Today’s Scrip-Bit   10 April 2023 Revelation 1:8.

10 Apr 2023 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Revelation 1:8.I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Well here comes Monday, Easter Monday, a public holiday in many places, and with no work to go to, it means the Easter celebrations will continue in full swing! And why not eh? It’s not every day that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ rises from the dead, so we have to make the most of it while we can. (smile) However, please let us not forget the real reason behind the celebrations, as we tend to do with a lot of our Christian celebrations, and that reason is Jesus! He is our be-all and end-all; our Everything! As He says to John in Revelation: ‘I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.’ (Rev. 1:8) 

Yes friends, those words show that our Jesus is God Almighty! They back up the opening verses of John’s gospel. ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.’ (John 1:1-3) Wow! What a mighty Being is our Jesus! John characterizes Him as ‘the Word,’ and He was there every step of the way in the creation of the universe. 

The scholars offer these explanations. ‘In the beginning…with God signifies the perfect fellowship between God the Father and God the Son in eternity. The Word was God: Just as the previous expression (the Word was with God) emphasizes distinction in the Godhead, this phrase stresses the essential unity. In the Greek text of this verse, ‘God’ is a predicate adjective (whatever that means), appearing without article and preceding ‘the Word,’ thus emphasizing Jesus’ divinity. John could not have expressed the full divinity of Christ more completely.’ 

I totally agree! (smile) And if like me, you’ve left school so long ago, that you don’t remember what a predicate adjective is, then listen to this definition. ‘Predicate adjectives are adjectives that modify or describe the subject of a sentence or clause and are linked to the subject by a linking verb. In the sentence The joke was funny, the adjective funny is a predicate adjective that modifies the subject joke and is connected to it with the linking verb was.’ Amen! 

And if you still doubt Christ’s divinity, then read with me, as Bruh Paul writes to the Colossians, re the Pre-eminence or Primacy of Christ ‘Who (that’s Christ) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn (first in rank) of (over) every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in (on) earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him. And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.’ (Col. 1:15-17) 

Oh my fellow believers our Lord and Saviour existed before the universe or anything else existed, and He was preeminent in everything that was created. And the scholars tell us that ‘Thrones… dominions… principalities…powers all refer to angelic beings (cf. Eph. 1:21; 3:10) “Thrones” refer to angels who sit on thrones as rulers; “dominions” refer to domains or kingdoms over which these heavenly beings reign, “principalities”  refer to rulers, and “powers” refer to angelic monarchs who wield regal power. 

Since Christ created these various ranks of angels, He is supreme over them. Striking a blow at the Colossian heresy advocating angel worship (2:18), this text forbids Christians to pay homage to angels and other heavenly beings created by God. By Him all things consist means by Him all things are held together. Christ now preserves all that He made in Creation.’ Matter fixed! (smile) 

And if you still don’t believe, are not assured of Christ’s divinity and pre-eminence in the creation and control of the universe, then listen to these verses from Hebrews. ‘God, who in sundry times (in many portions) and in divers manners (many ways) spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds (ages).’ (Heb. 1:1-2) 

And the scholars offer these comments. ‘The author immediately shows that Jesus Christ, as the agent of God’s revelation is far superior to the Old Testament prophets. Their message was fragmentary and incomplete. It came bit by bit through visions, dreams, and direct communication as men were ready and able to receive it. Christ’s revelation is climactic and complete, because He is the Son and because His is the message for the last days. His incarnation initiated the end time, and it will be fulfilled when He returns to earth to reconcile and restore all things, (cf. Acts 2:16-17; 3:19-21; 1 Pet. 1:20).’ 

Ah mih people, Christ is indeed El Numero Uno, the definitive Number One! No doubt about it! And if you don’t believe it, then that’s your problem, you’ll just have to pay whatever price is called for at the end times. True wisdom, however, dictates that you turn to Jesus and seriously and sincerely place your trust and your eternal salvation in His masterful hands. But that’s a decision you alone can make. I can only offer you the advice and the reasons that I believe it’s wise. ONLY with Christ can you enjoy eternal life; everything else leads to eternal death. So please think on it and act wisely, before it’s too late. 

Now, for those of us who have already believed but are having a hard time staying on the straight and narrow path, let’s go to the throne of grace and through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, ask for divine help. As one voice: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You this Monday morning for life and strong faith in Christ, despite the mass confusion in our world. We desperately need Your divine help, for You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems. 

Heavenly Father, we admit that we have all sinned and seriously disobeyed Your Word, but we know that You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, who has faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face. That’s why we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading with You to give us wise guidance and direction to alleviate our problems.  

And Father, we pray that you will ease the pain of the many who are suffering from negative situations. Please show them Your awesome grace and mercy, and keep Your promise that You’ll hear our prayer, forgive us, and heal our land if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again, we say: Amen!’ 

Now, having said all of that, we need to put our houses in order, so that the Lord can help us, for remember, we can do nothing without Him. Much LOVE!

…wise people run to Jesus… and hold on tightly to Him…for all other options are disastrous… 

 Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ        

Today’s Scrip-Bit   9 April 2023 Revelation 1:17.

09 Apr 2023 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Revelation 1:17.Fear not: I am the first and the last.

It’s Sunday friends, Easter Sunday, and Christ has risen from the grave! Yes, He has! The tomb is empty, and He’s been seen walking in the garden. Glory Hallelujah! That makes this day, possibly the most marvellous, momentous and meaningful day in the history of mankind! Why? Because it means that since Christ has risen from the dead, and is now alive forever more, whosever believes in Him will also rise from the dead and have eternal life! Glory be, my fellow believers! 

As Bruh Paul wrote to the church at Rome: ‘Now if we be dead (died) with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.’ (Rom. 6:8-9) We know that Jesus wasn’t the first person who was raised from the dead, but He was the first one who was raised, never to die again! That’s because with His resurrection He conquered Satan, fought him mano a mano, took away the keys of death from Him, left him powerless. 

He says it quite clearly to John in Revelation as John lies like dead at His feet. ‘…Fear not: I am the first and the last. I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell (hades) and of death.’ (Rev. 1:17-18) That means our faith in Christ is absolutely worthwhile, we have been liberated from sin by His resurrection. But enough talk, let’s get to some worship, as we sing this old but wonderful hymn, written by the master hymnist Charles Wesley, and most appropriately titled, ‘Christ the Lord Is Risen Today, Alleluia!’ 

