Inspirational Living | SCRIP-BITS

Today’s Scrip-Bit 22July 2013 Psalm 102:12

22 Jul 2013 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: Alpha and Omega, aura of love, battle hymn, bondage, commissioned Moses, confidence, earn a living, educating our children, enthusiasm, essential life, eternal, evil, falling prey, falsehood, glorious kingdom, glory hallelujah, God shall endure forever, godly work, graven images, heavenly Father, holy spirit, humble servants, I AM, idols, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, legacy to future generations, lies, Lucifer's guile, material things, Monday, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, negative reinforcement, negativity, permanent existence, rejuvenation of spirit, remembering God, renewed vitality, sovereign, steadfast faith, subservience, sure conquerors, the First and the Last, ungodly world, unproductive habit, useful purpose, utmost importance, weary souls, wicked taunts, wiles, win souls for Jesus

Psalm 102:12.    But thou, O lord, shall endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.

And the crier cried: ‘Lo, behold, it is Monday!’ And all God’s children responded with a joyful shout of ‘Glory Hallelujah! Thank the Lord it is Monday, and we can go out to earn a living and win souls for Jesus! Amen.’

Now Friends, that’s the correct response to the notification that Monday’s rolled around once again. Look at it this way nuh, if there was no Monday, then there’d be no Friday for you to get all excited about. Elementary eh, my dear Watson!’ (smile)

Oh Friends, I just want us to get out of this ridiculous, negative and unproductive habit of being tired and blue and miserable on Mondays, because it just colours our entire week in negativity. Yuh know when you begin one way, it’s difficult to finish another, and all we’re doing here is falling prey to Lucifer’s guile and falsehood, which only keeps us in bondage and subservience.

Anyway, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with passion and enthusiasm nuh, so that Jesus will know that at least we’re trying to get out of the slump that we’re in.

As one 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!’

Oh Friends, I hope that woke us up, and we’re now ready to join the battle with much gusto. And if that woke us up, then listen to our Bit, which will keep us strong and steadfast in faith. ‘But thou, O lord, shall endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.’

And that my fellow believers is the truth in spades! Our God will certainly endure for evermore! Remember He’s declared that He’s Alpha and Omega, the FIRST and the LAST (Rev.1:11), and our God does not lie. That means He’s been eternally sovereign since the beginning of time, and will be till eternity.

He made this clear to Moses when He commissioned him at the burning bush (Ex.3). Moses claimed He didn’t know God’s name. ‘And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the Children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.’ (Ex.3:14-15)

And re the scholars: ‘The significance of the name of God given in verse 14, I AM THAT I AM, constitutes that idea that the ‘I AM” in Exodus 3 reveals God as the Being who is absolutely self-existent, and who, in Himself, possesses essential life and permanent existence.’

And with all the miracles He’s worked and the faithful promises He’s kept down through the ages, there’s no need for us to be afraid of anything or anyone, for our God has proven that He is alive and indeed mightier than all the idols and graven images mankind chooses to worship. And you’ll also notice the truth that the remembrance of the Lord God Jehovah has been passed down to every generation until now.

However my brethren, I am worried about that aspect of our Bit, because our generation has not done such a good job in educating our children about God and all that He stands for, being too busy to acquire the material things of the world. We’re also allowing the workers of iniquity to take God out of our schools and public places without a fight, more negative reinforcement for our children.

And sadly, if it keeps going like it is right now, in a couple of generations, the very memory of the ONE TRUE GOD might be lost forever. And that would certainly be a blight on our generation, because we would have been the ones who began the downfall.

Anyway Friends, enough for today. I’ll leave us to contemplate the unfortunate situation we find ourselves in, and hope that we’ll seriously consider improving our godly work, because it’s of the utmost importance in our lives and our legacy to those of future generations. Much LOVE!

…in every age…the current believers are responsible…for keeping God’s Word and His memory alive…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 21 July 2013 Proverbs 11:25

21 Jul 2013 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: blessed, blessed on earth, bountiful eye, bread, cheerful giver, do good, due season, enthusiasm, everlasting truth, forgiveness, further God's kingdom, generosity, generous soul, God is not mocked, God's approval, God's goodness, God's LOVING embrace, good deeds, goodness, he that thinks of the poor, he that waters, household of faith, human affection, illness, jamaica gleaner newspaper, linked to Jesus, living God, lose heart, LOVE, material rewards, merciful, mercy, move mountains, my needs fulfilled, one true God, passion, pity, positivie attributes, Praise the Lord, prosperous, protection from enemies, pure and blamesless hearts, reap corruption, reap eternal life, richly blessed, right hearts, right motives, sickbed, sorrows turned to joy, sow to the flesh, sow to the Spirit, spirituality, summer, surrender to God, the cockles of God's heart, the hands of god, the hands of poverty, the helpless, the less fortunate, the Lord strengthens, the needy, the orphan, the poor, the powerless, the sick, the stranger, the widow, today's gem, well doing, wise, worthy of praise, you reap what you sow

Proverbs 11:25. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

Ah Friends, at last some decent summer weather! Yes, it’s still warm, but not hot and humid, now in the mid 20’s instead of the 30’s, with a cool, refreshing breeze to minimize the heat. That’s what we finally had yesterday, and are likely to have for the next few days. All the seasons have their good points, but it’s when they get to the extremes, that they lose the human affection. (smile)

Anyway, here’s a quote I read today in a Jamaica Gleaner Newspaper of two weeks ago. It’s taken from something called ‘The Hands of Poverty,’ by Oliver Lawrence. I don’t know if it’s a poem or a book, because I couldn’t find anything about the title or the author on the Internet.

The Gleaner had it under the heading of Today’s Gem. ‘Now from the hands of poverty, I have passed. But from the hands of God, I will never depart. For in Him, my sorrows turned to joy, and my needs, He gladly fulfilled.’

And that quote Friends, is indeed a real gem! Those few words tell us how our lives change for the better once we’ve willingly surrendered ourselves to the LOVING embrace of the living God Jehovah. On our own, we’re nothing, but linked to Jesus….oh my, my, then we can move mountains, do the naturally impossible.

