Today’s Scrip-Bit 31 October 2011 Matthew 18:22

31 Oct 2011 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Matthew 18:22.    Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

‘Oh Friends, it’s Monday,’ I say in a low voice, as I enter the barracks. But nobody moves, not even the resident mouse. So I shout: ‘Oh Friends, it’s Monday!’ And surprise, surprise, pillows, blankets, books, and some unmentionables come hurtling through the darkened room at me. But I steadfastly stand my ground behind my massive shield of faith, and they either hurtle by aimlessly or bounce off my shield and fall harmlessly to the ground. Then when the air clears, I lower my shield and jubilantly declare: ‘That’s what you can do when you’re fully dressed in your spiritual armour.’ Hn, hn, hn! Anyway, enough lollygagging people, it’s Monday, time to be up and at ‘em.  A war to the death is being fought. The workweek battle lines have already been drawn. The enemy’s soldiers are already on the prowl for stragglers and malcontents. Meanwhile, our leader Jesus is at the front line devising strategy, waiting for us to show up. So let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, then get on our chargers and ride. Altogether now in loud harmony: ‘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!’ And while we’re riding to battle, let’s ponder our Bit: ‘I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.’ Remember Friends, forgiveness is a must in God’s kingdom. If we want to be forgiven, we must first learn to forgive. And remember too, that it’s mainly for out benefit, not for anyone else’s. We know it’s not always easy to forgive, especially with some of the serious hurts and pains we experience in this life. But as the Good Book advises, if we consistently take all our troubles, big, small and in between, to Jesus in prayer, He will most certainly help us to bear our earthly burdens. Now let’s hear what another man of great faith, Bruh Paul, had to say about forgiveness. Regarding the new life in Christ, he wrote to the Ephesians: ‘Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice. And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.’ (Eph.4:31-32) And to the Colossians, re the Christian virtues, he advised: ‘Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies (tender mercies), kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; Forbearing  (bearing with) one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.’ (Col.3:12-13) Yuh see Friends, forgiveness is the major thread in the knitting. If you pull that thread out, the rest of our faith unravels right before our very eyes. And just to try and hammer home the point, let’s end with Mark’s version of Christ’s warning words on the subject of forgiveness. ‘And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught (anything) against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.’ (Mark 11:25-26) Oh my people, there’s no more to say, for that says it all. So I’ll leave us to ponder that dire warning, or wise advice, however you choose to categorize it, and hopefully we’ll all take it to heart, and eventually learn to forgive. Much LOVE!…to have a forgiving spirit…is the surest way to receive forgiveness…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 30 October 2011 Matthew 18:22