And we have an interesting introduction from the Simple Series musical ‘Mercy Tree’ which was based on the album inspired by the message and mission of Billy Graham, titled ‘My Hope.’ So, let’s declare it (awright!!!) together. ‘We have gathered today to lift up the name of Jesus. We rejoice in His victory over sin and the cross. Our cries of ‘Hosanna! Save us now!’ have been answered. Our Redeemer has conquered death! And because we are certain of that, we have reason to celebrate.’ 

Now, it’s time to get on with that celebration. Therefore, in an upbeat tempo, in loud and sincere voice, with the rampant joy in our hearts flowing out through our words and actions, let’s offer up our sweet sacrificial praises to heaven. Singing: ‘ Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia! Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia! Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia! Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia! Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia! Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia! Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia! 

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia! Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia! Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia! Where’s thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia! Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia! Following our exalted Head, Alleluia! Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia! Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia! Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia! Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia! Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia! Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia! King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia! Everlasting life is this, Alleluia! Thee to know, thy power to prove, Alleluia! Thus to sing, and thus to LOVE, Alleluia!’ 

Ah friends, That’s such a beautiful collection of scriptural statements, based on a number of different places in the Bible, for instance, Matthew 28:6, Acts 2:32, 1 Peter 3:18 and Revelation 1:17-18, as well as the varying versions of Christ’s resurrection as outlined by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. However, as the scholars tell us: ‘All four gospels essentially agree in reporting the facts of the Resurrection. The variety of details in each account supplement rather than contradict one another.’ 

We see in Matthew 28, where there was a great earthquake early on the morning of the resurrection, and when the Mary’s came to check out the situation, to finish embalming Christ, they found the giant stone that had guarded the tomb’s entrance rolled back by an angel of the Lord and he sat on it. ‘His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment (clothing) white as snow. And for fear of him the keepers (guards) did shake, and became as dead men. 

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come see the place where he lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead: and, behold he goeth before you into Galilee; there ye shall see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.’ (Matt. 28:3-8) 

Now isn’t that a rather interesting comment, the women were filled with fear and great joy? I guess such an important occasion studded with such immense surprise is able to produce those two emotions simultaneously. And I’m truly sorry my fellow saints that we have neither time nor space to get into the details of the other gospels, like specific accounts of Peter and John running to the tomb after hearing the news, Peter going in and finding it empty. Then Mary Magdalene meeting Jesus in the garden and taking Him for a groundskeeper, as well as the two disciples walking with Jesus along the road to Emmaus and not recognizing Him. And Jesus appearing to the disciples on the beach and in the Upper Room a few days later. 

You’ll just have to read all the gospels to get the full gist of what happened, and how important Christ’s Resurrection was back then, and still is today. It’s the very foundation of our faith, for without it our faith is futile, without any sound basis. Bruh Paul says it quite clearly in his first epistle to the church at Corinth, when some questioned the resurrection. ‘But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain (futile), and your faith is also vain (futile).’ (1 Cor. 15:13-14) 

It’s as simple as that my people. If Christ didn’t rise from the dead, then our faith is false, futile and worthless. But the important thing is that we know Christ truly rose from the dead because He was seen by many people after His resurrection, even showing the disciples, in particular, Thomas the nail prints in His hands. So please let’s discount any information to the contrary and rejoice greatly, because our Lord Jesus Christ is indeed risen today on Easter Sunday! Alleluia! Much LOVE!

…there’s nothing else worth believing…but Christ’s Resurrection…  

 Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ       

Today’s Scrip-Bit   8 April 2023 John 13:35.

08 Apr 2023 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

John 13:35.By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have LOVE one to another.

And then we come to Saturday, our lazy, relaxing day. But today is Holy Saturday, the day after Good Friday when our Lord and Saviour was crucified, so there’s a pall of sadness and silence hanging over the land after the tumultuous affairs of the previous day. The disciples are scattered and in hiding, having fled Jesus’ side, through fear of what might happen to them if caught by the authorities. The women less fearful than the men, have bought spices to go and anoint Jesus’ body on the next day, Sunday. 

No one knows what will happen next, but all are resting and respecting the Sabbath, from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. Meanwhile Jesus lies buried in a borrowed tomb. The authorities however are rejoicing as they believe they’ve rid themselves of the instigator once and for all. Yet there is an air of expectancy in a few hearts that can’t believe that the whole movement surrounding Jesus would simply disband and die because of His unforeseen and unexpected death. All though were waiting with bated breath to see what would happen after the Sabbath ended. 

That was then…in Jesus’ day, but now, in our time, we know and behave differently. For modern day Christians, Holy Saturday is a significant day in the Christian faith, commemorating the time when Jesus lay buried in the tomb. It is a day of mourning and reflection, as we contemplate the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross; His death and burial. It is a time for introspection and self-examination, as well as a time to remember the suffering of others. In some traditions, Holy Saturday is also associated with the descent of Jesus Christ into hell. 

And after sunset we have what we call the Easter Vigil, as we prepare for Jesus’ resurrection. Yes, along with the sadness on Jesus’ horrific demise, there is also a confident air of waiting for something good to happen… for the triumphant resurrection of Christ! It is also a time of hope, as Christians remember that death has been defeated and that new life is possible through faith in Jesus Christ. 

On His resurrection, Jesus fulfilled the promise of eternal life that He spoke to Martha, the sister of Lazarus before He raised him from the dead. ‘I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead (may die), yet he shall live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believeth thou this?’ (John 11:25:-27) 

Now that’s a very good question, and one I believe that each of us should take a moment to seriously consider on this Holy Saturday, the day before we celebrate Christ’s resurrection. And hopefully, we will all come up with an answer like Martha’s. ‘She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.’ (John 11:27) And if we made an answer that agreed with Martha’s, then let’s hope we’re not only paying lip service, like so many are doing, but are truly engaged in living for Christ, reading and meditating on His Word, then living a life that is in concert with it and pleasing to Him. 

Oh my people, in this overly talkative society of ours, words are cheap, but actions and true intentions are expensive and thus few and far between. And with the evil, the selfishness and ungodliness that currently permeates it, we believers in Christ need to be very strong and steadfast in living for Him. It’s imperative that we maintain His desires, for instance when He says: ‘Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour (flavour), wherewith should it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and trodden under foot of men. 

