Today’s Scrip-Bit 25 February 2010 James 4:8‏

25 Feb 2010 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

James 4:8     Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye doubleminded.
 
Oh Friends, it’s today again! We constantly talk about yesterday and tomorrow, but we always seem to end up in today. Why is that eh? Many great minds have pondered that question, but can’t find an answer. But I can. And it’s very simple. The Creator, the Most High God Jehovah designed it that way. Wow! Aren’t you proud of me? (smile) The Lord didn’t want us living in yesterday bemoaning our sinful past, or looking too much into tomorrow, trying to figure out what it held in store for us, but wanted us to concentrate on today, because that’s all we have and all we can truly handle. Now listen to this quote about tomorrow by James Baldwin, the famous black American author of the mid 20th century. ‘The future is like heaven – everyone exalts it but no one wants to go there now.’ And isn’t that the living truth my people? When I read that today, I couldn’t help but laugh, for we all talk about heaven; how it’s so great and whatever, but ask us if we want to go there? ‘Oh yes, but not right now though.’ Hn hn! There’s always that proviso; yes, but. Heaven is always pencilled in for somewhere down the line, never now, never today, but in some distant tomorrow. Now that’s all well and good Friends, for the earth’s not such a bad place if you know how to handle it. And though heaven sounds great, nobody’s ever gone there and returned to tell us about it, so with man’s inherent fear of the unknown, we’d rather put it off for as long as possible. However, be that as it may, I have a little secret to share, and it’s that none of us will ever see heaven unless we do as James advises: And the first requirement is to ‘Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.’  And that’s one of God’s earliest promises my people. If you seek Him, try to draw near to Him, you will find Him, and He will draw close to you too. But Friends, let’s get one thing straight, we’ve got to seek Him, not Him seek us. Oftimes we get the relationship with God confused and mixed up, believing that He’s there to serve us. But sadly Friends, the opposite is true. He made us to serve and glorify Him, provided we choose to do so. Yes, we have the option to not serve Him, but if we decide to serve and glorify Him, then He’s also provided all the tools we need, including Jesus, mercy, grace, salvation, forgiveness and eternal life. Now the ball’s in our court. He did His part, providing all we need, it’s up to us choose to serve Him or Beelzebub. And if you don’t believe me, hear the warning of the prophet Azariah to Asa, king of Judah. ‘The Lord is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.’ (2 Chron. 15:2) Nothing can be plainer than that my people. So if we want to live the good life in that lush land of milk and honey called Heaven at some future date, then we must actively, consciously and seriously seek our Creator, the Lord God of heaven and earth, else heaven will be closed to us. And though Jeremiah was in a saddened, perilous state, listen to his acknowledgement of our topic. When the waters covered him in the dungeon and he figured it was the end, he cried out to the Lord, and ‘Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not.’ (Lam.3:57) And Bruh David joyfully proclaimed: ‘When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.’ (Ps.27:8) And we all know the hard times those two men went through but yet lived full and glorious lives because they kept the Lord their God before them at all times. That’s the good part my people, but hear what happens when we don’t continually seek the Lord and calamity befalls us; ‘Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early (diligently), but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose to fear the Lord: They would (have) none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.’ (Prov.1:28:30) Yes my brethren, if we don’t look to the Lord our God at all times, then when disaster strikes, He will not help us. Remember, the onus is on us to find Him and stay close to Him. But Friends, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is such a wonderful, magnanimous, forgiving and merciful Deity, that though we run from Him to Beelzebub’s corner, we’re always welcome to return, if we come in repentance and obedience. And His rules only seem onerous when compared to Lucifer’s style of anything and everything goes in the negative direction. Jesus said it; ‘that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.’ (Luke 15:7) And the perfect example of returning to the Lord’s welcoming arms is the story of the prodigal son, told by Jesus. ‘And he arose and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him… For this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.’ (Luke 15:22,24) Oh Friends, that’s how our great and merciful God responds when He sees us coming home. He’s so happy to see us coming back that He doesn’t wait for us to come close, but runs to greet us, wraps us in a great, big bear hug and showers us with kisses while tears of joy run down His face. My people, some of us have had prodigal children return and have treated them that way, while some we have turned away, for whatever reason, but Almighty God will NEVER turn away any of His children who come repentant and seeking forgiveness, because His motto is one simple word: LOVE. That my people is what He’s about, and what we should also be concentrating on. Remember Jesus said that there were only two basic commandments: ‘LOVE your God, and LOVE your neighbour as yourself.’  Well let’s practice them nuh, since we claim to His followers. Time and space have run out, so more tomorrow, God willing. Till then Much LOVE!…the only way to get to heaven… is to seek God…and when you find Him…LOVE Him faithfully…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 24 February 2010 Proverbs 16:9‏

24 Feb 2010 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Proverbs 16:9     A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.
 
