Today’s Scrip-Bit 29 October 2009 Psalm 143:8‏

29 Oct 2009 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 143:8     Cause me to hear thy LOVING-kindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.
 
Oh Friends, it’s another day of strife, struggle, violence, greed and bloodshed in our sorrowful world. When will it end eh? Instead of getting better, it seems to be getting worse. We hear of some new theatre of hate, anger, violence an blood-letting every day. In the grand scheme of things, most of us can’t do anything to stop it. However, in our own small way, in our little circle, we each can, have to, and must do something to at least tone it down. But we can’t do that unless we’re comfortable and well equipped within our own selves. And that’s not always easy to accomplish, especially in turbulent times like these. Let’s look at two ways though that can help. The first is via a quote by U.S President Lyndon B. Johnson, which says: ‘Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose.’ And Friends, that’s the first step in helping ourselves; don’t dwell on our past, be it good, bad or indifferent. Now that doesn’t mean we should erase our past, but rather use it wisely; as a guide and sounding board for the future. We know the mistakes we’ve made, and hopefully why, which means we should not repeat them. The future might be shorter than the past, but there’s always the possibility that it can be more glorious because of the wisdom, life experience, friends, family and worldly belongings we’ve accumulated. We now know how to use them all to forward God’s purpose. The good things we’ve done are now pleasant memories for us to hold dear in our subconscious for the times when we are too old and doddering to make more new ones, then we can sit back quietly in our rocking chair, enjoy the ambience of the day, rock, remember them and smile. I don’t know about all yuh nuh mih Friends, but I haven’t lived my best life yet. I’m still hoping to make many more memories to reminisce and smile at later. As far as I’m concerned, the most glorious part of my life is yet to come, and I’m no spring chicken, so age doesn’t really matter all that much. In the meanwhile though, we all still have dreams, big ones, to fulfill, for remember, once we’re alive, we have hope: ‘For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope.(Eccl.9:4) ‘And hope maketh not ashamed. (Rom.5:5) So mih people, we’ve got to let go of the past and look hopefully, excitedly, enthusiastically and in faith towards the future; ‘forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.’ (Phil. 3:13) That’s the first piece of the puzzle my Friends. The next is almost like unto it, but not as easy. When the bitter battles of life rage around us and we don’t know whether we’re coming or going, when every minute, every hour, every day seems to provide a new frustration, another problem which we either don’t have the time or knowledge to solve, please try and relax and listen to our God. Oftimes that’s the source of our major frustration; we’ve moved away from God, cause He’ll never move away from us. In the busyness of our lives, we haven’t spent enough time studying His Word or communicating with Him. That means we need to turn back to Him in faith. The best thing to do when the frustrations are driving us crazy is to take a time out, relax and turn to Him. Possibly ask something like; ‘What will you have me to do now Lord? I’ve done all I can, and it seems like I’m going in circles, spinning top in mud.’ Yes Friends, the first thing to do is admit our inadequacy, then ask for forgiveness for not coming to Him sooner, trying to do it all on our own, which we know is impossible. Like Bruh David did, simply plead; ‘Cause me to hear thy LOVING-kindness in the morning: for in thee do I trust.’ That means we’ll have His mercy and blessing every day as soon as we awake. As the psalmist in Psalm 46, ‘God is our refuge and strength,’ maintains: ‘God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved (shaken): God shall help her, and that right early (at the break of dawn).’ (Ps.46:5) And since we trust and have surrendered our very being to Him, we need to ask for His guidance each and every day, because we don’t know how to proceed in our own strength; ’cause me to know wherein I should walk.’ Oh my people, the Lord will never lead us astray if we humbly ask Him to lead us on the often agonizing path of life. It’s what He desires most of all; our coming to Him for leadership and guidance. In one of his prayers for protection, Bruh David pleaded: ‘Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.’ (Ps.5:8) Ah my brethren, we can’t be anymore straightforward than that. Then acknowledge His Godliness and Fatherhood: ‘for I lift up my soul unto thee.’ Let him know our passion for Him, the fact that we look completely to Him for all things. He’s our sole and soul provider, all in one.. That’s how Bruh David began Psalm 25, another of his prayers for guidance and protection. ‘Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.’ (Ps.25:1) Offering our most precious possession, our soul, shows that we’re serious, and now ready to listen to Him and do as He says. Oh Friends, this is only a basic prescription for our ills, but if sincerely followed, will ease a lot of the pressure the world puts on us. It will seem simple to some and difficult to others, I guess it depends on our level of Christian maturity, but regardless, we all need to follow it, seriously and consistently. It’s not a one and done matter. And like all other Christian activities, we also need to have a right and sincere heart, for remember, though God hears our words, He judges us by the rightness of our hearts. And very important, when we stop to listen for God’s voice, please be very careful of what we think or believe we hear, for many voices will try to natter to us simultaneously, and God’s will most likely be the smallest and quietest of the lot. So don’t always accept the first or the loudest. And if we’re not sure, then ask Him for some kind of sign that shows we’re on the right track. He will oblige. Friends, let’s listen with our hearts to Jesus. Much LOVE!…the past belongs to the past…look to the future with Jesus…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 28 October 2009 Proverbs 11:4‏