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle (lamp) and put it under a bushel (basket), but on a candlestick (lampstand): and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ (Matt. 5:13-16) Right there we have two important duties my people; to be flavourful and bright as we go about our earthly life, and we need to do them diligently because we are the only replica or likeness to Christ that many people will ever see. 

And that’s not all that Jesus desires of us, my faithful brethren. Listen to this requirement, as He tells the disciples and all His followers down through the ages. ‘A new commandment I give unto you, That ye LOVE one another; as I have LOVED you, that ye also LOVE one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have LOVE one to another.’ (John 13:34-35) Yuh see that friends, one of the easiest ways to know Jesus’ disciples is if they have LOVE for each other. 

Unfortunately though, I don’t believe that attribute is as widespread in the church as it ought to be. In the first place, we have so many different denominations, cliques and groups, all pertaining to be disciples of Christ, but are constantly in disagreement and disunity with each other, and over many selfish and petty things too. Now, if Christ’s supposed people can’t agree, and we show each other so much resentment and disdain, how in heaven’s name do we expect the unbeliever to believe in Christ and want to become a member of His church? It just won’t happen. 

And that’s what’s killing a lot of our testimony and witness; people are seeing the many cracks and holes in our Christian façade and are turning away from Christ instead of coming to Him. So, on this Holy Saturday, as we contemplate Christ’s death and resurrection, let’s also consider seriously mending the fences in His church nuh, because we’ll always be less than we ought to, until we do so. It should be our Easter promise to work on having a more unified body, one that the heathen can look at and truly see the salt, light and LOVE of Christ in it, and desire to become a part of it. Then, and only then, will we be fulfilling our Christian duties! Much LOVE!

…Christ walked His talk when He died for us…we ought to do the same…by sincerely living for Him…

 Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ      

Today’s Scrip-Bit   7 April 2023   2 Corinthians 5:21.

07 Apr 2023 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

2 Corinthians 5:21.         For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Well, a blessed Good Friday to all you my Scrip-Bit friends and family! I know it’s a sad day, the saddest in our Christian calendar, but it’s one that has a glorious ending. As we say, after the rain, comes the sunshine, with the world looking bright and clean as ever. Or as Job would say, you can’t get the good without the bad. And that’s exactly what happened some two thousand years ago today, when our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ selflessly sacrificed His sinless life on the cross of Calvary to pay for our sins, as required by His heavenly Father, a just and righteous judge. 

Oh yes, the Lord in all of His omnipotent power could have simply snapped His fingers and our sins would have been forgiven and paid for, but as the righteous judge that He is, our sins had to be paid for, since, as Bruh Paul wrote to the Roman church: ‘For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.’ (Rom. 6:23) That technically means that when we sin, we die a spiritual not physical death, a death that moves us away from our heavenly Father, unto the point of eternal separation from Him, which is the worst thing that can ever happen to a human soul. 

However, the Lord didn’t want this most heartbreaking thing to occur to His most precious creation, so He devised a plan whereby it could be prevented. He knew that with our inherent sin nature, we could not give up sin entirely and thus save ourselves, and if He was to retain His attribute of being a just and righteous judge, someone or something had to pay for our iniquity. It had to be a blameless, sinless, unblemished being, and unfortunately, the ONLY such person in existence was His only Son Jesus Christ. 

Now, we talk about being so sad and heartbroken today with the crucifixion of Jesus, but have we ever stopped to consider what the Lord went through, the enormous heartache He suffered watching His Son hang from a wooden cross as Hs lifeblood slowly drain out of Him, for a bunch of ungrateful sinners made in His image? I don’t know if He could even watch it, as all the sins of this sinful world were placed on His Son’s sinless shoulders. Do you think He took pleasure in seeing Him manhandled and mercilessly abused? Flogged, scorned, jeered, a crown of thorns put on His kingly head and made fun of, then forced to carry His own heavy cross in such a mutilated state? 

I doubt it very much. But He had made the decision to save His frail, unworthy creation called mankind, and that was the only way He could do it in a just and righteous manner, so He had to bear the fatherly sorrow when it actually happened. Unless He abandoned the whole scheme of salvation, the only thing He could do right then was to ease the pressure on Jesus, by benevolently placing Simon the Cyrene in the picture to help Him bear the cross. Many of us have lost children, and I know it wasn’t easy to handle, and although the pain might eventually subside, the hurt and disappointment never really go away. And I keep telling my children that is one pain I never want to undergo, so please be careful how you live this life. 

Now, can you imagine how our heavenly Father felt when Jesus cried out to Him last night in the Garden of Gethsemane for a reprieve, when He said to His followers: ‘My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye (wait) here, and watch with me. (Matt. 26:38) Then He went further into the garden, fell on His face, and sorrowfully asked: ‘O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.’ (Matt. 26:39) Three times Jesus prayed for the cup to pass from him, but got silence as an answer on every occasion, which meant that there was no way to avoid the humiliation and sacrifice, since from the beginning of time, the Father had promised to save sinners. 

But Luke tells us in his gospel while Jesus was praying and undergoing the great agony in the Garden: ‘And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.’ (Luke 22:43) His Father didn’t totally ignore Him, but sent Him strength for His tortuous journey. Luke even says: ‘And being in agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.’ (Luke 22:44) That tells us how agonized Jesus was that night in the Garden of Gethsemane. How fully His humanity manifested itself. 

Now did He really sweat blood? It’s doubtful because the Greek text uses a word that is translated ‘like’ or a comparison. However, there is a rare medical condition called ‘Hematidrosis’ which can affect people in severe distress that way. And it’s interesting that Luke, the physician, is the only one who mentions it in his gospel. It’s explained thus: “Around the sweat glands, there are multiple blood vessels in a net-like form.’ Under the pressure of great stress, the vessels constrict. Then as the anxiety passes ‘the blood vessels dilate to the point of rupture. The blood goes into the sweat glands.’ As the sweat glands are producing a lot of sweat, it pushes the blood to the surface – coming out as droplets of blood mixed with sweat.” 

But why was Jesus in such agony? Was it fear of death? We don’t think so. Most scholars believe that it was the fear of God’s wrath that had Jesus in such agony, the great burden of sin that was going to be placed on His shoulders. ‘For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.’ (2 Cor. 5:21) That was a mighty big burden to bear, and Jesus had to bear the ‘sufferation’ that came with it in His human form. 

