Today’s Scrip-Bit 26 December 2011 Psalm 64:10‏

26 Dec 2011 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living Tags: , , , ,

Psalm 64:10.     The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall trust him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.

Oh Friends, Christmas Day is over – too bad – but not the Christmas Season! So please don’t stop the LOVE, the joy, the peace and goodwill to all mankind that you’ve been recently exhibiting. Let’s see if we can’t carry it straight through till next Christmas nuh. (smile) Now wouldn’t that be something!  Unfortunately though, today is Monday, Boxing Day, and many of us have the day off, but a lot of folks still have to go out and face the workweek battle, and some are going out to face even more confusion and greater battles – the Boxing Day sales. Ah Lord eh! What a highly commercialized society we’ve become! Everything now revolves around the almighty dollar. Chuh! But since we have to live in the world, yet not be a part of it, we will always need our Monday Morning Battle Hymn to help us fight Lucifer and his evil flunkies. So let’s sing our Battle Hymn with much feeling and in loud voice, begin the fight mentally, by scaring those evil demons away with our praise. In unison now: ‘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!’ Oh Friends, I sure hope that gives us sufficient ammunition, sufficient faith, sufficient focus on our omnipotent God, to go out and fight the good fight, for we desperately need to do that in this increasingly evil and destructive world. That’s why we have to pay serious attention to our Bit: ‘The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.’ Yes Friends, if we desire to make a good and positive difference in this world, then we have to follow Bruh David’s advice; trust in God, be glad in Him, and celebrate His glory. Otherwise all our efforts will never amount to much, since it’s only with Almighty God in our hearts, guiding and directing our paths, that we are capable of anything really worthy. In Job 22, his supposed friend, Eliphaz while accusing him of sin declares: ‘but the counsel of the wicked is far from me. The righteous see it, and are glad: and the innocent laugh them to scorn.’ (Job 22:18b-19) Yes my people, the righteous see the ungodly devices of the wicked for what they truly are, then scorn and resist them with God’s help. It’s sad Friends, but in these dire times we need to be very perceptive in what and whom we let into our lives, because there are so many predators out there in sheep’s clothing, and it’s very easy to get caught in their deceitful lies and traps, since on the surface they seem so true and worthy. However, beneath the pretty facades, they’re all evil and rotten to their very core. Unfortunately, as our civilization has advanced, so has our evil character, by using those same advances to fuel ungodly, unrighteous deeds and causes. What a crying shame Friends! The only way to conquer those evil forces is for us to stand strong and steadfast in the Lord God Jehovah! So as we wind down this wonderful 2011 Christmas Season of LOVE, peace and goodwill, fully knowing that the ever spreading tentacles of evil will soon come to the fore again, let’s listen to some sound advice on how to resist them. In Psalm 32, the blessedness of forgiveness, Bruh David tells us ‘Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.’ (Ps.32:11) And again in Psalm 68, God has gone before his people, he declares; ‘But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.’ (Ps.68:3) And finally in Psalm 97, the Lord is far above all gods, the psalmist defiantly proclaims: ‘Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of (for the memory) of his holiness (his holy name).’ (Ps.97:12) Oh my brethren, it’s only by having hearts abounding with righteousness, joy and overwhelming faith that we can ever rise above the evil that currently has our world in a vice-like grip. Please, let’s do it for our God…and our children. Much LOVE!…to believe and hope…to trust and surrender…to remain ever faithful to Jesus…that’s a believer’s creed…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 25 December 2011 John 3:16‏