And turning to our Bit, we glean more everlasting truth, re our association with the ONE TRUE GOD of the universe. ‘The liberal (generous) soul shall be made fat (rich, prosperous): and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.’

All of that stems from one law that God designed the universe on; what you sow, the same you shall reap. Therefore my people, if we are generous in what we have and give, then the same generosity, oftimes double in God’s goodness and approval is returned to us.

Hear how Bruh David puts it in Palm 41; Abuse and assurance. ‘Blessed is he that considereth the poor (the helpless or powerless): the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing (of illness): thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness (restore him in his sickbed).’ (Ps.41:1-3)

Yuh see people, it’s not only material rewards we’re liable to receive, but also physical protection from our enemies and from sickness. And all God’s children declared a loud and thankful, ‘Praise the Lord!’

And yuh better believe Friends that He is definitely worthy of much praise, much more than we give Him!

Remember too, yesterday, the scholars mentioned Proverbs 22:9, re Bruh Paul’s statement that God LOVES a cheerful giver. (2 Cor.9:7) I don’t know if any of you took the time to look it up, but here it is. ‘He that hath a bountiful (generous) eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.’ (Prov.22:9)

And these other wise words of Cousin Sol also fall into that category. ‘He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.’ (Prov.19:17)

Yes my fellow believers, when we give generously and willingly, it warms the cockles of God’s heart, because that’s the kind of Being He is, and in return He rewards us for helping those less fortunate than us.

Remember too, our God is very interested, is a big booster of the poor, the stranger, the widow, the orphan, the sick, the needy, the powerless and helpless. And anyone who goes out of their way to help any of those unfortunates will be richly blessed by God.

But note though, the motives, the state of our hearts must be right, and we mustn’t be only doing the good deeds to get rewards, but feel a genuine need to help the needy.

Now hear Bruh Paul as he talks to the Galatians on the subject. ‘Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not (do not lose heart). And as we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.’ (Gal.6:7-10)

Oh my brethren, those words spoken so long ago, still hold true even today! That’s because our God and His basic philosophy doesn’t change! From day one, He’s decreed that what we sow, we’ll reap, and that principle will continue until eternity.

So please, let’s wise up and start sowing good seeds out of pure and blameless hearts nuh. It’s the only way we’ll bring others to Christ and thus further His kingdom. And just in case you didn’t know or realize it, that’s one of our major purposes here on planet earth. (smile)

So let’s get the passion, the LOVE, the enthusiasm, the goodness, the mercy, the forgiveness and all the other positive attributes of Jesus going nuh Friends! For then, and only then, will we become worthy of the title…wise. Much LOVE!

…blessed are the merciful…for they shall obtain mercy… (Matt.5:7)

Today’s Scrip-Bit 20 July 2013 Proverbs 11:25

20 Jul 2013 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: a cheerful giver, bring healng, cheapskates, church community, courage and joy, foundational law, generous soul, give as you can, god, God's image, God's laws, God's likeness, God's mercy and grace, good measure, good works, gracious God, hearts and hands, insight and vision, kindness, live the gospel of Jesus, living truth, LOVE, LOVING acceptance, negative challenges, negative changes, offering, pressed down, prosperous, ready our hearts and hands, religion, renew us, running over, shaken together, sincere desire, sinfulness, spirit of jesus, spirituality, unrestrained giving, walk humbly, willing heart, wisdom, with blessings, you reap what you sow

Proverbs 11:25. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

Oh Friends, ole Toronto and its environs experienced a wicked rainstorm yesterday evening! In a matter of minutes the sky suddenly changed from bright sunshine to cloudy darkness, the wind blew with a vengeance, and the rain came tumbling down in torrents, making it extremely difficult for drivers to see out their windshields, despite the best efforts of their wipers.

But we’ve been expecting that glut of rain, and needed it too, to cool down the hot and humid land. Some more rain began falling after midnight, but mostly drizzles. It’s the lightning that’s been playing out there for a couple hours, continuously lighting up the nightscape with its brilliant flashes.

Anyway, here’s a rather relevant prayer I recently found among some papers. I must have gotten it from my mother’s stuff, because I don’t remember it. And very appropriately it’s titled ‘Renew Toronto.’ But Friends, this prayer is desperately needed for our entire world which is undergoing so many negative changes and challenges that we’re powerless to keep up with them, even the odd time when we understand what’s happening.

Only with God’s help can we mange and hopefully overcome them. So please pray with me: ‘Gracious God, in your wisdom and LOVE You create us in your image and likeness, You call us to be your Presence in the world.

Let the Spirit of Jesus grow with us for this journey – inspire in us insight and vision for our Church community – ready our hearts and hands to bring healing to our sinfulness – move our feet to live the Gospel of Jesus with courage and joy.

Renew us, Gracious God. Renew us by your LOVING acceptance of us. Renew us to do justice, to LOVE kindness, and to walk humbly with you, our God, To renew the face of this earth. Amen.’

Yes my brethren, we do need God’s mercy and grace to help us renew and rebuild our world. And our Bit gives us some insight into one way to do it. ‘The liberal (generous) soul shall be made fat (rich, prosperous): and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.’

And there’s plenty of truth in that saying Friends! The generous person shall be made prosperous, because that’s just one of God’s laws. From early times, He stipulated it thus: ‘Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee.’ (Deut.16:17)

At that particular time they were talking about contributions to feasts, but fellow believers, our God wants that to be an ongoing feature, an everyday occurrence in our lives.

Listen to Bruh Paul as he talks to the Corinthians about God LOVING a cheerful giver. ‘But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully (with blessings) shall reap also bountifully (with blessings).

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity (compulsion): for God LOVETH a cheerful (joyful) giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.’ (2 Cor.9:6-8)

And that’s the living truth Friends! What we give and how we give it is terribly important in God’s domain, for He’s laid down the foundational law that we will reap whatever we sow.

Now here’s some info from the scholars on those verses. ‘9:6. One’s return is determined by his investment (cf. Prov.11:24, Luke 6:38; Gal.6:7) The expression (ep’ eulogiais) ordinarily translated “with blessings” here has the sense of “generously.” While it does not suggest indiscriminate giving, it does denote “unrestrained” giving.