Now here is an interesting explanation re the agony Jesus experienced in the Garden of Gethsemane, taken from an article by Mike Leake, on the Biblestudytools.com website. He writes: ‘It would not have been unusual for Jesus to be praying in the garden. Luke tells us “as was his custom.” What was different, though, is the vigor with which Jesus is praying. He is asking for a cup to be removed from him. What is this cup? In the Old Testament we can see that this “cup” is the pouring out of God’s wrath. 

Isaiah 51:17 says, “Wake yourself, wake yourself, stand up, O Jerusalem, you who have drunk from the hand of the Lord the cup of his wrath, who have drunk to the dregs the bowl, the cup of staggering.” Again, in Psalm 75:8, “In the hand of the Lord is a cup full of foaming wine mixed with spices; he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth drink it down to its very dregs.” This is the same figure of speech that is used in Revelation of the pouring out the seven bowls of God’s wrath. What is this cup that is causing Jesus to stagger? It is none other than the wrath of God poured out against the sinfulness of mankind.’ 

Then commentator Leake goes on to ask why is Jesus so overcome at that moment. And answers that he thinks Jonathan Edwards captures it very well in his explanation. “Christ was going to be cast into a dreadful furnace of wrath, and it was not proper that he should plunge himself into it blindfolded, as not knowing how dreadful the furnace was. Therefore that he might not do so, God first brought him and set him at the mouth of the furnace, that he might look in, and stand and view its fierce and raging flames, and might see where he was going, and might voluntarily enter into it and bear it for sinners, as knowing what it was. This view Christ had in his agony. Then God brought the cup that he was to drink, and set it down before him, that he might have a full view of it, and see what it was before he took it and drank it.” 

Oh friends, it was an awful potion for Jesus to drink from that cup, especially in His humanity, but He showed His belly and backbone and drank it for His Father and our sakes without complaint. So today, I plead with us to consider all that He went through on our behalf on this sad, sacrificial day, and come to the only decision we can come to with a truly LOVING and grateful heart beating within us; that’s to follow, worship and LOVE Jesus with all of our hearts, minds, bodies and souls. Under the prevailing circumstances, it’s the ONLY wise decision possible! Much LOVE!

…in Jesus…we have a Saviour, a Redeemer…like no other…the best there is…or ever will be…                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

 Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ           

Today’s Scrip-Bit   6 April 2023 Matthew 26:28.

06 Apr 2023 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Matthew 26:28. For this is my blood of the new testament (covenant), which is shed for many for the remission (forgiveness) of sins.

And then it was Thursday; Maundy Thursday. And we wish you all a Happy Maundy Thursday! It might not have been such a happy day in Jesus’ life, neither in ours right now, as we contemplate the next few days of tragic happenings, but it was indeed a special one, where He set certain parameters in our faith, and left us several examples to follow. Maundy Thursday was the day in Jesus’ life when, as we say, everything came to bump, meaning that He had finally reached the stage when there’s no turning back. 

On that Thursday, certain things happened that reminds us of the passionate moments of Jesus’ life. And we are invited to remember and celebrate these four events: the Last Supper, the Washing of the Apostle’s Feet by Jesus, Christ’s agony and prayer in Gethsemane, and the arrest of Jesus. At the Last Supper, He offered Himself as the sacrificial Lamb, with such humility and selflessness that makes Him the perfect example of those attributes. 

Now this was a time of the celebration of the Passover Feast in Jerusalem, one of the most sacred days in the Jewish Calendar, reminding them of that time during their slavery in Egypt, when the Angel of Death passed over Egypt and killed every first born son, but spared the Jews, because of the lamb’s blood on the lintel of their doors. (Ex. 12) 

On that night Jesus sat with His twelve disciples celebrating. ‘And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord is it I? And He answered and said, he that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had never been born. Then Judas which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He (Jesus) said unto him, Thou hast said (it).’ (Matt. 26:21-24) 

Oh my people, can you imagine the consternation, the doubt and grief engendered by Jesus’ comment that one of His closest supplicants would betray Him. And the scholars explain:  ‘Jesus’ reply to Judas Thou hast said means “yes.” He that dippeth reveals the personal and intimate nature of the betrayal.’ But that was only the first of several eye-opening occasions on that fateful evening. 

After that, the Good Book tells: ‘And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat, this is my body. And he took the cup (of wine), and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it (drink from it all of you). For this is my blood of the new testament (covenant), which is shed for many for the remission (forgiveness) of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.’ (Matt. 26:26-29) 

Right there we have it friends, the celebration of what we call ‘The Eucharist, or Holy Communion,’ as a memorial of the death and resurrection of Jesus, in response to his words at the final meal he shared with his disciples, ‘Do this in remembrance of me.’ (Luke 22:19 ) Thus, when we receive communion, we remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us, and we grow in LOVE for one another as Jesus commanded us. 

And what do the scholars say about Jesus’ actions at the Last Supper. As per ‘Jesus took bread: The head of the Jewish household was accustomed to doing this during the Passover feast. Jesus gave a completely new significance to the action.’ Then, as per ‘This is my body: During the Passover feast the Jewish householder took bread in his hand and said, This is the bread of affliction which our fathers ate in the land of Egypt,’ meaning, of course, that one represented the other. By His words the Lord changed the whole significance and emphasis of the feast from looking back to the typical redemption from Egypt to faith in the redemption from sin accomplished by His death. 

The bread and wine were only outward symbols of our Lord’s death. Nothing in the gospels indicates that these were to be viewed as a means of grace, sacraments, or that they were physically necessary for one’s salvation.’ Meanwhile, as per ‘The cup: Three cups were passed around by the Jewish householder during the Passover meal; the third, which is probably the one referred to here, being known as “the cup of blessing.” 

And ‘My blood of the new testament taken from the Greek Septuagint version of Exodus 24:8, with allusions to Jeremiah 31:31 and Zechariah 9:11. The covenant in Exodus 24: 8 was sealed with blood. Now, as per ‘Shed for many the remission of sins: Here is a clear statement that the death of Jesus was necessary to enable God to forgive sins. It, in fact, made it right or morally justified for Him to do so.’ 

