Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 March 2010 James 3:1‏

11 Mar 2010 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

James 3:1     My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
 
Top o’ the morn to all you far flung Scrip-Bit Friends! It’s a new and glorious day! We’re alive on this beautiful planet Earth, with numerous God-given blessings, privileges, mercies, forgiveness, and above all the promises of salvation and eternal live! Wow! For all that our magnanimous God has done, is doing and will do for us, let’s give Him a round of applause, show Him some gratitude and thanks. ‘Oh Father in heaven, we thank you that we’re alive and kicking, ready to LIVE our Faith and show our great LOVE for you in a world that’s trying to shunt you aside. Thank you for the immense LOVE you showed by sacrificing your Son, Jesus for us. We humbly ask that you keep blessing and guiding us as we seek You and the way You desire us to go. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.’ Ah Friends, our God is so good to us that sometimes it just boggles my imagination, and makes me wonder how and why we can’t LOVE Him more and do a better job of furthering His kingdom. However, there’s a caveat to all that, as James states. ‘My brethren, be not among many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.’ James is warning us not to have too many teachers in the church, as it could easily lead to misuse, through slanted or even wrong information being taught, thereby causing confusion and leading the believers astray, as happened in the early church, and sadly is still happening too much today. Bruh Paul warned Timothy of this. ‘Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions (causes disputes) rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Now the end (purpose) of the commandment is charity (LOVE) out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned (sincere). From which some having swerved (strayed) have turned aside unto vain jangling (idle chatter); Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.’ (1 Tim.1:4-7) Yes my people, there are many false teachers and preachers out there in our evil world, teaching false or slanted doctrine. Some only talk God, but are rather unscrupulous, are only out to make a quick buck off the unsuspecting public. Fraud artists abound in all areas of life, even in the Lord’s ministry. Bruh Paul also warned us in this regard, when dealing with the Jews and the law, re circumcision and it’s place in the gospel. ‘Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makes thy boast of the law, through breaking the law, dishonourest thou God?’ ( Rom.2:21-23) And he goes on to berate those who laud the practice of circumcision, but don’t practice the law that goes with it. As the scholars claim, ‘the rite without the reality of the personal devotion to God is meaningless and is really unrighteous.’ Put in simple terms; teacher or preacher, teach thyself, practice what you preach, for it’s not right to say one thing then do another. And we all know people like that. But it’s even more important among those who attempt to spread the Word. I’ve never wanted to be a role model, and would often tell others to do as I say and not as I do, for though I give very good advice, I don’t always apply it to my own circumstances. However, since I’ve begun writing this Bit, I’ve realized that there’s a great responsibility to practice what I preach, because in the eyes of the public I’m now a role model for Jesus, and people will expect me to follow the advice I give them if it fits my circumstances. Ah Lord eh! Yuh know Friends, it’s the first time I’ve ever really sat down and contemplated the fact that I’ve become a serious role model, when I never wanted to be one. Our God can be so tricky and underhanded at times. Hn! The thing with being a role model is that you have to live up to whatever ideals you teach, but with our natural sinful and rebellious nature, it’s also easy to deviate from the narrow path, which leads to oodles of criticism and crying out for one’s head. Just look at all the people we’ve put up on pedestals recently as our cult of celebrity widens, and as soon as they err, sometimes it’s only simple human error, we’re quick to drag them down unmercifully and tarnish their name, meanwhile in our own little world, we’re doing even worse. That’s the hypocrisy I can’t stand with being in the public eye: we all want to be forgiven, but cannot forgive. Be it known though Friends, that I take what I write seriously, sometimes too seriously, for if after I send out the Bit, I see even one small, insignificant error, it annoys me. That’s because I keep talking about believers reaching out for excellence like Jesus did, and I’m just trying to do as I say. Hn, hn, hn! I’m chuckling because I don’t know how we got to this point. I guess the Spirit must have felt that I needed to give a personal testimony and clear the air in that regard, for I certainly don’t want to be a purveyor of wrong information on God’s behalf. But please remember, I’m only human too, and though my heart is in the right place, I’m no scholar, just learning as I go along with you, so don’t put me on any pedestal, as I have Achilles heels too. (smile) The old people would say, I’m taking in front before in front takes me. But seriously though Friends, it’s vitally important for anyone who’s teaching anything at all, to have that teaching, where necessary, displayed in their everyday lives. For as James rightly says: ‘knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.’ Yes, teachers will always be held to higher standards and judged more strictly than their students or listeners, for they have an higher responsibility to uphold; to teach the truth, and not lead others astray. Consequently Friends, it is very important that we pay careful attention to whom we listen to and what they say. Don’t take everything for granted, do your homework, study the Word and ask questions if you’re not sure. That’s the only way you can protect yourself and not be led astray. Please guard your hearts, souls and minds carefully for the enemy is always on the lookout for someone to exploit. Much LOVE!…Christ, crucified on the cross for our sins…brought salvation and eternal life…that’s the eternal truth…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 10 March 2010 Job 10:20‏

10 Mar 2010 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Job 10:20    Are not my days few? Cease then, and let me alone, that I may take comfort a little.
 