9:7 Cheerful giver: The giver is to have a willing heart and a sincere desire to participate in the offering. Paul is not so much interested in their money. Nor is God, for that matter, as the passage from Proverbs 22:9 indicates. The Greek term ‘hilaron,’ from which the English “hilarious” derives, is best rendered as the English text suggests, “cheerful.” Giving is not a joke. It is serious business, but it is a delightful experience all the same.’

And that’s just more truth my people! Giving is sometimes hard, but it always makes us feel better afterwards. Yes, you cheapskates. (smile) And please pay careful attention that last verse, where God will always enable you to have sufficient, so you can generously give away some.

So however you cut it my brethren, we can’t lose if we work with God out of a generous and cheerful heart. And we will close today with some most valuable words from Jesus on the subject.

‘Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom (the fold in a garment used as a pocket). For with the same measure that ye mete (use) withal (with that same measure) it shall be measured to you again.’ (Luke 6:38)

Now Friends, if Jesus said it, then it must be true! So let’s go out and practice it nuh. It will certainly help us to renew the face of our planet earth as we prayed earlier on. Much LOVE!

…he who refuses to give…or gives unwillingly…will receive the same treatment…in his time of need…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 19 July 2013 Psalm 99:1

19 Jul 2013 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: bowing down, commandments, eternal truth, evil, exalt the Lord, exaltation, fellowship, Friday chant, fun, generous help, glorify, glorious kingdom, God is holy, God's justice, going to hell in a bucket., graven images, hello mih lovelies, idols, iniquity of the fathers, LOVE, magnificent God, modicum of circumspection, party time, perverse world, pinnacle of wisdom, Praise the Lord, rebellious, relaxation, religion, rest, righteousness., spiritual fellowship, spirituality, spiritually refreshed, stubborn, stupidity, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the Lord is great, the Lord is high above all people, the Lord reigns, the Lord's ways, the weekend, theology, things of the world, uprightness, wake up and smell the roses, wicked, worship

Psalm 99:1. The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubim; let the earth be moved.

Well hello there mih lovelies! Once again it’s Friday… And everybody jumps up and shouts, ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday yes! The workweek soon finish, and the weekend begins! Party time is here!’

Not so fast my people. It’s true the week is ending and we have some free time, but it should not all be devoted to partying, not even the greatest portion. So let’s chant our Friday Chant that gives us a better idea of how to use our weekend.

All together now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’

Yes Friends, the weekend should be broken up into party time, relaxation and spiritual fellowship, because it’s only two lousy days off we have, then the whole work cycle begins again. And if we’re not well rested and spiritually refreshed, we’ll begin the week even more tired than we finished it, and won’t be good for anything, especially furthering Jesus’ kingdom.

So let’s have a little ‘modicum of circumspection’ this weekend nuh, especially since it’s summer and the urge to let loose and party is so great.

Anyway, my area was hit with another hot day, and another one is expected today. What amuses and amazes me though, is the wind behaviour. During the day yesterday, the wind was blowing strong. It even forced me back inside around 5.30 p.m when I went outside on my back deck to read the papers.

However, around 8.30 p.m. the sun was still up, I went out on the front porch, and surprise surprise, nary a breath of air was stirring. But then at around 1 a.m, the breeze was blowing fresh and strong again.

Hn! Who’s to understand it eh? Only the Lord God Jehovah! For as He says, His ways and thoughts are much higher than ours. (Is.55:9)

And in any case, He created the wind and all that there is in our universe. Not only that, but as the psalmist states in our Bit, which comes from Psalm 99, God has been faithful: ‘The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubim; let the earth be moved (shaken).’

Yes Friends, the divine kingdom of the Lord is at hand!

And the psalmist continues to talk about the greatness of the king. ‘The Lord is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people.’ (Ps.99:2)

And as true believers, we know that it’s so. Therefore, ‘Let them praise thy great and terrible (awesome) name; for it (He) is holy.’ (Ps.99:3)

Ah my people, our mouths should be so filled with praise and thanksgiving to our great and mighty God and King, that we should have little time for anything else. But unfortunately, in this wicked, perverse and godless world, we seem to have time for everything else but God.

And the psalmist continues, telling us next about God’s justice. ‘The king’s strength also LOVETH judgement; thou doest establish equity (uprightness), thou executest judgement and righteousness in Jacob.’ (Ps.99:4)

Those are words of eternal truth my people! Therefore, ‘Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.’ (Ps.99:5)

Now worshipping and glorifying our magnificent God is exactly what we should be doing down here on earth my brethren! But are we doing that? Sadly, the answer is an unfortunate NO!

Compared to the level of exaltation and worship our wonderful God deserves, what we’re giving is like a drop in the bucket. Instead though, we’re worshipping, glorifying and bowing down to the things of the world. They have become more important to us than God.

But please remember Friends, our God doesn’t share His divinity kindly or otherwise with any other, be it beast, man or thing. And He makes this abundantly clear right from the very outset.

‘Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

Thou shalt not bow down thyself to (worship) them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous god, visiting (punishing) the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me. And showing mercy to thousands of them that LOVE me, and keep my commandments.’ (Ex. 20:3-6)

Oh my people, it’s right there in black and white, simple and straightforward! So what is there that prevents us from doing as He says eh? Why is our world so ungodly, so evil, so full of idols and other graven images to which we are shamelessly bowing down to eh?

Yuh know, in one breath we declare how great our God is and all that, but then in the next, we magnify the things of the world above Him. That doesn’t make sense my people. In fact it’s utter stupidity, because we’ll never get away with it, for He’s told us so in no uncertain terms.

But like our forefathers, we’re just stubborn and rebellious, like to do our own thing, thinking we’re so great. I beseech us though fellow believers, to remember these momentous words of Jesus.

‘I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.’ (John 15:5)

More words of eternal truth Friends! Without Jesus we can do nothing worthwhile in our own strength. So please, let’s wake up and smell the roses nuh, cause our world is going to hell in a bucket. Let’s take Jesus and all He stands for seriously, or else we’ll live to regret it.