Ah friends, so much happened on that penultimate day of Jesus’ life that we don’t have time nor space to recount it all in detail. But we do know that after supper Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, (John 13:2-17) which was another eye-opener for the disciples; their Master doing a slave’s job. And when Peter refused, Jesus simply told him: ‘If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.’ (John 2:8) It was a powerful example as Jesus told them. ‘If I then, your Lord and Master (Teacher), have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.’ (John 2:14) That’s a picture of the humility and selflessness we were talking about earlier. 

Then Jesus told them about their being offended by the things that were going to happen to Him, but Peter as usual refused to accept Christ’s words, claiming he would never be offended or leave Jesus. At which point, Jesus told Peter about his denying Him thrice before the cock crowed twice. (Matt. 26:31-35) Then they went into the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus, with heavy heart and sorrowful soul prayed for a reprieve from His Father, but none was forthcoming. (Matt. 26:36-46) 

Finally, Jesus was betrayed by Judas and arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, and all the disciples fled the scene. (Matt. 26:47-57) Then while Jesus was being questioned by the high priest Caiaphas, Peter denied knowing him three times before the cock crowed twice, and the Lord just looked at him, with an ‘I told you so’ look. And Peter went outside and wept bitterly. (Matt. 26:69-75) Yes my fellow saints, Maundy Thursday was indeed a busy and important day for our Lord and Saviour. But you’ll notice that though His soul was burdened, He nonetheless stepped up to the plate and batted the most wonderful innings ever played! 

Now that is a most worthy example for us to follow, especially since we’ve been generously granted what we call our Thursday Blessings, of which we’re not worthy, but have been bestowed them to help us do Christ’s work here on earth. So, let’s declare (yesss!!!) them so that they can be activated. Altogether now: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! 

I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to, will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’ 

Now it’s time for us to go out and do the work that we’ve been so generously blessed to do! Much LOVE!

…though also God…in His humanity…Jesus was indeed…a man amongst men…a class act…no doubt about it… 

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Today’s Scrip-Bit   5 April 2023   1 Peter 1:2.

05 Apr 2023 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

1 Peter 1:2.Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through (in) the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.

A good Wednesday morning to you, my fellow believers in Christ Jesus! The weather’s not great, and I can hear the rain falling outside, on what’s supposed to be a rainy day. And there couldn’t be a more fitting opening on this Wednesday of Holy Week, than this one by Peter at the beginning of his first epistle. He writes: ‘Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like (the same kind of) precious faith with us through the righteousness of (our) God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through (in) the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.’ (1 Pet. 1:1-2) 

Yes friends, grace and peace to all you who have sincerely received Christ Jesus! It’s a great honour and privilege to be invited to receive Him. Why? Listen to how Peter explains it. ‘According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to (by) glory and virtue. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.’ (1 Pet. 1:3-4) 

Oh my fellow saints, yuh see the immense benefits we enjoy when we receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour! We are thoroughly blessed through numerous promises and acts of God, so that we can partake of His divine nature, and be able to fight the evil and corruption that’s in the world. What a great and caring God we serve my people! No other supposed god does that for His followers. ONLY the great I AM! 

So, when we receive Christ, we receive salvation and all the other good things that believers get, like the indwelling of the Holy Ghost and the seeds of the fruit of the Spirit. But that’s not the end, in fact it’s just the beginning, because Christ expects us to follow the leading and guidance of His Holy Spirit as we live this earthly life, and also to nurture and grow those seeds of the Spirit which have been planted in us. That’s LOVE, joy, peace, patience, good ness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. (Gal. 5:22-23) 

In other words, after receiving Christ, believers are expected to grow, to mature in the Christian faith, in the same way that newborn babies start out by drinking milk, but gradually progress to eating solid food. It’s not good enough to just keep eating baby food for the rest of your lives, although that will not stop you from getting into heaven, but it will certainly cut down drastically on your heavenly rewards, since you will not be able to witness and have strong testimony for Christ, through which others, the unbelievers and the heathen are encouraged to come to Him. 

Remember, we are the eyes, ears, hands, feet and mouths of Christ here on earth. The only chance some may have to see Christ is through you, through your witness and testimony. That’s why Peter continues in his writings to encourage believers to grow in spiritual maturity. ‘And beside this (but for this very reason), giving all diligence, (after salvation) add to your faith virtue (moral excellence); and to virtue knowledge (spiritual truth); And to knowledge temperance (self-control); and to temperance patience (endurance, perseverance); and to patience godliness (God-likeness); 

And to godliness brotherly kindness (brotherly LOVE – Gr. philadelphian); and to brotherly kindness charity (volitional LOVE- Gr. agape – a decision to LOVE, not an emotional feeling). For if these things be in you (are yours), and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren (useless) nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off (short-sighted), and hath forgotten that he was purged (cleansed) from his old sins.’ (1 Pet. 1:5-9) 

Yes my faithful brethren, those are areas in which we all need to grow in spiritual maturity. We are not all at the same level, but for all of us it’s a lifelong cycle. Yes, spiritual growth never ends for the Christian believer. Not until Christ takes them home. And in his epistle to the Philippians, Bruh Paul confirms that, when he says: ‘Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform (complete) it until the day of Jesus Christ.’ (Phil. 1:6) Once God begins a good work in us, He won’t ever stop until Jesus comes for us. 

And if we don’t aspire to spiritual maturity, we’re forgetting that we were cleansed of our sin by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary, that we were bought with a price…and a very high one at that. And the least we can do is to improve our knowledge and spirituality as befits believers, so that we can be good ambassadors for Christ here on earth. And Peter continues to explain. ‘Wherefore the rather, brethren give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall (stumble): For so an entrance shall be ministered (supplied) unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.’ (1 Pet. 1:10-11) 

And the scholars explain those last two verses thus. ‘Ye shall never fall: The author is not referring to falling from salvation but to failure in Christian living. The everlasting kingdom refers to the eternal realm of God where Jesus is the undisputed Ruler. It is synonymous with heaven. Thus the one who acquires the virtues of verses 5-7 will have a rich inheritance in heaven.’ 

And I know that all of us desire to have a rich inheritance in heaven, but we have to begin by working for it down here on earth. As Christ said, store up your treasures in heaven where they are well protected, rather than on earth where they can rot and rust and be stolen. That’s wisdom in spades friends! And for those of us who have sincerely taken those words to heart, let’s go home now declaring (yesss!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our marvellous position in Christ Jesus. 

