Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 March 2009 Proverbs 29:2‏

11 Mar 2009 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Proverbs 29:2    When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
 
Oh my Friends, it seems nary a day passes that the Lord doesn’t show Himself in some aspect of my life. If I didn’t believe before, or was sceptical, that scepticism and unbelief have surely been thrown out the window now. And I guess you’re waiting with bated breath to hear what He did today eh? Well I’m just engaging in a li’l drama, trying for some dramatic effect, a la Alfie Hitchcock.’ (smile) But this is what happened; I just came down here to write the Bit. I had no idea what I was going to write about since I’d been too busy to check out anything earlier on. I wasn’t worried, for the Lord always comes through, but I certainly did not want to spend as much time as last night looking for one. Before I got down to business though, I decided to check my e-mail, and one message was a Prayer Calendar for Barrack Obama. Thanks Norm! I wondered what it was about, and was I surprised when I opened it and turned to the month of March, for right there was Today’s Bit. Thank you Lord! And we still don’t believe that our Lord moves in mysterious ways, is a great, good and helpful God! Well Friends, here I am ready, willing and able to put the lie to that negative thinking, thinking bordering on heresy. (smile) But come to think of it, I believe another Friend sent me that same calendar a little while back, and it must have gotten lost in all the busyness, or I just wasn’t supposed to pay it any attention until today. However, I’ve already advised us to pray constantly and sincerely for Barack, because right now he is our modern day Joshua. The whole world is anxiously looking to him for answers and guidance and leadership that will enable us to successfully cross over the Jordan and come out of our woeful times into one of peace and prosperity. But my people, it’s not Barack alone we need to pray for, but for all the leaders and rulers everywhere, that they may be strengthened, enlightened, and granted wisdom to rule wisely; that God will direct their hearts and footsteps in His will. For as Bruh Paul wrote to Timothy: ‘I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men. For all kings, and for all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour. Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.’ (1 Tim. 2:1-4) Yes my brethren, we need to pray for all those in prominent positions, that they make godly, truthful and right decisions, cause as Sol rightly said; ‘When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice…’ And that’s a proven fact. For as Sol also declared; ‘When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory…’ (Prov. 28:12) Yes, in righteous rejoicing, immense glory is given both to God and man, through constant fellowship, praise, worship and thanksgiving. And just to show how important is praying for our leaders, let’s go way back to the prophet Ezra, in the days of Darius, king of Babylon, who had them search the rolls of the kingdom for a decree of king Cyrus made long before, stating that the priests in Jerusalem, during the rebuilding of the temple were to be given victuals, ‘day by day without fail; That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and his sons.’ (Ezra 6:10) So Friends, it’s a long standing tradition, not something new we’re now trying to institute. And it’s not simply by chance, or their own efforts that when leaders are decent, godly men that the people rejoice and are prosperous. It’s because of their obedience to God. And we can trust Sol to cement that truth. ‘When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth…’ (Prov.11:10) However my people, there are two sides to every coin; ‘but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.’ And do they ever suffer and groan under oppressive conditions. We have a good example in Esther, when Haman tricked king Ahasuerus into signing a proclamation to destroy the Jews in and around Babylon. ‘And in every province, withersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.’ (Esth.4:3) Yes my Friends, sad times surely come upon us when the enemy rules. ‘But when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.’ (Prov.28:12) That’s the other side of the great glory coin; we hide, but will be sought out. We have all either seen or personally suffered oppression by wicked leaders. But take heart my Friends, nothing lasts forever, and if the righteous and faithful stand strong, the day of the wicked must come to an end. Trust Sol to declare it; ‘and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.’ (Prov. 11: 10) That’s the other side of the rejoicing coin. Yes my people, there is much shouting, clamouring and tears of joy when the wicked is defeated. But please remember it’s not easy, that the enemy can only be routed and sent packing if the righteous, and god-fearing don their righteous armour, get out on the battlefield and fight to the bitter end with the Lord’s weapons in their hands and mouths, safely ensconced in His protective armour. Oh my people, it’s time to mobilize the Lord’s army. Much LOVE!…prayer..wonderful communication with Almighty God…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 10 March 2007 Ezekiel 3:10‏

10 Mar 2009 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Ezekiel 3:10    Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak unto thee, receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears.
 
