Today’s Scrip-Bit 7 February 2011 Isaiah 25:1‏

07 Feb 2011 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Isaiah 25:1.    O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.

Arise O ye people of Jesus, it’s Monday morning! No time for self-pity and blues singing, there’s work to be done in His Holy Name, so let’s be up and at ‘em! (smile) Yes Friends, unfortunately it’s Monday again, and labour calls. So pump up the old organ – remember the days when church organs were pumped by a hand lever – and let’s loudly and proudly proclaim our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together. We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’ Now doesn’t that feel good mih people? It sure does! Lucifer and his evil cohorts can’t touch us now. And besides that, our Bit today is the opening verse of the song of praise by the redeemed, a song of exaltation to God for His triumphant judgement of the world. According to Isaiah, those who survive the Great Tribulation will lift their voices in praise to God for His awesome protection, beginning thus: ‘O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.’ But yuh know what Friends, we don’t need to wait until after the Great Tribulation to sing thanks and praises to our most wonderful God, for we have already been redeemed by His Son’s death on the cross. All our sin debts have been fully paid and our souls washed white as snow, so now is as good a time as any to let Him know how much we LOVE, Trust, Adore, Worship and Revere Him. He is indeed our God, and just that very fact alone deserves our worship and adoration. As Moses says so eloquently and proudly in his song: ‘The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him a habitation (praise him); my father’s God, and I will exalt him.’ (Ex.15:2) But my brethren, in addition to being our God, the Lord God Jehovah has also done numerous wonderful things for us. Listen to the Psalmist tell it: ‘O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. The Lord hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly showed (revealed) in the sight of the heathen (nations or gentiles). He hath remembered his mercy (LOVING-kindness) and his truth (faithfulness) toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Make a joyful noise (shout joyfully) unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise (break forth in song), and rejoice, and sing praise.’ (Ps.98:1-4) And when you add the Lord’s ongoing faithfulness and truth, from day one, right up to this very moment that I’m writing it, and also when you read it, well then mih people, there’s nothing left to be said. As the sorcerer, obeah man, Balaam, hired to curse Israel by the Moabites (Num.22) found out to his dismay, when confronted by the sovereign God of Israel, who turned his words around: ‘Rise up Balak (the Moab king), and hear; hearken unto me, thou son of Zippor: God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.’ (Num.23:18-20) Yes my Friends, from olden times the Lord has looked after His people, and whatever has been done to them for hurt, He has changed to good. And since He’s the first and last, does not change and will reign for ever, that means there’s no reason to fear He will ever stop providing for us, unless we rebel and turn away from Him. Consequently, let’s reassure Him of our trust and adoration by singing that opening verse of the song of praise of the redeemed. ‘O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.’ And all God’s people ended with a joyful, ‘Hallelujah! Amen!’ Now Friends, let’s go in peace to LOVE and serve our magnificent God. Much LOVE!…to know, know, know Him…is to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Him…

 