Let’s do instead as the psalmist wisely advises. ‘Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy.’ (Ps.99:9)

Now that my brethren is the very pinnacle of wisdom! Let’s be wise and reach for it nuh. Much LOVE!

…he that hath ears to hear…let him hear…else he’ll be sorry…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 July 2013 Matthew 13:22

18 Jul 2013 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: a positive idea, altruistic service, among thorns, assuage earthly lusts, bears fruit, beware of what you ask for, by grace are ye saved, cares of the world, children of disobedience, children of wrath, choke the word, common sense, controlled speech, deceitfulness, deceitfulness of riches, deserting God's army, desires of the flesh, diligence, dr robert schuller, evil, faith, foolish pride, godliness, good ground, grace, hears the word, hot and humid day, Hour of Power, living for Jesus, loved the world, Lucifer's wicked ways, lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, mind of a believer, new creations, passion, positive manner, pure religion, rich in mercy, separation from the world, sins, smart money, summer time, the world's spell, trespasses, truth, understanding, ungodly world, walking in God's will, win souls, wisdom

Matthew 13:22. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

Oh Friends, it’s ‘Summer time! And the living is easy…’ Well not for those who don’t have A/C or a cool basement to inhabit these last few days. For it was another hot, humid day in my neighbourhood, except that there was a decent breeze during the day. But as soon as the sun disappeared, the wind did the same.

Sitting on my porch, late last night, I had to strain to see any movement in the leaves on the trees. And again, even the insects refused to come out of their cool lairs to play in the dark, as is their wont. (smile)

Today seems like it will be more of the same. We’ve been calling for summer all along, and now that we have it, we’re not too thrilled. That reminds us of the old saying; beware of what you ask for, because when you get it, it might not be all you expected.

But let’s get right to our Bit, because there’s plenty stuff to share. ‘He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care (cares) of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.’

Ah Friends, how sad it is when we allow the cares of the world to choke our godliness and make us unfruitful! But here’s this little prayer, or poem, from Dr. Robert Schuller’s Hour of Power Devotional, which puts our shortcomings in the right perspective.

It’s titled, ‘My Walk,’ and goes thus: ‘O God, I’m inspired. For you have just impressed this truth into my mind: The most powerful force in the world is a positive idea in the mind of a believer who is walking in your will! I now reach forth my life and say, “God, put my life into the centre of your will.” Amen.’

Now Friends, that’s how we should be walking with our God, in a positive manner, passionately doing His will!

And as Jesus adds in the last verse of the parable on the sower. ‘But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth (produces), some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.’ (Matt.13:23)

Yes my people, that’s how we ought to be; hearing the Word, understanding it, then using it to successfully bring forth fruit, win souls, get others interested in living for Jesus!

However, too many of us still keep resisting Him, paying more attention to the things of the evil, ungodly world, things that sadly only raise up the lusts of our flesh and the lusts of our eyes, and cause us to walk in foolish pride.

Bruh Paul pointed this out to Timothy when he told him: ‘Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: For Demas hath forsaken me, having LOVED, this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.’ (2 Tim.4:9-10)

Yeh mih people, Demas fell under the world’s spell and deserted Bruh Paul. And unfortunately that sort of thing is still happening today; believers are still deserting God’s army to assuage their earthly lusts in the wicked ways of Lucifer.

Meanwhile, listen to Bruh Paul as he tells the Ephesians about grace and faith. ‘And you hath he quickened (made alive), who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Among whom also we all had our conversation (conducted ourselves) in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great LOVE wherewith he LOVED us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us (made us alive) together with Christ, (by grace ye are (have been) saved.’) (Eph.2:1-5)

Yes Friends, all of us, like the Ephesians were once following the tendencies, values, pursuits and deeds of this evil world, until God sent Jesus to save us, and we became new creatures, new creations in Christ. Unfortunately though, too many of us are still following the world’s vision and values, foolishly reluctant to give them up and fully embrace Christ.

But listen to James talk about hearing and doing the Word nuh. ‘If any man among you seem to be (thinks he is) religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain (useless). Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.’ (James 2:26-27)

That says it all Friends!

But here are a few words from the scholars on those verses. ‘In verses 22-25 James has rebuked mere listening – by the hearer who does not do. In verses 26 and 27 he rebukes mere doing – by the doer who leaves his inner life unchanged. James offers not a formal definition but three key aspects of pure religion: controlled speech, altruistic service, and separation from the world.’

Now my brethren, it’s up to us to choose whom we will follow, the world, or Jesus. I’d suggest you make that decision right now, because time is running out, and decide to follow Jesus, for that’s where the smart money, the wisdom and common sense lies. Much LOVE!

…as for me and mine…we will definitely follow Jesus…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 17 July 2013 Matthew 13:22

17 Jul 2013 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: authority of the Scriptures, beautiful exteriors, become unfruitful, body of Christ, bountiful blessings, cares of the world, Christian behaviour, Christian habits, christianity, common sense, covet the things of the world, darkness, deceitfulness, dressed up garbage, elevate level of Christianity, enemy of God, enmity with God, everlasting light, evil desire, Excellence in Jesus, fall of the race, flesh overrules, forgiveness, friend of the world, friendship with the world, gain the whole world, hot and humid, human existence, julie mango, light, LIGHT that's Jesus, lose your soul, LOVE, loving kindness, lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, lusts, mercies, motto, no substance, personal desires, physical desire, pride of life, raise our standards, rewards, Satan, self-interest, sin, Son of man, summer, sweltering day, temptations, testimony, the things of God, the things of heaven, the will of God, the Word of god, weaknesses, wisdom, working for Jesus, worthless

Matthew 13:22.   He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

Oh Friends, it’s going to be another hot, sweltering day in my area! Summer seems to be finally hitting us with a big stick! Last night I went for a walk around midnight, and it was still so hot and humid that even the insects refused to come out and play. (smile)

The best part though, was when I came back, I sat down on my porch and devoured a cold, delicious Julie mango. My, my, my, was it ever tasty! Now usually I don’t like them cold, but that was just what the doctor ordered for that particular time.