25 Dec 2011 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living Tags: , , ,

John 3:16.    For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

MERRY  CHRISTMAS  MY SCRIP-BIT FAMILY

Oh Friends, the big day is here at last! It’s Christmas morn! The day God’s incarnate child was born of a woman in a lowly, filthy stable! Glory Hallelujah! And the choir sang: ‘Away in a manger, no crib for His head, The little Lord Jesus, lay down His sweet head. The stars in the bright sky, looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay. The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes.’ Yes Friends, even as a newborn babe, Jesus was imbued with a sense of peace and calm. How many of us would have lain there quietly in the stinky stable with frightening animal noises all around us eh? Not too many, I believe. And just for being such a beautiful baby child, let’s give Him some adoration nuh. Sing it out loud now: ‘O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.’ Ah mih people, what a momentous day in man’s history the birth of Christ was, and what a transition it ushered in., because LOVE, and Peace, and Goodwill then became more prominent and significant, morphing into true watchwords in our lives. How could it be otherwise when our Bit declares this amazing, this most awesome tale: ‘For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’  Wow mih breddren! What a sacrifice on the part of Jehovah God! He must have LOVED us a whole lot to do such an unexpected, undeserved, ‘unrequitable’ thing, won’t you say? But that’s the unselfish majesty of our God! Though He knew we didn’t deserve it, and could never repay it, from the never-ending source of His LOVING-kindness and concern for us, He still extended that gift of LOVE, of Grace, of Salvation, and of Eternal Life to us, embodied in His Son Jesus. That certainly deserves another ‘Wow!’ mih people…and some singing too. ‘Silent night, Holy Night, all is calm, all is bright. Round young virgin, mother and child. Holy infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace. Shepherds gaze at the sight. Glory streaming from heaven above. Heavenly Host sings Hallelujah! Christ the Saviour is born. Christ the Saviour is born.’ Truer words were never spoken Friends! Now let’s check out some scripture re this auspicious occasion. As regards God’s LOVE, Bruh Paul confidently proclaimed to the Roman Church: ‘But God commendeth (demonstrated) his LOVE toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.’ (Rom.5:8) Then to the Ephesians, he pointed out: ‘But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great LOVE wherewith he LOVED us…For by grace are ye (you have been) saved, through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.’ (Eph.2:5,8) And to the Thessalonians: ‘Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath LOVED us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace. Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.’ (2 Thess.2:16-17) Now listen to John’s take on the subject: ‘In this was manifested the LOVE of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him. Herein is LOVE, not that we LOVED God, but that he LOVED us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.’ (1 John 4:9-10)  And in Revelations it’s revealed thus: ‘And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten (born) of the dead, and the prince of (ruler over) the kings of the earth. Unto him that LOVED us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.’ (Rev.1:5)  Oh Friends, without a doubt, it’s all about that glorious emotion of LOVE, that overwhelming feeling of care and consideration that the Holy Trinity has for us, that we can safely say we’re on the road to peace, joy, salvation and eternal life. There’s nothing else like LOVE in existence. It’s the very nature of our God! And we can’t end today without sharing the most amazing bit of scripture, of prophecy that was ever written, centuries before it came to pass too. Listen to Isaiah: ‘For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.’ (Is.9:6) And as it was said, so it was done my Friends, some two thousand years ago. Now let’s go home with some praise in song. ‘Hark the herald angels sing, glory to the new born King. Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled. Hark the herald angels sing, Christ is born in Bethlehem. Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the new born King.’ Yes Friends, let’s give our God some most deserved glory, this Christmas Day 2011. And remember, drunk or sober, mind yuh business. (smile) Much LOVE!…the reason for the season…Jesus’ birthday…so please pay Him some homage today…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 24 December 2011 Jeremiah 13:16‏

24 Dec 2011 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living Tags: , , , ,

Jeremiah 13:16.    Give glory to the Lord your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turns it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.

