Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 December 2008 2 Corinthians 10:4‏

11 Dec 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

2 Corinthians 10:4    For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God, to the pulling down of strongholds.
 
Oh Friends, them’s fighting words Bruh Paul’s uttering there! Rhetoric that stirs up the emotions, get’s the blood boiling and the adrenalin flowing. I’m ready! (smile) He’s explaining to the Corinthians his spiritual authority derived from the sacrifice of Christ, his Lord and Saviour. I guess he’s a tad ticked off because some people considered him mere talk, a loudmouth, who walked according to the flesh, and he wanted to set the slate right, wherefore he declared: ‘For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh.’ (vs.3) Yes Friends, that how we too should be; since we’re flesh, we’ve no choice but to walk as flesh, but war is different. The warfare Christians are involved in, on this wicked earth, is of the spirit, not of the flesh. It’s spiritual embattlement people! ‘For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.’ (Eph.6:12) The war’s against forces of darkness and evil; forces you can’t see, but are nonetheless all around us, rearing their ugly heads through the hearts and minds of wicked men. You can beat a man down physically, but unless you’ve changed his mindset, replaced the evil intentions that lurk in his heart, he’ll still be the same evil, wicked man when his body heals, possibly even more so, since he remembers his previous defeat, and that stirs him to greater intensity. That’s why it’s the heart, mind and soul of the wicked, of unbelievers we’ve got to conquer. ‘For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal.’ That’s true! The flesh is only incidental in this war. ‘Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.’ (Eph.6:13) Yes Friends, though it’s a spiritual war, just like a physical battle, we still need protection, spiritual protection, in the likeness of God’s impenetrable armour: the loincloth of truth; the breastplate of righteousness; shoes of peace; the shield of faith; the helmet of salvation; and the sword of the spirit; that’s the Word of God. And Friends, what a most mighty sword is the Word! Also, like the mythical ‘Excalibur’ of King Arthur, you don’t have to be physically strong to draw it from its scabbard, you just need the right touch; that’s simply reading it and putting it into practice. Studying the Word endows us with such awesome strength and power, that we can wield it mightily, like Arthur wielded ‘Excalibur.’  Be careful Friends, the ole fella’s getting dangerous here; I’ve put on my spiritual armour, the adrenalin’s flowing like crazy, and I’m just about ready to do battle! (smile) But seriously though people, we need all the protection we can get if we’re going to fight the evil forces. They don’t play for fun, they play for keeps, and so should we. That’s why Bruh Paul wrote to Timothy; ‘This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou, by them, mightest war a good warfare. Holding faith, and a good conscience..’ (1 Tim.1:18-19) Yes people, that same charge, that same command is laid on each believer; to spread the word, whilst preventing the teaching of false doctrine, and holding a strong personal faith in God and the truth His church teaches. Here’s a quote by Antoine de St. Exupery that says it all. ‘In these times one must write with one’s life. This is the challenge to all of us.’ That’s so true Friends. We are undergoing rather challenging times, and one way or another, we all need to put our lives on the line. It’s not easy, but remember, we can fight this war without fear or trepidation, in fact with bold confidence and assurance of victory because our weapons are not mickey mouse stuff, ‘but mighty through God.’ Though Moses was born of Hebrew slaves, through God’s mighty machinations, he grew up as Pharaoh’s grandson. ‘And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds.’ (Acts 7:22) The Lord actively prepared him from the beginning, so that he’d be ready to do great exploits; ‘to the pulling down of strongholds.’ Moses’ royal upbringing, plus his time of exile as a shepherd in the wilderness, were all part of God’s plan to strengthen him to face Pharaoh, mano a mano, and lead the Lord’s chosen from bondage in Egypt. With Jeremiah though, God’s call was direct. He put His hand on Jerry’s mouth, then told him; ‘Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. See, I have this day set thee over the nations and the kingdoms, to root out, to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build and plant.’ (Jer.1:9-10) Yes Friends, that’s the awesome power our God possesses. He can do it any which way; now for now, or in due time, but He empowers all of us with that power of His Spirit. We though, have to dig deep in our hearts and souls, take hold of it and use it wisely. So although we may be fainthearted in the natural, once we’ve put on the armour of God, we become fearless. Like Popeye and his spinach, the Word and all it entails, brings us supernatural, spiritual strength. Oh Friends, I can’t impress upon us enough, the need, the importance of God’s spiritual armour and His mighty weapons. Like some ad says, very appropriately; the armour and weapons of God…don’t leave home without them. With them protecting us, we’re in safe hands. There are no hands safer than those of the Most High God Jehovah. Much LOVE!…a soldier never goes into battle unprotected…wear your armour of God…always…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 10 December 2008 3 John 11‏