Anyway, here’s an interesting, but also very important question for us. Are we ready to receive the bountiful blessings, mercies and forgiveness that’s about to descend on us today from heaven?

We better had be ready, be on the lookout for them, otherwise we’ll miss them, and our day will not be as wonderful and joyful as it could have been. The darkness that’s now giving way to light in the physical world will also be lifted from our souls and be filled with the everlasting LIGHT that’s Jesus, so we can go about His business here on earth.

That brings us to our Bit: ‘He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care (cares) of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.’

Ah mih people, that is so true of many of us today, it’s not funny. We hear the Word, even know the Word, but the lusts of our flesh overrules it way too often. So much so that we become unfruitful, we’re not working successfully for Jesus, our lives and actions are not a testimony to His LOVING-kindness, mercy and forgiveness.

But Friends, it’s very important that our lives bear testimony to Jesus, for as He asks, after foretelling His passion: ‘For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels: and then he shall reward every man according to his works.’ (Matt.16:26-27)

Oh my brethren, do we want to gain the world and things it has to offer, all of which will eventually be destroyed, and lose our soul in the process? I doubt it very much. Though the things of the world seem bright and flashy and golden and beckon us with great promises, they’re mostly dressed up garbage, stuff adorned with beautiful exteriors, but inside they’re worthless, they have no real substance.

But if we want to save our souls, we need to raise our standards, elevate our level of Christianity, both as individuals and as the body of Christ, the church. Remember yesterday we said that as the individual members go, so does the body, the church. And the only way to change that is by rising up, first as individuals, then as the church, and pursuing true Christian behaviour and habits.

Our motto should be: ‘Excellence in Jesus’ Name!’

But we can’t do that if we’re concentrating too much on the things of the world. For as James so rightly says: ‘Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of (with) the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will (wants to) be a friend of the world is (makes himself) the enemy of God.’ (James 4:4)

And that’s gospel Friends! We definitely can’t be a LOVER of God and of the world at the same time. We therefore have to choose one to follow, and in my humble opinion, following God is the wisest choice.

For as John so wisely advises us: ‘LOVE not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man LOVE the world, the LOVE of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever!’ (1 John 2:15-17)

Ah mih breddren, truer words were never spoken!

Now we’ll end with some info from the scholars on those verses. ‘World for John signifies the evil desire and sin so much a part of human existence. Though all people are tempted differently, according to their individual weaknesses, temptations follow patterns. They appeal to three fundamental areas of life: (1) the lust of the flesh (physical desires); (2) the lust of the eyes (personal desires); and (3) the pride of life (self-interest).

Illustration: When Satan caused the fall of the race, he appealed to each of these areas of weakness (Gen.3:6). He also appealed to them when he tempted Christ (Matt.4:1-11), who defied Satan’s temptations by relying on the authority of the Scriptures.

Application: The Christian today should also depend on the Scriptures to defeat temptation. (First Ref. Gen.3:1-6; Primary Ref. 1 John 2:15-17; cf. Rom.5:12)’

So my people, as I regularly ask us to do, with all that important info at hand, let’s take a few moments to ponder how it all affects us personally nuh. Then let’s sincerely ask the Father to help us make whatever changes are necessary, so that we can come ever closer in line to the plan He has for our lives.

That’s both wisdom and common sense at their zenith! Much LOVE!

…when we covet the things of the world…it turns our hearts away from the things of heaven… and thus of God…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 16 July 2013 Mathew 13:22

16 Jul 2013 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: a heart for any fate, all knees shall bow, all tongues confess, be not conformed to this world, be up and doing, become unfruitful, believers in Christ, cares of the world, choke the word, Christ's Church, Christian dedication, comfort zone, conduct, deceit, deceitfulness of riches, dramatic days, enthusiasm, faith, fatal attraction, friend of God, friend of the world, glory to Jesus, god the father, henry wadsworth longfellow, humdrum lives, hypocrisy, ignorance, Jesus christ is Lord, LOVE Revolution, lusts, make a difference, passion, precious lives, present thinking, renew your mind, resentment, righteousness., routine, sower of seed, take action, taking risks, talk the talk, things of the world, thorns, trust, unforgiveness, value systems of the world, walk the walk

Matthew 13:22. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

Oh Friends, another day is blossoming in our beautiful but currently troubled and distressed world! But that’s no reason for us to just lie down and die, to meekly accept whatever comes our way. For we are believers in Jesus Christ, the ONE to whom all knees shall eventually bow, and all tongues shall readily confess that he is Lord, to the everlasting glory of God the Father! (Eph.2:10-11)

Wow! What a powerful declaration my brethren! But that means we’re supposed to be up and about doing the work of Jesus, with plenty passion, enthusiasm, trust and faith! In the words of the famous American poet and educator, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882): ‘Let us then be up and doing, with a heart for any fate.’

Yes my people, we ought to be getting involved in actions that bring glory to Jesus and the Father. It means taking some risks, stepping out of our comfort zone, not being content to simply wallow in mundane routine. Now there’s nothing wrong with routine, our lives must contain some for them to be orderly and stable, but for it just to be the same old, same old everyday, with no passionate highs, or chilling lows, is definitely unchristian.

Look at Jesus nuh. Everyday He went out and got involved in something or another. Not everyday was dramatic, but there were enough dramatic days to enlighten and enliven His earthly sojourn and make a difference in the world around Him.

So if we’re supposed to be following in Jesus’ footsteps, then our lives should also provide some enlightenment and enliven the world around us and thus make a difference. It shouldn’t just run along the humdrum continuum, as so many precious lives are unfortunately wasted doing.

We each have a part to play, a job to do for Jesus, and I’m sure that none of them are classified as sit on your laurels and fannies and do nothing. They all involve action that will eventually bring others to God. But please look around Friends, how many of us, out of the billions of believers, are actually doing that eh?

I can’t tell the exact numbers, but I’m sure that it’s no way near enough, because instead of turning to and warming up to God, too many people, unbelievers, as well as supposed believers, are turning away from God, for any number of reasons. But if we, the true believers were really living the kind of life that glorifies God, others would be turning to Him in droves, rather than the other way around.