Today’s Scrip- Bit 6 February 2011 Matthew 5:12‏

06 Feb 2011 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Matthew 5:12    Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Oh Friends, it’s supposed to be another cold day in the northern climes, about which many of us will complain. But why eh? Winter by definition is a cold time of year, and we know it won’t end much before sometime in April, but everyday we still complain about it. Even those who know nothing else but cold and snow, complain. That leads me to believe that complaining is just the natural nature of the beast, for in the summertime we also complain that it’s too hot. But yuh hear what Jesus says in our Bit: ‘Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.’ This statement was brought on by the last Beatitude: ‘Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.’ (Matt.5:11) And we’ve seen the persecution take place, both physical and slanderous, from Jesus’ time, up through the ages, till today, so it’s a factual statement. But why in heaven’s name, you ask, should we rejoice and be glad when we’re reviled, persecuted and slandered? The last three words of verse 11 tell the whole story: ‘for my sake.’ Yes Friends, anything suffered for Jesus’ sake, in His name, is cause to rejoice! As the scholars say: ‘Rejoice is the command that grows out of the blessedness of the believer. The phrase, Rejoice, and be exceeding glad means even more, exult!’ Yes mih people, when we’re persecuted for Jesus’ sake, we should be exultant, for blessedness comes upon us that’s special, that’s unique!  And as Peter reassuringly proclaims: ‘Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as (to the extent that) ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached (insulted) for the name of Christ, happy (blessed) are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you; on their part he is evil spoken of (blasphemed), but on your part he is glorified.’ (1 Pet.4:12-14) Oh Friends, I know to withstand persecution for Jesus with a strong and steadfast faith is not easy, but Jesus promised that it’s surely worth it: ‘for great is your reward in heaven.’ And the scholars explain that splendidly too. ‘Great is your reward in heaven focuses attention on the eternal destiny of all things. If God is as real as He claims, if the Bible is true, if heaven is to be gained, then no temporary earthly trouble or persecution can dispossess the child of God of joy in the prospect of the eternal glory that lies ahead.’ Wow! Now that certainly makes it all worthwhile eh mih breddren! All our earthly problems pale in the glorious light of what’s ahead for us in God’s eternal glory. And I know some of us are saying that still doesn’t make it easy. And it doesn’t, but Friends, if you’re looking for something easy, then you’re looking in the wrong place, for nothing to do with Jesus is easy. That’s one of the first things a new believer should be taught, though many aren’t. Jesus’ teaching goes against the grain of human nature, and especially against the evil, immoral, greedy, violent, resentful and prideful society in which we live today. So if you intend to walk with Jesus, and thus talk about Him, then you’d better batten down the hatches, band yuh belly and strengthen yuh backbone, because you’re in for a rough ride. And Jesus gives a great example at the end of the Bit: ‘for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.’ And that’s the gospel truth Friends! Stephen in his defence said it: ‘Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them which showed before (foretold) of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition (direction) of angels, and have not kept it.’ (Acts 7:52-53) Unfortunately his comments only made his accusers more furious and Saul’s (Bruh Paul’s) henchmen ran him out of the city and stoned him to death. Ah mih people, being a true believer in and follower of Jesus in this wicked world is certainly not easy. It’s fraught with problems from the time you open your mouth and say ‘Jesus.’ However Friends, I can guarantee that a life lived for Jesus will definitely be an interesting one, filled with joy and adventure, even in the rough and difficult times. Living for Beelzebub…Chuh! That is pure chupidness in comparison to living for Jesus! Doing this earthly journey in Jesus’ name will bring insights and experiences that will blow your mind, boggle you imagination, so that once you’re mature in the faith, nothing else but Jesus will matter. And if somehow the good things on the earthly journey don’t outweigh the bad, don’t worry, we still have the great rewards in heaven that Jesus faithfully promised to look forward to. And I know for sure that nothing will ever outweigh those! How can anything outweigh salvation, reconciliation with God, and eternal life in His Holy presence? Impossible mih people! So please, let’s stand strong, as Jesus desires, and soak up the persecution like a sponge! Let’s show Lucifer and his henchmen that they may abuse our bodies, but they can’t break our spirits, because we’re followers of Jesus, and made of sterner stuff! Much LOVE!…to fight…to die…but NEVER…NEVER TO YIELD…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 5 February 2011 Romans 12:3‏