10 Dec 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

3 John 11    Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
 
And Friends, if that isn’t the living truth, I don’t know what is. But I’ve got to sigh and refrain from some rather inappropriate language, cause just before I began writing this message, their was a power blip, and I thanked God that I missed it, for I don’t usually save stuff as I go along since the power is usually very constant. But foolishly, I ignored the warning, began to type, motored along cheerfully until two thirds of the way through, another so and so blip occurred and I lost everything. Ah well, I guess the Lord sends these trials to test us, and I’m going to learn from it and start saving stuff as I go along. Wow! I’ve saved it. But there’s nothing there that I really wanted to say. Chuh! Anyway, this 3rd Epistle of John is a missive to a personal friend named Gaius, at a not too distant church, since John promises to see him shortly, (vs.13) and he was by then too old to make any long trips. It seems Gaius took good care of the missionaries and other church folk who came to town. Remember, in the early days there was no building called a church, it was held in members homes, and visiting Christians depended on the towns folk to put them up. John commends Gaius for his noble efforts and hopes that he continues the good work. Apparently he had written an earlier letter to the church at large, but got no reply because one egotistic member, Diotrephes, was not only trying to run it, but was spreading malicious gossip against John, plus he wasn’t receiving Christian brethren in his home, and also forbade other members to do so, on risk of expulsion. Hn! What a lovely Christian fellow! No wonder others view us with distaste and scepticism! It’s people like that who make it even more difficult for unbelievers to come to Christ. And I’m sure he considered himself a genuine and wonderful Christian. Oh Friends, today, too many like Diotrephes still exist. That’s why the church is in such a divisive and unpopular situation. Too many people want to be prominent, to be seen, and have a voice in everything, then they get upset and self-righteous if they don’t have their way. But their very behaviour; their acts of selfishness, egotism, and lust for power in high places, paints them as being very un-Christian. True Christians aren’t selfish, egotistical, or greedy for power. Like Jesus, they’re selfless and giving, listen to others, and don’t always need to have their own way, or run the show, they’re quite willing to serve. John probably had to write a personal letter to Gaius cause if Diotrephes had gotten hold of the one to the church, no information would be forthcoming to anyone. He then advises Gaius; ‘Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good.’ Friends, that’s nothing new; men of God have shouted it from the rooftops for eons. ‘Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.’ (Ps.34:14) ‘Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.’  (Ps.37:27) Yes Friends, Bruh David declared that if we did good, instead of evil, we’d live for evermore; right through eternity, and that was long before Jesus came. And after Jesus, Bruh Paul exhorted the early churches likewise: ‘Let us therefore follow after things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.’ (Rom.14:19) ‘See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.’ (1 Thess.5:15) ‘But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.’ (1 Tim.6:11) Oh Friends, is it really that hard to do good rather than evil? I don’t think so. Now, I’m no saint, somewhat naive yes (smile) but if we truly put our hearts and minds to it, with God’s help, through His indwelling Holy Spirit, we can surely do much better than we’re currently doing. If we simply followed the adage to treat others the way we want to be treated, it would make such a marvellous difference, create such a wonderful improvement in human relations and reduce the overwhelming negativity now engulfing our beautiful planet. As John points out; ‘He that doeth good is of God.’ There are no two ways about that people. If you have it in your heart to do good, then God occupies a part of your soul. ‘If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that everyone that doeth righteousness is born of him.’ (1 John 2:29) The opposite also holds true Friends; ‘but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.’ How could one eh? For God isn’t evil. According to the ole people, He doesn’t have an evil bone in His body. ‘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.’ (1 John 3:10) That’s it in a nutshell Friends. We can’t claim to LOVE God and follow Christ without doing good and LOVING our fellow man. That’s hypocrisy! Oh Friends, all of us have a touch of the hypocrite in us, and I don’t know if we can ever fully eradicate it, being of a sinful, human nature, but at least, let’s try and reduce it to it’s smallest possible size nuh. The world will be such a better place for it. Whew! We finally finish, after plenty saving, and obviously no more power blips. Much LOVE FRIENDS!…faith is great…but faith without works is dead…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 9 December 2008 Malachi 1:6‏

09 Dec 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Malachi 1:6    A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Where have we despised thy name?
 