A lot of the blame for the world’s ills lies with us, because we talk a very good talk, when we feel so inclined, but don’t walk the walk half as good. How then can we bring people to Jesus eh mih people, especially when our lives are filled with so much hypocrisy, deceit, resentment and ‘unforgiveness’?

And sadly, as the individual members of Christ’s church go, so does the overall body. That means if we’re not going right as individuals, the church won’t go right as a body either, which is certainly happening right now.

But unfortunately, a lot of that has to do with our refusal to give up the fatal attraction for the things of the world. Thus in the parable of the sower, so many of us fall into the category that Jesus talks about in our Bit. ‘He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care (cares) of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.’

Yes my brethren, too many of us allow the cares of the world to restrict the Word of God in our hearts, therefore we cannot perform His work properly.

But please remember Bruh Paul’s famous admonition to the church at Rome: ‘And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.’ (Rom.12:2)

And according to the scholars ‘Be not conformed’ literally means to stop conforming ourselves. We ‘are to resist being poured into the mould of the present thinking, value systems, and conduct of this world. This term is used only here and in 1 Peter 1:14.’

And since many of you won’t check that scripture, I’ll include it here. Peter is calling the people to Christian dedication. ‘Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind (prepare your mind for action), be sober, and hope to the end for grace (put your hope fully upon the grace) that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

As obedient children, not fashioning (conforming) yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance. But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation (conduct).’ (1 Pet.1:13-15)

Oh Friends, it couldn’t be put any simpler or more straightforward than that! Now we all know it’s difficult to resist and turn away from the lures of the world, but it’s doable, if we seriously and sincerely want to do it, especially when we’re guided by the Holy Spirit, which was expressly sent to give us good guidance and true direction in this wicked world.

So please, let’s raise our level of righteousness nuh, by seriously inspecting our lives and making whatever changes are necessary, and also helping those who come crying out for help. It’s only as a totally supportive and uniform body, can we ever hope to truly raise LOVE for Jesus, thereby bringing others into the welcoming and protective embrace of His LOVE Revolution, which is what we’re called to do, and expected to do. Much LOVE!

…a friend of the world…is no friend of God…and vice versa…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 15 July 2013 Philippians 1:10

15 Jul 2013 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: almighty creator, approve excellent things, aura of love, battle hymn, be a person of excellence, discernment, enthusiasm, fruits of righteousness, glorify God, glorious endeavour, glorious kingdom, holy spirit, humble servants, inebriated with joy, interact with unbelievers, invincible, Jesus Christ, jobs, lazy, lies, loving kindness, Monday, Monday Morning, morally pure, my people, overly comfortable, prayer, raise heaven's roof, rejuvenation of spirit, renewed vitality, scared, selfish, sincere, spread the gospel, steadfast faith, sure conquerors, talk the talk, thanksgiving, the day of Christ, too big for our britches, ungodly world, walk the walk, weary souls, wicked taunts, wiles, win souls for Christ, work ethic

Philippians 1:10. That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ.

Oh Friends, it’s our favourite day of the week, Monday! And I hear all sorts of complaining, many wondering if I’m mad or just stupid. Hn, hn! No Friends, I’m not any of them…well possibly a little of each, (smile) but not so much that it will affect my credibility.

Now don’t you think that Jesus likes Mondays? He surely does! Because that gives His followers many more opportunities to go out and interact with unbelievers, showing them His philosophy of LOVE through their actions of LOVING-kindness, and also spreading the Good News of the gospel.

So why shouldn’t we like Monday’s too eh? Aren’t we supposed to like whatever Jesus likes? For sure! But we’re just a combination of scared, lazy, selfish, overly comfortable and generally gotten too big for our britches followers. We talk the good talk, but don’t walk the necessary walk.

Anyway my people, it’s Monday and we have to go out and labour if we want to eat, so let’s get over our puny, miserable selves, get up and get ourselves together and go out and win souls for Christ as we ought to.

And to help us in that most glorious endeavour, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle hymn with plenty gusto and sincerity. All together now, in one, loud, harmonious voice. Let’s raise the roof on heaven!

‘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!’

Awright mih people! We did indeed raise heaven’s roof! Jesus was singing with us, as He always does, but this time He was also laughing heartily, pointing to the Father and saying: ‘Yuh see Father, them’s my people! They truly believe in me, and will go out and glorify me, so that we can all glorify You! I know there was a good reason why I sacrificed my life for them!’

The Father just smiles indulgently, looks at Jesus, who’s inebriated with joy that His people were putting on such a good show, and says: ‘Thank You Son! I know it was a bit much to ask, but I surely didn’t want to lose any of them, especially to that fallen fool Lucifer.’

And Jesus, positively gushing with enthusiasm and confidence, assures Him. ‘Don’t worry Father, my people, my body, my church, in conjunction with the Holy Spirit, won’t let us down. You won’t loose one single one to that foolish fool Beelzebub. My people will help us to reconcile them all to You. I solemnly promise.’

Now yuh hear that mih breddren! Jesus promised the Father that we’ll take care of business down here with the Holy Spirit’s help, and we certainly cannot disappoint Him, after all He’s sacrificed for us! So this Monday morning, let’s raise the level of our LOVE, passion for, and faith in Jesus and just go out and do our best to make that promise come true nuh.

Remember our two basic jobs on earth are to spread the gospel and glorify God, neither of which we’re currently doing to the best of our ability. And if you want to work for Jesus, you have to display a wonderful work ethic, because He only deals in excellence, not no wishy-washy, compromising, any old how behaviour like our world currently seems to favour.

Now I have to go and find a Bit that encompasses all that. (smile) But no worries. Soon come!

I’m back people! It took me a little longer than I expected, about fifteen minutes, but that’s because I had a few options to consider. However, once I saw this scripture, I felt that would be the one. But we’ll start with the verse before it, and continue with the one after it, to keep everything in the proper context.