And then there was one! Yes Friends, it’s Christmas Eve! One day before the big ONE! There are such great expectations in the air, let’s hope people aren’t disappointed after the big build up. Although how could we ever be disappointed in Jesus eh, with all the wonderful, selfless, life saving things He’s done and endured for us? We’d be somewhat ungrateful if disappointment shows up on our radar screen at all. That would only prove we’re not really interested in Jesus, but the things of the world. Just think back some two thousand years ago nuh, to poor Joseph trudging along the country roads in the cold, with pregnant Mary, close to term, possibly riding a donkey, all the way from Nazareth to Bethlehem to pay taxes.  I have to laugh when I consider the irony, for in the next couple of months we too will be rushing to make sure our taxes are in order. So apparently the person who declared that there are only two things in this life we cannot escape, death and taxes, did know what he was talking about. But thankfully Jesus was born, died and resurrected so that we could escape one kind of death, the spiritual kind. Therefore Friends, let us be very thankful as we celebrate His Birth, and do as our Bit cautions: ‘Give glory to the Lord your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.’ Sadly though my people, darkness – spiritual, emotional and physical – is currently covering much of the earth and its people, because in our selfish, egotistical, conceited ignorance and independence, we have turned away from the Lord God Jehovah to worship instead the things of Lucifer and this fallen world. We have become as Isaiah says when he talks of national corruption and consequent suffering. ‘Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgement (justice) in their goings (tracks): they have made them crooked paths: whomsoever goeth therein shall not know peace. Therefore is judgement (justice) far from us, neither doth justice (righteousness) overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity (darkness); for brightness, but we walk in darkness (gloom, blackness).’ (Is.59:7-9) Yes my brethren, that’s a very true and accurate picture of our world today. No wonder the Lord is asking, like he did in Jeremiah’s time? ‘Thus saith the Lord, What iniquity (injustice) have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain? Neither said they, Where is the Lord that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of desserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt?’ (Jer.2:5-6) Now those are very good questions Friends, which we should all individually ponder, asking ourselves why we have personally gone astray? That’s because we can’t answer for anyone else’s deviation from God’s path, only our own. Oh my people, this is a most opportune time, with Christmas and the approaching New Year, for all of us, believers and non-believers to consider our ways and see where we have fallen away from God and ascertain the reasons why our world so closely resembles this word portrait of Isaiah: ‘And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits (are mediums), and unto wizards that peep (whisper), and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead (should they seek the dead on behalf of the living)? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them (they have no dawn). And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead (hard pressed) and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves (be enraged), and curse their king and their God, and look upward. And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness (gloom) of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.’ (Is.8:19-22) Yes Friends, this is the perfect time for serious contemplation and change, if we expect out world to come up aces again. Much LOVE!…to open their eyes…and to turn them from darkness to light…and from the power of Satan unto God… (Acts 26:18a)

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 23 December 2011 Jeremiah 13:16‏

23 Dec 2011 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living Tags: , , , ,

Jeremiah 13:16.    Give glory to the Lord your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.
 
Oh Friends, it’s Friday! Yes, the most important Friday of this year, because it begins the most important weekend of the year. It’s the eve of Christmas Eve! Yes Friends, only two more days till we celebrate the most auspicious birth ever; that of Jesus Christ, our Lord, Saviour, Redeemer, Advocate, Prince of Peace, etc.etc. Wow! And can you imagine the amount of praise and music, of all varieties, in all kinds of languages, that’s rising from all over the earth up to heaven. Brother! The party in heaven must also be gathering steam because they know that many lost souls will be saved this upcoming weekend. But as usual my brethren, though the celebration is important, we still need to be circumspect in our dealings and don’t give the enemy any leeway to infiltrate our godly souls. To that end, let’s chant our Friday Chant, in one, loud, unified, sincere voice: ‘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.’ Hopefully that will keep us on an even keel, a decent rein, though I doubt it, when the food, drinks, music and good times with friends and family hit the high water mark. (smile) But just don’t forget the reason for the season, Jesus’ Birth, not shopping, and spend some time ruminating on Him and His unsurpassable goodness to us sinful children of men. And for sure, this is a time to do what our Bit so faithfully declares: ‘Give glory to the Lord your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.’ Yes Friends, this is definitely one particular time that we don’t want the Lord to rain on our parade. For as Malachi rebuked Israel in their unfaithfulness, by saying to the priests: ‘If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay (take) it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the Lord of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.’ (Mal.2:2) Now this doesn’t apply only to the priests nuh people, but to all of us who disobey and don’t take the Lord’s Word, His Honour and Glory seriously to heart. Neither do we want this judgement of woe on the faithless to befall us. ‘And in that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea: and if one look unto the land, behold darkness and sorrow (distress), and the light is darkened (by the clouds) in the heavens thereof.’ (Is.5:30) Ah mih people, this is the season of light, that’s what Jesus came to bring, therefore let’s do what will enable light to come to our distressed and misguided world nuh. And that’s as the psalmist proclaims in his call for praise to our great and most worthy God. ‘Give (ascribe) unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give (ascribe) unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts. O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear (tremble) before him, all the earth. Say among the heathen (unbelieving nations) that the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be (is firmly) established that it shall not be moved (shaken): he shall judge the people righteously. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof (all that is in it). Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice Before the Lord: for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.’ (Ps.96:7-13) Yes mih people, that’s the attitude, the colour, the prominent behaviour we want to see this season, for the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was, and still is the first step in the Lord coming to judge us with righteousness and truth, so that those of us who believe can bypass death and destruction and instead receive salvation and eternal life. Please, let’s show our appreciation of God’s great and generous gifts this Christmas season and thus avoid the death and darkness of sin. Much LOVE!…there’s much joy in light…but only sorrow and heartache in darkness…so choose light…that ye may live…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 December 2011 Jeremiah 13:16