Ah my Friends, I’m sure the Lord’s shaking His head and saying the same things of us right now; ‘Where is mine honour, where is my fear?’ The Israelites had become disenchanted with the Lord, and led by the priests, were not doing as God required. I like how the prophet Malachi puts it; ‘A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master.’ One of the Ten Commandments is ‘Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.’ (Ex.20:12) And we keep calling the Lord our Father, but wherein do we honour Him eh? All we do is show Him disrespect by not obeying His statutes. Many of us, in our youth, and even in our maturity now, wouldn’t dare disobey any rules our earthly fathers laid down for fear of severe retribution. So why don’t we do likewise with our Heavenly Father, who is so much more powerful than the mortal, earthly ones? Is it because He’s a Spirit, not flesh, and we tend to disregard what we don’t see and fear more what we do see? Moses reiterated all that stuff in Deuteronomy 6. ‘Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God and serve him…ye shall not go after other gods…ye shall not tempt (test, try) the Lord your God…ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God…And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the Lord: that it may be well with thee…’ (vs.13-18) Oh people, how much more do we need to hear or see before we get the message? We don’t honour the Lord like a Father, or serve Him like a Master. We disobey every one of His commands with impunity: All sorts of petty gods proliferate amongst us; me make graven images and bow down to them. We take the Lord’s name in vain. We don’t honour the Sabbath, nor our parents. We kill, commit adultery and steal, with such reckless abandon that those habits have more become the norm rather than the exception. Sin is so prevalent now, so common place, that it no longer bothers us, or gets us upset, the way it should. And then, like the priests of Malachi’s time, we wonder why we’re fallen on hard times and the Lord wants to destroy us? According to the Lord, ‘ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar…and if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the Lord of hosts. (Mal.1:7-9) Oh Friends, it’s the same thing we’re doing today: when we do remember God, we offer left over’s, damaged, poor quality stuff, that we wouldn’t dream of offering men in high positions, but it seems perfectly okay to offer it to our Creator and Heavenly Father. How disrespectful! Whereas, the Good Book directs, ‘And if there be any blemish therein, as if it be lame, or blind, or have any ill blemish, thou shalt not sacrifice it unto the Lord thy God.’ (Deut.15:21) That’s right people! The Lord our God should always come first and offered the best quality, not last and with remnants. Not even the pagan gods would accept such dishonour. Why then should we expect our mighty and magnificent Deity, the One True God to accept it? Oh Friends, I know at times it’s rather difficult to live a life honouring our Most High God Jehovah, especially when the enemy’s all around us, throwing his evil darts every which way. But we have to understand, that He has to first see us genuinely trying, before He extends mercy and lends a helping hand. He needs to see genuine sincerity in our hearts first; the faith, the believing without seeing, before He intervenes. That’s the nature of our Christian journey, though hard, with true faith, not impossible. Most of us, both sane and insane, will agree that there’s just too much hate, greed, oppression, poverty, injustice and evil currently running rampant in our world. Even those who stand to profit the most from all the negativity, would probably admit that it’s too much now, we’re getting too close to the edge, in danger of losing control. And what’s the answer, the solution? Oh Friends, there’s only one sure fire answer, one positive solution: Putting the Lord God Jehovah first in our lives. Making Him the focus of everything we think, say and do. Obeying Him, showing the respect and reverence He so richly deserves for being such a worthy and wonderful Father to disobedient children. By being true and trusted servants, graciously serving Him, the way a true and trustworthy Master deserves. Oh people, that’s the only way we’ll solve the problems of this world; by going back to some of the old fashioned values; treating each other decently, turning back to the Most High God, our heavenly provider, asking His forgiveness and worshipping Him in all glory and honour! Much LOVE!…to everything there’s a season… this is the season for truly honouring God…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 8 December 2008 Proverbs 28:25‏

08 Dec 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Proverbs 28:25    He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat.
 