Oh Friends, it’s several down and another one coming up! That’s a warm winter’s day. (smile) But yes, it’s supposed to be warm again in my neck of the woods. Thank you Lord! However, when it does turn back cold, as it surely will, we’re all going to be bemoaning and bewailing our condition like Job, without good reason though. We gleefully enjoy the good things but complain mournfully when the dark days come, as they must do. Job knows this, and so informs his wife, (Job 2:10) but still, with our human intellect, finds it difficult to comprehend his sudden catastrophic situation. Most of us would too, after doing our best, working hard and amassing an earthly fortune and a good family, considering ourselves fairly righteous, treating others decently, then suddenly our whole family and fortune are taken away for no apparent reason, and we’re covered from head to toe with boils and skin diseases. Brudder! That’s certainly enough for a man to hold his head and bawl, wonder why, and bring his complaint before his God who had so promised to look out for him. Then to make matters worse, his so-called friends, instead of comforting and consoling him in his time of loss and grief, gang up on him, remonstrate with him, claiming that he has some terrible hidden sin, why such calamity befell him. Oh my people, this life is certainly not easy, nor one with easy to find explanations. We all wonder why bad things happen to good people and vice versa, and that certainly confuses us. But that’s why we have our faith, to help us cope, especially in those rough times that seem unfair. We have to be like Job, who, when the full extent of his disaster hit him, he tore off his robe, shaved his head, fell down to the ground and worshipped the Lord, saying: ‘Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly (accused Him with wrong) (Job 1: 21-22) Ah mih friends, that’s the right attitude for believers to adopt when calamity befalls us. Hn! However, it’s much easier said than done, especially when we take our concerns to God but can’t get any reasonable answers, and sometimes no answers at all. But as Dr. Schuller (Hour of Power) likes to say, ‘why’ is one question our God doesn’t answer, because it will just cause arguments. We’ll never be satisfied with His reasoning since all we can see is the small, personal picture, while He takes a big, worldwide view. So going to God asking why, is often the wrong question. What we should be asking is, what now Lord? What do you want me to do now? But again Friends, all those things work well in theory, in practice though, too few of us are able to handle them. We bewail our birth, curse the day we were born, and end up questioning God’s purpose for making us, if He’s going to allow such tribulation in our lives. Like Job did: ‘Thou renewest thy witnesses against me, and increasest thine indignation upon me; changes and war are against me. Wherefore then hast thou brought me forth out of the womb? O that I had given up the ghost, and no eye had seen me! I should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried from the womb to the grave.’ (Job 10:17-19) Yes my people, that’s often our reaction when adversity strikes us. We question God: ‘Are not my days few?’ As Bruh David declared in his prayer for self-understanding. ‘Behold, thou hast made my days as a handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity (vapour). Selah.’ (Ps.39:5) And we continue in our plaintive voice to God: ‘Cease then, and let me be alone, that I may take comfort a little. Before I go whence I shall not return, even to the land of darkness and the shadow of death.’ (Job 10:20-21) Oh mih breddren, we all have experienced those dark, dismal days when we’re in dire straits, don’t know why, can’t see any daylight, and all we can do is beg God to ease up the pressure. Sometimes it gets so awful that like Job, we despairingly declare: ‘So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life.’ (Job 7:15) But my people, it’s never good when we choose death over life because it means that our faith is either extinct or at a very low ebb. In times of catastrophe and disaster that’s when out faith needs to be at its highest, at the top of its game, so that we can withstand the enemy’s fiery darts, and take comfort form the Lord’s Word and His many promises of sustenance and guidance. Friends, our beautiful planet, Mother Earth, is currently undergoing a series of inexplicable natural disasters, as well as many evil doings by men, with many of us believers suffering untold burdens and personal tragedy, but please, DON’T GIVE UP. Now is not the time to quit; it’s the time to dig deep down into our souls and find the reserves of faith that we all have buried there, and use it on behalf of our God, use it for His glory. That’s what believers are called on to do: NEVER GIVE UP, for once there is life, there is hope, and we are saved by hope. Therefore, we need to ‘hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.’ (1 Pet.1:13) Yes Friends, remember that our faith is fuelled by hope, for ‘faith is the substance (realization) of things hoped for, the evidence (conviction) of things not seen.’ (Heb.11:1) And though we have our struggles and go through all sorts of want and deprivation, with feelings of sadness and thoughts of giving up, if we stand strong, steadfast and true, like Job, in the end, the Lord will certainly bless us. ‘Also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before…So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning.'(Job 42:10,12) It’s not easy Friends, but with the Lord’s help and our strong faith we can pull through. Please remember that. Much LOVE!…though the road be rough and rugged…Jesus will always help us through…if we call on Him…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 9 March 2010 Judges 5:24‏

09 Mar 2010 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Judges 5:10     Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, blessed shall she be above women in the tent.
 