Oh Friends, it’s been a rough beginning, for I’ve just spent a fair amount of time seeking a suitable Bit to illustrate the third part of the forgiveness principle that we’re to talk about today, and unfortunately could not find one that truly satisfied me. This passage from Ezekiel is a compromise. It’s either that I’m too finicky, seeking perfection, or I just don’t know what I’m doing. In either case, please overlook the ole fella’s shortcomings, if you consider them such. But wait nuh mih Friends, our God is at work here again! I just realized that to overlook my deficiency is a form of forgiveness, so that means you’ve got to forgive me cause I’m only human and thus imperfect. Hn, hn, hn! That’s why they say b.s baffles brains. Anyway, the last couple days we talked about God forgiving us, and we forgiving each other. But my people, all this talk of forgiveness means absolutely nothing unless we do the third part of the principle, that’s accepting it. Yes Friends, regardless of all the generous forgiveness of God and man, it does no good until we personally receive it. As the Lord said to Ezekiel: ‘Son of man, all my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears.’ The important part here my brethren is that we accept, we receive that forgiveness in our hearts and souls. And that’s where many believers flounder. They talk about God’s forgiveness, but they don’t actually accept it in their innermost beings, they just hear it with their ears. Consequently they walk around feeling guilty and depressed in spite of all their prayers of repentance and pleas for forgiveness. In that respect, we’re making a mockery of Jesus’ sacrificial death and God’s ingenious plan to provide mercy and forgiveness for our sins. To forgive basically means to let go, to absolve, to cleanse, to release from blame, shame and guilt. But just check out the great number of us who have not allowed our souls to be cleansed of guilt and shame for wrong doing that’s been both forgiven and forgotten long ago. Yes Friends, many of us have committed wrongs way back when, and the people we’ve wronged, either didn’t know they’d been wronged, or they forgiven us and forgotten the wrong, but we still bear that pain and guilt in our hearts. My people, that’s possibly the most important factor in all of the forgiveness talk; learning to forgive ourselves. If we don’t learn that, and remember forgiveness is a learned activity, it will all just be sham, a mouthing of meaningless words, and we’ll keep ourselves mired in a cesspool of guilt and pain when there’s absolutely no need for it. Oh, by the way, I might also need your forgiveness for aimlessly rambling or making mistakes because all of this is coming straight from the heart. But I’m not worried, cause I know that you all are such wonderful, god-fearing people steeped in the principle of forgiveness…Oh, I can already feel the LOVE and forgiveness coming through, and I accept it most graciously in the depths of my soul. (smile) I’m just trying to practice what I preach. But seriously though Friends, forgiveness is a huge element in our faith. It can either set us free or keep us unnecessarily tied up in chains of guilt, pain and shame, thereby causing us to lead a less than successful life. Life is rough enough as it is, we don’t need to make it any rougher on ourselves, so in our best interest we have to focus on the reception and acceptance of all and any forgiveness that comes our way. To end, let’s see if we can tie everything together in a brief overview. And I’m going to surprise those who think I can’t be brief. (smile) So here goes. Forgiveness means not exacting either punishment or redress for a wrong; pardoning, absolving, overlooking, exonerating. And that’s exactly what our most merciful, forgiving God has done for us; He’s pardoned, overlooked, exonerated our sins for ever, by sending His only Son Jesus, the only sinless Being available, to die on an old rugged cross and pay the hefty price His justice and righteousness required. That made Jesus our Lord, Saviour and Master, and He’s decreed that forgiveness is only available through repentance and belief in His Holy Name. But by the same token, since the Father was so generous to forgive us our wrongs through His death, He wants His followers to forgive each other, and in the same measure that we forgive, the Father will forgive us. The Lord’s scales must be finely balanced. However, all of the above is simply rhetoric and of no real value unless we actually receive that forgiveness in our hearts and allow our wrongs to be actually cleansed from our souls. Only then is forgiveness really beneficial. And my Friends, true forgiveness is so refreshing and cleansing! It gets rid of all the negative emotions that clog up our soul when we think we’ve been wronged. And though it might not have any effect on the ‘forgivee,’ believe me, it greatly affects and lightens the burden of the forgiver. In this one respect I guess it’s wise and okay to be selfish. So let’s all be selfish nuh! Let’s forgive each other like we crazy, for the benefits are overwhelming. But remember we have to also receive and accept that pardon, of both God and man, deep in our hearts and souls for us to feel, reap and enjoy those wonderful benefits. Much LOVE!…with plenty forgiveness… and plenty acceptance too…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 9 March 2009 Matthew 6:12‏

09 Mar 2009 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Matthew 6:12    And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
 
