Today’s Scrip-Bit 31 October 2008 Psalm 46:10-11‏

31 Oct 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 46:10-11    Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
 
Believe that my Friends! Without a doubt, the Lord our God, the Most High Jehovah, Yahweh, I AM; by whatever name He’s called, He shall be exalted from one end of the earth to the other! Why? Because He’s simply the Greatest! And it’s our job to let others know that; to spread His Word and His Mighty Name, far and wide, so that all who hear it shall tremble, bow down and worship him with true reverence, radiating from both their hearts and minds. Oh Friends, the Most High God has been so good to the children of sinful men, that we can never truly thank Him, no matter how hard we try. In Psalm 46, Bruh David ‘s giving thanks for the deliverance of Jerusalem, ‘the city of God.’ Hear the powerful, encouraging words he uses nuh. ‘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; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with swelling thereof. Selah.’ (vs.1-3) Oh people, what security, what a safety net we have when we place our trust in the Lord! When all else is insecure; though there be upheaval between the earth the sea and the mountains, yet shall we not be afraid, for our God is in the midst of it all. ‘The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.’ It’s very important that we remember that at all times Friends, for it’s where our strength and security comes from. The Lord guides and protects those who place their faith in Him. He provides assurance and comfort in times of need. There’s none other like Him! Who else can the evil children of men call upon when the enemy stalks and trips them up eh? No one! At least no one that will come rushing to their rescue; gently take them up in kindly arms, lovingly tend their wounds, look over them while they heal, then set them on the right path once they’re well again. Oh people, I can’t help saying it; what a magnificent God we worship! (smile) But it’s the gospel truth, and we should be proud to let the whole world know that by shouting it from every roof top, every steeple, every mountain. The Lord God Jehovah, is a Mighty, Magnificent and Holy God! Furthermore, He’s the One and Only True God in existence! That’s a proven fact. All others are mere idols, impersonators or pretenders. None can match His marvellous achievements. As Bruh David invites; ‘Come behold the works of the Lord, what desolations, he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in fire.’ (vs.8-9) And that was in Bruh David’s ancient times. Imagine what he can do today Friends! And having considered His awesome works people, we ought to submit to His authority, for He’s the Creator of All, the Ruler of the Universe; He spoke the world, and all therein, into existence. Wow! Now who else, what other Being can do that eh? Oh Friends, it’s time we get excited about our God, if He’s so good and so great, especially in these perilous times, for He’s the only source of refuge our world has, and if we conscientiously spread His Word and exalt Him, then our world will certainly improve. It’s our only hope Friends. Much LOVE!…exalt His Holy Name…in prayer and song…  To be continued.

Today’s Scrip-Bit 30 October 2008 Deuteronomy 1:29-30‏

30 Oct 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Deuteronomy 1:29-30    Then I said unto you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them. The Lord your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes.
 