This is Bruh Paul talking to the Philippians about thanksgiving and prayer. ‘And this I pray, that your LOVE may abound yet more in knowledge and in all judgement (discernment); That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.’ (Phil.1:9-11)

Yes Friends, we need to try our best to be excellent in all things. Remember we saw this verse recently, when talking about ‘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.’ (Phil/1:6)

That’s when the scholars explained that ‘Things that are excellent means “things that really matter.” This refers to important issues. As the Philippians LOVE increases in knowledge and discernment (vs.9), they will be able to accurately distinguish the vital and worthwhile things in life from those that are not.’

The Philippians are worried about Bruh Paul’s imprisonment, but he wants them to realize that his imprisonment was important, serving a useful purpose in God’s plans, causing him to spread the gospel to those around him, and thus working everything out for good as He’d promised. (Rom.8:28)

Bruh Paul wants the Philippians to be sincere, morally pure in their daily dealings, thus bearing fruits of righteousness that will glorify God. Oh my people, the very same thing applies to us today!

And though we’ve heard the scholars take on (vs.11) before, we can definitely stand to hear it again. ‘This verse could be translated, “Filled with the fruit that is righteousness, which comes through Jesus Christ for the purpose of glorifying and praising God.” The believer who is pure and without offense before God (v.10) has divinely developed in him a practical “righteousness” or daily moral life that measures up to God’s standards in character and conduct. The ultimate purpose for this “righteousness” is to glorify God.’

And that’s gospel Friends! So let’s go out and do our bounden duty nuh! We have all the tools we need, plus the expert help of the Holy Spirit, so what are we waiting for eh? Please get a move on, for we just cannot disappoint Jesus. Much LOVE!

…our God doesn’t deal in halfway or half-hearted measures…it’s simply…all…or nothing at all…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 14 July 2013 Psalm 94:11

14 Jul 2013 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: 787 Boeing plane, Adam and Eve, amazing fruit, Bastille Day, brow beaten man, Christ, disasters, don't glory in man, Dreamliner, fall from grace, feudalism, foolishness with God, forgiveness, futile thoughts, Garden of Eden, God sees all sins, heavenly nectar, heavenly smell, julie mango, Lucifer, man's thoughts are vain, master deceiver, omnipotent god, omniscient God, psalm 94, repent, rocky road to hell, sovereign God, spirituality, superior to God, sweet aroma, technology, the wisdom of this world, thoughts of man

Psalm 94:11.    The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.

Oh Friends, yesterday I couldn’t come up with a preamble of my own, today though I have one. (smile) And this first part presents a rather interesting theory. A few days ago, I was on my back deck eating a julie mango, when it suddenly dawned on me that the fruit tree in the middle of the Garden of Eden, the one Adam and Eve were not supposed to eat from, was indeed a julie mango tree! Selah.

Yeh people, think on that for a moment nuh. The julie I had was big and firm, with a golden brown and pinkish skin. And when I passed it below my nose… oh such a tantalizing odour wafted off from it.

Now just imagine that ole crook, the master deceiver, Lucifer showing such a beautiful looking julie, to Eve, then passing it under her nostrils. And when she inhaled that sweet aroma, she must have considered it a heavenly smell.

And don’t talk about when he peeled back that golden skin and showed her the luscious yellow flesh inside, with some of the heavenly nectar already running down his hand …poor Eve, she was totally captivated by the amazing fruit! So how could she refuse it eh?

And now you know! It was a julie mango that caused sin to come into the world! God made it so beautiful, luscious and sweet tasting that Eve just could not resist the temptation to try it. And when she handed it to Adam, brow beaten man that he already was, how could he say no to her eh? (smile)

Oh Friends, I guess by now you’ve realized that a julie mango is my favourite fruit, and as far as I’m concerned, the best fruit God ever made! Matter finish! No arguments! Yes mih breddren, when you get a really nice julie mango, there’s no nicer fruit in the world!

However, on a serious note, what’s happening to our world eh? We’re supposed to be at the height of our technological prowess, but everyday we’re hearing of and seeing more disasters, disasters that we can’t seem to figure out and/or understand how they happened.

Check out the train en route from Paris to some other part of France on Friday evening, with over three hundred unaware souls on board, many to join friends and family for summer vacation and to celebrate France’s big day, Bastille Day.

It’s celebrated on July 14, commemorating the end of feudalism in France, when the people of Paris in July 1789, stormed the Bastille, the prison-like fortress that was used to hold citizens, political and otherwise, unlawfully.

Twenty minutes out of Paris, some of the cars just seemed to derail without any observable cause, creating total havoc and utter chaos, with numerous injuries, loss of life and millions of dollars in damages.

Then the 787 Boeing plane, the Dreamliner, the latest one on the market, while sitting idle on a back part of Heathrow Airport in London, England, suddenly catches fire. Hn! The same type of plane that’s been causing problems since it recently went into service.

The technology nowadays seems to me more exotic than reliable, cheap too. And in spite of all of the computer assisted, design, build and quality control features, we seem to be falling behind, rather than moving ahead. Just look at the millions of vehicles being recalled every year over the last decade or so! I don’t remember there being so many recalls, when men had a bigger hand in building them.

Anyway Friends, I don’t have answers to all the questions in the preamble, it’s just food for thought. But when we turn to our Bit, now that’s an entirely different story. ‘The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity (futile).’

That my brethren, is the epitome of truth! And it relates to both side of the equation; that the Lord knows man’s thoughts, and also that those thoughts are vain and utterly futile.

But sadly, on both counts, man seems to think otherwise. And that’s one of the major reasons why our world is in such shambles and getting worse every day. We’re hurtling down the rocky road to hell because mankind thinks he’s so big and bright and wonderful.

With all his technological skill and knowledge, he now considers himself superior to God, and thus no longer has any use for Him, so he’s doing his utmost best to remove God from our lives. And unfortunately he’s succeeding, because we, the supposed believers are not putting up a big enough fight.

But Friends, listen to this passage of scripture, when Job’s supposed friend, Zophar, reproves him, because he believes that Job’s committed some dreadful sin, thus his sudden fall from grace.

He asks: ‘Canst thou by searching find out God (search out the deep things of God)? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?