Well my Friends, it’s a new day, therefore God’s mercies have been renewed, including forgiveness of our sins. We spoke yesterday of God’s great compassion and His willingness to forgive our sins, but my people there are at least two other components to this major principle of forgiveness. Today we’ll deal with the second part; the spoke that Jesus put in our wheel when He taught His disciples how to pray. An important part of it dealt with forgiving; ‘And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.’ Yes my Friends, Jesus introduced a new wrinkle in the whole forgiveness scenario; that of forgiving others. Prior to that time, the Old Testament covenant dealt basically with God forgiving us, but when Jesus introduced His new covenant, He made forgiveness of each other an integral part of the agreement. He made us wise to the fact that forgiveness was not a one way, but very much a two way street. It didn’t only dwell in the Father, it also dwelt in us, and that we will be forgiven, just as much as we forgive. ‘For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.’ (Mat.6:14-15) And that makes a whole lotta sense my people, cause hopefully it will substantially reduce our selfish behaviour; wanting something from someone, but not willing to give the same thing to someone else. And remember, it takes two to tango, and one hand to wash the other. So we can’t really expect to receive God’s forgiveness without any strings attached, allowing us to be unforgiving to others while receiving His mercy. Our God doesn’t work like that. His world has been designed on an intricately balanced scale, and in every scene we have a part to play, and if we don’t, the whole scene falls apart, and to our detriment too. It’s the basic principle of God’s world, where if you don’t sow, you don’t reap, and whatever you sow, that’s what you’ll reap. You can’t plant peas and reap corn. It’s the same with giving and forgiving: You can’t get without giving, and the amount you receive is tied to the amount you give. And Jesus tied our forgiveness of each other’s faults to God’s forgiveness of ours to make us better understand and appreciate the magnitude of the Father’s mercy and His desire for justice. And if you don’t believe me, listen to Jesus. ‘Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive and ye shall be forgiven. Give, and it shall be given unto you: good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.’ (Luke 6:37-38) Yes my people, that’s Christianity in a nutshell: Do unto others as you want them to do to you. If we lived by that standard life would be so much better. Jesus took our forgiveness of each other to such lengths that when Peter asked if forgiving his brother seven time seven was sufficient, Jesus harrumphed on Peter. (smile) ‘I say not unto thee, until seven times seven: but until seventy times seven.’ (Mat.18:22) Yes my brethren, that’s how much importance our leader places on our forgiving each other. I guess He figures that we’re all sinners who do each other wrong, and if we can’t forgive other mortals, how can we expect the Most High God Jehovah, who’s way above our league, to forgive us. It’s like any hierarchy; you start at the bottom and work your way up as your skills improve. It’s the same with forgiveness, you’ve got to learn to forgive small and be forgiven small, before you move up the ladder. And have no doubts about it Friends, forgiveness is a learned behaviour which can only be developed through practice and hard earned experience. It’s certainly not an inherent part of man’s nature which leans more to the unforgiving, eye for eye, tooth for tooth philosophy. Jesus was so adamant about His followers being of a forgiving nature that He warned them: ‘Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him, and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.’ (Luke 17:3-4) Wow! That’s a bit much my people. But as I keep reminding us Jesus has high standards, and anyone wishing to be His true follower must also seek excellence in all aspects of their lives. Being His follower isn’t easy, but He’s always there ready to lend a helping hand through His indwelling Spirit in us. And remember, there’s no situation to which He leads us that He won’t provide a way out. And Friends, forgiveness is not rocket science, it’s just simple common sense and practicality, for if we forgive each other, even without God’s incentive, life becomes so much more pleasant and productive, cause it’s the unforgiving eye for eye, tooth for tooth revenge factor that has our world lathered right now in so much strife and violence. But let’s not forget either my people, that God said vengeance belonged to Him. He would repay the wrongs done to us. We are only to concern ourselves with forgiveness. That’s our priority. So please, let’s listen, let’s be obedient and forgive each other, much much more than we’re currently doing. In fact let’s start a forgiveness movement! (smile) It can only help to improve the terrible situation our world’s currently experiencing. Much LOVE!…to forgive…is to be obedient…and greatly improves our lives…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 8 March 2009 Psalm 32:1-2‏

08 Mar 2009 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 32:1-2    Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
 