Altogether now: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’ 

And having said all of that, let’s remember that if we endure until the very end, then the future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine. Wow! I can’t wait to experience it! I hope you can’t too! Much LOVE!

…growing in spiritual maturity isn’t easy…but it’s surely interesting and worthwhile…  

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Today’s Scrip-Bit   4 April 2023 Matthew 5:14.

04 Apr 2023 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Matthew 5:14. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

It’s a wet and cloudy Holy Tuesday morning, but like all good Christians, the sun is valiantly fighting to shine its light on this dark and evil world. Oh friends, I do hope we can all be numbered amongst that group of good and faithful believers in Christ Jesus who are desperately fighting to shed His awesome light, through our witness and discipleship, over this ungodly, resentful and selfish society in which we currently live. 

Remember, that was one of His most ardent desires in His Sermon on the Mount, where He laid out His world-changing philosophy. He said, in no uncertain terms: ‘Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.’ (Matt. 5:14) And that’s what His faithful followers ought to be like, a city set on a hill, whose bright light is shining all around, for all to see. In other words, we are to be like lighthouses, shining for miles and miles around, giving light to all the human ships that are navigating the dark and evil waters of this ungodly human existence. 

That brings us to the words of Cousin Sol, who, as the wisest man ever, had a word on every topic. (smile). He wisely opined on the topic of light: ‘But the path of the just is as the (bright) shining light, that shineth more and more (ever brighter) unto the perfect day.’ (Prov. 4:18) 

Oh my people, that’s exactly how our light for Jesus ought to shine in this dark and evil world; brighter and brighter, especially in this Holy Week when we are about to celebrate one of our lowest days in Good Friday, when Jesus is crucified on the cross at Calvary to pay for our sins, though we will rejoice victoriously on Easter Sunday, when he rises triumphantly from the grave to guarantee His promise of everlasting life to all who believe in Him! 

Wow mih bredrin! How awesome is our Jesus! What a prize fighter He is! No one, or nothing can stop His ever-rolling course to glory and His magnificent kingdom of the ages that He’s so faithfully promised to all who faithfully believe in Him! 

And why does Jesus want us to be lights in this dark world? Because if we are His followers, then we ought to follow His example, and He categorically stated during His time here on earth: ‘I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.’ (John 8:12) And if you believe in Jesus, then you will follow Him and be a light in this darkness that we’re living in, like He was a light for us when He came to earth to show us the true glory of God! 

And as Bruh Paul concurs when he writes to the church at Philippi, re shining as lights in the world: ‘That ye may be blameless and harmless (innocent), the sons (children) of God, without rebuke (fault), in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation (generation), among whom ye shine as lights in the world.’ (Phil. 2:15) 

Yes my fellow believers, our witness for Christ ought to be shining and without fault. Now that doesn’t mean we won’t make mistakes, because we are frail and fragile humans, and that’s a normal part of our nature, but when we give out for Jesus, there’ll be substance, sincere action to our words, meaning that people will see the good fruit that we bear, through the Holy Spirit of Christ. 

For as Jesus continued in His sermon on the Mount: ‘Neither do men light a candle (lamp), and put it under a bushel (basket), but on a candlestick (lampstand), and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your heavenly Father which is in heaven.’ (Matt. 5:15-16) 

Oh friends, please note Jesus’ desire there was for us to glorify our heavenly Father, not Him, because that’s all He was about here on earth; listening to the Father and doing the Father’s will. As He said: ‘I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgement is just (righteous), because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.’ (John 5:30) 

Yes my people, we often forget that it was because of the Father’s desire to save His human creation that Jesus came to earth to suffer and be eventually crucified. That’s the high level of LOVE and obedience that He had towards the Father. And it could not be more ardently and stoically declared (awright!!!) than when Jesus was going through that tough time in the Garden of Gethsemane, the night before His crucifixion, when His soul was sorrowful and His heart heavy, and He unsuccessfully sought a reprieve from the Father, but obediently concluded: ‘nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.’ (Luke 22: 39 b) 

Oh, how I wish that our level of LOVE and obedience could be that high towards Jesus, Our Lord and Saviour, who so selflessly, altruistically and generously gave His sinless life to save our sinful ones. Please, please my fellow saints, let’s never forget these heartbreaking, but also joyful words that Bruh Paul wrote to the church at Corinth. ‘For he (God) hath made him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.’ (2 Cor. 5:21) 

And that was no easy burden to bear, but Jesus bore it stoically for our sakes, so let’s see if we can’t show Him some honour and glory for His selfless deeds on our behalf, by doing what He desires, being a bright and shining light in this dark world. Now, for those of us who are sincerely trying to do that, let’s go home declaring (yeahhh!!!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong lock, stock and barrel. 

As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’ 

And having made that declaration (yesss!!!) let’s go out now and indeed share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Jesus with all we meet, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!

… All to Jesus, I surrender…All to Thee I freely give…I will ever LOVE and trust You…In Your presence daily live… 

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Today’s Scrip-Bit   3 April 2023 Matthew 26:38.

03 Apr 2023 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Matthew 26:38. My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry (wait) ye here, and watch with me.

Chuh! Man! Another Monday…another week of work! Why me eh? (smile) And this one will be a rough one because following the joyful festivities of Palm Sunday, it’s Holy Week, and all sorts of unsavoury things are happening in the Christian’s calendar, ending up with the crucifixion of Christ on Friday. We call it Good Friday, but it wasn’t good when it happened. It only turned out good when Christ rose from the dead on Easter Sunday, having won a magnificent victory over hell, death and the grave! 

So, after the fear, the sadness and sorrow of Friday and Saturday, by Sunday evening everyone had gotten their jollies back with the awesome news of Christ’s resurrection making the rounds, just like His birth and death had done! (smile) Now, that resurrection was a most marvellous occasion which we all welcomed, but I guess like Job said, you have to take the bad with good. (Job 2:10) You can’t always expect good and no bad, even though you’re a believer in Christ, because the rain falls and the sun shines both on the good and bad. (Matt. 5:45) 

And as we said yesterday, this Holy Week we’ve got stir up our faith, stand strong and steadfast and follow Jesus to the cross on Good Friday, where He endured ‘sufferation,’ that’s inhumane suffering over and above, with nary a word of complaint. Yes my fellow brethren, our Lord and Saviour, bled, shed His sinless blood and died on that rugged cross to pay for our abominable sins, because our heavenly Father desired it, and that was the only way it could be done justly and righteously. 