22 Dec 2011 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living Tags: , ,

Jeremiah 13:16.    Give glory to the Lord your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.
 
And then there were three! Yes Friends, only three more days to the biggest celebration on earth; Christmas Day! What a pleasure and a privilege we Christians enjoy since our God sent His Son Jesus down to earth to live amongst us in human form, so that we could see and experience exactly what He’s like, as well as give us an example that we can understand and follow. Our God sure is a kind and caring Deity! No doubt about it Friends. And while we’re on the subject of caring, here’s a prayer I wasn’t planning to share today, but was guided by the Spirit to do so. It’s a prayer for the church leaders, a group we truly don’t pay as much attention to as we ought. We simply take the running and guidance of our churches for granted, forgetting that it takes a fine group of dedicated and devoted people, working mostly in the background, to keep them functioning properly. So here’s this prayer I found in the front of my mother’s Bible, in their honour. It says: ‘Thank you Lord for the gift of church leaders. Guide them as they face difficult decisions. Give then courage to contend for the faith. Fill them with Grace and Truth. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.’ Yes Friends, especially in this busy season of Christmas, our church leaders are doing lots of wonderful things on our behalf. Let’s make a special effort then to thank them whenever we encounter them. And I would like to say a special thanks to the group at my local church who are currently in the midst of securing a new priest for our parish. May the Lord bless and guide them in their search and grant them the wisdom and understanding to choose the best person available, so that our parish can grow and further His kingdom. Now turning to our Bit: ‘Give glory to the Lord your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.’ Oh Friends, that’s a serious bit of business, a serious warning from our kind and considerate, but also just and righteous God, who cannot allow sin to run rampant amongst His people. And today we’ll look at one example of God’s justice system, from way back in Joshua’s time. After the fall of Jericho, the Israelites were warned not to take any prisoners or spoil, just save Rahab and her family and the precious metals for the Lord’s treasury. But a little later on they suffered a terrible defeat at the hands of the men of Ai, which caused Joshua to fall on his face before the Lord and ask why? (Josh. 6,7) Unfortunately, the Lord informed him that Israel had sinned by taking spoil from Jericho, although expressly forbidden to do so. Eventually it was discovered that a young man by the name of Achan had committed the crime. “And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me. And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done: When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted (desired) them, and took them; and behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tenth, and the silver under it.’ (Josh.7:19-21) The spoil was found exactly where Achan said it was hidden, then they took him, all his family and all their possessions out to a valley called Achor. ‘And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the Lord shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones. And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the Lord turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, the valley of Achor (trouble), unto this day.’ (Josh.7:25-26) Oh Friends, that sure seems like a harsh punishment for the crime, but God’s proclamation was disobeyed, and the crime had to be paid for. It’s just like Saul disobeyed Samuel and usurped the priest’s office (1 Sam.8-18), and thus lost the crown of Israel. Oh my people, let’s understand once and for all that our God is a most wonderful God, but because of His holy and righteous nature constant sin and disobedience cannot be tolerated under His justice system. There’s no sugar-coating it. And we just have to look at the havoc that our turning away from Him has caused in our world, to know that eventually divine justice and retribution will fall upon those who insist on disobeying God’s edicts. Oh Friends, please let us learn from those gone before us, as well as from what’s happening around us today, and repent and turn back to the God of our fathers, so that our world will be saved from total destruction. It’s the only way to prevent our eventual annihilation. Much LOVE!…a word to the wise…is usually sufficient…but those who don’t hear…will certainly feel…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 21 December 2011 Jeremiah 13:16‏