And that is gospel Friends! We can trust Sol. His words always reverberate with truth. He was one of the first socio-economic researchers. Being king, he had the time money and connections. Consequently, from all the empirical data he collected, plus his own vast experience, and guided by the wisdom of the Lord, he complied the majority of writings in the Good Book called Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon. He lacked nothing, probably had too much, so when he proclaims, ‘He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife,’ he knows what he’s talking about. Earlier on he decrees, that ‘Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.’ (Prov.13: 10) And he’s quite right, for pride does stir up a whole lot of negative emotions and behaviour. Now the pride referred to here is not the normal, healthy, self confidence we all need to feel to survive in this most competitive world, but the kind that crosses the thin, imaginary line, where we’re convinced of our superiority, and wear it like a suit of clothes, always rubbing it in other people’s faces. That’s where pride turns from good to bad, and becomes a detriment to the person filled with only Me, Myself and I. And if we keep it up long enough, people will not only get fed up, but also try to take us down a notch or two. We also know that if it’s one thing our God can’t stand is unwarranted pride, especially when it mutates into arrogance and self-aggrandisement, believing you can do it all, with little or no help from Him. It’s similar to people around us getting to a point where they start thinking they don’t need us any longer, they can do it all on their own, and just wander off without so much as a thank you, conveniently forgetting who set them on their feet, who got them to where they’re at. That stirs up negative emotions in our souls, and also displeases God. But what’s amazing though, is these same proud, arrogant fools, when they fall flat on their faces, and finally realize they’re not as infallible as they think, they come running back and expect immediate help, with no questions asked. And if we refuse, or lecture them, they tell us where to get off, and who do we feel we are, not remembering the times we’ve already bailed them out, but were then unceremoniously kicked to the curb. Friends, it’s the same when we ignore God and he pulls the rug out from under us, then we go running to Him, expecting Him to just jump up right away and solve our problems. Sorry people, but it doesn’t work like that. We can’t be too full of ourselves either with man or God, for no man’s an island, we can’t do it all ourselves. We all need help, and people are more inclined to help if we treat them decently, not with snobbish, petulant arrogance. It’s the same with God. As Sol so aptly declares: ‘But he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat;’ Yes Friends, he who trusts in the Lord, studies His Word and abides by it, shall surely prosper. And strangely enough, Sol’s possibly the best example of this proverb. In his youth, the God of his father, Bruh David, ruled in his heart, so much so, that the Lord made him wiser and wealthier than any before or after him. However, in the winter of his days, ‘Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father.’ (1 Kin.11:6) He strayed from the Lord and worshipped the pagan deities of his many wives (woe unto man) Now that’s exactly why the Lord warned His people about inter-marrying with the strangers that lived amongst them. Like many of us, Sol refused to take his own advice at one of the most critical times in his life. Do as I say, and not as I do, is often the best advice. Sol’s backsliding obviously disappointed and angered the Lord. Can you imagine how He must have felt. After placing Sol on such a high pedestal, for him to turn pagan must have cut like a knife to the quick. Because Sol had broken His covenants, the Lord promised to take away the kingdom from him. ‘Nothwithstanding, in thy days, I will not do it for David, thy father’s sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son. Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen.’ (1 Kin. 11: 12-13) And we all know the Lord keeps His promises. What I can’t understand is how Sol, after enjoying so much of the Lord’s goodness, turned to pagan worship, even under pressure from his wives. Only the Lord knows what really goes on in a man’s heart and mind yes! But Friends, we need to note two things: Firstly; even though the Lord raised Sol up to great heights when he obeyed His Word, He didn’t hesitate to pull him down, once he became disobedient, although it must have broken His heart. And point two, and most important, is that the Lord did not completely destroy Sol, ‘for David, my servant’s sake.’ Yes Friends, that shows how important our behaviour, our obedience to the Lord’s Word can be in our children’s lives, even down to the nth generation. Because of Bruh David’s constant trust and faith in the Lord, he was held in high esteem and a whole lotta people didn’t receive the punishment they deserved. Friends, it therefore seems the best gift we can bequeath to our families, is our faithful obedience to the Lord, so that when they make mistakes, He’ll look down mercifully on them and say, ‘for my servant’s; your name, sake, I will not extract the full payment.’ That’s such a great bequest Friends. Much LOVE!…material bequests rot or dim…bur faithfulness benefits many generations…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 7 December 2008 John 4:13-14.‏

07 Dec 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

John 4:13-14    Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again. But whosoever drinketh of the water I shall give him, shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
 