Oh Friends, that snow is still here! Chuh! And though it’s still not much, snow and cold just don’t add up to enthusiastic going out. Anyway, enough of my whimpering (smile), let’s give the Most High God Jehovah some thanks and praise for getting us through another dark, mournful night and bringing us out refreshed into the bright, sparkling sunshine of His Son’s LOVE. Without that LOVE my people, we’d certainly be lost in the infernal darkness of this evil world. That’s why Cousin Sol declared with such striking truth: ‘A man’s heart deviseth (plans) his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.’ Oh Friends, I am living testimony to that! Writing this Scrip-Bit would never have occurred to me in a million years because I would not have felt qualified enough to write it. I had other plans, which I believe God put in my heart, and was trying to pursue them when He suggested this Scrip-Bit idea. I told Him my concerns, but Friends, He never batted an eyelash (smile) just stoked my fire. Now three years later I’m doing what He asked, but only through His grace and LOVING kindness, while my other pursuits languish in varying stages of incompletion. If that was not the Lord directing my steps, then I don’t know who was, for this Scrip-Bit thing was surely not an option I envisaged. And as Sol also says: ‘There are many devices (plans) in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.’ (Prov.19:21) That’s gospel people! I’m sure all of you have had the experience at some stage of your lives, where you’ve planned to do something you considered important and worthwhile but found yourselves doing something else, very contrary to your original plan, because something or someone cropped up and caused the change of plans. That my Friends, was the Lord’s doing. Now there’s a saying in the Southern Caribbean, I can’t remember the exact words, but it boils down to man’s grandiose plans make God laugh. And He laughs because He knows we’ll never carry them out since they’re not His purpose for us. As Jeremiah declares: ‘O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. (Jer.10:23) Poor Jerry felt the brunt of that principle, very forcibly too, and went through much anguish over it because originally he never saw himself as a prophet, but that was the Lord’s purpose for him. Oh Friends, take my advice; anytime the Lord comes calling, just say, ‘Yes Lord. How high Lord?’ Why? Because resisting Him is futile. He will only keep pestering you and have you jumping through higher and more hoops than necessary. Please learn one thing my people: If the Lord’s mind is made up that you’ll do certain things, trust me, you’ll do them, regardless of your disagreement and/or resistance. You’re fighting a losing battle from the start and only making your life harder. So when he comes a calling, it’s best to just acquiesce and ask Him for help to do His will, than to foolishly resist. Sol also says: ‘Man’s goings are of the Lord: how can a man then understand his own way?’ (Prov.20:24) He can’t my brethren. If someone’s leading you, then most likely you won’t know where you’re going or what you’re about. But that Friends, is the purpose of our faith, hope and trust in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He’s promised to lead us safely, securely and prosperously along a straight and narrow path, and if we exhibit the necessary faith, trust and surrender, He will do as promised. That leads us to another of Sol’s wise sayings. ‘The preparations (plans) of the heart in (belong) to man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.’ (Prov.16:1) So you see my people, anyhow you cut it, you’ll lose. Even if the Lord goes along with your plans, what you say will most likely be the Lord’s words. And this is great, because we need not worry about what to say when the occasion arises, for Jesus promised: ‘But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.’ (Mat.10:19-20) And all God’s people shouted: ‘Glory Hallelujah!’ Oh Friends, isn’t it good to know that in times of crises we don’t have to worry about what words to speak, because our heavenly Father through His most kind, gracious and guiding Spirit will speak through us? What an awesome God we serve people! That’s why He proclaimed: ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord of hosts. (Zech. 4:6)Yes people, the Lord runs the world through His Holy Spirit, quietly in the background, so there’s no need for Him to make any grand show of might and power. Those who believe, already know His abundant capabilities, so He doesn’t have to show off to impress us. I therefore implore us to take strong hold of that Sprit, and use it to guide our every thought, step, word and action, because that’s its purpose. If we fail to hold on and use it, hn, then crapaud smoke we pipe, we’ll end up lost and alone in eternal darkness and damnation with only Lucifer for company. And that’s certainly not a good mental image, so let’s smarten up RIGHT NOW Friends and take hold of all God’s promises for our lives. That’s where the smart money is. Much LOVE!…the zenith, the height of wisdom…accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 23 February 2010 James 5:20‏

23 Feb 2010 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

James 5:20     Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
 
Oh Friends, contrary to popular opinion, winter isn’t over in my neck of the woods as yet, because there’s snow on the ground. Steups! Bah Humbug! (smile) It’s not really that much, but snow is snow, and it’s enough to cause problems with traffic and old people like me having to shovel it. But with the Lord’s help, we’ll come out of it with shining colours! We always do. So let’s offer up some thanks and praise for His continued goodness. And I have an interesting quote to share, one attributed to John Vance Cheney. ‘The soul would have no rainbow, Had the eyes no tears.’ Isn’t that beautiful, both poetic and a good analogy? Analogous to the saying that a rainbow appears when the skies cry no more. Well Friends, tears do the same job for our souls. They wash our souls clean, take away whatever was hurtful and made us cry, then leave our souls clean and fresh, bright and sparkling, with a rainbow of happiness surrounding us, enabling us to continue fighting the good fight. So don’t be afraid or ashamed to cry because it’s good for your soul. Now don’t cry over every little disappointment or adopt the silly macho tendency that men ought not to cry. That’s foolishness, for crying serves a very useful purpose, to cleanse our souls, else the Creator would not have made it a part of our lives. Some people can cry at the drop of a hat, while others can’t shed a tear if their lives depended on it. I’ve found that sometimes when I want to, or feel the need to cry, no tears will come, but when I think they shouldn’t, hn, they flow like rain. I guess it depends on the specific situation, plus the amount of hurt and sadness already built up inside that triggers the crying. Anyway, don’t overdo it at either end, for you can cause irreparable damage to your soul. (smile) That brings us to our Bit. But first, let’s look at the previous verse. ‘Brethren, if any of you do err (wander) from the truth, and one convert him (turns him back); (James 5:19) Our subject today deals with believers who stray from the faith, but thankfully are brought back, restored to the straight and narrow path by other believers. Then we ought to ‘Let him know that he which converteth (turns) the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death.’ Now Friends, that’s an important fact that all believers should know and keep handy at the back of their minds. Why? Because all believers are human, thus liable to stray to the broad and wayward path of temptation and sin, and if we happen to encounter a fellow believer going off track, it’s our duty to try and help them see the error of their ways. In that way we’ll be helping them save their soul from death, for remember a backslider is considered worse than an unbeliever. According to the scholars, that death that James talks about here is physical death that God sometimes uses to punish disobedient believers. But whether it’s physical or spiritual death, the important point is that the believer is saved from it. We have a perfect example of this when Jesus tells Peter of his upcoming denial. ‘Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted (you have turned again), strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.’ (Luke 22:31-33) Hn! Peter was full of talk, like many of us, but we know later on he couldn’t walk it, just like us, and ended up denying Christ, then felt terrible, and cried his heart out. Note the use of tears for the cleansing of Peter’s soul. But later his faith was restored and he finally became the pillar of the church, the true rock, the sure foundation upon which Christ had promised to build His Church. Ah Friends, we all know it’s not easy to trod the path our Lord has laid out for us, so in effect we are our brothers’ keeper, and must help each other when we can. Now that brings us to the thin, red line between intrusiveness in the person’s life and not doing our Christian duty. We have to be very careful how we go about trying to correct their errors and save their souls, for believers, more so than unbelievers, resent others telling them how to live their lives, or what’s wrong with them. For some unfathomable reason, every believer thinks that they are the epitome of Christian living, when in actual fact none of us are. As opposed to unbelievers, we’re just godly sinners with numerous faults and flaws like all humans. Thus, our saving of those souls from death, also ‘shall hide a multitude of sins.’ Yes Friends, our care and concern for straying believers shall also cover up many sins, those we’ve already committed, and also those we won’t commit by returning to the Lord’s way. For as Sol declares: ‘Hatred stirreth up strifes: but LOVE covereth all sins.’ (Prov.10:12) And isn’t that the awesome truth my people? And Friends, when we talk and think of LOVE, there’s no better treatise ever written on the subject than that by Bruh Paul: 1 Corinthians Chapter 13; ‘The way of LOVE.’ Just listen to some of it: ‘LOVE suffereth long, and is kind; LOVE envieth not; LOVE vaunteth not itself (does not brag), is not puffed up (arrogant), Doth not behave itself unseemly (rudely), seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil (keeps no account of evil). Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in truth.’ (1 Cor.13:4-6) Oh Friends, if you’ve never read that chapter, please do so soon, because it’s not only Bruh Paul’s best piece of writing, it’s also one of the best in the Good Book. And here’s the best part of it: ‘And now abideth faith, hope, LOVE, those three, but the greatest of these is LOVE!’ (1 Cor.13:13) Amen mih people! And again I say, Amen! So Friends, let’s go out into the world and practice it nuh, then we’ll be doing our bounden duty, for God is LOVE, and LOVE is of God. Much LOVE!…there’s only one rule in a believer’s rule book…the message of LOVE…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 February 2010 Psalm 69:20‏