30 Oct 2011 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Matthew 18:22.    Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Oh Friends, it’s certainly exciting that we didn’t see our names and/or pictures in the obits this morning. Praise the Lord! That means we have another day on earth to enjoy God’s blessings and to do His will. What more can we ask for down here eh? Not much. And for those of us who celebrate the Sabbath on Sundays, it’s extremely important that we get out and fellowship and worship Almighty God with other believers this morning. Hopefully, those who celebrate it on Fridays and Saturdays have already done so. My brethren, it’s imperative that we come together at least once a week with fellow believers to socialize and cast our hands, heads and hearts heavenwards in reverence to our God, Creator, Provider and Protector. This enables our faith to be nourished and regenerated, and assures that all the doubts, anxieties and fears generated in our sinful hearts by the enemy is expunged by the Holy Spirit, and a clean heart and right spirit renewed in us. But my people, though all that’s said above is very important, perhaps the most important attitude, or aspect of our faith is forgiveness. And I believe that right now, in this bitter, angry, confused, war-torn, resentment filled world, that’s our NUMBER ONE problem. That’s because a lot of our problems are caused by unforgiveness. Many are the violations of life that are perpetrated because one person, one family, one group, one nation did not forgive another for whatever wrongdoing they believed was done to them. It’s a proven fact my brethren that wherever unforgiveness lives, resentment and bitterness are easily bred. However, where there is forgiveness, lives run much smoother. And if you don’t believe me, try it now, in your own circle of friends, family and neighbours. Hence the extreme urgency of Jesus’ words in Today’s Bit. ‘I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.’ Selah! Jesus was so big on teaching forgiveness that it prompted Peter to ask Him: ‘Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times?’ (Matt.14:21) Just imagine the surprise and consternation of the disciples when Jesus said not a mere seven times, but seventy times seven occasions. To Jesus, seven times was way insufficient, though to some of us supposed believers seven times is way too much. But as far as Jesus was concerned, His disciples were to be characterized by unlimited forgiveness. Now that’s obviously difficult to accomplish in this earthly life, but there’s one great reason that we should forgive. It’s a proviso Jesus laid down after He taught the disciples ‘The Lord’s Prayer.’ At the end, He told them, in no uncertain terms: ‘For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your father forgive your trespasses.’ (Matt.6:14-15) Simple and straightforward Friends! You forgive others, the Lord will forgive you. You don’t forgive, neither will the Lord forgive you. That’s not rocket science Friends, yet why is there still so much unforgiveness in our crazy world eh, especially amongst friends, families and close neighbours? Many of us think that bearing grudges against those that hurt us is healthy, and think that by so doing we’re getting revenge. But Friends, the truth is that we’re only causing ourselves irreparable harm by keeping the anger and resentment fuelled within us, which only brings us unnecessary stress and eventually physical and emotional sickness. What makes it even worse, is that oftimes the person(s) we’re not forgiving doesn’t even know, or for that matter care that we’re holding an unforgiving spirit against them. We need to remember that whenever God tells us to do something, it’s usually for our benefit, not for anyone else. And that’s the very essence of forgiveness; it makes us feel better; free from anger and hatred, and also allows the Lord to forgive us. There’s much more to say on this controversial subject, but time and space dictate that we end here today. And we’ll do so with some more warning words from Jesus. After Peter’s question on how often to forgive, Jesus told them the parable of the ungrateful servant, (Matt.18:23-34) where his master forgave him a large sum, but he went and threw his fellow servant in jail over a comparable pittance. Obviously when the master heard of his unforgiveness, he threw him in jail too. Jesus ended by saying: ‘So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.’ (Matt.18:35) Please Friends, I’m asking us today to release all the accumulated hatred, bitterness and unforgiveness we have stored up in us, so that the Father will also forgive us, our world will improve, and we’ll be true disciples of Jesus. Much LOVE!…unforgiveness…a sure way to remain unforgiven…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 29 October 2011 Jeremiah 14:20‏

29 Oct 2011 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Jeremiah 14:20.    We acknowledge, O Lord, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee.

Oh Friends it’s a new day! Can you feel the new mercies and blessings being poured down from heaven on us unworthy humans? I sure hope so, because they are coming down, and it’s our job to catch them. If we don’t, then we only have ourselves to blame. And while we’re at it, let me share two quotes that will certainly help us catch these wonderful mercies and blessings. The first one I found in my mother’s Bible, one of many things written on the blank front pages. I don’t know who said it, or where it comes from, but it’s definitely essential to our earthly well-being. And it says: ‘The Bible is God’s word to us. Still fresh through all the ages. And if we read it, we will find God’s wisdom on its pages.’ Now that’s a profound truth my brethren! The Bible IS God’s Word. But though written many, many moons ago, it is still fresh, vibrant and relevant, as though it was written today. And if we truly want to know about God; who He is and what He has to say, then we need to read it consistently and meditatively. Now the next quote comes from the booklet ’Happiness for Life.’ We often pray in Jesus’ Name, and He said that we should. (John 16:26-27) ‘But to pray in the name of Jesus is something more than a mere mention of that name at the beginning and the ending of a prayer. It is to pray in the mind and spirit of Jesus, while we believe His promises, rely upon His grace, and work His works….The life must be like Christ’s life – between the mountain and the multitude.’ And that’s an indisputable fact Friends! Simply saying the words ‘In Jesus’ Name,’ without the proper Christ like thoughts and actions avails us nothing. As the quote says, we must live between the mountain – in solitude and prayer – and the multitude – in the hustle and bustle of life doing good works. But unfortunately, in these evil, ungodly times, too many of us are not doing that, and before our lives can ever improve we have to bow to Almighty God and admit our wrongdoing, like Jeremiah does in our Bit: ‘We acknowledge, O Lord, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee.’ And that’s putting it mildly my brethren, for the sins we’re committing today are so disgusting and repugnant that they break the hearts of all the heavenly hosts. And if it wasn’t for the cleansing blood of Jesus sacrificed on the cross to pay for our sins, the Lord would surely have wiped us out already. As the psalmist so rightly says in Psalm 106 – Israel sins against God’s LOVE- ‘We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly. Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies (LOVING-kindness); but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red Sea.’ (Ps.106:6-7) Oh Friends, we cannot deny that, neither can we simply blame it on our naturally sinful nature, because we know better. The proper avenue is to come to God and confess our sinfulness, otherwise death and damnation, eternal separation from God is our lot. Daniel said it thus: ‘O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face (shame), to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him.’ (Dan.9:8-9) And when Jeremiah bemoaned the desperate state of his people, he declared: ‘Why do we sit still? Assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the defensed (fortified) cities, and let us be silent there: for the Lord our God hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall (bitter, poisonous) to drink, because we have sinned against the Lord. We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of health, and behold trouble!’ (Jer.8:14-15) And that’s exactly what we’re facing now! Then later on, Jeremiah pleadingly confesses: ‘O Lord, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name’s sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee…Are there any among the vanities (idols) of the Gentiles that can cause rain? Or can the heavens give showers? Art not thou he, O Lord our God? Therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.’ (Jer.14:7, 22) Oh Friends, there is truth in all Jeremiah says, however, before the Lord changes anything, we first have to show that we are truly repentant and will wait on Him; we’ll let go of our sinful desires and bow to His will. Then and only then will we truly reap the many new blessings and mercies that are being rained down on us from heaven every day. Much LOVE!…to him that knows to do good…but doesn’t…it is accounted to him as sin…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 28 October 2011 Jeremiah 14:20‏