21 Dec 2011 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living Tags: , , , , ,

Jeremiah 13:16.    Give glory to the Lord your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness. Four more days Friends! Just four more days to the big day, Christmas, when our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was born lowly and humble, in that rickety, old, broken down stable, amongst all the crude and foul smelling animals. But what a mighty man He became despite His less than auspicious beginnings! Only our Lord God Jehovah could have devised such a complicated and mind boggling but ever-LOVING plan to save His sinful earthly children. That means my people, that although we were also born in lowly circumstances, we too can rise to great heights by placing our faith, hope and trust in Jesus. And they say that our God isn’t wonderful and wise! Chuh! That’s total chupidness mih breddren! That’s simply Lucifer’s lies, to get us to follow him. So Friends, this Christmas season, let’s show the world what we believers in Christ, Christians, are truly about nuh. Let’s allow Jesus’ LOVE, compassion, care and kindness to be front and centre in our lives, so that He can be glorified and win the hearts of some of the many who don’t know Him, but desperately need Him. Oh Friends, it’s imperative that we do as the prophet Jeremiah declares: ‘Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the Lord hath spoken.’ (Jer.13:15) And what has the Lord our God said? The words of our Bit: ‘Give glory to the Lord your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.’ My brethren, that’s not an idle threat, but a solemn promise of Jehovah God. And we know that He keeps all of His promises. Back then, God’s people, the Israelites were running amok in sin, glorifying Lucifer rather than the God of their fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, sadly, just like we’re doing today Friends. And furthermore, the Lord declared unto them: ‘But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the Lord’s flock is carried away captive.’ (Jer.13:17) And Friends, that’s exactly what happened to Israel when they refused to heed God’s warning. Note too, that just as it hurts our earthly parents when they have to punish us for disobedience, the same way it hurts God, His soul weeps when He has to inflict punishment on us, because He LOVES us so much. Oh my people, unfortunately the Lord’s saying the same thing to us today that He said to the Israelites in Jeremiah’s time. ‘Glorify me, instead of Lucifer. Turn from your evil ways and accept my easy yoke and light bondage. Otherwise you’ll be plunged into darkness, death and destruction.’ And we all can certainly acknowledge that what’s taking place in our world today is not simply as the world turns, but there is definitely and element of divine retribution involved in the macabre madness that’s terrorizing our entire planet. For there’s no peace, only endless strife; no LOVE, only anger, resentment and hatred; no joy, only sorrowful hearts and souls; no light, only gloom and darkness. Oh my brethren, is that the way we truly want to live, or the kind of world we want to bequeath to our children? I sincerely doubt it. So let’s pick up the pieces of our fallen and broken selves and turn back to Almighty God, who will gladly put us back together again; make us whole and clean in His sight once again. For though all the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t put the fallen and broken Humpty Dumpty back together again, our wonderful, omnipotent, LOVING and caring God can, and will make us whole if we turn to Him in true conviction and repentance. So if we truly want to improve the woeful condition of our world, our souls and our lives, then I implore us today, to do just that. Much LOVE!…in darkness there’s only fear…but in light…the God of LOVE is there…  