Friends, Moses spoke those uplifting and encouraging words thousand of years ago, to a disbelieving nation of Israel, and they paid the price for their disbelief; forty years of aimless wandering in the wilderness. But Friends, that promise of God, like all His others, has held true from then, even unto now. Our God doesn’t make idle promises; His word is His bond. And, unlike the Israelites, we ought to believe it without any reservations. We have numerous examples where disbelief in God’s promises brought much misfortune, so it’s real sad that many people today still doubt His word. Here, Moses is recounting to the faithless Israelites their problems at Kadesh-barnea, when they refused to go and possess the promised land as the Lord directed, and instead listened to ten of the twelve spies who claimed the people were formidable giants. But the other two, Joshua and Caleb, rent their clothes and enthusiastically told them that it was a good land, and if the Lord delighted in them, He’d surely give them the land that flowed with milk and honey. ‘Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not.’ (Num.14:9) Oh Friends, Caleb and Joshua as much as guaranteed victory: ‘they are bread for us; their defence is departed…’ That certainly made them easy pickings. But the crowning statement was, ‘and the Lord is with us.’ Really, that should have been sufficient, cause they knew all about the Lord’s awesome power since most of them had experienced the exodus from Egypt, and also the wanderings in the wilderness, where He fed them with manna, and guided them by a light of fire in the night, and a cloud in the day, to the shores of the Jordan, with the Promised Land on the other side. But sadly Friends, they forgot all of that and wanted to stone Caleb and Joshua. This incensed the Lord so much, He was ready to annihilate them. But Moses prayed, possibly his mightiest praying ever, showing the Lord reasons why He should not destroy them. (Num.14:13-19)  So the Lord relented, and instead decided that none of those who came up from Egypt, would ever see the Promised Land, except Caleb and Joshua, and Israel would wander aimlessly until all of that group died. Oh people, how senseless and stupid! Forty years wasted because of cowardice and lack of faith. And it wasn’t like they didn’t know God’s capabilities or experienced His fulfilled promises; they were a part of the greatest migration the world’s ever seen. And when they were literally between the devil and the deep blue sea, Moses told them: ‘Fear not; stand still and see the salvation of the Lord which He will show you today. For the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again, no more, for ever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.’  (Ex.14:13-14) And what happened? They witnessed one of the world’s greatest miracles; the parting of the Red Sea. They walked over it, on dry ground, then saw Pharaoh’s mighty army drowned when they tried to follow them. So how could they doubt God’s promises after that eh Friends? Possibly because of the inherent fickle, stubborn nature of fallen man, a craving for the easy way, lusting for the pleasures of the flesh and a sad lack of true faith and trust in One they called their God. Unfortunately, all traits and behaviour we still exhibit today Friends, else our world would not be in such a sorry state. Greed, deceit, oppression, immorality, lust for power; all the enemy’s trademarks, are still rampant today. No wonder we’re still wandering in an evil morass! Friends, we’ve desperately got to change our style of living; right now, and reach out to those closest to us, trusting God’s promises and doing His Holy will. It’s our only hope, cause I doubt our world will stand forty more years of our evil, warlike nature. Much LOVE!…remember…He who promised…IS FAITHFUL.
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 29 October 2008 Proverbs 3:25-26‏

29 Oct 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Proverbs 3:25-26    Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
 
Absolute words of wisdom and faith for believers to live by Friends! Sol possibly heard it first from his father, Bruh David. ‘Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.’ (Ps.91:5-6) Peter also exhorted his readers, concerning suffering and reward. ‘But and if ye suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts…’ (1 Pet.3:14-15) Yes people, we ought not to be afraid of any sudden terror and threats, nor the onslaught of trouble from the wicked. For what can man do to us eh? They can kill the body, but certainly not the spirit. As true believers, we must place our entire confidence in the Lord; ‘sanctify the Lord God in our hearts,’ set Him apart, place Him first. And as Isaiah commands; ‘neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.’ (Isa.8:12-13) Yes Friends, if we’re to be afraid at all, it’s of our Lord, for He’s the most powerful Being in existence. However, the Lord doesn’t want us to fear Him in that manner, but to hallow His Holy Name, hold Him in awe, with a healthy respect and reverence. If we walk in obedience to Him, we have absolutely nothing to worry about. He won’t use His awesome power to wreak havoc and destruction on us. That’s only reserved for the unrighteous and the ungodly; those who believe the enemy’s lies and follow his abominable ways. And if we happen to suffer in Jesus’ name, then Friends we’re most definitely blessed. ‘Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that LOVE Him.’ (Jam.1:12) So you see people, whichever way we turn, we’re covered. The Lord’s always in control, always has us in the palm of His hands. All we have to do is have faith, stand strong, place our solid trust in Him, do His will, ‘and he shall keep thy foot from being taken.’ He will not allow our feet to be caught or trapped in the enemy’s snares. And if by chance, He allows us to suffer, for some reason we don’t understand, then as Bruh Paul declares; ‘Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution.’ (2 Tim.3:12) But he also said, ‘It is a faithful saying: For  if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him. If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us.’ (2 Tim.2:11-12) So there we have it Friends, in black and white, from several stalwarts of God, who all heard, believed, trusted, experienced, suffered, and eventually received the promised crown of life. Let us therefore, go forth and do likewise. Much LOVE!…fear not…I am with you always…even till the end of the world…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 28 October 2008 Psalm 25:4-5‏