05 Feb 2011 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Romans 12:3.    For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, accordingly as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Oh Friends, it’s a new day, one filled with new hope, mercy, grace, forgiveness and blessings! Wow! Moreover, our names and pictures are not in the obits. And all God’s people joyfully proclaimed: ‘Thanks be to God, who provides His people with all they need!’ And it’s certainly wonderful how He does that my brethren! Now here’s a fresh slant to the New Year’s resolution business, attributed to Hal Borland: ‘Year’s end is neither an end or a beginning, but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instil in us.’ I like it because there’s no arbitrary line for stopping and starting, but a simple continuation. And it certainly releases us from the pressure of making serious decisions over the Christmas season, when we’re ill prepared because we’re either too happy or too sad and thus not very realistic. This way you only need to make one resolution, to improve. Then later on, when things calm down, you can look at areas that need improving and do something concrete about them. Anyway, let’s turn to our Bit, which is a rather important statement in the conduct of the true believer. As usual, Bruh Paul doesn’t mince words: ‘For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.’ Yesterday we looked at the first part of the Bit, re the grace of God given to Bruh Paul. Now let’s look at the next part, which we all know about, but the problem is whether or not we practice it; whether we think more highly of ourselves than we ought to? And to be realistic Friends, in this cowardly new world, self-aggrandizement, in fact downright lying about our capabilities is the name of the game. But please remember what Cousin Sol says: ‘It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search (seek) their own glory is not glory.’ (Prov.25:27) Unfortunately that’s the lifestyle being advocated today; that of individual glory, and sadly it’s flowing over into the Church. But Bruh Paul’s message was that the righteousness of God would cause the believer to adopt a position of humility in the local church, re their spiritual gifts. That’s because it’s possible to either overestimate one’s self and try to exercise a gift not truly given by God, or on the other hand underestimate yourself and not properly exercise one’s God-given gift. For as he says at the end of the Bit: ‘as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.’ Yes Friends, everyone has been given a spiritual gift through God’s grace, so that we can serve Him and contribute to the growth of His Church. ‘But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.’ (Eph.4:7) And as Bruh Paul goes on to explain to the Roman church: ‘For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office (function): So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one (individually) members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us…’ Oh Friends, the long and short of the story is that Christ’s Church is one body, a whole consisting of different members or parts, and each member or part has been given a different spiritual gift, to perform a different function in the church. Now it’s very important that we stick to the gift and function we’ve been given, not try to be involved in what we’re not called to do, and consequently forsake our calling. But is that happening in our local churches today? I doubt it, for some believe that they’re called to do everything, thus there’s a high level of resentment, confusion and divisions showing up in many churches. Ah mih people, I don’t know what to say, or how to solve the problem, so I’ll just let Bruh Paul takes us home with a few examples of what he means: ‘…whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity (liberality); he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let LOVE be without dissimulation (hypocrisy). Abhor that which is evil; cleave (cling) to that which is good.’ (Rom.12:6-9) Friends, I implore us to think on these things and behave accordingly, so that Christ and His Church will be glorified. Much LOVE!…Christ’s Church will only be truly uplifted…when brethren truly dwell together in unity and harmony…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 February 2011 Romans 12:3‏

04 Feb 2011 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Romans 12:3.     For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.  
 
Oh Friends, it’s Friday! Yes, that joyful day that heralds the upcoming weekend. And for once the majority of workers are on the same page, expressing the sentiment ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ Some will use the time off to party, others to just laze around, while some unlucky ones will have to catch up on the housework they ignored during the rigorous workweek. But one thing is certain, regardless of how the weekend is used, we’ll all complain that it’s way too short. However, as believers, we have our Friday Chant that helps to put everything in its proper perspective. So let’s chant nuh. ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’ Yes Friends, with the help of Almighty God, the weekend will do wonders for our minds, souls and bodies, so that come Monday we’ll be fighting fit and ready to battle once again. But in all of that we have to be very careful of our attitudes, in terms of our Bit: ‘For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.’ Bruh Paul was here writing to the Roman Church re the service of LOVE for all. The basic story here is that we ought not to get too ‘hoighty toighty,’ too swell headed over our gifts from God, neither should we become too humble, having no pride at all in our abilities and gifts. It’s a fine balancing act to do it properly, but do it we must, for Christ’s Church is based on a solid combination of both pride and humility. Now if we break down our Bit, what do we find? In the opening words, Bruh Paul talks about the grace given to him, which obviously came from the Almighty, but still caused some confusion between him and the apostles in Jerusalem. The latter doubted his authority to preach the gospel, and also having knowledge of his earlier persecution of believers, didn’t help matters either. However, fourteen years after visiting Jerusalem, Bruh Paul was led by the Spirit to go back there, accompanied by Barnabas and Titus. While there he conferred privately with the senior apostles re the gospel he was preaching to the Gentiles. Obviously there were some who negated his teaching, and the contentious matter of circumcision also came up. But Bruh Paul paid them no heed, since they added nothing to him or his ministry. (Gal.2:1-6) In the end though common sense won out: ‘But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; For he that wrought effectually (worked effectively) in Peter to apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty (worked effectively) in me toward the Gentiles: And when James, Cephas (Peter), and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen (Gentiles), and they unto the circumcision. Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward (eager) to do.’ (Gal.2:7-10) Oh Friends, yuh see the confusion that can be caused in Christ’s Church when pride and ego get the better of us. Although Bruh Paul was doing great work amongst the Gentiles, some of the Jerusalem elders still argued about circumcision for believers, as well as disputing his authority, possibly thinking that his status was inferior because he had not personally walked with Jesus, as some of them had. But you don’t have to actually walk with Jesus on earth to be granted His grace, else none of us today would have it. And it’s a sad commentary on Christ’s Church, that a lot of that petty nonsense and stupid bickering still goes on today, causing it to break up into even smaller divisions than we already have. Christ’s Church is supposed to be one whole, viable, spiritual body, not many small, contentious groups. Oh Friends, please remember Jesus’ wise words: ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.’ (Matt.12:25) So as true followers of Christ, let’s try and cut down the divisions nuh, and start rebuilding the connections for a healthy Church. That’s the only way it will survive against the enemy’s planned and vicious onslaught. More tomorrow on this subject, our God in favour. Till then, please walk safely with Him. Much LOVE!…divide and conquer…the enemy’s successful modus operandi against Christ’s Church…time to stop it…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 3 February 2011 Isaiah 40:31‏