Today’s Scrip-Bit 20 December 2011 Ecclesiastes 7:19‏

20 Dec 2011 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living Tags: , , ,

Ecclesiastes 7:19.    Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
 
Oh Friends, oh Friends, the breath of life is still flowing through us this brand new morning! All thanks and praise be to our most wonderful heavenly Father for thus blessing us! And it’s only five more days to Christmas! Wow! I think we should devise a way to bottle this festive season and sell it, or preferably just give it away all year round, for it’s the only time that our world has some semblance of LOVE, Peace and Goodwill to each other. It’s really the only time we sort of fulfill the second great commandment of LOVING our neighbours as ourselves. But I guess that dream is never going to come true because it would go directly against everything Lucifer and his evil cronies stand for – that is unless they can make money from it. Anyway Friends, let’s never stop trying to make this world a better place than it now is, because it’s what Jesus requires of us, and what our children, and their children badly need. And the best way to do that is through Wisdom. As our Bit so rightly declares: ‘Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men (rulers) which are in the city.’ So if Wisdom strengthens the wise, making them mightier or wiser than ten city rulers, why aren’t we all desperately seeking it then eh? Possibly because true Wisdom is a God thing, and many of us, though we refuse to admit it, are simply afraid of God and things concerning Him, mostly because we feel that it infringes on our earthly pleasures. But Friends, we all know that we can’t have both the things of heaven and those of earth simultaneously preeminent in our lives; it has to be either one or the other, though it doesn’t stop us from trying. (smile) Jesus was very adamant about that: ‘No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and LOVE the other; or else he will hold to (be loyal to) the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (earthly riches).’ (Matt.6:24) And therein lies the crux of the matter my brethren. However, since we’ve chosen to be believers, to serve God come what may, let’s look at some scripture that proclaims Wisdom; where it comes from, and how it benefits us. Psalm 111 tells us: ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.’ (Ps.111:10) Yes Friends, that’s gospel! Here fear is described as the ‘awe filled reverence toward the Lord.’ And sadly, until and unless we develop that kind of admiration, adoration with a touch of awe filled wonder in it, where we go: ‘Wow! What a majestic Deity!’ we will never truly understand or attain wisdom. And we can never leave out Cousin Sol’s words whenever we speak of wisdom, since he’s considered the wisest man that ever drew breath – except Jesus of course, who was really God in human form. (smile) Now listen to Cousin Sol expound on the subject of Wisdom: ‘Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline (turn away) from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: LOVE her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to (place on) thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.’ (Prov.4:1-9) Oh my people, those aren’t only the words of Cousin Sol, but also of our heavenly Father. That’s how He wants us to live. And I can’t put it any better so I won’t even try. In fact it’s self-explanatory. So today, when we’re in the midst of celebrating our Master’s birth, let’s ponder those words nuh, let’s think seriously on them, and see how they fit the situation in each of our lives, and then make the necessary corrections so that we can begin to acquire true wisdom, that mighty intangible that allows us to live this earthly life with pride, joy and godly fulfillment. Much LOVE!…if you’re not reverencing the Lord…then you’re not…and will never be wise… P.S. And it is truly short today my young D, so please, no lip about it’s just shorter than normal. (smile) Much LOVE!
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 19 December 2011 Ecclesiastes 7:19

19 Dec 2011 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living Tags: , ,

Ecclesiastes 7:19.    Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.

Oh Friends, it’s Monday – and a special Monday too – six days before the greatest celebration in the world! We’re talking about Christmas Day, when our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was born, the first step in the warm, wonderful and true LOVE that our God showed by redeeming us from sin and death! Wow! Isn’t that an awesome reality? It sure is! As the Good Book so triumphantly declares: ‘For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ (John 3:16) And all God’s people shouted a resounding ‘Glory Hallelujah! Thank you ever so much Lord!’ Yes Friends, no greater LOVE than that has ever been, or will ever be shown! So what if we have to get up and go out and labour this cold Monday morning eh? Jesus did way more than that on our behalf. And since we’re in this special festive season of Christmas, with LOVE, Peace and Goodwill to all mankind in such abundance, let’s not murmur and complain about having to work, but instead adopt a right attitude, an attitude that will be pleasing to Jesus and reminiscent of His time, His walk here on earth. To help us get that good attitude then, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn as though we truly mean it. With one, loud voice now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together. We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’ Now if that didn’t get your adrenaline flowing, ready for battle, my Friends, I don’t know what will. (smile) And yuh know people, that all falls into line with our Bit: ‘Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men (rulers) which are in the city.’ Wisdom is indeed a mighty mover and shaker! Hear how Cousin Sol describes its awesome power in Proverbs 21: ‘A wise man scaleth the city (climbs over the walls) of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence (trusted stronghold) thereof.’ (Prov.21:22) That tells us Friends, that wisdom is more powerful than brute strength. Or as we’d say in the vernacular: ‘Brains will beat brawn any day.’ Cousin Sol also declares in Proverbs 24, that: ‘A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength.’ (Prov.24:5) And that’s an undeniable fact my brethren! The wiser we become, the stronger we get, not necessarily in physical terms, although that’s possible too, but for sure mentally, emotionally and spiritually. But what then is this wisdom that’s so wonderful, and where can it be found? We’ll end with an insight into those questions from Cousin Sol: ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy (One) is understanding. For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.’ (Prov.9:10-11) Yes Friends, wisdom comes from God, beginning with the reverence and awe in which we hold Him. Only when we have Almighty God as the be all and end all of our lives, can we ever hope to attain, to receive, to achieve that great intangible called Wisdom! More on this tomorrow, provided the breath of life still blows in us. Till then, let’s do our duty nuh, by sincerely LOVING our God, LIVING our Faith and SPREADING His Word. Merry Christmas, with Much LOVE!…be wise…fear God…so that you may get…wisdom, understanding and long life…