28 Oct 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 25:4-5    Show me thy ways O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
 
Oh Friends, Bruh David couldn’t say it any better! In this Psalm He’s asking for guidance and protection; taking his cue from Moses, when he prayed for God’s presence. ‘Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, show me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight…’ (Ex.33:13) Yes Friends, when we’re unsure, lost or misguided, the best option is to approach the throne of grace with a bold humility and ask for help. The Lord will never refuse it, though we may not not like His answers, or the paths along which He wants us to tread. Hn! Here’s a good example. For the past few months I’ve been having some knee problems, x-rays and ultra sound didn’t show any real damage, but since I’m not wealthy, or a high profile athlete, it took me almost three months to get an M.R.I. and to see a knee specialist. I’m doing that today. But the knee has been holding up fairly well, I even felt it might be getting better, until yesterday, when it just went all haywire again, without any good reason or warning. Obviously I was a tad angry, and disappointed and cried out to the Lord for an answer, guidance, direction, something that would make me understand. But I got no reply. However, later on, while reading the Daily Bread Devotional for my mother, I came across these words. ‘Our task is to take hold of God’s grace to endure our afflictions with patience, without growing weary. In time, he will ‘perfect, establish, strengthen and settle’ us. We must ‘wait on the Lord’ and ‘be of good courage.’ Hn! I just chuckled, shook my head in resignation and said, ‘Awright Lord, I got the message.’ So Friends, He does answer us, just not always how we expect or like. That’s one of the ways the Lord chooses to test our spiritual growth. I wasn’t happy with the answer, but I at least understood why. Oh Friends, be careful what you ask for, cause you might just get it and find that it’s much more than you bargained for. So before we jump up and ask God to show us His ways, teach us His paths and lead us in His truth, cause He’s the God of our salvation, and our hope is forever in Him, think seriously about it, for to learn the Lord’s truth and walk in His ways is no easy task. Basically it’s the way Jesus lived His life on earth, shouldering all His burdens without too many complaints. Don’t worry Friends, the Lord knows we can never be perfect like Jesus, but He can still be a hard taskmaster cause He’s always seeking to bring out the best in us. Ah people, I know whereof I speak, for years ago I naively asked Him for the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Samson and the patience of Job. Wow! The things you do when you’re young and foolish eh! Not even one, but all three! The Lord must have smiled, pleased with my request, but wondered at my naivety and said, ‘You really don’t know what you’re asking for nuh son. But any way, here goes.’ And Friends, looking back now, I’ve no doubt that some of my experiences in the last few years have been a direct consequence of that audacious request. But Friends, I can vouch, that through all the hard times, and there’ve been many, our God has never let me down. When He’s allowed disappointment into my life, He’s always provided some way of easing the pain. Anytime He’s closed one door abruptly in my face, He’s opened another in due course. Occasionally the timing’s been real critical, but He’s always come through, right on time. He’s the Master of timing. Yes people, when we ask the Lord to teach us His ways and fill us with His truth, we’ve got to be prepared for some rough spots along the way. There will be lots of good times, but also a fair amount of adversity and tests. And there’s no set time for them, they can crop up at any time, in many different ways, we just have to be prepared. But having said that, I can assure you, that whatever the Lord brings you to, if you have faith and patience, He will bring you through it, and usually better off too. He will never give us more than we can bear, cause He knows all our strengths and weaknesses. And He’s promised to always walk beside us. Oh Friends, what a wonderful God we serve! So let’s say, like Bruh David: ‘Cause me to hear thy loving kindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.’ (Ps.143:8) Much LOVE!…walking with the Lord isn’t always easy…but it’s always interesting…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 27 October 2008 1 John 1:6‏