28 Oct 2011 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Jeremiah 14:20.    We acknowledge, O Lord, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee.
 
Ah Friends, it’s Friday…’Yes we know. Thank God for that!’ comes the joyous response. ‘Truly thank God is Friday, because that means we get away from Babylon slave labour for two big, whole days. Praise the Lord!’ Then the little band of banjo, iron, bottle and spoon and dudup strikes up a catchy riddim as accompaniment for our Friday Chant. So let’s chant it nuh people. ‘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.’ And though it’s all well and good to chant and all that Friends, our world situation still remains chaotic and confused, in desperate need of much fixing. For as Jeremiah pleaded with God not to destroy his people a long time ago, so too we badly need to pray for our world. And it has to begin with true confession, just like Jeremiah does in our Bit: ‘We acknowledge, O Lord, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee.’ And that’s the unvarnished truth my people! We have sinned disgracefully against the Lord in these modern times. We’ve found ways to sin that our forefathers never even dreamed of, and if they knew of our great capacity for evil, they’d be totally disgusted. They were bad, but we’ve raised the bar of sin a hundredfold. No wonder the Lord isn’t looking with much favour upon our world, raining down all sorts of natural disasters on us. And though we pray like Jeremiah: ‘Do not abhor us, for thy name’s sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember break not thy covenant with us.’ (Jer.14:21) It makes absolutely no difference unless we change our ungodly behaviour and return to seriously and diligently worshipping the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We need to do something as penitent and humble as Israel did in the days of Nehemiah: ‘Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them (dust on their heads). And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers (foreigners), and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers. And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the Lord their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the Lord their God.’ (Neh.9:1-3) Yes my people, we have to truly repent, not only pay outward lip service, for the Lord will bypass all the words we so eloquently spout and go straight to our hearts to see if we really mean it. And then we’ve got to change the evil ways in which we live, for talked repentance alone doesn’t cut it, our actions must also prove that we’ve had a serious change of heart. Individually, we need to say something like Bruh David did in Psalm 32, the blessedness of forgiveness: ‘I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. (Ps.32:5-6) And collectively, as a society, a nation, a world, this should be our confession. ‘We lie down in our shame, and our confusion (disgrace) covereth us: for we have sinned against the Lord our God, we and our fathers from our youth even unto this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God.’ (Jer.3:25) Oh Friends, unless we truly repent and sincerely turn to following the Lord God Almighty, our days will continue to be dark and full of despair. Please, please let it not be said by future generations that ours failed them in pursuing the goodness of God. Much LOVE!…only through confession, sincere repentance and righteous living…can the tragedy that’s our world…be ever improved…be ever turned to true joy and gladness…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 27 October 2011 Psalm 84:11‏

27 Oct 2011 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 84:11.     For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord God will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
 