28 Oct 2009 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Proverbs 11:4     Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
 
And a fine good morning to you my worthy Friends, Neighbours and fellow believers in Christ! Today’s another cause for celebration, for we’re still alive to smell the roses and enjoy the many wonders of nature. Unfortunately though, we also have to put up with the topsy-turvy antics of life. And despite the fact that for many of us this earthly sojourn is a bitter battle, we’re not ready yet to give it up for the other life. We prefer to stick it out down here as long as possible, in the hope that we’ll eventually hit the jackpot, strike it rich, accumulate much earthly wealth so we can then lie back and live like a proverbial king. But Friends remember what happened to the man, the rich fool in Jesus’ parable, who had so much that he couldn’t store it, so he decided to break down his small barns and build bigger ones, but the Lord called him home that very night. Oh my people, we don’t have to run behind the garish wealth of this world, we can overcome whatever afflicts us and live a good, healthy, productive life if we just place our faith and trust in Jesus. Sol warned us long ago of the perils of pinning our hopes on earthly wealth. ‘Riches profit not in the day of wrath:’ And it’s so true, for come the day of judgement and justice, the Lord’s not going to ask how much earthly wealth we possessed, but rather what good we did with what we had? Did we share with a kind heart, did we help the sick and lonely, the poor and hungry? That’s what the Lord’s interested in, not how much you had. And they quite rightly say payback’s a bitch, for here’s what’s going to happen when that time comes. This is courtesy of Ezekiel. ‘They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed (like refuse): their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels (stomachs): because it is the stumbling block of their iniquity.’ (Ezek.7:19) Yes mih breddren, when the dung hits the fan, all our earthly wealth will be of no use, for in many cases it’s our running after, our overwhelming desire, incurable addiction to amass worldly treasure that detracts us from serving God. Now listen to Zephaniah’s take on the subject. ‘Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord’s wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance (end) of all them that dwell in the land.’ (Zeph.1:18) Yes mih people, it won’t be easy. Jeremiah’s words weren’t as harsh, but detailed the same terrible destruction. ‘Thy substance and thy treasures will I give to the spoil (as plunder) without price, and that for all thy sins, even in all thy borders (territories).’ (Jer.15:13) Oh Friends, these are certainly difficult times, because the Lord’s angry at our ungodly, sinful behaviour, and many of us are having it hard to make both ends meet. But please, I beg us please, let’s not go running foolishly after the almighty dollar. Note how many of the supposed rich are no longer rich. They erroneously believed that their earthly wealth would protect them from anything. Sadly though, it hasn’t from the anger, turmoil and havoc the Lord is wreaking on our world. So please, let’s not make money the main focus of our lives. That most honourable position is reserved for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave His innocent life in a horrific death so that we could be cleansed of our sins and made right with our Heavenly Father. Now isn’t that worth much more than all the world’s riches? We can’t really put a real value or true price on any man’s life, much less the one and only Son of God. Oh my Friends, it’s so humiliating, debasing and degrading to put the world’s filthy lucre ahead of serving Him. We all need money to live, and sometimes the more the merrier, but we should NEVER, NEVER put it ahead of serving Jesus. We must listen to Sol’s warning that ‘Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth in the day of death.’ And the most wonderful example of that is this scripture. ‘And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.’ (Gen.7:1) Amen mih people! What a wonderful compliment! Perhaps the best we can ever get; being considered righteous by the Most High God Jehovah. That says so much about Noah… Oh, I wish we could all be like that! There I go dreaming again. (smile) But note it’s another big dream. And just like the LOVE blanket and the LOVE revolution, it’s doable, if we really mean it. So I’m imploring us today, let’s all seriously work towards obtaining that wonderful compliment of righteousness from our Heavenly Father. If we put our hearts and minds to it we can be successful. And the Father will certainly help us accomplish it. And Friends, what a great present, real glorifying honour that would, no, that will be for Jesus Name, cause we’re going to do it. Before we close though, let’s remind ourselves with the words of Jesus, re the foolishness in chasing after earthly baubles. ‘And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth…But rather seek ye the kingdom of God…’ (Luke 12:15,31) Friends, let’s turn this violent, greedy, sinful, ungodly world around nuh, for Jesus’ sake. Much LOVE!….being poor….won’t stop you from entering heaven…but being rich….most certainly can…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 27 October 2009 Psalm 77:8‏