27 Oct 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

1 John 1:6    If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not the truth.
 
Now that’s a veritable fact Friends! For ‘God is light and in him is no darkness at all.’ (vs.5) John heard Jesus declare it: ‘I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.’ (John 8:12) Yes people, straight from the horses mouth! Our Jesus is the light of the world! Wherever His Name is spoken and His Word extolled, an aura of peace and light fills the atmosphere. People experience it in their souls; like a cloud of darkness is lifted from their tired, weary, wicked spirits, and replaced by brilliant rays of lasting sunshine and refreshing joy. His Name and Word are so powerful Friends, they create something akin to an awakening, a renewal in a believer’s heart. That’s why John says, if we claim to walk with Jesus, have a close, personal relationship with Him, yet when we look closely at our lives, we discover that they’re shrouded in sin; our character and behaviour are much more sinful than righteous, that means we’re really walking more in darkness than light. In fact, we’re lying about our relationship with Jesus, and definitely not living by the truth. For anyone who sincerely has Christ in his heart, their character and behaviour will tend to be much more righteous than sinful. ‘But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.’ (vs.7) Oh praise His Holy Name people, for sending His only Son to shed His sinless blood on our behalf! What a most loving, merciful and forgiving God we serve Friends! Oh people, God LOVED us long before we ever dreamed of LOVING Him! Please remember that, keep it first place in your heart at all times. Our heavenly Father desperately wanted to free us from the bondage of sin, and in His righteous eyes, Jesus’ innocent blood was the only antidote capable of wiping out, destroying, eradicating that violent, virulent bacteria called sin from our evil souls. And today, His Name and Word are still the only true defence against the evil attacks of the always lurking, predatory enemy. Please offer a heartfelt ‘Thanks’ for that unselfish act of LOVE people! And centuries before Jesus actually came, Isaiah prophesied of His coming and called the nation of Israel to repentance. ‘O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord.’ (Isa.2:5) Yes Friends, from way back then, God has been portrayed as a bright, refreshing light, because He has nothing to hide. He’s fair, righteous and above board, unlike the enemy, whose deeds are evil, so he needs the cover of darkness to hide them. And the Bit would not be complete without a word from our always effervescent, action oriented Friend, Bruh Paul. (smile) Here, he’s talking to the Corinthians about purity amongst believers. ‘Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?’ (1 Cor. 6:9) Then he goes on to list a multitude of evils. (vs.9-10) ‘And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.’ (1 Cor.6:11) And Friends, for that great, generous, sacrificial act of LOVE, we should always be thankful, and in return, endeavour to walk in His ways, spread His Word and His LOVE, so that others may experience and enjoy His awesome countenance and His eternal salvation. In His Name, I wish you, Much, Much LOVE!…walking in the light of Jesus…we may stumble…but never fall..

Today’s Scrip-Bit 26 October 2008 Psalm 14:1‏

26 Oct 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 14:1    The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
 