Oh my Friends, have you drunk of that water? If you have, then you’ll know how sweet, tasty, sparkling and refreshing it is! Cool, clear water, that just goes down so smoothly and lifts your heart, spirit, soul and mind to another level, and leaves you riding a cloud of peace, joy and contentment! (smile) And if, unfortunately, you haven’t, then people hurry up and  do so! You don’t know what you’re missing! It’s the greatest beverage in the world, that water our Saviour Jesus is offering! Note how the woman of Samaria whom He’s talking to at the well, eagerly says to Him; ‘Sir give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.’ (vs.15) She thought it was real water Jesus referred to, not a figurative entity, that of the Holy Spirit. Friends, here’s something I admire about Jesus: He went everywhere, even to places deemed dangerous to His health and physical well being, and talked to everybody, regardless of colour, class or creed. That’s how this thing about living water came about in the first place. Jesus was resting by this well outside the Samaritan town of Sychar, His disciples had gone into town to buy food, when this woman of Samaria showed up to draw water and Jesus asked her for a drink. She was shocked, ‘for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.’ (vs.8) She was also a woman of dubious character, though it seems Jesus had a penchant for fallen women (smile) But in His usual, incomparable style, Jesus told her if she only knew whom she was talking to, she would be asking Him for a drink, and He would be giving her living water.(vs.10) She in turn, asked how Jesus would draw water from the deep well without a container, and if He was greater than their father Jacob, who gave them the well and drank from it himself? (vs.11-12) That’s when Jesus informed her, ‘Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again. But whosoever drinketh of the water I shall give him, shall never thirst..’ Obviously she was puzzled, just like those who followed Jesus after the miracle of the five loaves and two fishes, when He proclaimed to them: ‘I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger: and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.’  (John 6:35) They claimed to hunger for that bread too, but Jesus rebuked them. ‘But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.’ (John 6:36) Whereas, when Jesus explained things to this woman at the well, and told her about her dissolute, unrighteous life, her response was different. She knew about the coming of the Messiah, and when He said to her, ‘I that speak unto thee am he.’ (John 4:26) she didn’t argue or doubt Him, she believed. But the disciples chose that moment to return and the conversation ended, though none of them had the parts to ask what she wanted, or why Jesus was talking to her. The woman then left her water pot at the well, went back into town and proclaimed: ‘Come, see a man, which told me all things that I ever did: is not this the Christ?’ (John 4:30) So the townsfolk went out to the well to see Jesus. ‘And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that I ever did.’ (vs.39) Ah Friends, yuh see what a difference one believer can make. And if we gratefully accept that offer of Jesus, ‘the water that I shall give him, shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.’ It’s amazing, but Isaiah was right on the ball when he declared; ‘Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.’ (Is.12:3) Also when he said; ‘Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye buy, and eat; yea come, buy wine and milk without money and without price,’ (Is.55:1) And ‘In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.’ (John 7:37-38) Yes people, the price is right; salvation is free, no money, not even a down payment is needed, only believe. Jesus is proclaiming a free offer of mercy to all. If you accept, a fountain of joy and contentment will continuously pour from your soul and lead unto life everlasting. At the end; ‘They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters : and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.’ (Rev.7:16-17) Oh Friends, please accept Jesus’ offer, and shout it all over the world, so untold others can join us. It’s way too good an offer to pass up. Much LOVE!…when all’s said and done…heaven will be fine for all…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 6 December 2008 Luke 17:3‏

06 Dec 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Luke 17:3    Take heed to yourselves: if thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him, and if he repent, forgive him.
 
Ah Friends, today we preaching…hn! the ole fella only joking, we talking about the second most important act in our lives, forgiveness and the need to forgive. Obviously LOVE is #1, and forgiveness runs a close 2nd. The only thing Jesus preached on more intensely than forgiveness was LOVE. Even on the cross, some of His last words were, ‘Father forgive them; for they know what they do.’ (Luke 23:34) Oh people, that’s the whole idea behind Christ’s coming to earth; LOVE and forgiveness! The Father LOVED us a whole heap, even in our sinful state, but because of His just and righteous nature, He couldn’t simply forgive us, a price had to be paid for it. And that’s where Jesus comes in. He was the only one sin free and capable of paying for the forgiveness the Father wanted to bestow on us. I read this interesting quote today, attributed to Dag Hammarskjold, one of the early U.N. Secretary Generals, which turned my thoughts to forgiveness. It says; ‘Forgiveness is the answer to the child’s dream of a miracle, by which the broken is made whole again, what is soiled, is again made clean.’ Now doesn’t that sound rather appropriate to our situation? We were not only torn and broken by sin, but also disgustingly dirty. However, through the miracle of Jesus; His birth, death and resurrection, we were made whole again, and washed white as snow by His cleansing blood. Wow! We’ve always had the Father’s LOVE, except for those real disobedient times, but through Jesus, we also received His forgiveness. And how can we say thanks for that? By doing just as Jesus did; show LOVE and forgiveness to our fellow man. Note Jesus’ warning; ‘Take heed to yourselves.’ Yes Friends, be careful, cause forgiveness is neither simple nor easy, but it’s very profitable. ‘If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him, and if he repent, forgive him.’ Yes, we all know that’s easier said than done, and Jesus further compounded it by saying that we should confront our brother alone, and tell him his fault, if he hears us, we’ve gained a brother. But if he doesn’t, then we should take witnesses. And if he doesn’t listen to them, then tell it to the church. And if he still doesn’t listen, ‘let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.’ (Mat.18:15-17) And as if that wasn’t sufficient, when Peter asked if seven times was enough to forgive his brother, figuring that was a most generous number, Jesus shook his head and replied. ‘I say not unto thee, until seven times seven, but until seventy times seven.’ (Mat.18:22) Yes people, at least that many times, we’re supposed to forgive our brethren. And oft times, according to the nature and seriousness of the offence, it’s difficult to even forgive them once, much less so often. But from the early days, the Lord instructed Moses and the Israelites; ‘Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt LOVE thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord.’ (Lev.19:17-18) So this forgiveness thing is nothing new people. And believe me Friends, it’s always in our best interests to forgive. And we don’t have to wait for others to come to us for forgiveness either, we can start the process by first making amends. There are two main benefits to forgiveness: First, it shows our Christian nature; we’re following in Christ’s footsteps. Him and His Father forgave us, so it’s showing immense gratitude to return the favour to some other poor sinner. But even better yet people, forgiveness makes us feel good, clean, it lightens our spirit, removes the dark disgusting stain of anger, bitterness and all the other negative emotions from our souls, and sets us free to walk in LOVE again. Oh Friends, when we have an unforgiving nature, it affects us much more than the person we’re not forgiving; they might not even know or care. And ‘unforgiveness’ is one of the major causes of a lot of the nonsense currently happening in our troubled world. Like it’s cousins; hate, anger, jealousy, bitterness and vengeance, ‘unforgiveness’ in our souls behaves like acid in a plastic bottle; it sadly eats away the container. Oh people, please don’t let it destroy our souls! It can do it both literally and figuratively. Jesus didn’t sacrifice Himself so that we could be hard hearted and unforgiving, but tender hearted and forgiving; like Him. Much LOVE!…remember…as we forgive others…so shall we be forgiven…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 5 December 2008 Isaiah 65:24‏