Remember, the night before His crucifixion, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed for a reprieve, but first said to Peter, James and John, who were with Him. ‘My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry (wait) ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father. If it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.’ (Matt. 26:38-39) Oh friends, Jesus’ heart was indeed heavy, as He prayed the same thing three times, with no reprieve from the Father. 

Deep down, He knew that He had to take His lumps, and He wasn’t so much afraid of the horrifying death, but more so about His first ever separation from the Father. He knew that once the burden of the world’s sins was placed on His sinless shoulders, the Father would shut Him out since He could not look on the totality of sin. 

As the scholars offer: ‘The prayer for the cup to pass is not due to Jesus’ fear of death. Jesus questions the will of the Father as to the necessity of drinking the cup. While this may refer to death (he tasted death) it is more likely that the cup represents the wrath of God against sin, the divine wrath Christ would incur on the cross as man’s sin-bearer. In the awful anguish of that moment, the sin of the world was poured on Christ, and He became “sin for us” (2 Cor. 5:21). Thus, the Righteous One dies a substitutionary death for guilty mankind.’ 

And that was indeed a mighty step, calling for much selflessness and obedience on Jesus’ part. No wonder Bruh Paul wrote these telling words to the church at Philippi. ‘Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men (emptied himself of all his privileges): And being found in fashion (appearance) as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.’ (Eph. 2:5-8) 

O, what a marvellous example of a son, our Jesus was! Denying Himself His rightful godly privileges and becoming a mortal man, so that He could do the Father’s bidding. Now none of us can ever reach the level that He reached, but we can all strive to be much better than we presently are. If not for our sake, then at least for Jesus’ sake. Just look at all He suffered on our behalf. Can we not put out the effort to be better disciples, better followers, better ambassadors and agents, with our salt salty as ever, and our lights shining all over the world, as He desires? 

Is that too much to ask friends? I don’t think so. Not after what Jesus went through on our behalf. Doing what He asks is a piece of cake compared to what He went through for us. So please, this Holy Week, let’s step up to the plate and hit some home runs for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ nuh. He rightly deserves our improved play. Now, let’s go to God, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, asking for the wherewithal to improve our level of play. (smile) 

Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You this Monday morning for life and strong faith in Christ, despite the mass confusion in our world. We desperately need Your divine help, for You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems. Heavenly Father, we admit that we have all sinned and seriously disobeyed Your Word, but we know that You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, who has faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face. 

That’s why we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading with You to give us wise guidance and direction to alleviate our problems. And Father, we pray that you will ease the pain of the many who are suffering from negative situations. Please show them Your awesome grace and mercy, and keep Your promise that You’ll hear our prayer, forgive us, and heal our land if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again, we say: Amen!’ 

And we’ll close with this li’l gem of scripture from Bruh Paul’s missive to those same Philippians, which ought to encourage us to get moving for Christ. Bruh Paul writes: ‘Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform (complete) it until the day of Jesus Christ.’ (Phil. 1:6) Yes my fellow saints, once the Lord begins working to remake us into the image of His wonderful Son, He’ll never stop until Jesus returns. So, let’s believe that and keep moving onwards and upwards in Christ, and thus fulfill our godly destiny. Much LOVE!

…we know all what we need to do to live for Jesus…so let’s cut out the foolishness and do it nuh… 

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Today’s Scrip-Bit   2 April 2023 Matthew 21:6.

02 Apr 2023 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Matthew21:6. And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them.

And then it was Sunday once again! But this time it’s a special one; Psalm Sunday! The day when our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ made His triumphal kingly entry on a colt of a donkey into Jerusalem, the city of His father David. Wow! What a day that was! And what a day it still is, because ‘For Christians, it is a reminder of the welcoming of Jesus into our hearts and of our willingness to follow him.’ 

Another commentary says: ‘Palm Sunday carries Christ towards the ultimate sacrifice of his life on the cross, where, by his sacrifice we are healed! Its central message is that God sees us and LOVES what he sees. The only requirement from us is that we welcome him and his peace, and exercise faith in his ultimate healing — on earth or in heaven.’ 

And let’s begin doing that with some appropriate praise and worship for this momentous day in our Christian calendar, by singing the hymn, ‘Hosanna in the Highest!’ In a rousing, rollicking version, let’s offer up our sacrificial praises to heaven with joyful hearts. Singing: ‘Hosanna [2] Hosanna In The Highest [2] Lord We Lift Up Your Name With Our Hearts Filled With Praise Be Exalted Oh Lord Our God Hosanna In The Highest.  Holy [3] Is The Lamb Of God [2] Lord We Lift Up Your Name With Our Hearts Filled With Praise Be Exalted Oh Lord Our God Holy Is The Lamb Of God.  

Jesus [3] Is The King Of Kings [2] Lord We Lift Up Your Name With Our Hearts Filled With Praise Be Exalted Oh Lord Our God Jesus Is The King Of Kings.  Hosanna [2] Hosanna In The Highest [2] Lord We Lift Up Your Name With Our Hearts Filled With Praise Be Exalted Oh Lord Our God Hosanna In The Highest. (2) Be exalted Oh Lord our God Hosanna in the Highest….’  

Oh my fellow believers, how wonderful it is to be able to remember that joyful day in ole Jerusalem with the multitudes who had come to celebrate the Jewish Passover feast. And we all know the story as told by the disciple Matthew, which we never get tired of hearing and repeating. ‘And when they (Jesus and the disciples) drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethpage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples. Saying unto them, Go into the village over against (opposite) you, and straightway ye shall find an ass (donkey) tied, and a colt with her: loose (untie) them, and bring them unto me. 

And if any man say ought (anything) unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek (lowly), and sitting upon an ass (donkey), and a colt the foal of an ass.’ (Matt. 21:1-5) 

Yes friends, as the Good Library keeps on showing us, Jesus came to fulfill the Old Testament Scriptures. And the prophet who made that announcement was none other than Zechariah, as he promised Israel that their king would indeed come to them one day. (Zech. 9:9) And on the day we call Palm Sunday, Jesus fulfilled that scripture like he did so many others during His short time here on earth. 