Ah Friends, the number of foolish in our midst are increasing daily. I read a disturbing article in the papers yesterday and wondered how to work it into a Bit. As is His wont, the Lord gave me the answer this morning. ‘The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.’  Oh Friends, listen to this sad foolishness nuh. The article claims that atheists recently unveiled a high profile ad campaign to put posters on London buses, saying, ‘There is probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.’ Oh Friends, please  pray for them. Ask the Lord to forgive them their ignorance and confusion. They are simply misled, misguided sheep. We can post a much more powerful message with surety in our hearts; take out ‘probably,’ and say instead with faith and assurance: ‘THERE IS A GOD! Now stop worrying and enjoy your life!’ Oh people, why are some of us so foolish eh? How can we say there’s no God, when there’s so much evidence of Him all around us? Just look at our world: the way the earth spins on it’s axis, the gravity that keeps us from falling off, the sun and moon, the countless stars, the seas, Mother Earth, the variety of life that exists, and the programmed way they all interact. Even life itself; the air we breathe, the food we eat, the way we reproduce. Can all of that just happen through some obscure cloud of gas or whatever, bursting open? It’s rather doubtful, but certainly possible, if our God’s behind it. (smile) Some superior Being must have planned and programmed the universe and all therein, for it to function as smoothly as it does. God gave us the power of logic and deduction, but we don’t use it. That’s why there’s only a handful of successful gamblers. They play the sure thing, for low, but certain rewards. In this case, given two options; believe in God, live decently and go to heaven when you die, or don’t believe in God, live wickedly, then dwell in Hades with the evil enemy for eternity, which would the sensible person choose? The first option of course! It’s a win, win situation! If there really is a God, then you live happily ever after with Him in heaven. If not, then no big deal, you’ve still lived a decent life. But Friends, if there really is a hell…Hn! I’ll leave the rest to your imagination. But what really rankled me in the article, is that within hours, more than 2500 people had donated about $ 60,000.00 to a website set up to take donations to fund the ads. My concern is, if believers wanted to do that, whether we’d receive so much from so many in that short space of time. My point being Friends, that the enemy seems more willing to put their money where there mouths are, while us, great believers that we are, tend to do more talking than walking. And why hasn’t some die hard believer come up with a campaign to refute their theory eh? Ah people, it just shows our complacency, our lack of passion. Remember, Christianity is an action word! Jesus was a man of action! He was proactive, not reactive. He got up and did His thing, just like the atheists are doing. Bruh David truthfully claims; ‘They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.’ But Friends, they are doing; that’s the important thing.  And all the wicked are on the same page of greed, envy, violence, immorality and lust for material things. While we believers, instead of getting together to do God’s work with passion and sincerity, we fight amongst ourselves. There are so many divisions amongst God’s people, that the enemy finds it rather easy to use the time tested method of divide and conquer, then laugh us to scorn, to the bank and happily to Hades. Friends, we have to get up off our rear ends and actively do God’s work. The enemy’s outworking us. Just look at the sorry state of our world under their control. Here’s a vivid example of the enemy’s gall. Right above the article about the bus posters was one about police in the Mexican state of Chihuahua recently receiving an ice chest that contained four human heads. It was sent to the Ascencion police station labelled ‘vaccines.’  What excellent psychology; rankle the police, get them scared, so they won’t respond as they should. People, the enemy’s ruling the roost; fear, greed, violence and destruction are rampant. Friends, there’s only one antidote for that devilish venom; the Word of God. And it’s our job to spread it. So please, let’s get out there and do that, before our once beautiful world implodes and/or explodes, to the detriment of all God’s children, for even the evil ones are His too, and He doesn’t want to lose any. Much LOVE! …the war is on…the battles are raging everywhere…are you in full armour…on the front lines…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 25 October 2008 Ecclesiastes 2:26‏

25 Oct 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Ecclesiastes 2:26    For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he giveth travail , to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
 