22 Feb 2010 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 69:20     Reproach hath  broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.
 
‘Stand up, stand up for Jesus. The trumpet calls obey. Till every foe is vanquished. And Christ is Lord indeed!’ Yes Friends, it’s Monday morning, another beautiful day in some part of the universe, but in our rat race society the start of another work week, one of hostilities. Remember to give thanks, ask for guidance and to dress in all your spiritual armour, for without it you don’t stand a chance against the evil enemy. He takes no prisoners, and shows no pity. And on that topic, here’s a quote for our edification. ‘Self-pity is our worst enemy, and if we yield to it, we can never do anything wise in this world.’ Those are supposedly words of Helen Keller, and she speaks the truth. Having others pity us is bad enough, but self-pity, when we’re both the giver and the ‘givee’ (smile) that only brings us to a rather low state of self-confidence and self-esteem, and only serves to bog us down in a mire of quick sand. And with each passing day that we wallow in it, our depression and self-loathing becomes worse. I know that it’s easy to ridicule self-pity, but Friends it happens to all and sundry; king, beggar and thief. The human spirit, our souls need a constant stream of positive affirmation from others to boost them. But when our inner being doesn’t get that rush of positive affirmation, or if we’re lambasted with negative action, whether fairly or unfairly, then it doesn’t take much to turn into ourselves and miserably bewail our misfortune. ‘Poor me. I’ve been misunderstood and treated so badly. No one cares about me.’ Then we let sadness and sorrow overwhelm us. Now all our claims might be true, but like anger and resentment, we can’t let self-pity thrive in our souls, for it only grows, hardens and turns to bitterness. In Psalm 69, Bruh David cries out with pleas of underserved suffering: ‘Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face. I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s children.’ (Ps.69:7-8) That was very fertile ground for self-pity. He also despairs: ‘They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away (did not steal).’ (Ps.69:4) Oh Friends, what great reasons to wallow in the funk of self-pity? Your enemies are plentiful and powerful, wrongfully accuse you, and though you returned what you didn’t take, they still want to eliminate you. And I doubt that any of us have been plagued by the many serious problems that befell Bruh David in his topsy-turvy life. But what was his attitude, what was his answer? Instead of turning inward to bemoan his misfortune, he turned outwardly and cried out to his Creator, his God. Right from the get go, he pleads: ‘Save me, O God, for the waters are come in unto my soul (quickly): I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.’ (Ps.69:1-3) Oh my people, all of us can identify with Bruh David’s plight at least once in our lives, where we’re so overwhelmed by misfortune that it just drives us crazy. But instead of letting it fester like a cancer within him, he turned to the God of his fathers, who’d seen him through many other rough and disastrous times. Even so should we my Friends. When problems drive us low, instead of bemoaning and bewailing our sorry plight with a ‘poor me one,’ attitude and sinking into a state of depression, we ought to cry out to our God, who’s promised to help us in and through all our calamities. This reminds me of a personal instance not too long ago, when an incident occurred that was not my fault, but unfortunately I ended up bearing the brunt of the blame and suffering the most reversal. Obviously I was sad, angry and disappointed, but fortunately realized in a short time that those negative sentiments would not help, but rather hurt and hinder my progress, so I did like Bruh David and prayed them down. It wasn’t easy, for the enemy always ramps up his attacks when you’re low down, but if you seriously set out on the right course of action, the Lord will eventually intervene and bring you through it. You might come out unscathed, or somewhat scathed, depending on whether His original purpose for allowing the misfortune was to teach you a valuable lesson. But you’ll certainly learn something from the situation. Hopefully I did. (smile) Anyway, in a few days I’d put the unfair situation behind me and moved on. As our Bit laments: ‘Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness (sickness): and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.’ Take solace Friends, others mightier than us also had problems in that respect. Even the mighty Lord, our God, suffered that fate, as He declared through Isaiah, talking about the day of vengeance: ‘I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me.’ (Is.63:3) The same thing happened to Job. When he complained of God’s seemingly unfair dealings with him, all his supposed friends reproved him. ‘Then Job answered and said, I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.’ (Job 16:1-2) Yes Friends, often it’s those closest to us who put us down the hardest and desert us when we’re in greatest need. And there’s no better example than Jesus after He explained to the disciples what was to happen and they claimed that they understood and believed. (John 16:25-30) But then Jesus said to them; ‘Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own (place), and shall leave me alone:’ (John 16:32) And so said so done, people. When the time came for him to be tried and crucified, none of His disciples were around, all disappeared for fear of being associated with Him and suffering some dreadful fate.  But as He had also said to them: ‘and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.’ (John 16:32) And that is the gospel truth of all gospel truths my people! We may be alone in terms of human companionship, but we’re never truly alone, for our heavenly Father is always with us wherever we go and whatever we’re going through. Please hold on to that tightly, because it’s possibly the most essential part of our faith. For some of Jesus’ last words to His disciples were: ‘lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.’ (Mat.28:20)  Stand strong my brethren in the promise of Jesus! Much LOVE!…to any who believes…Jesus will NEVER leave…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 21 February 2010 2 Corinthians 4:3‏