27 Oct 2009 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 77:8    Is his mercy clean gone forever? Doth his promise fail for evermore?
 
Oh Friends, yesterday you all figured I was a crazy dreamer because I envisioned a big blanket of LOVE to cover the world and get instantaneous LOVE. I agree that the idea is a bit farfetched, though not impossible, if our God felt so inclined. But listen to Mark Twain’s take on dreams. ‘Don’t part with your illusions. When they are gone, you may still exist, but you have ceased to live.’ And that my people is the living truth! If we don’t have dreams, and preferably big ones, we’re not living, but merely existing. Why do you think the Lord made us with the capacity to dream eh? So that we can continually strive towards greater things, to a higher level, to excellence. Although we know that some of our dreams won’t be attained – notice I didn’t say unobtainable, since everything is obtainable if our God is involved – we still need to keep them in front of us so that we’ll have stuff to motivate, to encourage us to LIVE life, rather than just exist in it. Our dreams and illusions are what keep us alive and going, keep us excited about life. If we had nothing exciting to wake up and tackle each day, then life would just be one long, dreary, miserable, monotonous, unbearable existence, and we’d die from boredom. And I know it’s that way for many people simply because they don’t have any dreams, or their dreams are just too small to excite them. But when there’s stuff that excites us, that we look forward to… Oh Friends, we just can’t wait to get up and get to it. Note how quickly retirees pass away, if they just sit at home and do nothing, after working steadily for a number of years. That’s because the human mind and spirit were meant to be active, learning, being productive all through life. That brings us to Today’s Bit where the Psalmist, Asaph, though titling his song; ‘Who is so great a God as our God?’ is lamenting both his and his nation’s recent lack of compassion from the Lord. ‘Is his mercy clean gone for ever? Doth his promise fail for evermore?’ Oh my people, our God is not an illusion or a dream. He might exist in spirit form, but He’s certainly a living, breathing, LOVING, merciful, forgiving deity, with emotions like us, since He says we’re made in his likeness. He also made promises to our forefathers to always look after their descendants. So why would His mercy vanish? He’s existed forever, and will continue to do so. He’s made many promises over the ages and has never broken one. And though we know all this, sometimes it still feels like we are walking alone, afraid and sorrowful, unable to find answers to our questions, or solutions to our problems, this in spite of trying to be obedient and righteous. But my people, if we remember nothing else, please, please let’s remember this: NONE OF GOD’S PEOPLE EVER WALKS ALONE. I repeat: NONE OF GOD’S PEOPLE EVER WALKS ALONE! He might not be making His presence felt for whatever reason, possibly trying to teach us something we need to learn, or test us for promotion, but He’s ALWAYS, ALWAYS there right beside us, surrounding us with His aura of LOVE, safety and comfort. As we keep saying, a true Christian life is not an easy one, especially when Jesus seeks excellence from us all. And excellence isn’t just found, it requires hard work to attain. The Psalmist also asks: ‘Will the Lord cast us off for ever? And will he be favourable no more? (Ps.77:7) Oh Friends and faithful followers of Christ, how could He, when He’s our Father, our Lord and Sovereign God, our Creator and our Provider? Caring Gods and Fathers don’t just ditch or abandon their subjects and children. And our God is certainly a caring parent. Look at all the good things He’s done for us, and the breaks He’s given us when we were disobedient and disloyal. So when Asaph queries; ‘Hath God forgotten to be gracious? Hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies?’ (Ps.77:9) The answer to that, and to all the other questions is a most resounding, NO! We often don’t know or understand why the Lord does, or allows certain things, but we surely know that He always has the best interests of all believers at heart, and we need to bow, to submit ourselves to His superior wisdom and understanding. That’s what faith, trust and surrender means in the Christian walk. Rest assured my Friends, that the Lord will deliver His chosen. He did it for the Israelites in Egypt, for Noah from the flood, and Lot from the fiery destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. All the righteous will be saved. That’s His unfailing promise. But it’s still truly hard when you’re trying to do the right thing, but keep getting tragic results. However, we’ve got to stand strong, like Asaph did. It’s the only way to be a successful believer. ‘And I said, This is my infirmity (anguish): but I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High. I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.’ (Ps.77:10-12) Yes my people, when the going gets rough, we need to remember all the good deeds the Lord has done for us and other believers over the years. We also need to study the Word and talk about it with others, for there’s nothing to get a good, heated discussion going like the Word, and the more we talk about it the more deeply it permeates our souls. Remember, when life is difficult, that’s when we need the Word most, cause it reminds us of all God’s endearing mercies, His everlasting LOVE and His never ending well-spring of forgiveness, which eventually lifts us up out of the mire of doubt, sorrow, fear, depression, anger, resentment, hatred…whatever negative sentiments or emotions that are overwhelming our spirits and souls. Selah. Oh my people, faith often is a rough road to travel, but as believers, we all have the necessary tools to successfully navigate it. So wait on the Lord and be of good courage. In His time, He will reveal all. Much LOVE!…though the  journey be rough and rugged…if we trust The Holy Trinity…they will comfort and safely guide us through…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 26 October 2009 Jeremiah 31:3‏