Ah my Friends, today we shall sit down and contemplate the blessedness of forgiveness with Bruh David. And believe me, that word ‘forgiveness,’ plays a major part in both the theory and practice of Christianity. In fact it is the very basis of our faith, for Christ only came to earth to die, so that we could be forgiven of our sins. If there was no need for forgiveness, He would have had no cause to come. So you can see the important role it plays. Bruh David understood the secret power of forgiveness, that’s why he could extol its virtue and vitality. ‘Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.’ Yes my people, we experience a most powerful and liberating feeling when our wrongs are forgiven. And, ‘Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.’ As Jesus said of Nathaniel, the first time He spoke to him. ‘Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile.’ (John 1:47) Can that be said of us my Friends? It’s something we should all work towards because it brings such blessing and happiness to a man’s spirit, when our God doesn’t charge any sins to our account, or searches our soul and finds no deceit or hypocrisy. It’s such a freeing, refreshing, cleansing feeling; like…like the sun reappearing in all its brilliance on a spring day after a shower of rain. However my brethren, until we ask for, or seek forgiveness from God, our souls are weighed down and heavy with guilt. There is no real joy; some sliver of disenchantment exists that spoils everything else that might be good. Yuh know, the one bad apple spoiling the whole barrel thing. As Bruh David acknowledges; ‘When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.’ (vs.3-4) Yes my people, that’s how it is when we go around bearing the unnecessary burden of sin and guilt: We grow old before our time, groan and murmur, and feel like we’re Atlas, bearing the weight of the whole world on our weak shoulders. But note, when Bruh David smartened up; ‘I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found. (vs.5-6) His burdened spirit was lightened. It’s that simple Friends. If we are godly, then we need to pray to the Lord for forgiveness. And our God just has this extraordinarily good habit of granting forgiveness to those who ask for it. When we sincerely repent of our sins, the Lord is magnanimous and merciful to forgive us. But our hearts must be right my people; we must feel a genuine sorrow, and also a genuine desire to do better. The Lord’s not into lip service, remember that. He searches our hearts, and if it isn’t a sincere cry, we can beg and plead till we’re blue in the face, He’ll ignore us. Neither should we forget that though Jesus died for our sins, only those who truly repent, turn to the Lord and follow Him are forgiven and promised eternal life. Ah ha; repentance and acknowledgement that the Lord Jesus Christ is King and Saviour is a necessary requirement. As Bruh Paul declared: ‘The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.’ (Acts 5:31) Yes my Friends, it all depends on our acceptance of Jesus as the one and only portal through which we can approach the Most High God Jehovah. But even before Jesus came, all the godly men of the Old Testament knew of God’s overwhelming penchant for forgiveness upon repentance and declared it to their people. We’ll leave out Bruh David here, else we’d take whole day. (smile) Isaiah postulated: ‘I am the Lord, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King… I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.’ (Is.43:15,25) Our God was prepared to do this even though His chosen people were disobedient. ‘This people have I formed for myself; they shall show forth my praise. But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel.’ (Is.43:21-22) And Jeremiah solemnly pronounced: ‘And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.’ (Jer. 31:34) Now listen to Micah. ‘Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger forever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.’ (Mic.7:18-20) Oh my people, there’s no other God but ours! For two Beings of such might, mercy and magnificence cannot exist in one world. He’s utterly awesome, and everyday we should shower Him with praise and thanksgiving for His unfailing goodness to us, especially how He orchestrated His forgiveness of our sinful acts, by sending His Only Son Jesus to die for us. By the way, don’t think we’re finished with forgiveness yet nuh. It’s too big of a subject to be dealt with in just one li’l Bit. (smile) So, till we meet again, walk safely with Jesus and keep spreading the Word. Much LOVE!..to err is human..but not to repent..now that’s stupidity.. To Be Continued.
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 7 March 2009 Ephesians 2:14‏

07 Mar 2009 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Ephesians 2:14    For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.
 
Yes my Friends, it’s another day of peace. And truthfully, we can never have too much peace because it’s the only saving grace in our world. Without it, the world would be in an even greater state of turmoil than it’s currently in; with even more anarchy, senseless violence and uncalled for destruction, and we’d really be at each other’s throats, like the wild, bloodthirsty animals we are by nature. However my people, that High Priest that died on the cross to cleanse us of our sins, also brought us the invaluable gift of peace. As Bruh Paul says. ‘For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.’ That’s for sure Friends! He broke down all the barriers between Jews and Gentiles, between all races, all languages; ‘for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace. And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby. And come and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.’  (Eph.2:15-17) The Mosaic law that was meant to protect the Jews from pagans, ‘the middle wall,’ was instead misconstrued and made the Jews feel superior to the Gentiles, and the Gentiles antagonistic to the Jews. But Christ came and broke down that partition, erased the enmity caused between the two groups by abuse of the law, and made them one, ‘one new man,’ the Christian Church, where both Jews, and Gentiles, in fact all peoples, could both experience and exhibit His LOVE, and worship Him in peace. That’s why He’s known as the Prince of Peace. And though what the Preacher says is true; that there’s a time for everything under the sun, including, ‘A time to LOVE, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.’ (Eccl.3:8) My Friends the times of hate and war should be oh so few and far between, that they should be the exception rather than the rule, which they now seem to be. We should instead put all our efforts into doing what the author of Hebrews states: ‘Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.’ (Heb.12:14) That’s a fact my brethren! If you’re not pursuing, or attempting to pursue peace with your fellow man, then you can’t consider yourself a true follower of Christ, cause on such action is His kingdom built. Bruh David has the same advice: ‘Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace and pursue it.’ (Ps.34:14) And Bruh Paul wrote to the Romans: ‘Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.’ (Rom.12:18) That should be our goal my people; to bring peace to our beleaguered world, a world beset by so much strife, oppression, war and violence, that it’s a miracle we aren’t already caught up in the Last War; World War III. Yes Friends, it will definitely be the last one, for there are too many powerful weapons in too many unsafe hands, and too many people filled with abnormal hate and anger. As Isaiah says: ‘The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgement in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whomsoever goeth therein shall not know peace.’ (Is.59:8) I don’t know what else to say Friends. Christ broke down the barriers between the nations and replaced it with one edifice; His Holy Church, but we seem to take great pleasure in rebuilding those barriers of separation and differentiation, which are certainly not conducive to peace or oneness. So I’ll just let Jesus talk to you. Hopefully you’ll listen to Him. ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’ (John 14:27) And I sincerely hope that ‘the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.’ (Phil.4:7) Added to all of that my people, is my heartfelt wish that ‘Mercy unto you, and peace, and LOVE, be multiplied.’ (Jude 2) That it be multiplied many times over, throughout our whole universe, so that the evil shadow of war and strife, of death, that’s now hanging over our heads like a mighty black cloud, shall dissipate, shall permanently disappear, to be replaced by a beautiful rainbow arcing through a cloudless sky, that’s filled with the eternal brilliance of the Son, the Prince of Peace, thereby releasing all our pent-up fears, forever. Much LOVE!…peace..peace..peace is the way…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 6 March 2009 Isaiah 32:17‏