21 Feb 2010 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

2 Corinthians 4:3     But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost.
 
Oh Friends, we’ve been again granted that cherished and exquisite privilege of seeing another unique, exciting day! No other day has even been like this one, and none will ever be like it again. Why? Because each day is like a new brush stroke of God on His canvas of the world. And we all know that no two brush strokes are ever identical. Just as it with humans, each new day has its own distinct DNA structure, with it’s own unique properties, both subtle and vocal, that create changes, differences and variety in our earthly lives. And it’s all beholden to the amazing and powerful talents of our Creator; the Most High God Jehovah. Consequently, it is most essential that we honour, praise and glorify His Holy Name for the sights, sounds and all the other sensual treasures He’s allowed us to experience down through the ages. And if we’re not in tune with the Creator and Ruler of the universe, then we’re definitely on the wrong wave length. As Bruh Paul says in the Bit: ‘If our gospel be hid (veiled), it is hid to them that are lost.’ That’s the living truth Friends! Whosoever isn’t in tune with Almighty God is lost. Bruh Paul is here talking of God’s power in the ministry. He opens the chapter by declaring: ‘Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not.’ (2 Cor.4:1) My people, that’s another truth we have to accept and hold dear, for because we have received God’s free gift of mercy, of forgiveness, we do not lose heart in our endeavours on His behalf. It also works the other way; we will lose heart and faint, give up, if we do not receive the awesome, strengthening, soul stirring, inspiring and nurturing mercy that He offers free to every one who repents and believes in His Son Jesus Christ. And that awe inspiring gift of mercy causes us not to faint, ‘But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty (shame), not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully (not adulterating the word of God); but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.’ (2 Cor.4:2) Yes my people, that’s the wholesome effect the mercy, grace and forgiveness of God ought to have on us. We ought to become new people, spiritually born again, changed from the sinful, evil ways of the flesh and the world, and then actually LIVE our faith, not merely talk it, as so many of us do. We can’t commend ourselves to others in Jesus’ name if we don’t live out the truth we claim to speak. And if we sincerely do that, then those who don’t receive it, from whom it’s hidden, then they will be truly lost. But why is it hidden, and why are they lost when the gospel is broadcast out in the open? Bruh Paul explains it thus: ‘In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.’ (2 Cor.4:4) Ah Friends, Bruh Paul’s saying to the Corinthians that those who are criticizing his ministry are not even saved. They are lost, unbelievers whom Lucifer controls so strongly, that he effectively blinds them, shields them from the wonderful news of Christ’s gospel. Oh Friends, the same thing is possible in our ministry today, for many are lost, Lucifer has them under such tight, blanket control that they can’t see anything beside the lustful, sinful pleasures of our wicked world. They refuse to believe that anything besides their evil path exists, or is even possible. But thankfully my brethren, that does not apply to us, because we listen to Bruh Paul and believe what he says. ‘For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.’ (2 Cor.4:5) That is also the approach we believers must take to the unbelieving, ungodly world; teach the good news of Jesus and be servants on His behalf. Why? ‘For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.’ (2 Cor.4:6) Wow mih people! Isn’t that a powerful bit of scripture! The same omnipotent Being that said at the beginning of Creation; ‘Let there be light: and there was light;’ (Gen.1:3) light coming at umpteen thousand miles per second, is the same one who’s shone His brilliant, mind altering, life changing light into the darkness of our hearts to bring the revelation, the truth and knowledge of His awesome glory through the LOVE of His Son Jesus Christ. Isn’t it wonderful Friends? For sure! That’s why we have to go and do likewise; cause that life altering light to shine in the darkness of the hearts of the many lost, of the many unbelievers still holding on to Lucifer’s evil ways, so that they too can believe, know the wonderful God we serve, and receive mercy, salvation and eternal life through His LOVING  Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. That is the sacred duty with which our Leader has entrusted us. So Friends, I implore us to not disappoint our Saviour. Let’s put our hearts, minds, souls and bodies into it nuh, like the true believers we are. Much LOVE!…hide not your light under a bushel…but let it shine brightly in the darkness of the world…for Jesus…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 20 February 2010 Proverbs 15:1‏