 

Today`s Scrip-Bit 18 December 2011 Proverbs 7:2‏

18 Dec 2011 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Proverbs 7:2.    Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.

Well hello there all you beautiful believers in Christ; born again and filled with His Holy Spirit! How goes it this Sunday morning?  I sure hope that you are enjoying the Lord’s mercies and blessings. But if by chance you’re not, then please don’t get too downhearted and discouraged, stay strong in your faith for Jesus promised that He’d never leave nor forsake anyone who believes and trusts in Him. And we’re assured that God faithfully keeps all His promises. So whatever the circumstance(s), just lean on Him, acknowledge Him as the focus and power in your life, and in His time, He will make things right. Now that’s not always easy to do, but we’ve already been endowed with His Spirit, which means we already have the power within us to do whatever is necessary, we only have to take hold, assume control of it and use it correctly. And a couple of those things we need to do to take hold of Christ’s righteousness, power and Spirit are pointed out in our Bit: `Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.’  Again, that can be difficult, but to get there, we must first make a conscious decision to live in God’s will, then things will start to fall into place. As Jesus said: `But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt.6:33) Yes Friends, if we look towards the things of God, rather than the things of this world, the Lord will give us all we need to function properly here on earth. And one of the things required in focusing on God is keeping His commandments, doing His will. Not necessarily being subservient to Him, but getting into conformity with Him, having the same will as He does. As we saw yesterday when we dealt with the first part of our Bit; ‘Keep my commandments, and live,’ Moses gave the Israelites a choice of obeying God and living, or disobeying and dying. He even pleaded with them, ‘Therefore, choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.’ (Deut.30:19) And when believers keep the Lord’s commandments that’s exactly what we’re doing. Now let’s turn to the second part of our Bit; ‘and my law as the apple of thine eye.’ Here we come to the problem of focus again. Literally speaking the apple of our eye is the pupil, the opening that actually allows light into the eye, and thus one of the most important parts of the eye mechanism. And when we talk about things being the apple of our eye they are generally things that are very pleasing to us, things that we treasure. So in other words, the Lord wants us to focus on His law as well as treasure it, let it be pleasing to us, not burdensome. Bruh David, in pleading for protection from his enemies said: ‘Keep me as the apple (pupil) of the eye; hide me under the shadow of thy wings, From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about (surround me).’ (Ps.17:8-10) He wanted the Lord to keep a watchful eye over him, safeguard him as one does with one’s treasure. And in Moses’ song, he first reprimands the Israelites: ‘Do ye thus requite (repay) the Lord, O foolish people and unwise? Is not he thy father that hath bought thee? Hath he not made thee and established thee?’ (Deut.32:6) Then he told them to check out their history, ask the elders and their fathers what the Lord had done for Israel of old. ‘For the Lord’s portion is his people; Jacob is the Lot of his inheritance. He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about (encircled him) he instructed him, he kept him as the apple (pupil) of his eye. As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: So the Lord alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him.’ (Deut.32:9-12) Oh Friends, that’s the kind of relationship the Lord wants to have with each of us, but it’s not possible unless and until we do our part and accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, then focus solely on Him, while keeping His commandments and treasuring His law. Please remember we’re in a partnership with God, thus both sides have responsibilities, but God won’t do His part until we do ours. And we can see this very clearly in the words of Zechariah: ‘Deliver thyself, (escape) O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon. For thus saith the Lord of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled (plundered) you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.’ (Zech.2:8-9) And yuh know what people; too many of us are dwelling with the daughter of Babylon today, that’s why our world is in such a sorry state, and until we escape from her ungodly clutches, we won’t be considered the apple of the Lord’s eye, and He won’t work on our behalf. So please Friends, let’s wake up from our lazy slumber, focus on God’s kingdom, by obeying His commandments and treasuring His law, so that He can once again seek our best interest. It’s the only way for us to get back into God’s good graces. Much LOVE!…what’s your focus…God’s kingdom…or Lucifer’s…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 17 December 2011 Proverbs 7:2‏

17 Dec 2011 1 Comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living Tags: , ,

Proverbs 7:2.    Keep my commandments, and live, and my law as the apple of thine eye.