05 Dec 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Isaiah 65:24    And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer, and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
 
Oh Friends, ain’t that good news? Yes, it’s surely wonderful tidings! I think Isaiah was one of the greatest prophets, being able to see way into the future, talking about Jesus’ coming and all the attendant stuff. And after continually haranguing and lambasting Israel for their disobedience to the God of their fathers, he finally sees a good day dawning for Zion and Jerusalem. ‘And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name. Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.’ (Is.62:2-3) Yes Friends, the Lord will relent, reorganize and bless His chosen people Israel, but the rebellious will certainly pay. ‘But ye are they that forsake the Lord, that forget my holy mountain…therefore will I number you to the sword… because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before my eyes, and chose that wherein I delighted not.’  (Is.65:11-12) Oh people, let’s try and not be numbered amongst that lot nuh, cause it will be a very sad day.’ ‘Behold my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart and howl for vexation of spirit. And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen; for the Lord shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name.’ (vs.14-15) Oh Friends, it behoves us all to ensure that we fall in the category of ‘his servants,’ so that we can bless ourselves and ‘swear by the God of truth, because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.’ (vs.16) Oh sing Hallelujah people! For the Lord would have destroyed the wicked and left all the problems in the past. ‘For behold I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come to mind.’ (vs.17) Oh thank you Lord! ‘But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.’ Wow! ‘And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people..’ (vs.18-20) Oh Friends, what a wonderful, wonderful God we serve! We’ve got to get our act together, right now, so that we can be amongst those who’ll rejoice with our God in the new Jerusalem. For yuh know what people? There’ll be no more sorrow and crying. No early deaths. All shall live till around 100, though the sinner will be cursed. We shall build houses and live in them, not somebody else. The same for vineyards; we shall plant and we shall eat of the fruit, ‘for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labour in vain; nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them.’ (vs.22-23) Oh people, what a marvellous honour it is to be known as ‘the blessed of the Lord!’ I don’t think we can be accorded any greater,  cause when you’re blessed of the Lord, ‘It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking I will hear.’ Oh Friends, Praise His Holy Name! Sing Hallelujah! For He’s such a mighty, magnanimous God to those who LOVE and obey Him. Wow! That’s all I can say. Words fail me. (smile) All that good stuff is just making me long for the new heaven and earth now…well.. just a little while yet on this troubled earth. Hn, hn! Oh Friends, Bruh David attested to the Lord’s goodness too. ‘Because he hath set his LOVE upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.’ (Ps.91:14-16) Oh people, what better rewards can we ask of a life spent in service and worship to the Lord eh? And Friends, if you didn’t believe it when Isaiah said He’d hear and answer while we’re still speaking, then read Daniel 9:20-23 ‘And whiles I was speaking, and praying and confessing my sin…yea whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel…touched me…And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. At the beginning of thy supplications, the commandment came forth, and I am now come to shew thee, for thou art greatly beloved..’ Oh Friends, what more do we need to convince us of the truth in God’s Word and that we should obey it eh? So let’s all work together nuh, that we can meet and rejoice in the new Jerusalem with the Lord when the time comes! Much LOVE!…to see good, long days…believe…and live obediently…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 December 2008 1 Corinthians 2:9‏