Oh Friends, you have to cut the ole fella some slack this morning. I had some important stuff doing last night and didn’t get to bed until late. Then, unfortunately, my wife’s alarm woke me up and I couldn’t get back to sleep. But getting up at minutes to six was definitely not an acceptable option when I’d gone to bed after three. And when I did fall asleep, I slept like a baby. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it. (smile) And since I don’t have them canned, I have to start writing from scratch everyday, which takes longer and makes it harder. But I prefer it that way, because I can bring a fresh outlook and enthusiasm to it everyday. I’ve also been amiss in not asking us to pray for the unfortunate people in Turkey who got hit by a bad earthquake last weekend, as well as the people of Thailand engulfed by serious floods. Ah Lord eh! Everyday is some other disaster in some part of our disaster prone world. But all we can do for most of our stricken brethren is pray that Jehovah God will help them in their time of calamity. So please let’s do that on their behalf. Oh, and please thank the Lord with me for keeping my basement nice and dry during the last two days of rain. Hallelujah! I’m still a little leery though, for it wasn’t the hard-driving, windswept rain that we experienced when it leaked. But believe me, I am very thankful for small mercies, cause even a little water can do serious damage if left unchecked. Now here’s an interesting quote attributed to Kim Hubbard. ‘Lots of folks confuse bad management with destiny.’ And isn’t that the truth! That’s one of the reasons why our world is in such a confused mess. Too many of us are not managing our lives properly, then are mistakenly taking that bad management as the way God intended it to be. But the only way to truly know our destiny is to daily read God’s Word, talk to Him about it, then wait patiently on Him to lead and guide us. Unfortunately though my brethren, too many of us either don’t read God’s Word regularly, or heed it, or wait patiently on Him, and are thus led astray by the evil mores of Lucifer and his wicked, ungodly cohorts. And that’s where our Bit comes in so handily: ‘For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.’ Wow! Aren’t those encouraging words? For sure! Today we’ll delve into the last part: ‘the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.’ Oh Friends, if you’re a believer, that’s one promise you definitely need to stand on, because our God is very generous to those who walk faithfully in His Will. Once we’ve truly surrendered our lives and souls to Him, and diligently attempt to LOVE Him, LIVE our Faith and SPREAD His Word, He will magnify and glorify us beyond all we can ask or imagine. That’s just kind of God He is: wonderful, magnanimous, generous to a fault. Yuh see how He lavished wealth and plenty on Cousin Sol because it greatly pleased Him that Sol asked for wisdom and understanding instead of earthly wealth. That’s still how He is today my people with all those who walk and talk sincerely in His Holy Name. Now listen to Bruh David tell it like it truly is. And if anybody should know about the Lord’s goodness, it’s surely him. ‘This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want (lack) to them that fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want (lack) any good thing.’ (Ps.34:6-10) And all God’s people jubilantly shouted up to heaven: ‘Glory Hallelujah! Blessed is the Most High God that readily supplies all the wants and needs of His people. Hallelujah! Amen!’ That says it all Friends. Now let’s go out into the evil world, today and every day, and walk and talk uprightly in Jesus’ Holy Name, so that it will be well with us and all those around us. It’s the only way to enjoy a successful earthly pilgrimage. Much LOVE!…oh how wonderful it is…when we walk hand in hand with Jesus…along the rough and rugged pathways of life…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 26 October 2011 Psalm 84:11‏

26 Oct 2011 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 84:11.    For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
 