Oh Friends, more sunshine and spring-like weather is in the offing! Wow! It’s been quite a few days now. Let’s be hopeful people, but don’t get our hopes up too high, for it’s highly unlikely that March, the month likened to a lion with its cold, blustery winds and frigid temps will just pass through this year like a lamb. There are still 22 days to go. Anyway, yesterday was International Women’s Day, and I’m a tad late, but having read a wonderful quote attributed to one of Canada’s famous authors, Lucy Maude Montgomery, writer of such books as Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea, I had to write something on the topic. And also because the sad plight of women is perhaps nearest and dearest to my heart. I don’t know if that’s from living most of my life mainly among women, and seeing the unnecessary nonsense they have to put up with. In this supposed forward thinking 21st century, women are still being treated worse than cattle in the Third World and like second class citizens in the First World. Say what you want, but the facts speak for themselves. Look around our modern society and see how many women are really at the top of the big corporations? Not many. The proverbial glass ceiling and the old boy’s network are still there keeping them down. And even when given a glorified title, it’s generally in some inane department like Public or Human Relations, where no real meaningful decisions are made. Have you noticed Friends, that whenever you read or hear of some announcement from the Public Relations section, the majority of times it comes from a woman? In these supposed enlightened times, we still drag out the implausible, stupid excuses about women not being able to have a top notch career and be a good mother at the same time. But a man can do it and be a good father. Rubbish! Women in the lower echelons have been doing it for eons, so why can’t the ones at the top do it too, especially when they will obviously have more perks and advantages? And what about all the technological advancements now in place, can’t those be used to help the female corporate leader? Then we have the unexplained differences in remuneration for females and males doing the same work with the same qualifications. Why is that still rampant eh? Oh Friends, it’s time for all this injustice to cease. It’s time for women to stop bearing the brunt of the dirty work without the proper compensation. Many men still believe that a woman’s place is in the home, making and raising  children, washing, cooking, cleaning, burdened with household duties, living in subjection to the male ego, and being thankful for it too. Steups! If that’s your thing, fine, to each her own. But if you choose to rise to the top of the corporate ladder your path should not be blocked or you shunted aside to some lesser post just because you’re a woman. In our modern society women are still looked upon too much as sexual objects. Check out any rap video, where the men are covered from head to toe while the women are always half naked, and it has nothing to do with the song, just using the sexual flavour to sell it. Consequently, the morals and values of many young women today are sadly very low or non-existent. And the sad part too is that many of these men who have this superior attitude aren’t even worthy to tie the bootlaces of some of the women they abuse or suppress. They are just a setta fool-fool men, but because deh name man, they think it’s their god-given right. Chuh nonsense! And I’ll get to Lucy Maud’s quote now. Her son Chester claims that she once said: ‘I have no desire to be equal to a man. I prefer to maintain my superiority.’ Bravo, Lucy Maud! And it’s no lie Friends; women are superior to men in many aspects. Consider how many men can be pregnant, yet go to work every day and still competently run a family with several small children hanging on to their apron strings? It’s also been proven that women are emotionally stronger than men. This thing about women crying at the drop of a hat is only something they concocted to control men. The same goes for their use of things like sex, clothes and jewellery. A woman can control a man with her little finger if she so desires, and yet allow the man to feel big and macho. And here’s another thought; ‘Behind, before or beside every successful man is a sensible, understanding woman.’ And that’s a fact. Successful men need sensible, understanding women to help them along. But what really annoys me Friends is these backward, paternalistic societies where women are treated like chattel and are still considered totally expendable. I’m talking of societies where they aren’t even allowed an education; are married off to whomever the parents choose, sometimes the highest bidder; where they are blamed and punished for sexual misconduct while the men involved suffer no backlash; where they are aborted as a foetus in preference to men, who are more cherished; where they are easily and knowingly sold and used as sex slaves; burned alive with their dead husbands, or forced to endure terrible poverty as widows. Oh Friends, there are so many ways in which the female of the species is still being abused in our world that it makes one want to hold their head and bawl, ‘Why Lord, Why?’ Men bear much of the blame, but women must bear some too for too readily accepting the status quo and not standing up for their god-given rights. I know it’s not an easy situation to conquer, but unless women of all walks of life, especially those with some authority and power, in tandem with the sensible, true Christian men amongst us, get together and put an end to the systemic abuse of women in all societies, it will continue. And per Today’s Bit: ‘Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, blessed shall she be above women in the tent,’ that refers to a woman in the days when judges ruled Israel. In fact Deborah, a woman was the judge at that time. The Lord raised her up to guide Israel, proving that women can be good rulers too. Anyway, at that time the Canaanites had Israel under control, but between Deborah and Barak, the leader of the Israelite forces they regained their independence. The story goes though that while Barak was chasing the Canaanite captain, Sisera, he ended up in Jael’s tent. Sisera asked for water, but she gave him milk and treated him lordly. Then when he fell asleep, she hammered a nail through his temples then cut off his head. (Judg.5:25-27) That’s why she earned a place in the Song of Deborah and Barak. Women of the world, and sensible, Christian men, it’s time for us to unite and rise up against the forces of evil that insist in ill-treating our women folk so that those to come will not suffer the same indignities. I know this will offend some macho men and frivolous women, but that’s okay. I can handle it. I know this Bit might also be a tad disjointed and incoherent, but when writing from the heart, as I’ve done, those things aren’t important. What’s important is that we live up to our talk as true followers of Jesus, and He would never consent to the way we treat our mothers, sisters, wives and daughters. So let’s try and improve it nuh.  Much LOVE!…talk is cheap…but walking takes guts…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 8 March 2010 Proverbs 19:25‏

08 Mar 2010 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Proverbs 19:25     Smite a scorner and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
 