04 Dec 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

1 Corinthians 2:9    But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
 
Oh Friends, that’s such an awesome truth! Bruh Paul’s talking to the Corinthians about wisdom; that of God, and also the gift he bestows on man. He claims to have spoken to them ‘not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power; That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.’ (vs.4-5)  And though the world speaks about the wisdom of its rulers and great thinkers, their wisdom is really nothing. ‘But we speak of the wisdom of God, in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory.’ (vs.) Yes Friends, a wisdom hidden and not revealed until the coming of Christ, although God’s purpose, re our salvation, was designed from day one, for true believers to enjoy everlasting glory with Him at the appropriate time. But none of the rulers of the world knew this, else they would not have crucified Christ. ‘For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.’ (Is.64:4) Yes brethren, Isaiah made that statement long before Bruh Paul, in calling out to his God for help with his sinful, disobedient people. And it’s so true Friends, that no eye has seen or any ear heard, or any mind conceived of the things our God has prepared for us who LOVE, revere and obey Him, simply because our human comprehension doesn’t go that high. We consider the things of the world so great, while God considers most of them worthless. ‘But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit; for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea the deep things of God.’ (vs.10) Praise Him people! For our God in His marvellous wisdom, outstanding LOVE and unbelievable kindness has provided a way for mere mortals to become enlightened of His truth. Yes, as believers in His Son Jesus Christ, mature, seasoned followers, God grants us an enormous privilege, the revelation of His divine and treasured truth, through His awesome word documented in the Good Book for all to read, study, inwardly digest then put into positive action. Wow! Did I just say all that? (smile) ‘For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.’ (vs.11) That’s quite true, man only knows what’s in his own spirit, he doesn’t have the foggiest notion of what’s in God’s, unless God places His Spirit in him and opens his short-sighted eyes. ‘Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.’ (vs.12) That’s the secret to unlocking God’s treasure Friends; bringing the Holy Spirit of God to dwell in us and following it’s guidance in a mature and timely fashion. ‘But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.’ (vs.14-15) Oh people, it’s an awesome privilege to become joined to God and His Holy Spirit, which enlightens us, through faith in His Word, that we can discern good from evil, the words and works of the enemy from those of the Most High God Jehovah. ‘For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ!’ As Christians, followers of Christ, we possess greater insight into the thoughts, opinions, judgements and plans of the Lord, than non believers, which promotes us to a higher spiritual plane. How wonderful that is people! And that’s what Jesus expects us to do; bring others to awareness of Him, so that they too can dwell with Him on a higher spiritual level. Let’s get on with it nuh. Much LOVE!…when the Holy spirit enters our hearts…in fear…the enemy quickly departs…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 3 December 2008 Luke 22:44‏

03 Dec 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Luke 22:44    And being in agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
 
Oh Friends, can you imagine that most heart rending scene in the garden of Gethsemane, the night Jesus is arrested! He goes in there with His disciples, says to them, ‘Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.’ (Mat.36:36) And he goes off some distance with Peter, James and John, obviously very distressed and anguished. To the trio He then says; ‘My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here and watch with me.’  (Mat.36:35) Then He goes off by Himself this time, falls on His knees and fervently prays: ‘Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.’ (Luke 22:42) And though an angel appears and strengthens Him, He remains in agony. That  just shows the intensity of Jesus’ struggle; not only having to face His own humiliating and excruciating death, but also the weight of the responsibility His Father’s placed on Him: to be the sacrificial lamb, the bearer of man’s sins, from beginning to end. It’s not surprising that that unfair, unwarranted punishment brought Jesus to His knees in great anguish. But Friends, what I want us to pay particular attention to is this fact; ‘And being in agony he prayed more earnestly.’ Yes people! The Son of God, in the form of man, was certainly shaking it rough. But what did He do? ‘He prayed more earnestly.’ Although He knew it was very unlikely that His Father would abort the project, having remarked earlier on; ‘Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.’ (John 12:27)  Instead, He just prayed harder, that He could be strengthened to undergo his harsh ordeal, face up to it like a man. And he must have been praying real hard Friends, cause ‘his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.’ Wow! I doubt any of us have prayed that hard, to end up sweat drenched, unless it was somewhere very hot. (smile) I guess you’re wondering what that has to do with us eh? Well everything, people, everything! If Jesus prayed harder in His time of greatest anguish, and we’re supposed to be His followers, walking in His footsteps, then so should we pray harder when things get real rough with us. Instead of giving up when we feel abandoned, we’re to pray even more. As Bruh Paul describes it in his own inimitable way: ‘Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared.’ (Heb.5:7) Remember though He was God, He was in man form, and knew the plan could only work if He bore the pain and suffering like a man. No one wants to die. His fear was just of a more godly nature. It resonates as Bruh David’s cry of anguish; ‘My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?’ (Ps.22:1) It certainly seems that sometimes the Lord ignores our pleas when we’re going through trials and cry out to Him. But it’s not really true. He never ignores us. He’s always right there beside us, ready and willing to lend a hand when He sees we desperately need it. However, sometimes he uses those trials to test  and strengthen us, to improve our Jesus character. And though we don’t always understand, there’s always a good reason why He allows us to endure certain trials. Jesus cried out too just before He gave up the ghost on the terrible cross. ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabacthani? that is to say, My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?’ (Mat.27:46) But God had not forsaken Him. He would never forsake His One and Only Beloved Son. Don’t you think the Father had a real hard time holding Himself back from saying, ‘Forget this nonsense yes!’ and just aborting the whole mission, when He saw the agony His poor Son was undergoing? Any Father would, and I’m sure He did. But He knew that was the only way to set things right; the only way for us to be made whole again. Friends, neither will He ever forsake any of us who come to Him sincerely pleading for help. And trust Bruh Paul to get it right: ‘Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things he suffered: And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.’ (Heb.5:8-9) Yes Friends, the same goes for us; through ‘sufferation’ we learn obedience, putting our faith, our trust, and our entire lives, entirely in the hands of the Most High God Jehovah; surrendering our very souls to Him and the plans He has for them. After which, we’ll be made as perfect as humanly possible and join the author of eternal salvation when He comes to glory. Much LOVE!…the greater the anguish…the greater the need for more fervent prayer…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 2 December 2008 Jeremiah 4:22‏