06 Mar 2009 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Isaiah 32:17    And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
 
Oh my friends, it seems as though the Most High God Jehovah is pining for peace amongst His people, for I’ve been directed again today, to talk about that elusive, contrary and contentious subject. But it’s only that way because we make it so: It’s elusive cause we either don’t know where to find it, or if and when we do happen to find it, we don’t know how to keep it, and so it slips right out of our slippery grasps. And it’s contrary and contentious because we can’t agree on what it is or how to put it into practice, though everybody is busy talking about it and trying to find it. Consequently, it eludes us completely. However Friends, today’s your lucky day, (smile) for I’m here to tell you how to achieve peace. Yesterday we acknowledged that it had to come from the Lord. So the first thing is to admit the Lord into our lives, since He’s the only one with the ability to confer or ensure peace. But how do we go about getting it conferred on us? Well Isaiah tells us right there my brethren. ‘And the work of righteousness shall be peace;’ Here, he’s talking about the coming reign of the righteous king, Jesus. So Friends, after we get hooked up with God, we have to start living right; doing the things He wants us to do, then and only then will we find that elusive subject, peace, creeping into our lives. And as we mature and get better at obeying His commands, our lives will become even more peaceful and amenable. As Isaiah contends; ‘the effect of righteousness is quietness and assurance for ever.’ Wow! But that’s not all; listen to the next verse. ‘And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.’ (Is.32:18) Yes my people, that’s what awaits us when we act righteously! And Bruh David agrees completely: ‘Great peace have they which LOVE thy law: and nothing shall offend them.’ (Ps.119:165) That’s for certain sure! When we walk with the Word in our hearts, we’re always at peace, and nothing causes us to stumble. Wise, ole Sol, gives that same advice: ‘My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments. For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.’ (Prov.3:1-2) So judging by what we’ve just said Friends, it seems obvious that peace is eluding us, as individuals, societies and nations because we’re not living righteously, not obeying the laws of the Most High God. And since we’ve agreed that’s the only way to achieve it, if we truly want to find peace, then we have to start being righteous and obedient. But yuh know what? I’ve discovered that lots of us only talk peace, but don’t really want it, because we only feel fulfilled when we’re busy, on the run, creating problems and stirring up trouble. A peaceful, quiet life of righteousness, for whatever reason, just doesn’t appeal to many of us. And I’m really sorry for those of us who think they always have to be running around aimlessly, like headless chickens. Oh my people, it’s so important that we have both individual peace of mind and peace, as opposed to war and strife. And the only, only, only way to get that, I can’t stress it enough, is by turning to the Lord and obeying His dictates; trusting Him and living right with each other. Some more testimony from great men of faith might just help drive the message home. Isaiah rightly declares; ‘Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.’ (Is.26:3) And yuh know Bruh Paul must have a say on the subject. (smile) Like he has one on every topic. ‘Let not then your good be evil spoken of. For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.’ (Rom.14:16-17) Trust Bruh Paul to tell it like it is! And Jeremiah solemnly declared: ‘We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of health, and behold trouble.’ (Jer.8:15) Why? ‘For the Lord our God hath put us to silence, and given us the water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against the lord.’ (Jer.8:14) Ezekiel also remonstrated with his people. ‘Destruction cometh; and they shall seek peace, and there shall be none.’ (Eze.7:25) Why? ‘Make a chain: for the land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of violence.’ (Eze.7:23) Oh Friends, we now have it from both sides. Peace is only available when we’re in tune with God; when we’re willing to go the extra mile to do right. I’ll close with two passages that say much about peace. ‘Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all the people, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.’ (Dan.4:1) Oh Friends, a pagan king is rightly calling for peace all over the world! And then there’s James’ statement: ‘And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.’ (James 3:18) Oh my people, it doesn’t just come naturally, we have to consciously make it happen and continue working at it, which we can only do by living right with our God and each other. If we’d been doing this all along, our world would not be in such a terrible state of violence, poverty and strife now. It’s not too late though to turn it around. So let’s all reach out our hands and hearts to our most merciful and forgiving God. Let’s repent and start living right. It’s so much nicer, and it’s the only road to peace. Much LOVE!...peace is not the destination…peace is the pathway itself…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 5 March 2009 Psalm 4:8‏

05 Mar 2009 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 4:8    I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.
 