Oh Friends, our earthly pilgrimage continues, and with God’s generous help and abundant grace, we will do an awesome job! And all God’s people declared with much gratitude and adoration: ‘Thank you Lord! You are the greatest! There’s none other like you! Never was, and never will be!’ And that’s an indisputable fact Friends. Today, I’ll start with two quotes from the little booklet ‘Happiness For Life,’ because I think they are very important for all believers – young, old and in-between – to always keep before them. Here’s the first one: ‘Never should the Bible be studied without prayer. Before opening its pages we should ask for the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, and it will be given.’ Now that’s something we all should practice! It’s a very healthy and wise bit of advice, because oftimes the Word is out of our league, above our comprehension, and it’s only God, through His Spirit who can help us understand it. And the second point is tied into the first. ‘The Holy Sprit exalts and glorifies the Saviour. It is His office to present Christ, the purity of His righteousness, and the great salvation that we have through Him. Jesus says, ‘He shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.’ (John 16:14) The Spirit of truth is the only effectual teacher of divine truth. How must God esteem the human race, since He gave His Son to die for them, and appoints His Spirit to be man’s teacher and continual guide!’ There we have it my brethren; two everlasting truths for us to ponder! Isn’t it marvellous that God not only LOVED us so much that He sent His only son to die for us, but then He also sent His Spirit to guide and teach us about Him? He surely is a most wonderful Deity. That’s why the psalmist could proudly and confidently proclaim the words of our Bit: ‘For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.’ Now let’s consider the fact that the Lord’s our shield. And what’s a shield? It’s basically anything that we can hide behind, anything that can protect us from being seen or hurt by something or someone else. In olden times a soldier went out to fight with sword in one hand and shield in the other. Nowadays though we’ve become so high tech that actual shields are extinct, replaced with stuff like body armour for individuals and anti ballistic missiles for weapons of mass destruction. How sad. However, in the spiritual warfare in which believers are engaged, we still need a personal shield  in our accoutrements of war. As Bruh Paul declares, re putting on the whole armour of God: ‘Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked (one).’ (Eph.6:16) Yes Friends, we desperately need that shield of faith so that we can enjoy the massive protection it provides. But where does that faith come from to protect us. Obviously from the Lord God Jehovah! The Lord Himself promised it to Abram. ‘After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.’ (Gen.15:1) Moses also describes our God thus, on blessing the Israelites before his death. ‘Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency (majesty)!’ (Deut.33:29) And later on, the psalmist warns his people not to trust in idols, but instead wisely advises: ‘O Israel, trust thou in the Lord: he is their help and their shield. O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield. Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.’ (Ps.115:9-11) Yes Friends, our great God is not only our Creator and Provider, Anchor and Guide, but also our Protector, our Safe Harbour, our Shield against the enemy! It is to Him we should always turn FIRST, when we need help, because He’s the most mighty Being in the universe. So please, let’s do that starting today, RIGHT NOW. Let’s give all our fears, worries and anxieties to Jehovah God, and He will both fill our souls with His protective Spirit, and shield us from the enemy’s blazing arrows with His broad, expansive wings of LOVE! More on this tomorrow if our pilgrimage continues. Much LOVE!…faith in God…is the spiritual shield…that keeps us safe…in our spiritual battles…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 25 October 2011 Psalm 84:11‏

25 Oct 2011 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 84:11.    For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk upright.
 
Oh Friends, it’s another day in the life of our earthly pilgrimage! We don’t know how it will turn out, but with our strong faith in Jesus Christ, we expect it to be wonderful. And if it happens not to be so, then again, through strong faith in Christ, we know that He will eventually make all things good for those who LOVE Him and are called to do His work. Now touching on that sore point of doing Christ’s work – and it is a sore one for many Christians who like to call His name but don’t actually want to do the work Christ did, in terms of humility and having a servant-like attitude, of foregoing their selfish pride for the good of others – here’s a passage from a little booklet, ‘Happiness for Life, I was just reading, which speaks to the problem. I wasn’t planning on sharing it, but at the last minute, the Holy Spirit guided, nudged me to do so. And it says: ‘If the followers of Christ were awake to duty, there would be thousands where there is one today proclaiming the gospel in heathen lands. And all who could not personally engage in the work, would yet sustain it with their means, their sympathy, and their prayers. And there would be far more earnest labour for souls in Christian countries.’ And isn’t that the unvarnished and awful truth! If believers would truly act like believers, Christ’s Church would be much bigger, friendlier and less divisive, while our world would not be full of so much fear, confusion and evil. That’s our wake up call for today Friends, especially if we want to embrace the goodness of God that our Bit proclaims. ‘For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.’ And we all know that to be gospel mih breddren! Now let’s continue where we left of yesterday, looking at the ramifications of our God being ‘a sun.’ I still have some scripture to share on that because I didn’t want to get too long and involved yesterday. See how I’m taking your interest to heart Friends! (smile) Anyway, here’s the first scripture, taken from Malachi, re the coming day of the Lord. ‘But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth and grow up as calves of the stall (grow fat like stall fed calves). And ye shall tread down (trample) the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts.’ (Mal.4:2-3) What a powerful, energizing and faithful promise people! It’s so sad that more of us bent for hell sinners don’t accept, believe and live as though the awesome promises of God were true. Now here’s the clincher, from John, when he beheld the New Jerusalem. ‘And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten (illuminate) it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.’ (Rev.21:22-25) Oh Friends, there’s no more to say! For as the old people would rightly point out, ‘a word to the wise is sufficient.’ So let’s digest today’s lesson, then act positively on it nuh. In accordance with our beliefs, I implore each of us to try and take even one small step for God today my people. Much LOVE!…the Sun won’t have cause to shine…when the SON truly shines…  P.S. It’s so short today that I’m scared I left out something, but I guess that’s the Spirit’s wisdom working in me. (smile) Much LOVE!

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