26 Oct 2009 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Jeremiah 31:3    The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, Saying, Yea, I have LOVED thee with an everlasting LOVE: therefore with LOVING-kindness have I drawn thee.
 
Oh Friends, it’s more LOVE today! Whoopee! LOVE; that beautiful thing which makes our world go round. Oh how I wish I had a big blanket of it that I could just throw over the entire world, and zap! Miracle of miracles! We’d all be living in total LOVE right now, and not have to wait till some time in the possibly distant future when Jesus returns. Now wouldn’t that be nice…? Ahh, nice is too small and simple. We need words that conjure up a bigger, brighter picture; like fireworks, awesome, most excellent, outstanding, overwhelming. Words that convey the great transformation that would be required. Hn, hn! So I’m a dreamer. Then I might as well dream big dreams. Oh, I almost said something about impossible, but the Spirit gently nudged me, reminding me that nothing’s impossible with our God. Sorry Lord. Please forgive me for that almost faux pas. But tell me people, am I simple, crazy, or just plain brilliant, since I find it so much easier to LOVE than to hate? Who knows? Anyway, as I’ve said before, anger and resentment make me physically sick, but once I get them off my chest, I’m whole and beautiful again. So I really can’t understand those persons who thrive on the negative emotions. And as Ethel Barrymore reputedly said; ‘The more things you LOVE, the more you are interested in, the more you enjoy, the more you have left when anything happens.’ And it’s certainly true. If we LOVE only one thing or person, and we lose it or them, then we have nothing else to fall back on, to cling to, to help us get over the tragedy of our loss. But if we LOVE several, or many things and people, then those other LOVES will be there to assist us in our grief. My brethren, we can’t run away from the fact that we all encounter tragic circumstances and difficult times in our lives, but we also have the ability, the wherewithal to overcome them and move forward. And won’t you know, it is LOVE that gives us the dynamic power to overcome our loss, because it’s the strongest emotion in our arsenal. It’s stronger than hate, anger and resentment because it doesn’t blur our mental capacity and rush us into hasty, unwise decisions like the negative emotions do. Oh Friends, that’s why the Lord has been able to put up with our stupid, sinful shenanigans over the ages; because ‘I have LOVED thee with an everlasting LOVE.’ That required of Him, mucho, mucho patience and repressing plenty, plenty anger. And don’t fool yuh fat, the Lord does get angry, check the Good Book, He’s the one angry most of the time, and He’s been displeased so often with His people in the Old Testament, that it ain’t funny. But He’s always managed to bridle it, so that He didn’t totally destroy them. And hear a li’l secret; He’s angry now too, so let’s hope He can contain it like then, else crapaud smoke we pipe. Even when He decimated the earth with the great flood, He kept a handful of His most excellent creation; Noah and his kin, to jump start the whole situation again. ‘Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable (honoured), and I have LOVED thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. Fear not for I am with thee…’ (Isa.43:4-5) Oh Friends, that’s LOVE; TRUE LOVE! If His anger had completely overwhelmed Him, we wouldn’t be here now to tell the story. So why are we that afraid of LOVE eh, of commitment, cause that’s what it is? Our majestic God isn’t. It might be true that LOVE caused the first heartache, so what? Hearts mend. And by the same LOVE that broke them in the first place. That’s the awesome power of God’s emotion; the ability to not only hurt, but even more importantly, also to heal. Granted, it needs patience and time to recover from often inconsolable grief, many rivers of tears and heartbreaking anguish, but in the end it usually turns out okay, sometimes even better than before, if we stick to our guns (metaphorical ones) and keep LOVE first place in our hearts, which means keeping God there, since He is LOVE, and therefore, like Him, also able to talk about everlasting LOVE. Now that’s surely a Bruh Paulian sentence. (smile) If we can do that, then we can also say, ‘therefore with LOVING-kindness have I drawn thee.’ Listen up my people: please understand that LOVE and kindness come with a covenant relationship. The bonds of affection are so strong that in Jonathan’s covenant with Bruh David it stipulated that Bruh David and his descendants ‘shall not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the Lord hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth. So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the Lord even require it at the hand of David’s enemies. And Jonathan caused David to swear (vow) again, because he LOVED him: for he LOVED him as he LOVED his own soul.’ (1 Sam.20:15-17) Yes mih people, that’s what it means by entering into covenants or relationships with LOVING-kindness. Even our enemies are supposed to show it. And the Lord painted a beautiful picture of His great LOVE for a faithless, fickle Israel, after they’d gone a whoring behind useless idols and man-made gods. ‘I drew them with cords of a man (gentle cords), with bands of LOVE: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws (necks), and I laid meat unto them (stooped and fed them).’ (Hos. 11: 4 ) Oh Friends, such was the LOVE of our merciful, forgiving God to our ancestors, and since He is unchanging, it means His LOVE for us is still as constant and strong today as it was back then. So let’s all give Him the praise, glory, obedience and LOVE that He so richly deserves nuh, for we’ll never find another like Him. He’s the One and Only God of the Universe! Till next time then, God willing of course, Much LOVE!…LOVE given…is LOVE received…so let’s give plenty…cause no one wants to live…in a world without LOVE…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 25 October 2009 Jeremiah 31:3‏

25 Oct 2009 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Jeremiah 31:3     The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have LOVED thee with an everlasting LOVE: therefore with LOVING-kindness have I drawn thee.
 