03 Feb 2011 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Isaiah 40:31.    But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
 
Oh Friends, it’s good news! Four out of five groundhogs (woodchucks) apparently did not see their shadows today, which means winter will soon be over. Praise the Lord! Ah mih breddren, it sure is nice to have hope, but the truth is that winter usually lasts for the same length of time every year, though the ends may be a little colder or warmer. But it’s good to have a bit of folklore in the midst of the freezing, depressing cold to boost your spirits and give you the energy and enthusiasm to keep keeping on despite the mind-numbing temps. All we can really do is wait patiently for it to end, like we have to do for many things, especially God’s Word. Our Bit is quite decisive on that point: ‘But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.’ Words of Wisdom mih people! Now yesterday we touched on scriptures that dealt with the waiting, today we’ll look at some that deal with the renewing of strength, the mounting up with wings like eagles, the running and not being weary, the walking and not fainting. Let’s begin with some enthusiastic and inspiring words from Bruh David. In Psalm 37, the true state of the wicked, he boldly declares: ‘The steps of a good man are ordered (established) by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.’ (Ps.37:23-24) Then in Psalm 103, where he’s offering thanks for the Lord’s generous mercy, he confidently intones: ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits…. Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagles.’ (Ps.103:2,5) Yes Friends, it’s the strength of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that holds us up, that keeps us from falling, though we may stumble. And when we simply can’t go anymore, it’s our God who carries us on His strong shoulders, that’s why sometimes there is only one set of footprints in the sandy paths of our journey. And if we wait patiently on Him, He will definitely renew our strength, uplift our bodies and souls from the depths of exhaustion and the mire of depression. As Bruh Paul in his famous discourse to the Corinthians on living by faith proclaims: ‘But we have this treasure in earthen vessels (humanity in its weakness), that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled (hard pressed) on every side, yet not distressed (crushed); we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast (struck) down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body… For which cause we faint not (do not lose heart); but though our outward man perish (is perishing), yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.’ (2 Cor.7-10,16-17) Oh mih people, what a wonderful God we serve! Despite all those trials and tribulations, once we wait on the Lord, stand strong in faith, they will not defeat us. As Isaiah loudly proclaims: ‘Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint (weak); and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.’ (Is.40:28-29) Oh Friends, the many problems we face in this world tend to beat us down, and if we allow them to, they certainly will. However, as believers we are fortunate to have a strong and noble choice; namely to accept the Lord’s faithful promises and to wait on His timing to fulfill them. And if we do that sincerely, then this cruel, evil, selfish, greedy, oppressive world will NEVER beat us down. Oh, it will always keep trying, but once we stand fast in God’s trust, grace and mercy, we shall ALWAYS overcome. So remember to be strong and find your faith and endurance in the Word when adversity comes, as it surely will. Much LOVE!…in the world ye shall have tribulation…but be of good cheer…I have overcome the world… (John 16:33)

