texas and Louisiana has now lessened considerably, but his rain is still cascading down on the already flooded land. We’re even feeling it’s effects up here in the northern climes. As I write, there is a steady downpour outside, that’s expected to continue for at least another day. Oh people, we’ve had three hurricanes of lethal force, one right after the other. I don’t know if this has ever happened before, but if not, why now? I’m tempted to hazard two guesses. The first is our total disregard for the atmosphere which surrounds and sustains us, re global warming, damaging the protective ozone layer, etc. We cannot continue to spew smoke and noxious gases into the atmosphere without eventually causing some harm. And maybe that time is now. The ecological balance is finely tuned and constant chemical attacks will definitely throw it off balance, creating a negative backlash. One would expect our leaders and decision makers to see this, but apparently greed; the lure of money and power has blinded them. And the second consideration Friends; is this the hand of the Lord? Is He trying to tell us something? We’ve become such a sinful, evil society that anything’s possible. I keep referring to all those great societies that got so big, they forgot or denied their need for God, and were all subsequently destroyed; by indifference and sloth, warfare or natural disasters. And sadly, History does repeat itself. Friends, that’s where we’re at now. We’ve gotten too big for our britches, believing we don’t need God, placing our trust in mortal man. But people, man needs something bigger than himself to believe in, for there’s an empty space, a void within our souls that only something greater than us can fill. So in our unending quest to conquer nature, we’ll always come up short, thus the need to embrace a higher power. And that’s where our Creator, comes in. The Lord’s promises are many and varied, but all have two common denominators; TRUTH and HOPE. They will all be fulfilled; both negative and positive. So where He’s promised to punish His children for constant disobedience, He will. And where He’s promised to guide and protect those faithful to His Word, He will. The Bible recounts instances of both categories, and Bruh David falls into both. ‘Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.’ Oh Friends, that beautiful word; HOPE! It transcends everything with it’s magical properties. With HOPE in our hearts we can bear, rise above, withstand or accomplish almost anything. That’s the element I want to instil in all our hearts today, especially those who’ve experienced the recent natural disasters; in fact to anyone undergoing any difficulties at all. Please remember the Lord is still in total control; that means there’s still HOPE. Don’t give up. Turn to the Lord. Accept His reassurance. Like Bruh David, let’s say, ‘this is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.’ Yes Friends, HOPE in His Word will always give, forever provide us with comfort in troubled times, and magically revive us. Much LOVE!…oh, for HOPE…that NEVER dies…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 13 September 2008 Ephesians 2:8-9‏

13 Sep 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Ephesians 2:8-9    For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
 
Oh Friends what a wonderful, magnanimous God we worship! Words can’t do justice to describe Him. Look at what He’s done for us nuh. He LOVES us so much, that despite our rude, disobedient, wicked behaviour, despite our alienation from Him, His heartstrings were still tugged in our favour, and He made a way for us to return to His fold, any time we wanted. Now isn’t that REAL LOVE? Many of us won’t even brook the slightest nonsense from our children, much less go to the great lengths the Lord went to for us. Let Bruh Paul expound on it: ‘For by grace are ye saved.’ He knows it better than anyone, after the Lord confronted him on the road to Damascus and showed him the light, both literally and figuratively, turning him from the Church’s biggest persecutor to its most zealous preacher and advocate. Yes Friends, it’s through grace: the Lord’s goodness, His mercy, His LOVE, that we are saved. We’ve done nothing to merit this favour. In fact, we really don’t deserve it, but our awesome God has this great hang-up, called unconditional LOVE, that He granted us His grace anyway. Now we’ve got to do our part and accept that gift, which calls upon us to have faith; to believe on His Son, Jesus, whom He sacrificed, so that our sins could be washed clean. ‘But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.’ (John 1:12) Yes Friends, it’s as simple as it sounds; you have faith, believe in Jesus and all that He did, and voila, you’re saved. But it’s also complex; for when you truly believe, you’re said to be born again, ‘Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.’ (John 1:13) That means you’re a changed person; you don’t exist on a fleshly level again, but then dwell more in a spiritual realm, by bringing your life into closer connectivity with Jesus, following in His footsteps and being obedient to His dictates. It’s of the utmost importance to understand that saving grace through faith, has nothing to do with anything we’ve done, or can do; ‘it is the gift of God.’ That means, no works, nothing in our earthly power can save us. That’s why Bruh Paul added, ‘Not of works, lest any man should boast.’  ‘And if by grace, then is it no more of works…But if it be of works, then is it no more grace…’ (Rom.11:6) In the Old Testament, it was held that salvation could be earned through good works, so there was opportunity to boast, but with the coming of Jesus, that all changed. He became the only way, yes people, the ONLY WAY, to obtain salvation. So good works went out in that respect. ‘Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay; but by the law of faith.’ (Rom.3:27) Friends, good works are still important, but that alone won’t get you into heaven. You must first believe in Jesus and be saved through God’s redeeming grace. Then Friends, once we’ve been saved, we’ve got to go out and spread that good news of salvation to the unsaved multitude, so that they too can repent and accept Jesus’ saving grace. Much LOVE!…the greatest gift ever…salvation, through faith in Jesus Christ…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 12 September 2008 Psalm 94:11-12‏

12 Sep 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 94:11-12    The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, and teachest him out of thy law.
 