Oh Friends, it’s Monday morning, time to begin anew the work week battle! Please remember to put on your full battle dress, all your spiritual armour, and then some, (smile) before going out to engage the enemy. This way you can withstand his evil slings and arrows and also get in some licks of your own. And yuh know Friends, the power of the Spirit and its unconventional methods never cease to amaze me. I just did a routine task, and for some inexplicable reason a mighty surge of thanks rose within me. It wasn’t anything special or out of the ordinary, but I simply felt overwhelmed to offer much heartfelt thanks to our God. So let’s do that now please. Let’s take a moment to praise and glorify Him. And all God’s people proudly sang: ‘Praise Him, Praise Him, Glory Hallelujah, He is LOVE, Yes, He is LOVE!’ Now didn’t that feel good? It sure did! And I’m sure the Lord appreciated it, for there’s nothing He likes more than thanks, praise and glory from His children. Oh mih breddren, the mighty God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is certainly LOVE! He embodies the emotion as He’s shown throughout the ages, especially with the sacrificing of His only Son, Jesus, for our sins; the greatest show of LOVE ever. For that we can never give Him enough thanks and praise. But now we come to our Bit which deals with the way different people understand, or come to wisdom through different means and methods. Cousin Sol wisely proclaims: ‘Smite a scorner and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.’ And that tends to be the general rule: The simple, unlearned man oftimes will only learn from corporal or physical punishment. Moses cited this cause and effect when he warned Israel that idolaters who rose up as prophets among them, wanting them to follow other gods, should be unequivocally put to death. ‘And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more (not again do) such wickedness as this is among you.’ (Deut.13:10-11) That’s usually the way the uneducated or simple minded learn. And not surprisingly there are several passages in the Good Book dealing with the subject from men of great faith and wisdom, including Jesus. When talking about not judging others, he advised: ‘Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend (tear) you.’ (Mat.7:6) We should not waste our time telling the truth to those who refuse to hear it because of bias or hypocrisy. As the Jamaican saying goes, ‘doh feel sorry for meagre dog, cause he’ll turn around and bite you.’ And that’s a fact; the ones who need help most, are often the ones who are least appreciative. Sol also warns: ‘Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will LOVE thee.’ (Prov.9:8) Friends, that sounds logical, but Cousin Sol never met the numerous supposed wise we have today, who can’t take any criticism at all. (smile) I guess that simply means they aren’t truly wise. Unlike Bruh David, who unashamedly declares: ‘Let the righteous smite me: it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head (let not my head refuse it): for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities (against their wicked deeds).’ (Ps.141:5) Yes Friends, Bruh David proves Sol’s theory that the wise learn from verbal rebuke, so there’s no need for physical punishment. And the Preacher contends that ‘It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. For as the crackling (sound) of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of a fool: this also is vanity.’  (Eccl.7:5-6) Now my people, you ask what has all this got to do with anything? And I answer, everything. (smile) It just reminds us that as followers of Jesus, we should always seek wisdom and understanding, desire and aspire to excellence, upgrade ourselves with the Word and anything else that will help us do a better job for Jesus. We shouldn’t be strait-laced and narrow minded, argumentative and refuse to accept justified criticism. I know that none of us likes to be told we’re wrong, much less proven wrong, but all the wise men claim that we should not immediately fly off the handle, but first stop and consider the criticism. Neither should we be quick to judge others, especially if our own faults and failings are bigger than those we’re criticising. And if the criticism is unwarranted, then we should do like Jesus, turn the other cheek and move on. Our Saviour never got riled up over the criticism He unjustly received, and that’s the standard we ought to reach for. It’s not easy with quick, harsh criticism being the flavour of our time, where everyone’s a critic. But Friends, please remember that when we walk with the Most High God Jehovah and follow the guidance of His Holy Spirit, all things are possible. Much LOVE!…the wise will learn from words…but the unwise need blows…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 7 March 2010 Luke 14:27‏

07 Mar 2010 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Luke 14:27      And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
 
Oh Friends, isn’t it a lovely day out? Oh yes it is! Now I don’t really know that, since it’s still dark outside. (smile) But the weatherman predicted the day in my area would be bright and sunny and somewhere between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius. Wow! Spring-like temps in early March! And because I know that weather prediction is an inexact science, if a science at all, I take the weatherman’s view with a grain of salt; hoping it’s true, but not seriously holding my breath. Now that’s akin to faith, but not quite, for with faith there’s no doubt whatsoever. Whatever the Holy Trinity promises or says, it is the truth, and nothing but. So if Jesus says that ‘whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple,’ then we’d better believe it. If we don’t clean up our act and buckle down to His rules and thoughts then we won’t ever be a true follower of His. However, as a quote attributed to the famous English writer, W. Somerset Maugham states; ‘The unfortunate thing about this world is that good habits are so much easier to give up than bad ones.’ And we all know that’s gospel. But the fact remains that if we truly want to be in with Jesus, we have to give up some of the bad habits that the world glories in and develop more of the good ones that Jesus desires in His people. As we keep saying, it’s not easy, because our flesh naturally leans to the lusts of the world. Consequently, we have to plan very carefully if we intend to become believers. It’s not something to rush into without proper thought, planning and prayer. And I like how Jesus left no stone unturned when He ministered. After speaking Today’s Bit, He also explained it by giving examples. ‘For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply (perhaps), after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.’ (Luke 14:28-30) Becoming a follower of Jesus is like any other situation, we have to plan and prepare before we jump into it because if we don’t, we’re quite likely to find ourselves in above our heads, and won’t be able to function properly. It’s as Sol advised: ‘Prepare thy work without (work outside) and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterward build thine house,’ (Prov.24:27) Yes Friends, it’s always wise to have good plans for any project we intend to invest time and money in, and if possible make small mock-ups, or have trial runs to iron out any inconsistencies, before we get into the real McCoy. Jesus gave another example of being prepared. ‘Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth (considers) whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage (a delegation) and desireth (asks for) conditions of peace.’ (Luke 14:31-32) Mih breddren, as the old people always advised, ‘drunk or sober, mind yuh business.’ And is only a fool would hurry to fight twenty thousand with only ten thousand, unless the Most High God Jehovah explicitly says to do it. ‘So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.’ (Luke 14:33) Jesus reiterates His conditions for discipleship. Yes my people, we have to be willing to renounce or give up certain things for the Lord’s sake, and always be in a state of readiness to obey His dictates and do with our physical body, time and material possessions as He demands. And the rewards you ask? Now we should not be in it solely for the rewards, but because we LOVE, appreciate and are grateful that Jesus brokered our sins on the cross, but nonetheless, here’s Jesus’ reply to Peter in answer to that very question. ‘Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye shall also sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.’ (Mat.19:28-29) And all God’s people sang out a mighty: ‘Glory Hallelujah! Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to be praised!’ Oh Friends, what can be better than that eh? Nothing! And please remember that the Lord never gives us more than we can handle, for He best knows our capacity, and He always provides the tools with which to do His bidding. That’s why I encourage us to truly become  followers of Jesus. And it doesn’t always mean we have to give up our material possessions, for sometimes the Lord even increases them. The whole issue is being willing to sacrifice our earthly and material well-being for our heavenly and spiritual good, if called upon to do so. As always my people, it’s in the motive, the rightness of our hearts that the Lord looks to judge us. So let’s concentrate on making our hearts right nuh, so when He checks them out, He’ll smile and say of each one, ‘Yes, there’s a true, upstanding and faithful servant.’ Much LOVE!…our sacrifices for Jesus…they are trivial…compared to His for us…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 6 March 2010 Luke 14:27‏