Oh Friends, there is so much I want to say about peace, so many thoughts flooding my mind, and so many quotes dancing in the background that I’m not sure I can put together a coherent Bit. Okay, I know some of you are saying, ‘Well it’s not the first time.’ And I daresay it won’t be the last. (smile) But I won’t worry about that. Like Cousin Charles, Charles Stanley is won’t to say, ‘Obey God, and leave all the consequences to Him.’ So I’m just going to write the Bit and I know He’ll make it turn out fine. Wow! What an intro! I guess the ole fella’s really feeling his beans this morning. Hn,hn,hn! Anyway, let’s start with a quote I recently read, attributed to one, A.J.Muste, which says; ‘There is no way to peace. Peace is the way.’ And that’s the gospel truth Friends, since peace, like many of the other qualities we desire, is not really a destination; you just don’t arrive there, but it’s a path, a direction, a way we can consciously follow to develop or live out. And how do we begin to seek this path of peace? Well, like everything else that’s good, wholesome and worthwhile my people, it begins with the Lord. We have to seek His face if we’re searching for peace, because He’s the only one who can confer it on us. The enemy can’t, since he doesn’t know the meaning of the word. He reigns only in confusion and disaster. The Most High God Jehovah is the only entity that can bless us with a calm, peaceful nature. As Bruh David extols: ‘I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.’ That’s an undisputable fact my people! And Job’s friend, Zophar, puts it thus: ‘If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him. If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles. For then thou shalt lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be steadfast, and not fear; Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away. And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning. And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee and thou shalt take thy rest in safety. Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.’ (Job 11:13-19) Oh people, what a passage of inspirational scripture! I didn’t intend to quote it all, but after reading it, how could I not? In fact, the Spirit was adamant; ‘Quote it all.’ (smile) Ah my brethren, when we commune closely with God, life is so…I guess the best word is interesting; for it’s certainly never dull, boring or static, but filled with peace, LOVE, trials, tribulation, adversity, hardship, kindness, good fortune, sorrow, heartache, grief, joy, pleasure, success, etc. etc. A close relationship with God runs the whole gamut of human experiences. But of one thing we can be very sure; overall, we’ll dwell in peace and safety. And Bruh David is a perfect example of that. We know all the good and bad times he went through, but the Lord never let him down, that’s why he can say authoritatively; ‘I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.’ (Ps.3:5-6) Yes my Friends, only when we are tight with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, can we make such brave, bold, secure statements. And remember, Bruh David’s not just talking from hearsay; he experienced it all. So what’s there to stop us from having that close association with the Lord, and also experiencing that kind of peace of mind and personal security? Nothing my people, nothing whatsoever! We only have to do like Job’s buddy, Zophar says, prepare our hearts and stretch out our hands to him, and you can be sure He will receive us with wide opened arms and a big, glowing smile on His face, just like the father received his prodigal son. He will never forsake or forget us. That’s His everlasting promise. So why then aren’t more of His wayward children reaching with outstretched hands to Him eh? I really don’t know. Is it because we who have done so, and are enjoying the joyous fruits of the relationship are being selfish and not telling it to those who don’t know? I hope not, cause we should be spreading the Word like wildfire. Or are they just stubborn and rebellious, and like the fallen angel, Lucifer, want to do their own thing come what may? Oh my people, that’s ever so sad. But we have to get those unfortunate many, who’ve either never heard, or heard and remain caught up in the enemy’s stupid wiles and lies. Friends, just look at Lucifer nuh. What does he really have to offer eh? Nothing but death and damnation! Now why would I want to follow someone who had the number one job in heaven, God’s right hand man, but got too full of himself and got kicked out into everlasting darkness? Friends, believe me, there’s only one path to peace, LOVE, and eternal salvation; and that’s though following our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ? And why is that my people? Because, ‘Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high visited us, To give light to them that sit in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.’ (Luke 1:79) That’s why my people. And with those words of wisdom, (smile) I’ll say, Au Revoir! Hasta Manana! Much LOVE!
…please…walk the path of peace…that leads to eternal life…with Jesus…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 March 2009 2 Kings 18:7‏

04 Mar 2009 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

2 Kings 18:7    And the Lord was with him; and he prospered withersoever he went forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not.
 