Today’s Scrip-Bit 2 February 2011 Isaiah 40:31‏

02 Feb 2011 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Isaiah 40:31.    But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
 
Aye Friends, Happy Groundhog Day! What’s that you ask? Well it’s one of those weird celebrations we have in the northern climes, where it’s claimed that on February 2, if a famous groundhog – Punxsutawney Phil in the U.S, and Wiarton Willie in Ontario – come out of their burrows and it’s a cloudy day, it will leave the burrow; a sign that winter will soon be on its merry way rejoicing. However, if it’s sunny and Phil or Willie see their shadows, then they go back into their lairs and we have to endure six more weeks of winter. Bah humbug! Ah mih people, let’s hope that when Phil and Willie emerge from their burrows today that the skies will be dark and cloudy. That’s assuming they will be even able to emerge from their lairs with the disgusting weather that’s been forecasted and is already happening out there. (smile) But whatever way Phil and Willie chose to go, we’ll still have to fight through this current snowstorm, then continue to wait for winter’s end, be it six weeks or less, and waiting is something that this current society doesn’t do very well. Now yesterday we spoke in general terms about waiting on the Lord, today, let’s see what the actual scriptures say. And first up is Isaiah’s appeal to his people on the futility of relying on man, in this particular case on Egypt, but instead turning to the Lord for help. ‘For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not. But ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue be swift. One thousand shall flee at the rebuke (threat) of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon (pole)  upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign (banner, flag) on a hill. And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgement (justice): blessed are all they that wait for him.’ (Is.30:15-18) Oh Friends, how much plainer can it be eh? The Lord told them to rest and wait, but they insisted on fleeing on supposedly swift horses, only thing is their pursuers also had swift horses. And fearfully many shall flee at the threat of a small number, until only a few remain as a flag on a lonely hill. However, because our God is so patient and gracious, He will wait for His people to return to Him. Oh mih breddren, we ought to take a page from God’s book there and learn to wait patiently and graciously, for He will most definitely bless all those who wait upon Him. Why? Ah Friends, that’s because the act of waiting on God, throughout whatever afflictions and problems we face, displays a confidence and dependence that’s generated by a deep-seated trust in Him and His Word. Sadly though, that trust isn’t easily acquired, but must be learned through trial and tribulation. As I heard Bubba, Cousin Joel (Joel Osteen) say recently, waiting patiently on the Lord through trying times is like having our pearls refined. You know the pearl in an oyster is caused by constant irritation from a grain of sand in its shell. The oyster doesn’t like the irritation, but eventually it’s from that irritating grain of sand that a beautiful pearl is formed. Well, in the same way our God uses those times of affliction, frustration and irritation to refine us, to put us through His fire and mould us like a potter moulds clay, so that we can end up as a valuable jewel in His crown. And here is another bit of scripture, where Isaiah is promising that Israel will be returned to Zion. ‘And kings shall be their nursing (foster) fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.’ (Is.49:23) Wow! What a powerful and wonderful promise! Oh my people, let’s think on these things today nuh, and see if there are any instances in our own lives where the Lord is trying to do a work in us, where He’s trying to refine us, through affliction and adversity, into a more valuable and beautiful person, moulding us towards being a spitting image, a genuine reflection of the perfect example, His Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, because that’s His ultimate desire for us all. So till we talk again tomorrow, God willing of course, please stay tuned to the Father, and wait patiently for his wise guidance. Much LOVE!…to wait…to wait…and yet to wait…patiently upon our God…so are we called to do…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 1 February 2011 Isaiah 40:31‏

01 Feb 2011 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Isaiah 40:31.    But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
 