20 Feb 2010 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Proverbs 15:1     A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
 
Oh Friends, it’s the weekend! Time to play and party, in moderation though, to fellowship, worship and rejuvenate our spirits after a hard week of spiritual warfare. We need that refreshing break so we can be ready to face the rigours of the workweek on Monday again. Hn! What a hard scrabble life! But that’s how the Lord ordained it, so we’ll just have to grin and bear it till whenever He chooses to call us home. Today we look to Cousin Sol for some words of wisdom to help us carry our crosses. And he does give us something wise to keep us on the straight and narrow. ‘A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous (harsh) words stir up anger.’ (Prov.15:1) And isn’t that the truth my Friends? Anger is curtailed by a calm and gentle response, while a comparatively heated response just fans the flames. So in the heat of the proceedings, when tempers flare, it is wise for at least one of the participants to know that saying and adhere to it, else things can get quickly out of hand. When all the participants get hot and bothered, then the road will most likely lead all downhill from there, with the escalation of verbal hostilities, which can easily progress to physical confrontation, to injuries and medical assistance, even to police presence and judicial proceedings. And it’s so easy for small disagreements to escalate into major problems, all because of insensitive words. That’s why James made the important declaration: ‘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).’ (James 1:26) The sad part my people is that many of us believers today are too often guilty of that failing. We can’t, or have much trouble controlling our tongues, especially if we think we’re right. And as James went on to say about big ships being turned around by small helms and rudders, ‘Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter (forest) a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature (existence); and it is set on fire of hell…But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.’ (James 3:5-6,8) Yes Friends, we all know what a powerful tool or weapon out little tongue can be. It can start wars or bring peace. It all depends on who’s using it, and for what purpose. So Bruh David advises: ‘Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile (deceit).’ (Ps.34:13) Oh my people, the Good Book warns against the evil of the tongue, one of the smallest organs of the body, more than any other part. Let’s hear some. Sol himself offers more. ‘There is that (one who) speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is (promotes) health.’ (Prov.12:18) ‘Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that LOVE it shall eat the fruit thereof.’ (Prov.18:21) The sad fact is that too many of us fall under those last two admonishments. A lot of us just have a harsh, unforgiving manner that only breeds anger and contempt in others. Our words always have an edge to them, which makes others more often than not, feel offended, criticized and/or put down by them. This doesn’t help the situation at all, consequently anger is currently running rampant in our world. Everybody is angry at somebody or something. But hear Sol again: ‘By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft (gentle) tongue breaketh the bone.’ (Prov.25:15) Yes mih breddren, patience is usually more persuasive than impatience, and a gentle answer more often than not, gets the desired response. As they say, you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar. So we’ve got to learn to first bridle our tongue, then to curb our haste to get angry, because those hasty words spoken in anger can have dire consequences which sometimes cannot be undone. ‘He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty (impulsive) of spirit exalteth folly.’ (Prov.14:29) It’s all well and good to say you’re sorry afterwards, but as the old people maintain, ‘sorry doh make it cool.’ It doesn’t take away the hurt. We have to learn instead to be proactive, not reactive, learn that ‘prevention is better than cure.’ And having said all that, let’s check an example of the hasty tongue and angry spirit that almost brought a very sad backlash. It concerns Bruh David, who, after Samuel died, went down to the wilderness of Paran to get away from Saul. Now there were shepherds in the area looking after the flocks of a rich man, Nabal, but Bruh David and his men did them no harm. Sometime later, when food was possibly running short, Bruh David sent ten men to Nabal’s home to ask for some supplies. Here’s how the Good Book describes Nabal and his wife Abigail. ‘…and she was a woman of good understanding and of a beautiful countenance; but the man was churlish (harsh) and evil in his doings…’ (1 Sam.25:3) That sets the tone for the proceedings right there. Obviously when Bruh David’s men approached Nabal, his churlish attitude surfaced as he asked: ‘Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants nowadays that break away every man from their master. Shall I take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be?’ (1 Sam. 25: 10-11) Friends, we all know the rest of the story (1 Sam.25) where Bruh David’s men go back and tell him of Nabal’s rude, unkind reply, which angers him and he sets out to pay back Nabal. But the Lord was, and still is in His heaven, and caused one of Nabal’s men to go and tell his wife Abigail what had transpired. She being a sensible woman, got some victuals together, rushed down the road and fell before Bruh David, entreating him to hear her. ‘Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he: Nabal (fool) is his name, and folly is with him:’ (1Sam.25:25) Abigail realized the tragic results that could come of Nabal’s hasty and foolish actions, and she managed to talk Bruh David out of doing further wrong. But the Lord, in his wisdom, eventually got rid of Nabal and Bruh David married Abigail. Wow! What a good piece of drama for Hollywood from the Master Dramatist. Oh Friends, let’s learn from all of this nuh. Our Lord and Saviour Jesus, though harassed and threatened and beaten and scourged did not retaliate in anger, but in peace and LOVE. ‘Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.’ (Luke 23:34) I know it’s often difficult to reciprocate with LOVE and not anger, but that’s what Jesus would have us do. So let’s try and do it for His sake, so we can truly be called His followers. Much LOVE!…to return anger for anger is foolish…stop…think…and listen to the Spirit’s guidance first…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 19 February 2010 Matthew 24:3‏

19 Feb 2010 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Matthew 24:3     And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world.
 