Yes my Friends, that was Hezekiah’s blessing in the early years of his reign as king of Judah. And why did the Lord prosper him? Because ‘He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that David his father did.’  (vs:3) And what did he do that was so right in the eyes of the Lord? ‘He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.’ (vs.4) We need to have a short history lesson here to understand all this. (smile) Now Hezekiah inherited the throne of Judah from his biological father, Ahaz. But, Ahaz had allowed the kingdom to degenerate to idolatry. However, when Hezekiah took over, being fiercely loyal to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, he began initiating religious reforms. Things were so bad that the people were worshipping the brass snake the Lord had Moses make as an antidote for the snake bites He’d afflicted them with, when they came up out of Egypt and began complaining about the hard times and lack of food. (Num.21:5-9) Hezekiah referred to it though as ‘Nehushtan,’ literally translated, ‘a bronze thing.’ Hezekiah is noted for his abundant, abiding trust in the Lord, so much so that the Good Book records, ‘He trusted in the Lord God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him.’ (vs.5) And why is that? ‘For he clave to the Lord and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the Lord commanded Moses.’ (vs.6) Ah my Friends, my people, my brethren, that verse there says it all! It’s the panacea for all our ills. And it’s not like it hasn’t been preached, sermonized, brow beaten or gently inculcated into us from the very beginning of time; from the very day the Lord made Adam and Eve. Yet foolishly, we still refuse to accept and follow it. It’s so simple that I guess we find it too easy, or like reverse psychology, because it’s so simple, we believe it’s really hard. ‘LOVE the Lord and obey His rules!’ What’s so hard about that my people? We obey our earthly fathers without a murmur, cause we know they meet out punishment for disobedience, but our heavenly Father we disobey with no qualms. Don’t forget, He punishes too, and even worse than our mortal fathers. Adam and Eve were the first to make that dreadful mistake of disobedience and see what happened to them. Since then, the whole of creation has been paying the hefty price. Not very bright of our first parents eh? They possibly thought that the Lord was joking. But Friends, the Lord doesn’t joke on serious matters like that. And yuh know, even after seeing the harsh results of disobedience over many eons, this generation is still perpetuating the stupidity. What does that say about our brains eh my Friends? Possibly that we have none, no common sense either, that we’re so stupid to want to tangle with the Lord of all Creation. How can a mere mortal ever defeat Him, when He’s the Creator of all, the Giver of all, the Controller of all, the Being who pulls all the strings of the universe? It’s one of those cases where the smart money says, ‘if you can’t beat them, then join them!’ And my people, that’s all the Lord really wants us to do yes; to join His happy band of prosperous followers. Just look at Hezekiah’s example. He obeyed the Lord’s commandments, and what happened? ‘And the Lord was with him.’ Just like in the reign of Asa, when the prophet Azariah cautioned him: ‘Hear ye me Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; the Lord is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.’ (2 Chron.15:2) It can’t be put any clearer than that my brethren. Hezekiah was smart enough to understand that principle, that’s why ‘the Lord was with him; and he prospered withersoever he went forth.’ It was the same with Bruh Joseph: ‘And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand.’ (Gen.39:2-3) Oh my people, even an idol worshipper, an unbeliever, a slave master, could see that Bruh Joseph had something special going for him and put all his possessions in his care. So why can’t we see it and behave likewise eh? Bruh David was also smart enough to take the message to heart, so that when Saul became jealous and tried to kill him, the Good Book says; ‘And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the Lord was with him.'(1 Sam.18:14) The Lord was so much in Hezekiah’s corner that ‘he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not.’ His father, Ahaz, had put the Assyrian yoke on Judah when he entreated the king with gifts to come and save them from the Syrians. But Hezekiah’s confidence in his God was strong enough to throw off that yoke and also smite the Philistines. Then, a few years later, the king of Assyria successfully besieged the kingdom of Israel and carried away the people to exile and bondage. Why? ‘Because they obeyed not the voice of the Lord their God, but transgressed his covenant, and all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded, and would not hear them, nor do them.’ (vs.12) But they didn’t touch Judah, for the Lord was with Hezekiah, for he believed as Bruh David wrote: ‘Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. Through God we shall do valiantly: for it is he that shall tread down our enemies.’ (Ps.60:11-12) Oh my people, isn’t it time we learn that lesson; stop seeking man’s help and turn to the Most High God Jehovah, the Creator of man? All history proves that He’s the only invincible Being in existence. It’s time we seriously start putting our money on Him, else we’re going to lose…and lose big time too. Much LOVE!…Jesus…He’s the only sure thing…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 3 March 2009 1 Peter 4:11‏