Oh Friends, check out this scene between two female neighbours nuh. Is early in the morning, the cocks just finish crowing. The first woman, tall and thin, is outside sweeping her yard, when the second, recently awakened, opens her front door and steps out onto her porch. Standing at the railing, she sighs, stretches her buxom body, inhales a deep lungful of the cool, fresh morning air, and gratefully whispers: ‘Thank you God for making me see another day.’ Then she calls out to the woman sweeping her yard: ‘Morning neighbuh.’ The woman replies, a tad haughtily: ‘Well morning to you too neighbuh. How yuh do this morning? Ah sure hope the good Lord cause you to sleep well last night and make you wake up strong this morning, ready to do His work.’ And the first woman, a tad miffed, because the one sweeping the yard always behaves as though she is so holy and godly, replies in a slightly sarcastic tone: ‘But what else yuh expect eh neighbuh, since I’m a chile of God? Lemme tell yuh something, lemme tell you how it really is with me. Now listen close: ‘The Light of God surrounds me. The LOVE of God enfolds me. The Power of God protects me. The Presence of God watches over me. Wherever I am, God is….And all is well.’ Yes Friends, that’s how it’s supposed to be with all God’s children! We don’t need to play or think that we’re better than each other in God’s sight, for we aren’t. We’re all God’s children and He LOVES us equally, so the one upmanship so prevalent among believers is totally unnecessary and only breeds resentment and anger which sadly reduces our ability to do our kingdom work. By the way, I got that little poem re the LOVE of God, from the front page of my mother’s Bible. Many of us know it, but I believe she added the ‘And all is well part,’ because it was written to the side at the end. Anyway, if you read our Bit, God doesn’t have time to play favourites. Cousin Sol says it plainly: ‘Keep my commandments and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.’ This is taken from the chapter on the wiles of a harlot, whom we obviously should not follow, but it certainly has to do with more than immorality, in fact it encompasses our entire lives. We’ll break it down into two parts and look at the first one today. ‘Keep my commandments, and live…’ Ah mih people, the Lord’s been saying that since Adam was a boy. (smile) Basically it means what it says; live the way I command you, and life will be good. You’ll be prosperous, not only in monetary terms, but in all aspects of your lives. And with the coming of Jesus, it now means that you’ll also receive salvation and eternal life if you believe in Him. The opposite also holds true: if you disobey my commands, then life will be rougher than it needs to be, and you’ll face death, and eternal separation from God in Hades with Lucifer. The Lord explicitly told Moses to warn the Israelites, on the way to the Promised Land, not to live like the Egyptians they’d left behind, or the Canaanites where they were going. ‘Ye shall do my judgements, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the Lord your God. Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgements: which if a man do (does) he shall live in (by) them.’ (Lev.18:4-5) Then the Lord went on to list a whole lot of forbidden immoral acts. But it all comes down to the same thing Friends; obeying the dictates of our God, living the way He wants us to live. In talking about a father’s wisdom, Cousin Sol says: ‘He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments and live.’ (Prov.4:4) Meanwhile Isaiah, re a free offer of mercy for all declares: ‘Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live: I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.’ (Is.55:3) Yes my people, it’s all about hearing the Word of God and obeying it. Now here’s the perfect situation to explain this topic. As a condition for restoration and blessings, Moses informs the people: ‘See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to LOVE the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgements, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shall be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; I denounce (announce) unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it. I call heaven and earth to record (as witnesses) this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.’ (Deut.30:15-19) Oh Friends the Lord couldn’t put it any clearer than that. It’s simple and straightforward; obey me and live, disobey and die. The choice is ours. Let’s hope we all wisely choose the first option, especially at such an auspicious occasion as Christmas; our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ’s birth. Much LOVE!…as for me and mine…we will LOVE and serve the Lord…

 

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