Now isn’t that the awesome truth Friends! God does give wisdom, knowledge and joy to those who obey His rules, who do good in His sight. And I have three people to vouch for that. ‘But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.’ (Job 32:8) That’s Eli’hu, the youngest of those commiserating with Job over his sudden, fall from grace. And Solomon adds: ‘For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.’ (Prov.2:6-7) And Sol know God’s generosity better than anyone else. James says: ‘If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith; nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and tossed.’ (Jam.1:5-6) Yes Friends, the Lord will gladly open our minds, enlighten us, if we come to Him in faith and obedience. But woe to those who stray; who follow the enemy, place their trust in man! ‘But to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God.’ Oh people, that should warm the cockles of our hearts and keep us on God’s path! It’s the ungodly who will bear the brunt of the work, the task of gathering and collecting, of amassing worldly possessions, but sadly won’t be able to enjoy it much, for the Lord will turn around and give it to those who are upright in His sight. ‘Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay; He may prepare it, but the just shall put it on, and the innocent shall divide the silver.’ (Job 27:16-17) ‘He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.’ (Prov.28:8) Now Friends, please don’t go overboard with that. Don’t think that once you become a believer, and start acting righteously, that the Lord will automatically shower you with the sinner’s possessions, cause He won’t. As in every area of life, we’ve got to pay dues before we get rewards. We’ve got to sow good seeds in fertile soil, then carefully tend the plants that sprout and nourish them so that they may bear wholesome fruit. Remember, we only reap what we sow. No doubt, along the way, the Lord will bless us with material rewards, sometimes even more than we expect or deserve, but that should not be the purpose in our hearts. The rich won’t lose their riches simply cause they’re rich, but because their purpose was wrong. They had their hearts set on amassing worldly fortunes, rather than advancing God’s work. Neither does it exclude Christians with righteous hearts from becoming wealthy, for God’s people need money and worldly goods to do His work. Now, with the Word in the U.S slanted too much to the feel good, we’re entitled, we’re empowered side, they’re blaming some of the Mortgage crisis on believers who felt that it was God acting on their behalf to give them mortgages they could not afford, and not the bad lending practices of the banks. Who knows? There might be a grain of truth to it, for people have become so gullible, always wanting something for nothing, and the purveyors of the Word so crooked, that they will consciously send inaccurate messages to boost their fame and fortune. Oh Friends, please, let’s not fall for that. We worship a wonderful God, and if we follow His dictates, then, in His own time, He’ll bless us generously. Amassing a worldly fortune, just to live high on the hog is not a worthwhile enterprise in God’s eyes. That’s why Sol declared: ‘This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.’ It’s futile, like grasping at the wind. Remember Friends we’re not following the Lord because of the rewards He’s promised, though they’re awesome, but because of the loving lifestyle He promotes. The rewards are secondary. It’s all about our hearts; the true purpose of that mighty organ. That’s what the Lord considers. Let’s set them right nuh. Much LOVE!…with a right heart…the Lord can cause untold wonders…to unfold in our lives…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 24 October 2008 1 Peter 4:11‏

24 Oct 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

1 Peter 4:11  If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
 
Yes Friends, that’s the way it should be; we all ought to be good stewards of God’s grace. Whenever we talk, it should be with authority, ‘as the oracles of God,’ as though speaking the very words of God Himself. As Bruh Paul says; ‘Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto hearers.’ (Eph.4:29) But Friends, the only way we can speak words like God, in an edifying manner, is by studying His Word, found in the Good Book. We can’t repeat or share God’s words until we know what He’s said. Hn, hn! It just dawned on me, that Peter was referring to people like me, with this Scrip-Bit. I’m trying. I’m studying. I know that my communication is not corrupt, and I certainly hope that it’s edifying, enlightening, in tune with God’s Word, stirring up thoughts and passions, and in general educational. It’s certainly doing that for me. I’ve formed a heightened awareness and appreciation of God since I began writing it. And as Peter cautions, ‘if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth:’ Though I don’t like to call what I do ministering, cause it carries for me, a connotation of preaching, the sort of hellfire and brimstone fear tactic, and I’m not big on preaching. Hn! Guess I could have fooled you nuh children. (smile) It’s safe to call whatever one does on behalf of God, ministering, but I prefer the word serving. So therefore, anyone who serves, should do it to the best of their ability with the strength and knowledge God provides. I’m doing that. I’m far from perfect, but I believe I’m getting better with God’s help and guidance. It’s all we can ask Friends; that whatever we do in God’s name, we do it with passion and do it well. And if we stick with it, in faith, truth and a right heart, our God, who abounds with loving kindness, will certainly assist us. I can vouch for that people. When the Lord first broached the Scrip-Bit idea, I laughed and made excuses like Moses. I’m not versed enough in the Word. But He persisted. And Friends, learn this, when the Lord’s out to get you, there’s absolutely no hope of you getting away. He’ll use every trick in the book, and some that’s not there. So here we are, a year and a half later, still going strong. Some times the ideas and words flow like water downstream. But many are the days I don’t have a clue what to write, or the words come like pulling teeth, and the handwritten draft causes me to steups and mutter, ‘Chuh! That doesn’t make sense.’ But Friends, on each occasion, by the time I transfer it to the computer, I find some semblance of sense in it. And that’s not my doing. I’m learning to rely on His promises, for everyday He helps and guides me to write about His Word. And this is a perfect example. I never intended to write about me, but that’s where He guided me, because the Bit does pertain to people like me. What better example can I give eh? Oh people, I can’t count the number of times in this past year and a half, that our magnificent God has amazed me. But enough about me. The most important thing Friends, is that in all our works, we ensure ‘that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.’ Yes People, God’s glory, through His Son, Jesus Christ, must always be paramount in our endeavours. Bruh Paul was real strong on that point. ‘Giving thanks always, for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (Eph.5:20) So, ‘Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.’ (1 Cor.10:31) Yes Friends, we all need God’s power to walk in the footsteps of Christ, and the only way to do that is to study His Word, and with His guidance, put it into practice, so that we can be all that He’s called us to be, glorifying His Holy Name along the way. Much LOVE!…Jesus always glorified His father…so too should we…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 23 October 2008 1 John 3:10‏