Of a truth Friends, the Lord knows all about us for we are His original creation, from start to finish. He designed and moulded us in His image, then breathed life into the mould. Everything we do revolves around His sovereignty. But since Adam’s fall from grace, man’s become rather uppity and self-centered, choosing to go his own way, guided by his own counsel, believing that he can handle his affairs without any help from his Creator. But Friends, man is ever so wrong. In reality, he’s only dirt; thus can do nothing without the Lord. That’s why he’s fallen into the pit of wickedness, living in lust, greed, envy and sinful pride; why so many of his reputed important decisions backfire; because they do not involve or include God. Friends, why are we so stupid eh, that we continually resist and reject the Lord’s efforts to bring us into compliance with His dictates? As Bruh David reminds us, ‘The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man.’ He certainly does. And ‘that they are vanity.’ Of course our thoughts are vain and futile; a mere breath, and the Lord knows it. ‘For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he then not consider it?’ (Job 11:11) He surely will. Bruh Paul shouts it loud and clear. ‘For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God; for it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, the Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in man…’  Amen! ( Cor.3:19-21) Oh Friends, instead of trying to do things from our piddling, insignificant strength, we should take everything to God first; whether it be in solemn prayer or casual conversation. For ‘Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, and teaches him out of thy law.’ Best advice going people. The believer who seeks and follows the Lord’s instructions, or accepts His discipline without raising a fuss, is the most blessed and favoured in His eyes. That’s the gospel truth people, and there are so many bits of scripture that says so, that I’ll quote a few, hoping they’ll be more persuasive than me. Moses told the Israelites. ‘Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that as a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God, chasteneth thee.’ (Deut.8:5) Eliphaz reminded Job with this rebuke. ‘Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not the chastening of the Almighty.’ (Job 5:17) Bruh David said it in Today’s Bit, and emphasized it later. ‘It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.’ (Ps.119:71) Solomon, the wisest man ever, said: ‘My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction.’ (Prov.3:11) And though Bruh Paul basically quotes the other scriptures, (Heb.12:5-11) he also addresses the essence of the problem. ‘Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness, unto them which are exercised thereby.’ (Heb.5:11) That’s the truth? Discipline always seems harsh and unfair at first, but later brings spiritual contentment to those who receive it. Oh Friends, I hope all this talk on discipline and correction has some tangible, positive effect on us, and we’ll allow the Lord to teach us, for as Bruh David declares: ‘The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.’ (Ps.119:72) Please remember that Friends. Much LOVE!…teaching discipline and administering correction…are integral parts of a parent’s responsibility…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 September 2008 2 Corinthians 1:7‏

11 Sep 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

2 Corinthians 1:7    And our hope of you is steadfast, knowing that as ye are partakers of the suffering, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
 
Ah Friends, trust Bruh Paul to find a way to bolster our spirits before sharing the mixed news. After he suffered a near death experience in Ephesus, as we discussed last week, it brought him to such an emotional low, that he cancelled his visit to Corinth, not wanting to burden them with his sadness. ‘And our hope of you is steadfast.’ It’s firmly grounded in truth. He believes it with all his heart, and goes on to reassure them of the firm balance of a believer’s life. ‘Knowing that as ye are partakers of the suffering, so shall ye be also of the consolation.’ Yes Friends, that’s an undisputable fact. If we share in the suffering, we’ll also share in the comfort. ‘For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.’ (vs.5) Another undeniable fact people: As the problems increase, so does the consolation. When we suffer much for Christ, we’ll be consoled much through Christ. And the reason for the suffering? ‘Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin.’ (1 Pet.4:1) Christ suffered for us, and we’re expected to do the same for Him. We don’t go seeking it, but if and when it comes, we’re expected to bear it, to stand up strong and fight, like sturdy, obedient soldiers. I keep reminding us that the Christian walk is not easy, since we’re surrounded by a legion of enemies. ‘For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.’ (Phil.1:29) And that Friends is what separates the men from the boys, the sheep from the goats, the true followers of Christ, from just the talkers. It’s very easy to talk Christ, especially in our fairly free environment in the West. But when it comes to walking the talk, many of us give up at the first sign of trouble. An excellent example is Iran, a Muslim country, where believers are apparently being singled out for cruel, unfair persecution, but they’re still solidly holding on to their faith. Not too many of us out here would be willing to undergo that, judging from the way we too often turn tail and run when others put down or ridicule our faith. Friends, that attitude certainly doesn’t jive with being a follower of Christ. Remember the hymn, the believer’s battle cry states: ‘Onward Christian soldiers, Marching as to war, With the Cross of Jesus, Going on before!’ The Christian life is not a charade Friends. It’s serious business. It’s not for the faint of heart, but the faint of heart can become strong, be energized by it, believing that Jesus died for us and washed our sins clean, and He’s always around to protect and guide us through His Holy Spirit. Now that doesn’t mean we’re not going to suffer hardship, rather you’re guaranteed to have problems just by being a believer. But people, the promises of Jesus embolden and make us confident. ‘Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven’ (Mat.5:10) ‘And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.’ (Mat.10:22) Oh Friends, let’s march to war with the cross as our banner nuh! Let’s go out and endure! For the promise of the kingdom of heaven, is greater than any other. Much LOVE!…Christ’s work entails suffering…but the rewards are phenomenal…

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