Oh Friends, January is over! Praise the Lord! One less month of this sordid, disgusting winter to go! But chuh! February seems intent on coming in like the proverbial lion, for we’re supposed to have another wretched snowstorm today and tomorrow, with much accumulation of the white stuff. The traffic, normally horrendous, will be even worse, and no doubt the numerous accidents will factor into the rise in auto insurance rates next year. And by the way, you U.S. Friends, please note that contrary to popular opinion, this storm, and all the others we’ve had so far, have sadly begun in the U.S, then wended their destructive way up north, not vice versa. And having gotten our facts straight (smile) let’s hear an interesting quote from the one and only Mother Teresa. She is supposed to have said that ‘We can do no great things…only small things with great LOVE.’ Far be it from me to question her wisdom, but I’ll say that whatever we do, big, small or in-between, we ought to do it with great LOVE, for that’s Jesus’ nature, and as His followers, we ought to have the same feelings and attitudes just oozing out of our pores. (smile) So you say that’s not easy to do in the kind of world we live in, with the evil, selfish, ungodly people that surround us. So what? Jesus did it! And though we don’t have all the godly and saintly parts that He had, if we’re truthful, we’ll agree that there’s lot’s of room for improvement. And strange as it might seem, our Bit, a scripture that every Christian knows, or ought to know, does have a lot to do with those godly and LOVING character traits we desire to establish. ‘But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.’ Wow! What a true and moving testimony that is my people! But unfortunately, like so much of the godly straight and narrow way, it’s so difficult to truly put into practice, especially with the current ‘want it now, if not yesterday,’ mindset that exists in our society. And I’m chuckling here mih breddren, because the Spirit is coaxing me into sharing a little personal testimony. Ah well, what can I do but obey! The truth is that I have a couple of important decisions to make in my personal life in the next few weeks, and my spirit is calm and peaceful about them, but a couple of my confidantes are busy trying to get me to make those decisions, sooner rather than later, and sometimes the pressure annoys me. Now don’t get me wrong, I am concerned about them, and have been talking to the Lord about them, though with no definitive answers as yet, but when my old, arthritic knees begin to seriously ache and the basic aspects of my life like walking, bending, sitting, standing and sleeping reach frustrating proportions, I just put aside everything else. However, in the last few days I’ve been drawn to reading some material on waiting on the Lord. And as He would have it, tonight, just before looking for a Bit, I picked up the January issue of the In Touch monthly magazine and began reading the articles. Now I do this in a zigzag way. I read the devotions everyday with my mother, but then, at the end of the month, I begin reading the articles at the front. And lo and behold, what does Uncle Charles (Charles Stanley) talk about in January…obviously waiting on the Lord. As usual I had to chuckle, for when I can’t fathom what the Lord’s trying to tell me, I ask Him to read and spell for me; that’s break it down into the simplest terms, show me exactly what He means or wants, so that even a fool could understand. Well if this isn’t one of those cases where He is reading and spelling for me, I don’t know what is, for the signs couldn’t be any clearer than for me to wait on Him. Therefore the Bit was also a no-brainer. But mih people, waiting on the Lord, as most of you know, is one of the hardest things to learn, if not the hardest. And waiting patiently, as we ought to, is even harder. Now please note that waiting, and waiting patiently doesn’t mean that we just sit down with our arms folded and wait for the Lord to do His thing. No sir! In every situation that calls for waiting, there is stuff that we’re supposed to do while waiting, be it praying, meditating, learning and/or straightening up things that need doing before the big day comes. So waiting is never an idle, lazy time, but one where we still diligently do the small, sort of insignificant stuff to prepare ourselves for God’s decisive action. And note too, that the waiting must also be of an expectant kind; meaning waiting expectantly, with faith, that God will lead us to the right decision, and on time too. The timing though should not be a problem, because I can confidently tell you from long, hard experience, even before I was so spiritually involved, that He’s NEVER LATE. Oh Friends, the number of times the Lord’s shown up in the nick of time for me are too numerous to count. But that’s enough for today. There’s much more to come, our God in favour. So please remember to include the Lord in all your activities and decisions. Prayerfully ask His advice on everything, big, small and otherwise, then wait patiently, with expectant hope for His sure and correct answer. Much LOVE!…all the days of my appointed time (hard service)…will I wait…till my change come… (Job 14:14) And I just tuned in to Wack 90.1 to hear some gospel and what blasted out at me, but ‘God is LOVE…God is LOVE…God so LOVED the world that He gave His only Son, He laid down his life for you and me…Please remember that…God is LOVE…so hold on tight…doh let go…Much LOVE!
 

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