23 Oct 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

1 John 3:10    In this the children of God are manifest; and the children of the devil: Whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
 
It’s as simple as that Friends! Live righteously and LOVE your fellow man, then you’re a reborn child of God. Dislike your brother and live unrighteous, you’re still a child of the enemy. ‘For this is the message that ye have heard from the beginning, that ye should love one another.’ (vs.11) Jesus declared it to His disciples: ‘A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another, as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.’ (John 13:34-35) Oh Friends, that’s as clear as day! To be a true follower of Jesus we must show LOVE for our fellow man, and by that LOVE will the world recognize us as His followers. Oh people that’s the most distinctive difference we’re supposed to have from all others; that LOVE for all God’s children. Jesus thought it so important that He later reiterated it. ‘This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 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 15:12-14) Then He laid down His life for them, and by extension, for us too, and anyone who believes in Him and obeys His rules. And Jesus only gave two: LOVE God and LOVE your neighbour. (Mat.22:37-40) In actual fact, there’s only One: To LOVE! For as John says: ‘Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God, and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God: for God is love.’ (1 John 4:7-8) Yes People, that’s the best definition of God: God is LOVE! If we let LOVE guide our lives, we’ll do little wrong. We’ll worship the Father, Bless the Son’s Name, and have the Holy Spirit actively working in us for good. We all know this Friends, so why is it so hard for us to do? Our world is currently running on anger, hate and resentment; the worldwide strife, the numerous wars and feuds, the inter and intra religious disputes that lead to terrorism and other ungodly violence, which some claim to be divine guidance. Hn! Even in our social lives, the word LOVE is anathema to so many people. They consider you corny or sappy if you reading a romance novel, or anything that has to do with LOVE. It’s the same if you go to see a movie based on LOVE. Not that they’re making too many of those nowadays, since they won’t return large profits. The world’s baited now for thrillers; cops and robbers, shoot em up gangland style, lots of destruction, violence and noise. It’s all about special effects now in movies, while T.V is turning to reality to try and cope with the outrageous costs. Oh Friends, we now live in a dog eat dog society, with an I’ll get you before you get me mentality. Just look at the crude, crass generation we’ve raised eh. The young people have no respect for authority, themselves or each other. Romance and manners are dead. Look at how disrespectfully the young men treat the women, calling them ‘ho’s and bitches.’ But the real sad part is, the women seem to accept it. Ah Lord eh! Yes children, I’m sadly shaking my head. All those negatives can only lead to a world filled with violence and fear. The Good Book clearly states: ‘He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer, and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.’ (1 John 3:14-15) Yes Friends, if we don’t LOVE, we’re consigned to the death side of the ledger, not the life. And when we hate our brethren, we’re considered murderers. We can’t be overflowing with negative emotions and claim to follow Jesus. Only if we’re overflowing with one emotion; LOVE; the greatest emotion of them all, can we truthfully say that. Oh Friends, we need a LOVE revival, a LOVE revolution! Help me start one nuh. It’s the only way our world will ever know peace again…unless it’s Armageddon time. But even then, we can keep spreading LOVE right down to the very last minute. I’m an eternal optimist where LOVE’s concerned (smile) So let’s practice LOVE nuh, so the world will recognise us as true disciples of Christ. Much Much LOVE my Friends!…if God is LOVE…then as His children…we ought to abound in LOVE too…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 October 2008 Isaiah 30:21‏