But getting on with the story, Matthew continues: ‘And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them. And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way (road), others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed (spread) them in the way (road). 

And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.’ (Matt. 21:6-11) 

Now that was indeed a marvellous day as Jesus entered the city where He eventually intends to set up His kingdom, like the king He is. And as the scholars tell us: ‘Riding on the colt of an ass marked the official entry of Israel’s kings. Thus Jesus arrives in the full declaration of His kingship.’ And it was interesting how the crowds shouted out ‘Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest,’ because I don’t think most of them really knew Him, but followed the chants of those who did, like we do so often when we get caught up in the exuberance of a crowd. 

And what does the word ‘Hosanna’ mean eh? In the old interpretation as found in Psalm 118:25, it basically meant, ‘save, now.’ That’s how the psalmist used it: ‘Save, now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.’ But when used as the crowd did: ‘Hosanna to the son of David, and Hosanna in the highest,’ ‘In that context, the word Hosanna seems to be a “special kind of respect” given to the one who saves, saved, will save or is saving now. If so Hosanna means “a special honor to the one who saves” And obviously that is cause for discussion amongst the scholars. (smile) 

But we don’t need to dilly dally over the meaning, since we know what it means to us. Jesus is our Saviour! Short and to the point. And that segues very nicely into this commentary. “Hosanna in the highest” is used when we acknowledge Jesus for His ultimate sacrifice and what it means for us and mankind as a whole. This may not be something we often say out loud, but we can think it in our minds and feel it in our hearts in times of worship.’ 

Yuh better believe it, we ought to be continually acknowledging Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, in our hearts, souls, bodies and minds! We need to remember it as the foundation of our faith, so that it can help us handle the rough times when they come along, as they most certainly will. 

And we’ll end today with a most appropriate prayer for Palm Sunday. Please pray with me: ‘Merciful God, as we enter Holy week, turn our hearts again to Jerusalem, and to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Stir up within us the gift of faith that we may not only praise him with our lips, but may follow him in the way of the cross.’ And all of God’s people gave a loud and grateful shout of ‘Amen!’ 

Yes my fellow saints, this Holy Week is indeed a time to stir up our faith, so that we can confidently face the evil world in which we currently dwell, in the great and mighty name of Jesus! Much LOVE!

…only Jesus…only Jesus as God and man…could do what He did…and is still doing…give Him thanks and praise…

 Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ      

Today’s Scrip-Bit   1 April 2023   2 Peter 3:13.

01 Apr 2023 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

2 Peter 3:13. Nevertheless we, according to his promise look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Well can you believe it? It’s the first of April already! No, it’s not an April Fool’s Day joke, it’s the real thing. (smile) We just sailed through the first three months of this new year as though it was one day. It’s like Peter says: ‘one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.’ (2 Pet. 3:8) Those last three months certainly passed in a hurry. It seems like we just celebrated Christmas, New Years, Valentine’s Day and Carnival, now we’re about to celebrate Easter. 

The weather is just as contrary too. After raining all through yesterday and last night, till early morn, it’s now bright and sunny with a temperature around eleven degrees Celsius, but it’s going to seem colder because of the brisk wind that’s blowing in the sunshine. So, all in all, it’s a beautiful day to be lazy. (smile) Unfortunately though, I’ve already used up my lazy rations for the day. Now I’ve got to be about my Father’s business. And it seems that the scriptures after the verse we quoted in 2 Peter are ideal ones for us to look at today. 

So, let’s continue, as Peter tells us. ‘The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.’ (2 Pet. 3:9) Right there friends, we see that our God is worthy to keep His promises, but He’s also patient and persevering with us, and desires everybody to come to salvation, but we need to trust in Him, if that’s to happen. 

Then Peter goes on to explain: ‘But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.’ (2 Pet. 3:10) Now let’s be careful and recognize there that Peter is talking about the final apocalyptic judgement, when Jesus returns to close out the old earth and heavens, not the Rapture of the church. 

And since that will happen as suddenly and without warning like the Rapture, Peter therefore makes these very pertinent statements for those who will be living in the Millennial Kingdom, as well as to us living right now before the Rapture. ‘Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation (conduct) and godliness. Looking for and hasting (hastening) unto the coming of the day, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?’ (2 Pet. 3:11-12) 

Oh friends, at some stage of the game, the old heavens and earth will be destroyed, what then? Peter tells us: ‘Nevertheless we, according to his promise look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.’ (2 Pet. 3:13) Oh my brethren, Peter is urging us to look past this heaven and earth to a new heaven and earth, one characterized by righteousness, with this further admonishment. ‘Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.’ (2 Pet. 3:14) 

Yes, as a consequence of our looking forward to bigger and better things, we also need to come up higher in our walk with God. And if you don’t believe that one day the old earth and heaven will be destroyed, then read Revelation chapters 17-19, and they should clear up your doubt. Let’s not forget either the earlier promise of God that Peter talked about. It’s highlighted in the prophecy of Isaiah, where he speaks of the prosperity of God’s servants, beyond the millennial kingdom, in His promise of the new day. 

‘For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered,, nor come into mind (come upon the heart). But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem in a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. There shall be no more thence an infant of days (who lives but a few days), nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.’ (Is. 65:17-20) 

Ah mih people, that was just the foreshadowing of what we read in Revelation 21 about the new heaven and new earth that John saw coming down from God. In particular this verse that we all look forward to. ‘And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.’ (Rev. 21:4) 

Oh my fellow saints, what a magnificent scripture of promise that is! And remember it’s the third time it’s found in the Good Library, The second time is in Isaiah 66:22-24, which means it’s certainly going to happen some day, whenever the Father chooses. But for us to be there celebrating that momentous occasion we have to start living right from right now. We can’t say we haven’t been warned. And for good measure, let’s read some of that scripture. 

John says in the Book of Revelation: ‘And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God, and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 

And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell (hades) delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell (hades) were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.’ (Rev. 20: 11-15) 

Those are not my words my brethren, but the inspired, inerrant, truthful word of God. Now it’s up to ensure that our names are found written in the book of life.  We know what to do to make that happen, so please let’s do it nuh. Much LOVE!

…we have everything we need to do it…so there’s no reason whatsoever…that our names…should not be found in the Book of Life… 

 Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ     

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