06 Mar 2010 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Luke 14:27     And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.   
 
Oh Friends, Sabbath time is here again! Be sure to get your weekly dose of fellowship, fun, physical relaxation and spiritual renewal, else you won’t have the wherewithal to withstand the enemy and do your job as a follower of Jesus. Today I want to share a quote from one of the famous British poets, Percy Bysshe Shelley, which says: ‘Our sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest thoughts.’ And isn’t that the truth Friends? Just consider songs like Amazing Grace and the many other sad but sweet hymns in our arsenal. Also check out the Negro Spirituals, the Blues and Soul tunes that derive their emotion from hurt, pain and sadness, but are very catching to the heart and soul. I guess there’s just something in sadness that brings out a sweet, soulful melody in us. In some ways it’s reminiscent of Jesus’ words: ‘And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.’ Unless we give up what we don’t truly need, or bear the burdens we need to, we can’t be a disciple of Jesus. It’s obviously not easy to give up certain things or to withstand certain hard circumstances and trials, but in the end, as Jesus so faithfully promises, it will all pay off in greater rewards. That’s the sweet part mih people; walking in step with Jesus, using His immense strength to bear our burdens, carrying our crosses like stalwarts, without murmur or regret. Don’t be fooled Friends, even with the Spirit’s help, it’s no easy task. Jesus outlined the requirements in the verse before the Bit: ‘If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.’ (Luke 14:26) Wow! What a price to be Jesus’ disciple! But it’s certainly worth it my people. Jesus obviously never meant for us to literally hate those he referred to, but in relation to one’s devotion to Him, everything else in our lives must take second place. In other words, He must always be Numero UNO, Number ONE! Neither does it negate Jesus’ other teachings re LOVING one’s enemies, honouring your parents and such things. It simply means that your relationship with Jesus must be paramount in your life. Absolute loyalty to Christ is a necessity, although as the scholars wisely point out, in many societies, including ours and that of Jesus, following Him invites an either or situation that our Bit appears to set up, which wasn’t what Jesus really meant. Yes, it does mean having to give up some things and some people that don’t fit into the spiritual lifestyle, but that’s the same with anything on which we are completely focused. So it should not really detract from our LOVING and caring, but just keep us steadfastly focused on the Saviour. And note too Friends, Jesus did not tell the requirements only to his disciples, but to the multitude that followed Him. (Luke 14:25) He’d said almost the same thing privately to the disciples when talking about terms of discipleship. ‘If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whosoever will (desires to) save his life will lose it, but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged (benefited), if he gain the whole world, and lose himself (is destroyed), or be cast away (lost)? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.’ (Luke 9:23-26) Ah Friends, a true believer’s life is not an easy one, but it is a good one, and please remember that the eventual rewards in heaven, living with the Holy Triune, do justify the earthly pain. It’s as Bruh Paul proudly declares to his protégé Timothy: ‘Yea, and all that will live godly in Jesus Christ shall suffer persecution.’ (2 Tim.3:12) But please don’t let that turn you off my brethren, for persecution in our society today is negligible, compared to what the early Christians suffered, and what some believers still suffer in heathen lands. Instead, stand tall and strong and do the work for which we’ve been called. Be proud like the apostles were when they were flogged by the Jewish elders for preaching Christ crucified, and were also warned, in no uncertain manner, to stop preaching it. But they paid the elders and their warnings no heed and were back in the temple the next day, preaching the good news of the gospel, ‘rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.’ (Acts 5:41) That’s enough for today Friends. I don’t want to turn you off by making it seem that there is so much hardship inherent in being a follower of Christ, though there is some. (smile) We will continue this topic tomorrow, God willing of course. And why wouldn’t He, since we’re only trying to SPREAD His Word, LIVE our Faith and LOVE Him as his Son, our Saviour directed us. Till then, Much LOVE!…come follow, follow Jesus…it’s the best life…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 5 March 2010 Judges 2:11‏

05 Mar 2010 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Judges 2:11     And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim:
 