22 Oct 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Isaiah 30:21    And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
 
Ah Friends, the Lord was up to His mysterious signs and wonders again. His methods are so unorthodox. Now I’ve been considering the above passage as a Bit, almost everyday, for over a week, but end up using something else. In today’s mail though, I got a pamphlet from Charles Stanley of In Touch Ministries, and would you believe that was one of the scriptures he mentioned. All I could do was chuckle and say, ‘Yes Lord, I got the message.’ Oh people, a perfect example of what the Bit is about. If you place your life in God’s hands, He’ll lead you in the right paths. We’ve all had that experience, where we come to a cross roads in our life, or get stumped on some problem, but then, seemingly from out of nowhere, a still, small voice whispers; ‘Do this…Do that…Take this road…not that one..’  Oh Friends, that’s the Holy Spirit, our guide that dwells within us, directing us to the path the Lord desires. Hn hn! Sometimes though the voice isn’t so small or still, it becomes very loud and agitated, when we’re in serious danger, or about to make a big mistake. That’s why we’ve got to pay close attention to what’s happening in our lives. A believer’s life doesn’t just move ‘vie-ke-vie,’ there’s always a sense of purpose behind it, and you can’t discern that purpose unless you listen to the Lord’s promptings. This is not a new directive either. From the time Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, he kept pounding it in their ears. ‘Ye shall observe to do therefore as the Lord your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.’ (Deut.5:32) Later on He warned them again. ‘Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do.’ (Deut.29:9) It’s all about being obedient Friends, staying true to our covenant with the Lord. And to show that God considers it of the utmost importance, when Moses died and He passed the leadership to Joshua, He solemnly warned him: ‘Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which my servant Moses commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.’ (Josh.1:7) It can’t be any simpler: Follow my rules, and you’ll have success wherever you go. From day one Friends, the message has been all about obedience. But it’s interesting to see where Isaiah placed his version; right after a verse with a rather daunting outlook. ‘And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner anymore, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers.’ (vs.20) It’s through the tough times that the Lord teaches us lessons, especially when we won’t listen to those who call us to walk in His way. But the teacher here also implies the Lord Himself, for oftimes adversity is His method of getting our attention, bringing us to heel. He might want to tell us something important, but we’re too busy with unimportant stuff to listen. Other times He’s testing us for promotion, to see if we’re ready for a higher level of responsibility, or just testing our faith, to see if we really believe in all the scripture we spout. As Dr. Stanley puts it; ‘untried faith is unreliable faith.’ We don’t know if we truly believe, really have the parts to withstand the difficulties a follower of Jesus will encounter, till they actually confront us. Friends, all the Lord’s saying is; Stick with me, I’ll stick with you. And though I allow some difficulties in your life, don’t be afraid, I’ll always be there for you. I promised that, as well as not ever giving you more than you can handle. And you know my word is my bond. So just trust me, stay in faith. I’ve never let you down before, so why should I start now? Just keep a strong, open mind and a willing heart, clean the wax from your ears (smile) and listen, you’ll hear me guiding you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.’ Oh Friends, what a most wonderful God we worship! He never ceases to amaze me. Please put all your trust and faith in Him. It’s the best move you’ll ever make in your life. Much LOVE!…God loves us so much…that he never takes time off from protecting us…
 

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