Oh Friends, it’s Friday already! Wow! It seems like only two days ago I wrote that it was Monday, time to go out and renew hostilities with the ever present, ever hungry enemy. Time sure passes quickly! Now I’ve got to say that Sabbath time is upon us once again. Anyway, ours is not to wonder why, just to do and hopefully not to die until we reach a ripe, old age. (smile) And though old age does have it’s drawbacks like aches and pains and other degenerative illnesses, at least then we don’t need signs to help us in the abundance of life, for we’ve already been there, we know where we’re going, if we can see. (smile) Yes Friends, signs are a very important part of life, whether they are physical, emotional, mental or otherwise. They guide and show us the way, provided we follow them. The problem though is that there can be good and bad, as well as right and wrong signs, and if we follow the bad or wrong ones we usually end up in trouble. But sometimes the signs are so well disguised and we only realize they are wrong or bad when we reach the end of the line. That’s why we need to pay very careful attention to whatever signs pop up in our lives, for often when we follow the wrong ones, there’s just no turning back, or we hit a high stone wall, then have numerous regrets. We saw yesterday where Jesus refused to give the Pharisees, ‘the adulterous generation,’ any signs beyond His death and resurrection, re the judgement day and His coming again, this time in glory. But He did give some hints to His disciples in private. This was after they came out of the temple and they showed Him the temple buildings and He told them: ‘See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.’ (Mat. 24:2) So later, while sitting on the Mount of Olives they ask Him; ‘Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world (age)?’ And what was Jesus’ answer? ‘Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.’ (Mat.24:4-5) Oh Friends, notice Jesus’ first warning was against false prophets, the antichrist. We have to be so very careful of whom we listen to and believe, because there are many wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing, who will gladly relieve us of our material possessions, our joy in the Lord and anything else they can, while leading us down the ungodly road to hellfire and damnation. Believe me brethren, there are many of them out there in this wicked world just waiting to pounce on some unsuspecting or naive person. As a believer, the only way to combat this is to fill your hearts, souls and minds with the Word, and screen all comers with the words of John. ‘Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is Christ? He is the antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. Let that therefore abide in you which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye shall also continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.’ (1 John 2:22-25) Yes Friends, we must pay great heed to what others preach to us, using what we were originally thought as our guideline, for the spirit of the antichrist is fully alive and kicking, grinning with bared teeth, ready to devour us. Jesus then continued giving them more warning signals. ‘And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers (various) places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.’ (Mat.24:6-8) Oh my people, it surely seems like Jesus could be referring to our time, for we have all those things in unusual abundance: wars and rumours of wars, nations rising against nations, earthquakes, famines and much sickness all over the world. But Friends, according to Jesus, that’s just the start of our misery. Can you imagine our world getting any worse? Jesus seems to think so, for He says of  His followers: ‘Then they shall deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then many shall be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity (lawlessness) shall abound, the LOVE of many shall wax (grow) cold.’ (Mat. 24:9-12) All of that is already here Friends. But the great thing about our Saviour is that in spite of the dark and utterly terrifying pictures He paints of abounding sin and martyrdom, He provides a way out for His followers, He always gives us hope. And here is that hope: ‘But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.’  (Mat.24:13) Shout ‘Glory Hallelujah!’ Friends. For if we stand strong and fight the good fight, encouraging and helping each other, in tune with the Holy Spirit, then at the end we’ll be joyous in salvation and eternal life. One more sign Friends. ‘And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all the nations; and then shall the end come.’ (Mat.24:14) So there’s still a long way to go because we haven’t yet spread the gospel through missionary expansion all over the world. It seems the church age will last until we spread the good news of the gospel all over the inhabited world. So let’s get with it please people: LOVE your God, LIVE your Faith, and SPREAD His Word. Much LOVE!…obey the signs…and you’ll be fine…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 February 2010 Mark 8:12‏

18 Feb 2010 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Mark 8:12     And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.
 