Well hello there you beautiful people! Greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Yes, my spiritual malaise of yesterday is gone. All I can say is the Lord gives and He also takes. Praise Him my people for His continual goodness to the undeserving children of men. And the best example of that is the period when judges ruled Israel. After the Lord rebuked them at Bochim, they sacrificed and wept: ‘And the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua who had seen all the great works of the Lord, that he did for Israel.’ (Judg.2:7) However, when that generation died, another one arose ‘which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.’ (Judg.2:10) So what do you think happened then eh Friends? ‘And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord and served Baalim.’ But nuh must? They knew nothing about the God of their fathers; His mighty works on their behalf and the exceeding great LOVE He bore them. And if they grew up amongst the heathen, without the proper reinforcement of Almighty God and His precious Word, what else can we expect? That’s exactly why the Lord wanted to keep them separate. At least we have some knowledge of God, but they had none. And my people, it’s for that very reason I keep stressing the need, the urgency for us to teach the young generation about the One, True, Living God; the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, so that when we die, they will have a strong foundation to hold on to and to build on. But today in our society, godly sentiment is unfortunately being disparaged, ridiculed and diminished, its adherents sadly scorned and demoralized while the evil antics of the enemy are glorified and held in high esteem. Oh my brethren, it should be the other way around; the Lord glorified and Lucifer demonized. But that can only happen if we, the followers of Jesus rise up with a sure, confident, strong hand and spirit and do something about it. Otherwise our children will end up like those of the ancient Israelites. ‘And they forsook the Lord God of their fathers…and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the Lord to anger. And they forsook the Lord, and served Baal and Ashtaroth. And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, (plunderers who despoiled them), and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies. Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the Lord was against them for evil, as the Lord had said, and as the Lord had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed.’ (Judg.2:12-15) Oh Friends, the Israelites paid dearly for their disobedience. Is that what we want for our children? I sincerely hope not. But our God is such a merciful, LOVING, magnanimous, forgiving Deity, that when they cried out to Him in oppression, He raised up judges and guided them to deliver His chosen. ‘And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them.’ (Judg.2:17) Friends, the Israelite situation became a cycle, a revolving door. They would be oppressed, then cry out to the Lord for mercy. He would feel sorry for them and raise up a judge to deliver them. However, ‘it came to pass when the judge was dead, that they returned and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way.’ (Judg.2:19) This obviously kindled the Lord’s anger against them, and He refused to drive out the nations around them that were corrupting them. He left the nations there as a test, to see if His chosen people would hearken back to Him. ‘And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites, and Perizzites, and Hivites, and Jebusites: And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods.’ (Judg.3:5-6) Then the merry go round began. The Lord caused the king of Mesopotamia to conquer them, and they served him for eight years. But then, in their oppression, they cried out to the Lord, and He raised up Othniel, the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, who delivered them. ‘And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel, the son of Kenaz died. And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord.’ (Judg.3:11-12) This time, the Moabites conquered them, and they served them for eighteen years. Then they cried out to the Lord, and He in his mercy, raised up Ehud, who killed the king of Moab with a double edged knife, then he called Israel out to battle and they defeated the Moabites. ‘And the land had rest fourscore years.’ (Judg.3:30) But after Ehud died, the Israelites regressed again. Now the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin, king of Canaan, ‘and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.’ (Judg.4:3) This time the prophetess Deborah, who was then Israel’s judge, orchestrated their deliverance with Barak. But their disobedience continued, with the Midianites oppressing them for seven years until the Lord raised up Gideon to deliver them. That my Friends was a most shameful display by the Lord’s chosen people. But sadly, our society is also headed that way. Oh my people, please, please let us try and put a stop to the foolish ungodliness that’s engulfing our society, else there’ll come a time, if it isn’t here already, when, like Israel, we’ll pay dearly for our disobedience. It’s of dire importance that we get active and start turning our society around, for we’re speedily moving in a wrong and dangerous direction, which will eventually lead to our downfall and demise if we continue. Much LOVE!…teach the children to pray…so they will not disobey…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 March 2010 Judges 2:2‏

04 Mar 2010 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Judges 2:2     And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this?
 
Ah Friends, it’s supposed to be another spring-like day, but for some reason my spirit isn’t feeling it. I’m in a state of malaise that I can’t explain. Nevertheless, I will still give thanks and praise for the wonderful privilege of seeing another beautiful day. And so should all believers who awaken this morning, regardless of their personal feelings or circumstances, for we owe everything that we are and have to the mercy, grace and LOVE of the Most High God Jehovah. Let’s never forget that. And all God’s people said in a mighty voice: ‘Thank you Lord!’ Oh mih people, life is such that we don’t always know why our emotions are low, but in Today’s Bit, we know why the children of Israel lifted up their voices to the Lord and wept. That’s because the Lord, through His angel, came up from Gilgal to Bochim and gave them a thorough dressing down for their wilful and habitual disobedience, thus breaking their sacred covenant with Him. My Friends, please remember that time longer than twine, so if we keep on disobeying God’s dictates, then at some time we will pay dearly for it. On several occasions the Lord had instructed the Israelites: ‘And ye shall make no league (treaty) with the inhabitants of this land.’ Let’s look at a couple instances. ‘Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee.’ (Ex.23:32-33) In Deuteronomy too, the Lord demanded separateness from the heathen. ‘And when the Lord thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor show mercy unto them.’ (Deut.7:2) He also outlawed inter-marriage because He knew those things would greatly increase the risks of His chosen people turning away and serving the pagan gods, which would certainly kindle His anger. Friends, the Lord knows what He’s doing, that’s why He is the Lord and we are His minions. He knows why He issues certain edicts that might seem a tad harsh to us. And if we are true believers, then we must submit our will to His. Please realize that our God is the Creator of the universe and all therein, thus His comprehension and foresight is much greater than ours, so it would serve us well to simply bow to His dictates. But it seems the Israelites had a problem with that. I guess they felt the Lord was trying to curtail their worldly fun and experience, the same way we often feel when denied some bit of eye candy or worldly trinket, which, contrary to our belief, would only get us in trouble with the Lord. In His rebuke, the Lord also mentions another instruction He’d issued more than once: ‘ye shall throw down their altars.’ In Exodus, He warned them of the idolatry of the Canaanites, whose land they were going to possess. ‘Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee: But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves. For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.’ (Ex.34:12-14) Oh my people, the Lord could not have been plainer or more forthright with the Israelites. Then in Deuteronomy He again specified that there should only be one place of worship, and that in His name. ‘Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree. And ye shall overthrow (destroy) their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves (wooden images) with fire; and ye shall hew (cut) down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of the place.’ (Deut.12:2-3) Oh Friends, I don’t know what that sounded like in the language they used back then, but in English it sure sounds simple and to the point. There are no ifs, ands or buts to cloud the meaning. But for whatever reason(s) the Israelites failed to comply. As Judges, chapter 1 shows, they conquered many of the heathen tribes but never utterly destroyed them, instead opted for living together. ‘Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants…but the Canaanites would dwell in that land…they put the Canaanites to tribute (forced labour), and did not utterly drive them out. Neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites…but the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them and became tributaries (forced labourers). Neither did Asher…Neither did Naphtali…’ (Judges 1:27-36) None of the tribes of Israel obeyed the Lord’s command; destroy them utterly, but allowed them to co-habit as forced labour. It possibly served the Israelites well, but was a direct disobedience of God’s command, that He found distasteful. Thus, in His rebuke at Bochim He declared: ‘but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this?’ Friends, it’s the same with us today, both as a society and as individuals. There are laws in our society that we break as individuals. Then as a society, and also as individuals, we break the dictates of our God when it’s clearly spelled out not to. But when it’s time to pay for our disobedience, we hold our heads and bawl, begging God and man for forgiveness and mercy, like the Israelites did that day when God called them to account at Bochim (weeping). But sometimes my people it’s too late, the damage cannot be undone and we just have to pay the price. Therefore Friends, I implore us to think before we act or talk, consider the consequences before committing ourselves, for there’s no doubt that wilful, habitual disobedience to man or God will cause us to pay dearly. Just look at our ungodly world and the lawless, violent individuals it contains. We’re no better than the Israelites. Please think on those things my people, because we’ll eventually pay, if we don’t improve. Much LOVE!…if you disobey…sooner or later…you’ll pay… 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 3 March 2010 Acts 28:24‏