02 Dec 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Jeremiah 4:22    For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
 
Oh Friends, today I just felt a sense of lamentation in my spirit. I really don’t know why, but my guess is the old body was tired, both physically and emotionally. I’ve been sort of burning the candle at both ends recently, then add to that, all the negative, unhappy, unhealthy, unnecessary, disgusting atrocities and violence that’s currently engulfing our world, much of it in the name of some supposed deity, well…they just dragged my soul down to that level where lamentation naturally occurs. One friend keeps asking why I read the newspapers, cause the news only gets me upset? But how can I live in a world and not know what’s going on eh? Right now I feel like Jeremiah lamenting over Judah. ‘My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.’ (vs.19) Yes people, destruction seems to be currently more prevalent in our world than construction. ‘Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled.’  (vs.20) That’s a fact. In what’s termed the First World, for how much longer is anybody’s guess, it’s mainly economic and political ‘spoilation,’ but that’s further compounded in the poorer countries by escalating violence, outright war, and/or terrorist activities. Remember when the dissatisfied who took up arms were called guerrillas? They generally fought in one place, for some recognizable ideal, and didn’t indiscriminately spread fear, terror and violence like now. Is that going to work? Is it going to cause others to be sympathetic to your cause? Very doubtful. It’s more liable to provoke a backlash, retaliation of even greater intensity. And where does that put us then? As Jeremiah mournfully asked. ‘How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet?’ (vs.21) That’s a good question Friends. How long before the serious economic downturn, the inflammatory political wrangling, the indiscriminate use of fear, violence and intimidation ends eh? And sadly, the whole thing is basically born of greed, envy, selfishness and a devilish hunger for power. Jeremiah hit the nail on the head when he proclaims on God’s behalf; ‘For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding;’ That’s so true Friends. We’re spoiled, silly, stupid, selfish children totally lacking in understanding. Otherwise why would we keep on destroying each other for mostly petty, foolish reasons when there’s more than enough to go around, not to mention that very few of us will survive the destruction and there’ll be little or nothing left to enjoy. It certainly seems like Jerry’s right: ‘they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.’ What a sad commentary on the human species, Friends. The only living thing our Creator imbued with that marvellous piece of engineering called a brain, that we’re supposed to use for good and not evil. But apparently it’s malfunctioned. ‘And they bend their tongues like their bows for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the Lord.’ (Jer.9:3) Shame on us people! We should be like Bruh Paul said to the Romans, having acknowledged that their faith was well known, ‘but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.’ (Rom.16: 19) And as Jeremiah challenged: ‘Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to evil.’ (Jer.13:23)  Oh Friends, that’s the only way our beautiful planet will ever have some semblance of peace and not be foolishly destroyed. Those of us who sincerely LOVE the Lord, and seek peace and truth, let’s raise our level of commitment to Him nuh, so that the earth will last and bountifully provide for future generations. Much LOVE!…it takes years to build…but only seconds to destroy…
 

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