03 Mar 2009 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 forever and ever. Amen.
 
Yuh know Friends, it’s this verse I intended to write on yesterday, but while contemplating it, the Spirit pushed me towards vs.10, causing me to realize that I had to write on vs.10 before vs.11. And who says there isn’t wisdom in the Spirit eh? There must be, if it’s truly the Spirit of Christ. Now yesterday we spoke about the different gifts granted to each of us; precious gifts of which we should be good stewards, using them to promote the Church of Christ, with all of us coming together as one, under the umbrella of our Lord and Saviour Jesus. Today though, we’ll look at a couple of individual gifts and see how the apostles said we should use them. ‘If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God…’ If we’re witnessing, we should be positive and confident, as though we were uttering the very words of God. We need to be clean, confident and truthful in our words, else nobody will pay any serious attention to us. As Bruh Paul directs, ‘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 the hearers.’ (Eph.4:29) ‘But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds. And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him. Where there is neither Greek not Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.’ (Col.3:8-11) Yes my people, that’s how we need to speak and behave when we promote the gospel; throwing out all our old behaviour and putting on the image of Jesus; clean and wholesome, in which we’ve been reborn and renewed, with all divisions, colours, creed, race etc. having been eradicated, because Christ rules over all, and as believers, we’ve become one in Him. And ‘if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth.’ Meaning that if we want to serve, to minister to God’s people, we’ve got to give our all, serve to the best of our ability, with power, with all the strength that God provides. So, ‘that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ.’ And that’s a given my brethren! All we do should be targeted towards the glory of God, through our wonderful saviour Jesus Christ. Bruh Paul was most adamant about that and included it in some form and fashion in all his missives to the churches. Here are a few examples: ‘Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.’ (1 Cor.10:31) ‘Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.’ (Eph.5:20-21) ‘And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.’ (Col.3:17) Yes Friends, that’s our basic purpose here on earth; to bring glory to God by spreading the gospel and bringing sinners to repentance through His Son Jesus Christ, who voluntarily sacrificed His Holy, sinless life to atone for our sins, and was rewarded by the Father, for that selfless act, with a seat at His right hand on the heavenly throne and the world as His everlasting dominion. Consequently, Jesus has become omnipotent; our Lord, Saviour and all that we might ever need. Therefore He is most worthy of our humble obeisance, one ‘to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen.’ My Friends, all I can do is encourage us to get our lives in order, in Jesus’ name, be prepared for whenever He returns, and in the meanwhile, go out into the world and witness, preach, edify, exhort, use whatever gift(s) with which you’ve been endowed to expand and enrich the Church of Christ, so that His death would not be in vain and the Holy Name of His Heavenly Father magnified. Much LOVE!…our bounden duty…to spread the message of Christ…of LOVE…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 2 March 2009 1 Peter 4:10‏

02 Mar 2009 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

1 Peter 4:10    As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
 
Ah my Friends, exceptional advice from the Rock upon which Christ laid the foundation of His Church. But then, what else can we expect from Jesus’ right hand man eh? (smile) And what’s Peter saying? Here he is hammering home Bruh Paul’s earlier message and exhortation, where he likens the faith, or the Church he’s endeavouring to promote and build, to our human body, which has many different parts, but all have different duties, however they all work together for the good of the whole. ‘For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.’ (Rom.12:4-5) Yes my people, Christ is the Holy body, the Church, of which we are all members, individually and collectively, also with different functions and purposes. Collectively we’re called to promote, to promulgate the gospel of Christ, while individually, everyone has a separate duty to perform in accomplishing that overall purpose. ‘Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophesy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.’ (Rom.12:6-8) There you go, my Friends! Bruh Paul outlines some of the gifts individual believers might be blessed with; prophesy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, ruling, mercy. However, it’s of the utmost importance that whatever is our God-given gift, we exercise it in a manner of excellence, of the highest order, a manner pleasing to God, for true believers must strive for excellence in all their endeavours. Peter also emphasizes that point; ‘even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards…’ We are to use our gifts to help and encourage one another, just as the individual parts of our bodies look out for and protect the others. As a good steward, we must have each other’s back. And what’s a steward? A steward is a guardian, a keeper, one entrusted with the important task of safeguarding something or someone considered valuable. So know it my people, write it indelibly in your hearts, that we are all considered valuable members of Christ’s household! And in appreciation of that immense honour, all God’s people declared: ‘All thanks and honour and glory be to the Most High God Jehovah!’ That steward therefore must be honest and trustworthy. As Bruh Paul puts it: ‘Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.’ (1 Cor.4:1-2) Yes my brethren, in our walk of faith, we should be considered servants, helpers of Christ, and safe keepers of God’s hidden truths, found in His Word. Above all though, a steward must be faithful. Jesus also noted the importance of trust and faithfulness. ‘Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him a ruler over all that he hath.’ (Luke 12:42-44) That’s the reward of a faithful steward my people; elevation to a more important position. And so shall Christ reward us if we persevere ‘as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.’ Yes, if we look after the gifts of God, freely given to us through His abounding grace, we too shall be rewarded. For as Bruh Paul explained to the Corinthians: ‘Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.’ (1 Cor.12:4-6) The long and short of the story my Friends, is that as believers we’ve been endowed with different gifts to help in promoting the gospel of Christ, but to achieve success, we must all take care of those generous endowments and join them together as one, that they fit like a cog in a wheel, and operate like a finely tuned engine, all to the greater glory of God. Let’s therefore come together and work as we ought; ‘Let LOVE be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.’ (Rom.12:9) And in so doing, we’ll successfully promote God’s kingdom here on earth. Much LOVE!…a chain is only as strong as its weakest link…
 

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