03 Mar 2010 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Acts 28:24     And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
 
Oh Friends, the days are getting longer and the nights shorter. ‘Hallelujah!’ That means spring is on its way. Thank the Lord for that, and also for allowing you to see another day, plus the many blessings to be bestowed, while guiding you through an evil, decadent world. Now they say that there are three sides to every story; your side, my side and the truth somewhere in the middle. That may be so in many instances, but here, concerning the gospel contained in the believer’s handbook, the Bible, there’s only one side; the truth. And all God’s people said, ‘Amen!’ But given our human nature, some of us just have to be contrary. Today’s Bit; ‘And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not,’ refers to a day long session Bruh Paul had with the Jewish leaders in Rome, after he appealed his case in Jerusalem to Caesar, the Roman emperor. Three days after he got to Rome, he called the leaders together and explained his situation to them; how he had been railroaded by the Jerusalem Jews for preaching Christ crucified, no just cause for the death penalty they sought, thus his appeal to Caesar. What a transformation eh people? That was the same man who harassed, tortured and was very involved in the death of many early believers. But that just shows the power of God’s Word and Spirit. The Roman Jews though had received no word from their Jerusalem counterparts, neither had any travellers spoken of his problems. ‘But we desire to hear what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that everywhere it is spoken against.’ (Acts 28:22) How sad. The Jewish leaders in Rome lacked any real knowledge of the gospel, just knew that it was doubted, disbelieved and defamed by many. It recalls the Jerusalem leaders case against Bruh Paul to governor Felix. ‘For we have found this man a pestilent fellow (plague), and a mover of sedition (creator of dissension) among all Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. Who also hath gone about to profane the temple…’ (Acts24:5-6) It’s worthy to note Friends, that the Jewish leaders refused to call believers Christians, the people of Christ (of the Messiah) since that would have given them, and Jesus too, legitimacy in Jewish eyes. Instead they used other names that dispelled the theory that Jesus was the Christ; names like ‘sect of the Nazarenes,’ derived from Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth. And we know that Bruh Paul LOVED nothing more than an audience to whom he could dispense the good news of Christ’s gospel. So he arranged a day for the Jewish leaders to come to his home; ‘to whom he expounded (explained) and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.’ (Acts.28:23) Oh Friends, can you imagine Bruh Paul with such an opportunity to preach to the Jewish elite in Rome? He must have been at his educated and oratorical best. (smile) And as expected, some believed and some didn’t. However, the Jewish elite were not impressed when Bruh Paul quoted Isaiah 6:9-10, re preaching the gospel to the people who would hear but not understand, see and not perceive: ‘For the heart of this people is waxed gross (has grown dull), and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.’ (Acts.28:26-27)  Being arrogant, hypocritical, know it alls, they could not accept that put down. But the straw that really broke the camel’s back was when Bruh Paul informed them: ‘Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.’ (Acts 28:28) Now that sent them into a tizzy. They obviously had not heard or read of Simeon’s pronouncement. Having pleaded with God to keep him alive until he’d seen Christ, on that fateful day when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple, Simeon took Jesus in his hands, raised Him up to heaven and proudly declared: ‘For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people. A light to lighten (bring revelation to) the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.’ (Luke 2:30-32) Yes Friends, what kind of God would the Lord be if He never expanded His salvation and healing grace to all He’d created eh? Not very fair or wise. Anyway, once Bruh Paul told the Jewish leaders that salvation through Christ was also being offered to the Gentiles, ‘the Jews departed, and had great reasoning (dispute) among themselves.’ (Acts 28:29) Oh mih people, yuh see what a whole lot of education, law and overly strict regimen can do to us? It makes us rigid, narrow minded and blinkered, we can’t see the forest for the trees. It makes us blind and deaf to the truth, and hardens our hearts to anything not fixed in our tightly closed box of dogma. As Bruh Paul later reasoned in his Roman epistle. ‘I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid (certainly not): but rather through their fall (trespass) salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.’ (Rom.11:11) And who says the Lord isn’t a great thinker, and knows how to play one side against the other? Since the Jews didn’t want or accept Jesus, He gave His salvation to the Gentiles, who were willing to listen. ‘All praise to the Most High God Jehovah for His absolute and amazing wisdom!’ For if he hadn’t offered salvation to the heathen and just left it with the few Jews that believed, then we would probably not have heard the good news. Oh Friends, please, let us not be like those who did not believe. If the Good Book is the Word of God, then it must be true, for why would a great God like ours, tell untruths and lead us astray eh? Oh my people, the gospel is God’s guide for our earthly walk, so let’s believe and obey it with all our hearts, souls and minds. Let’s LOVE our God, LIVE our Faith, and SPREAD his Word with great enthusiasm. Much LOVE!…Jesus…He is the greatest thing that ever happened to man…believe it…cause it’s true…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 2 March 2010 Hebrews 4:16‏