Oh Friends, it’s a beautiful morning, let’s be up and at ’em! (smile) Okay, so it’s not a beautiful day in your neck of the woods, and truthfully, neither is it in mine. However, I’m sure that in some part of God’s wonderful planet Earth, a beautiful day has dawned with sparkling sunshine and will continue that way, until it ends in a fiery blaze of orange, gold and crimson, as the sun sets behind the horizon. I’m therefore telling the truth, since I didn’t say exactly where the day was beautiful. In fact though my people, each and every day that we’re alive is a beautiful day, whether or not it’s reflected in Mother Nature. Please get that salted away in your hearts, souls and minds. As the song says, the Promised Land is not Africa, America, Europe, Asia or anywhere physical; ‘The Promised Land is a state of mind.’ And that’s quite true, for there’s nowhere in this world that actually reflects or matches our writings and thoughts on the subject. The Promised Land is a vision; a vision of faith we hold before us, a Utopian place we visualize as the ultimate venue for good living. It takes faith and hope to envision it. Note Bruh Paul’s words: ‘For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience (perseverance) wait (eagerly) for it.’ (Rom.8:24-25) Exactly Friends! Unlike the Pharisees of Jesus’ time, we have hope and faith, but they came to Jesus ‘and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.’ (Mark 8:11) But those supposedly learned people were as Jesus said, truly blind, because after seeing all the miracles He did and His familiarity with the scriptures, you’d think they would at least be inclined to look seriously at His claims. But so taken up were they with their own egos, social and political positions, fearing they would lose that good life they enjoyed, they refused to even consider Jesus as the long awaited Messiah, especially since the scriptures envisioned their Saviour as being more of a warrior king, certainly not a poor, itinerant preacher. The scholars though claim that this particular group of Pharisees weren’t really interested in Jesus’ message, but were either out to satisfy their own curiosity, or gather evidence against Him, to prove He was one of Lucifer’s minions. Remember when ‘the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.’ (Mark 3:22) The Jewish rulers were so intent on getting rid of Jesus, they would stop at nothing to do so. They were so blinded by their hate, anger and fear that they did not even consider it possible that having done all He’d done, Jesus could read their minds or at least discern the reasoning behind their questions. Oh Friends, there’s really none so blind as he who refuses to see! But anyway, Jesus was on to them, and it’s noteworthy that the Good Book says, ‘he sighed deeply in his spirit,’ before answering them. This ‘sigh or groaning’ of Jesus is reflected in other places too. For example when He opened the ears and loosened the tongue of the deaf, speech impaired man. ‘And looking up to heaven, he sighed…’ (Mark 7:34) Also when He came to deal with Lazarus’ death, He ‘groaned in the spirit and was troubled…again groaning in himself.’ (John 11: 33,38) The scholars claim that this signifies Jesus’ inner emotional and spiritual fervour as He entreats the Father to undo the wrong. Hn! I don’t know if the sigh in our Bit would fall under that explanation nuh. I think Jesus was more fed up and tired, exasperated with the foolish games the Pharisees were playing. (smile) He might’ve been more asking the Father to give Him the patience to answer them sensibly and not just strike them down dead where they stood. And if so, the Father granted Him that desire, for He calmly replied: ‘Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.’ Then He left them, got into a boat and went over to the other side. Oh Friends, don’t you just LOVE how Jesus could rag on the stupid, hypocrite Pharisees an’ dem! He was being derogatory because they refused to accept Him as the Messiah in spite of all the solid evidence He provided. According to Matthew, others apparently also asked Jesus for a sign, and His answer was: ‘An evil and adulterous (unfaithful to God) generation asketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.’ (Mat.12:39-41) Jesus was obviously referring to His death and resurrection. Then He further rebuked them by saying that the people of Nineveh would judge them harshly ‘because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, a greater than Jonah is here. The queen of the south shall rise up in judgement with this generation; and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon: and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.’ (Mat.12:41-42) Jesus was simply pointing out that the Ninevites repented after a lowly prophet like Jonah warned them of coming tribulations for their ungodliness, and how the queen of Sheba travelled a great distance to hear Sol and marvelled at his riches and wisdom and believed on the Lord. (1 Kin.10:1-13) Yet they, in their ungodly wisdom and great arrogance refused to listen to and believe Him, who was much greater than both Jonah and Sol. Ah Friends, do we feel as the Pharisees did? Are we also looking for signs before we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour? Unfortunately, Jesus doesn’t do signs for signs sake. He deals in truth and faith, and expects those who follow Him to do the same. But enough for now. More tomorrow, God willing. Till then: LOVE your God, LIVE your Faith, and SPREAD His Word! Much LOVE!…signs are for those who don’t know where they’re going…believers do…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 17 February 2010 Isaiah 64:1‏

17 Feb 2010 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Isaiah 64:1      Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence.
 
Oh Glory be Friends, it’s a new day! Sing out a joyous song of eternal gratitude to out God for His enduring mercy and our continuing privilege of life! And though we have the same old problems, we have another chance, another opportunity to come at them from a different angle, with a different attitude. We need a new and more powerful perspective to attack those insidious problems that keep making our lives a hell on earth. That new perspective though must include the Most High God Jehovah, who still sits on His throne high in the heavens, monitoring all we do and don’t do. One of those new and powerful perspectives could be like that of Isaiah, when he cried out to the Lord in a prayer for help. When our earthly problems become unsolvable, that’s the best thing to do. And sadly Friends, some of the utter nonsense that’s happening in our world today does seem to call for God to come down and fix them, for man certainly can’t seem to do it. Look at all the sick and unhealthy societies in our world. Consider the recent worldwide economic meltdown that unbridled greed and avarice caused, with innumerable loss of jobs, homes and businesses. From which we still haven’t learned, for we are still moving along the same old road. Think of the breakdown of the family unit. We no longer eat or play together, or even watch t.v together. Everybody has their own t.v, their computer and all the other technological toys. Some of those things might be useful, but unfortunately they steal the personal dimension from our lives, they don’t encourage, but rather discourage togetherness. Sure, you can correspond with others all over the world, but there’s nothing like face-to-face meeting, talking, greeting, hugging and kissing. You can text, blog and whatever till thy kingdom come, but Friends, those toys cannot, and will never replace that special feeling that’s inherent in actually meeting and greeting someone in person. Good interaction is becoming increasingly hard to find anywhere. It’s gone from the family where there’s more infighting and disrespect than ever before. The workplace doesn’t lend itself much to that either for too many people are still scared for their jobs and their livelihood. That doesn’t build harmony and friendship. And don’t talk about the society at large…Hn! That’s just a dog eat dog world with all the crime, violence, fear and ungodliness that’s now running rampant. Within most nations there’s either much turmoil or serious unrest due to poverty, oppression, corruption, racial and religious disagreement to name a few causes. Then between nations, there are constant wars and rumours of wars and the cowardly threat of terrorism that recently reared its ugly, ungodly head. Oh Friends, it’s certainly not a pretty picture, and though we try to stay positive and manage to encircle ourselves in our little cocoons, we can’t ignore forever the fact that mankind is on the cusp, the brink of serious catastrophe in our relationships with each other. If we don’t hurry up and get it under control, then who knows what’s next? And it’s not the many unexpected natural disasters that are driving us apart. Surprisingly, they bring us together for a time to help each other. Maybe we should just have them all the time. It’s the unbridled greed, lust for power and wealth, the anger, hatred, resentment, jealousy and those negative things that keep driving a wedge in our relationships. We talk a whole lot about fixing and making things better, but despite all the meetings between the major countries and their proclamations, when they can agree on a watered down version, nothing worthwhile happens. It all boils down to mostly highbrow rhetoric, simply talk, for there is always someone or some group stirring the pot of strife and dissension for their own evil purposes. Friends, I don’t know about all yuh nuh, but I’m sure tired of all the unnecessary, small minded, petty foolishness that’s making a mess of our world, so I’m calling on the Lord to come down and help us, for it’s reached the stage where only He can fix it. Therefore, we pray, Lord, ‘Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence. As when the melting fire burneth (burns brushwood), the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence. When thou didst terrible (awesome) things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down (shook) at thy presence.’ (Isa.64:1-3) Yes Friends, it’s probably time for Him to tear open the heavens, shake up the mountains, to come down and intervene in the affairs of men for we just can’t seem to make it work. Possibly like when Moses brought his people out to meet their God. ‘And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. (Ex.19:18) Or it could even be like when Bruh David cried out in his distress and the Lord heard him. ‘Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken because he was wroth. There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.’ (Ps.18:7-8) My people, there’s no doubt the Lord is displeased at the way His most wonderful and unique creation is behaving and laying waste their inheritance. Who knows, all the recent, unexpected, improbable disasters might just be a warning? But are we even considering that? No, cause we’re being led by an ungodly majority. Friends, we don’t know what’s going to happen when, but be sure of one thing, if the Lord is unhappy, then at some stage we will pay for our ungodliness. We can’t fix the world, but we can each fix ourselves first, then our families. That’s our immediate responsibility. We can then try our best in our workplaces and our neighbourhoods. If each believer does that, then for sure some godly improvement will come about, and hopefully the Lord will not have cause to vent His anger on us. I can guarantee we won’t like it. So my people, please, let’s begin that godly improvement RIGHT NOW! Much LOVE!…if the Lord’s wrath comes upon us…what a sad day that will be…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 16 February 2010 Psalm 62:10‏