The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. If he cut off (passes by), and shut up (imprisons), or gather together, then who can hinder (restrain) him? For he knoweth vain (deceitful) men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it?

For vain (empty headed) man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’s colt (when a wild donkey’s colt is born a man). If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him.’ (Job 11:7-13)

Yes my people, mankind cannot fathom the moves of our omnipotent God, because our minds are so small and finite, neither can we stop Him once He chooses a certain pathway, though we certainly try.

Instead though, man who is born with the mentality much like a wild ass in comparison to God, ought to sit up and take notice and repent and reach out to Him for forgiveness, because the sovereign, omniscient God sees all our sins.

Friends, God made us and thus knows everything about us. It’s just like when we make something, we tend to know everything about it. Now listen to Bruh Paul on the subject to the church at Corinth, re men being God’s temple.

‘Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world (age), let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain (futile).

Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours. Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are your; and ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.’ (1 Cor.3:18-23)

And we’ll let those words of absolute wisdom take us home today my people. Please, let’s read and inwardly digest them, and ponder them seriously, to ensure that we’re not caught up in the common and very prevalent trap of thinking that we’re oh so wise, when we’re really, oh so foolish. Now that’s the height of wisdom. Much LOVE!

…to him who thinks he’s something great…when he’s not…God will eventually set him straight…though not necessarily in the nicest of ways…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 13 July 2013 Psalm 92:8

13 Jul 2013 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: attributes, Beelzebub, blessings, cedars of Lebanon, contrite heart, disaster-prone times, dismay, evil works, evil world, faith, faithfulness, forgiveness, give thanks, God is everlasting, grace, how have the mighty fallen, humble spirit, idolatry, jehovah god, joy, living truth, LOVE, loving kindness, Lucifer, merciy, modus operandi, Old Testament, palm trees, prince of darkness, psalm 92, shame, sing praises unto God, the righteous will flourish, triumph, trust, understanding, ungodly world, wicked shall be destroyed, works of thy hands

Psalm 92:8. But thou, Lord, art most high for evermore.

Oh Friends, I don’t know how to begin today’s Bit nuh. I don’t have any bright ideas or smart-aleck stuff to impart, to preamble with. And I know that some of you are wondering if it’s possible that I don’t have anything to say. But unfortunately these things do happen occasionally even to the best and brightest of us. (smile)

And when I looked at the opening verses of Psalm 92, ‘Praises for the Lord’s goodness,’ from which our Bit is taken, something inside me said, you’re looking right there at the best intro. That no doubt was the Lord, having seen my mental state, showering me with some LOVING-kindness. And who am I to refuse such favour eh?

So here goes: ‘It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High: To show forth (declare) thy LOVING-kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night. Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery (lute or lyre); upon the harp with a solemn (harmonic or melodic) sound. For thou, Lord hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.’ (Ps.92:1-4)

And that’s the living truth my people! There’s nothing better than to give thanks and praise to our Creator and heavenly Father! And why is that? Because He IS the source of all our mercies, grace, blessings and forgiveness, the four main things we need to live successfully in this evil, ungodly world.

Unfortunately though, too many of the earth’s population either don’t know about Jehovah God, or if they do know of Him, don’t believe in Him, but revel in the evil works of Lucifer, the prince of darkness. However, we, as true believers know that is utter nonsense, the height of stupidity. And as we saw yesterday, all of those wicked and foolish people will eventually be destroyed (vs. 6-7,9), but the righteous shall flourish like lush palm trees and tall cedars of Lebanon. (vs.12)

And what’s our God’s position while all of that is happening? Our Bit rightly declares: ‘But thou, Lord, art most high for evermore.’ The quintessential truth my brethren!

And today we’ll look at some other Old Testament scriptures that corroborate that fact, starting with words from Psalm 83, ‘A prayer for the destruction of Israel’s enemies.’

Listen as the psalmist Asaph confidently declares: ‘Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O Lord. Let them be confounded and troubled (ashamed and dismayed) for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish: That men may know that thou, whose name alone is Jehovah (Lord), art the Most High over all the earth.’ (Ps.83:16-18)

And Friends, the Lord has indeed done that down through the ages, and is still doing it right now, so that the mighty amongst men are falling in shame and disgrace everyday. We only have to read the papers or watch the news to see how the mighty have fallen. So please pay careful attention to that my people, for when we sell our souls to Beelzebub to become mighty and wealthy in his evil world, our eventual reward will be total destruction from the Most High God Jehovah. And that’s no lie!

Now hear the psalmist from Psalm 93, ‘The Lord is clothed with majesty.’ He boldly proclaims: ‘The Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is established, that it cannot be moved (shaken). Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting. The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea. Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh (adorns) thine house, O Lord, for ever.’ (Ps.93:1-2, 4-5)

And from Psalm 113, ‘God’s mercies are many,’ come these words of universal truth. ‘The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high, Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!’ (Ps.113:4-6)

And the answer to that my people, is simply, NOBODY! Because there’s NO OTHER Being like Him in the entire universe!

And we’ll end with these potent words of the prophet Isaiah from chapter 57, where he condemns Israel’s idolatry. ‘For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite heart and humble spirit, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.’ (Is.57:15)

Yes Friends, our Lord God is an exceedingly mighty Being, who dwells on high, as well as in the hearts of those who LOVE and revere Him! He’s so mighty that He sees all and knows all, which means we can’t run nor hide from Him, though some of us naively and foolishly try to do so.

Ah mih people, until we realize how truly omnipotent is our God, we’ll never be able to fully understand and appreciate His attributes of LOVE, mercy, forgiveness, blessing and grace, which we humans so desperately need in these troubled and disaster-prone times to make a successful go of it in this dark and evil world.

It is therefore of the utmost importance that we read, study, meditate, mark and inwardly digest His Word that was given to us as a guidebook for earthly living. And while doing that, it is also necessary to fellowship with other believers, so that our understanding, our joy, our faith and trust in the ONE TRUE God, He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will remain strong and grow to maturity. That should be the modus operandi of all believers. Much LOVE!

…to know, know, know Him…is to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Him…

SCRIP-BITS