02 Mar 2010 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Hebrews 4:16     Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
 
Oh Friends, now that the Winter Olympic war is over for another four years, it’s time to return to normalcy, what ever that might be. The strange thing is that those battles brought people together, even though in a strong competitive spirit, pitting friend against friend, and foe against foe, but all in a decent, positive, understanding manner. Why couldn’t that same attitude of cooperation continue now in real life eh? Perhaps because that is not real life, it’s a contrived situation. Well why don’t we contrive real life then? (smile) Anyway, I have a quote, attributed to Eva Rose York, that if followed, can certainly help us to have that contrived kind of Olympic spirit in real life. It says: ‘I shall not pass this way again; Then let me now relieve some pain, Remove some barrier from the road, Or brighten someone’s heavy load.’ Oh Friends, isn’t that a beautiful Christian sentiment! Basically it’s our bounden duty, the work that Christ allotted to His earthly followers, simply put; help others. And how do we find the strength, energy and whatever else we need to accomplish our god-given tasks? By doing as Bruh Paul advises. ‘Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.’ Oh my people, the wherewithal to do whatever we need is readily available to us, if we would only approach the Father confidently through the Son and state our desires. Now note, boldly doesn’t mean arrogantly, but with a sense of entitlement since Jesus faithfully promised: ‘And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.’ (John 14:13-14) Yes Friends, we have an Advocate with the Father, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who sincerely promised to look after those who believe in Him and surrender their personal agenda to His. And since He who promised is eternally faithful, there’s no need to worry about the heavenly response. We just need to rustle up the faith and gumption to come before the throne and humbly state our case to Jesus, and He will plead it before the Father on our behalf. As Bruh Paul told the Ephesians: ‘For through him we both have access by one spirit unto the Father.’ (Eph.2:18) And all God’s people shouted; ‘Glory Hallelujah!’ That access is very important Friends, in fact it’s a most essential part of our Christian faith. That knowledge, the surety that we can always go to Jesus at any time and place, for any reason for help and succour, is one of the building blocks of our belief system. Without that assurance we’d be lost like lemmings on an ice floe, with no direction or sense of purpose. And that’s what Jesus gave us with His ministry; that sense of focus, purpose and direction. We know who we are, what we’re supposed to do and where we are going. We also know where we came from; ungodly sinners of the past to godly sinners of the present, bound for salvation and eternal glory in the future. Wow! What a great plan the Lord laid out for us Friends! We only have to accept or reject it. And I would suggest that we quickly accept it, for there’s no telling when it might all end. Only the Father knows, and He’s not saying, so we’d better be prepared at all times. I like how the scholars put it, re the throne of grace; that only Christianity provides such boldness for sinful men before an holy God, made possible only through the efforts, the sacrifices of our High Priest, Jesus. Isn’t that wonderful my people? It sure is! Let’s give Him some praise for that nuh. ‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us. Praise His Holy Name!’ Jesus’ advocacy on our behalf brings to mind how some earthly judges will not accept an accused person acting as their own counsel, because they simply don’t know the workings of the law and are liable to make serious errors, implicating themselves although they’re innocent. Well Friends, thankfully that’s one problem we’ll never have in the High Court of Heaven, for our representative is always right there beside the throne to plead our case. And having said all that, it’s still amazing the number of believers who don’t avail themselves of the opportunity to take their problems to Jesus, feeling they’re unworthy, for fear of rejection, or just simply being afraid, overwhelmed by His awesome majesty. But please remember Friends, that though Jesus now sits at the Father’s right hand, He never changes. He’s the same yesterday, today and forever. That means He still radiates the same attributes that He did here on earth; He’s still humble, caring and very approachable. So please, mih breddren, whether it’s on our own behalf or someone else’s, don’t be afraid, whatever the problem, big or small, take it to Him in prayer. Go confidently before Him, before the throne of grace, He will definitely listen and help. He’s promised never to turn us away or leave us floundering alone. Oh people that’s like money in the bank! We can count on it to take us right to heaven. So Friends, I implore us to make better use of all the tools at our disposal, so we can further the kingdom, glorify the Father and please our Leader and Saviour. And to help us do that, let’s plant these words of Bruh Paul deep in our hearts, souls and minds: ‘For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of LOVE, and of a sound mind.’ (2 Tim.1:7) Please mih people, let’s use them for all they are worth nuh. Much LOVE!…in times of need…you need to talk to Jesus…He will help and comfort you…
 

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