16 Feb 2010 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 62:10     Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
 
Oh Friends, it’s a new day! Wow! We’ve been granted a new lease on life, so let’s thank our Heavenly Father for His LOVING kindness. ‘Thank you Lord, for allowing me to see another day. I pray that you’ll keep me, and all those who trust in you, safe, and guide us in paths of righteousness, so that we can do your will. In Jesus’ name. Amen.’ And since the Lord was willing for us to get together again, (smile) then, as promised, we’ll continue on the topic of; ‘if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.’ Yesterday we saw Jesus’ response to earthly wealth, but before going on, I want to point out one important thing. After Jesus told the rich, young ruler to go and obey the commandments if he wanted to obtain eternal life, and the fellow said he’d been doing that from young, the Good Book notes; ‘Then Jesus beholding him, LOVED him…’ (Mark 10:21) That means He felt sorry for him, felt badly, felt sad, had compassion, because He knew that what He was about to tell him; sell what he owned, give to the poor, then come and take up his cross and follow him, would create great sadness and conflict in the youngster’s heart and soul, since he genuinely seemed to want to do good. My point here Friends is that in cases where we’re about to give others news they might not like or appreciate, especially if they seem genuine, we must consider our words and actions carefully, don’t be too harsh, unforgiving or belittling. Let’s be like Jesus, show some compassion, for often when we’re right, we tend to get up on our high horse and talk down to people, expound without any thought for the other person’s feelings. That wasn’t our Saviour’s style. Even when He gave bad news, He always tried to soften the blow. So too should we. Now yesterday we ended where Jesus astounded the disciples with talk of how hard it is for the rich to go to heaven, it being easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, and how men couldn’t do that, but with God all things were possible. (Mark 10:23-27) Today we’ll continue that conversation. ‘Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, But he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.’ (Mark 10:28-31) That, my people, puts the whole thing in the right perspective. It’s not always easy to give up material things, but if we do it on Jesus’ behalf, then we will be rewarded later on, either here on earth, or when He comes to rule in glory. And it’s not just a one for one payback, but ‘an hundredfold.’ That’s how our God rewards us for putting out on His behalf; with more than we can ask or imagine. And as we said yesterday, nothing’s wrong with being rich, but it all depends on how and why we acquire the wealth and what we do with it. Obviously if we acquire it through false, unethical, ungodly means, like stealing, killing robbing, usury etc, then it will be considered ill gotten gain, wealth that we’re really not entitled to. However if we get it through fair and honest means then that’s fine. Then we come to the why, the motive for acquiring that wealth. If it’s just to boost your ego, make you feel good and powerful and live the high life, then I doubt the Lord will look kindly on it. But if you seek riches not to glorify yourself but God, then He will safeguard your earthly treasure, for riches are given to us to enable us to do God’s work, to further His kingdom, cause we’re only stewards of that wealth. Remember, regardless of what good we do, the Lord always looks at our motive, the true purpose and intent of our hearts as the judging factor. Oh Friends, contrary to what many think, wealth itself causes many problems; we’ve got to keep it safe, know whom to trust with it, can’t let too many people know we have it for fear of them wanting to hurt us or our families to get some of it etc. Being wealthy is nice, but it’s no picnic. Most importantly, we have to ensure it doesn’t change us into worldly, self-seeking ogres and just live for it. As Job said when he spoke of his integrity. ‘If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence; If I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much…This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.’ (Job 31:24-25,28) So Friends, even way back then, wise people realized that life was not only about earthly wealth and the amassing of or serving it. Jesus’ famous warning should always ring in our ears too when we consider material possessions. ‘Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.’ (Luke 12:15) And finally Friends, no talk, lecture, dialogue, diatribe, whatever, on riches is ever complete without these wise words of Bruh Paul. ‘For the LOVE of money is the root of all (kinds of) evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, (for which some in their greediness have strayed from the faith) and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.’ (1 Tim.6:10) Seldom were truer words spoken Friends. So let that warning also stay in our consciousness when we consider the wealth of the world. Nothing’s basically wrong with money, for we all need it to live. It’s when we worship, LOVE, bow down to it like an idol, that it gets us in trouble. Please be careful and not let it lead us astray. Much LOVE!…remember…earthly possessions can’t buy LOVE…salvation…or eternal life…
 

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