Oh Friends, the Spirit’s been moving me this past week to talk about a certain topic, one of utmost importance in our lives, but unfortunately sadly lacking in our current world. And that topic, that word my people is LOVE! The greatest word, the greatest emotion in all the annals of mankind, and also the greatest act we can ever show or carry out in our lives. And why is that? ‘For LOVE is of God; and everyone that LOVETH is born of God, and knoweth God. He that LOVETH not knoweth not God; for God is LOVE.’ (1 John 4:7-8) That sets the basic groundwork my Friends. LOVE has everything to do with God, and God has everything to do with LOVE. And LOVE is such a towering emotion that it manifests itself in so many different ways: romantic, friendly, familial LOVE, and within those categories, LOVE for God, for ourselves, for our neighbours, for things, for animals. Hn! This quote from Bruh David’s eulogy to his nemesis Saul and his friend and blood brother Jonathan shows just how varied and yet all-encompassing this greatest of all emotions can be. ‘I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy LOVE to me was wonderful, passing the LOVE of women.’ (2 Sam.1:26) Yes my people, we often consider romantic LOVE to be one of the strongest forms of human attachment, and it can be very strong, but here Bruh David is saying that Jonathan’s LOVE for him was even greater than the romantic bond shared between a man and a woman. That’s because Jonathan’s care, concern, interest in, and kindness to Bruh David was such that he willing bore the brunt of his father Saul’s anger and jealousy to his friend, even to the point of having Saul throw a deathly javelin at him. That’s why Jesus said; ‘Greater LOVE hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ (John 15:13) Our greatest possession is our life, and giving it on behalf of another human, or a worthwhile cause, is the most God-like act we can ever do. Mirroring what the Lord and Jesus did for us. ‘Herein is LOVE, not that we LOVED God, but that he LOVED us, and sent his son to be the propitiation for our sins.’ (1 John 4:10) But Friends, LOVE doesn’t have to manifest itself in such tragic circumstances to be worthwhile. Real LOVE is just basically caring and being concerned for other things, animals or people. And that’s what Jesus meant when He said: ‘A new commandment I give unto you, that ye LOVE one another; as I have LOVED you, that ye also LOVE one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have LOVE one to another.’ (John 13:34-35) Now all Jesus is talking about there are the simple things in life: nursing the sick, feeding the hungry, giving shelter to the homeless, rest to the weary, lending a helping hand to strangers, to widows and orphans. It’s just the normal things in everyday life; consoling the hurting, grieving with those who grieve and mourn, clothing the naked, giving alms to the poor, being patient with the wrongdoer. In other words, doing whatever we can to make another’s life a little less hell here on earth. That’s all LOVE is my brethren: looking out for others, and helping them the best way we are able to. It’s not rocket science or advanced maths, just simple, down to earth, everyday living and associating. Hn, hn! The Spirit had me on such a roll here, that I’ve completely ignored the Bit. But whatever we’ve spoken about so far concerns LOVE and is still very important. I also had a quote for us on the topic, which says: ‘We conceal it from ourselves in vain – we must always LOVE something.’ Those are the words of Blaise Pascal, and they are the gospel truth mih people. Unless we have that emotion of LOVE within us for something or someone, we can consider ourselves inhuman. Not knowing how to LOVE is a bane to our very existence, cause it takes away, strips us of our very humanity, which is a most undesirable state. And as Jeremiah recounts in the Bit: ‘The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have LOVED thee with an everlasting LOVE.’ That means the Lord’s been LOVING us a long, long time mih Friends, even before He sent Jesus to justify our sins through his sacrificial death. Listen to Moses: ‘And because he LOVED thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and brought thee out in his sight with his mighty power out of Egypt.’ (Deut.4:37) Yes people, it was His LOVE for Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that caused the Lord to choose their descendants as His Chosen Ones and bring them out of bondage in Egypt to the Promised Land. And though they often rebelled, just like we’re doing today, His LOVE was, and still is, so strong that He made a way for us to be reconciled to Him with the greatest gift ever given; the life of His Son Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, to which we can all sing; ‘Glory Hallelujah!’ Unfortunately though my people, we are not reciprocating that LOVE to our God, or showing it to our fellow man, that’s why our world is in such confusion and turmoil today, with greed, violence, ungodliness, all the negatives and opposites of LOVE in ascendance. I’m imploring us people; let’s change that around, and as quickly as possible too. That’s if we ever hope to have a more peaceful, less tumultuous world. For LOVE is the only thing that can bring about such a marvellous change. We need to keep the LOVE Revolution continually running in high gear. We’ll continue this tomorrow, as there’s so much more to talk about. Much LOVE!…what the world needs now…is LOVE…sweet LOVE…it’s the only thing…there’s just too little of…what the world needs now…is LOVE, sweet LOVE…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 24 October 2009 Ecclesiastes 8:1‏

24 Oct 2009 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Ecclesiastes 8:1     Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.
 
Ah Friends, we in the northern climes are now getting the serious autumn weather; rain and falling leaves blown around by strong, cold winds. Sadly, my driveway is the depository for most of the leaves in my lane, the snow too, when that flies, since the position of the houses causes a little whirlwind to form right outside my study window. Sometimes I sit down there, hear it and smile, but then get up and look outside only to see all the other driveways sparkling clean, but mine littered with leaves and snow. Though it sometimes gets me angry when I have to go out and clean it up, it doesn’t mean I have to be continually sour and angry at the vicissitudes of life. As Jurgen Moltman says; ‘The more passionately we LOVE life, the more intensely we experience the joy of life.’ And that’s a fact. Life will always throw us curved balls that we can’t hit, but then too it will suddenly lift us up giddily on high, then just as suddenly, have us plummet back to earth with no parachute to break our fall. And if we wisely choose to live life on its terms, rather than those of our expectations, then we’ll bring such passion and enthusiasm to our lives that the ups and downs won’t even matter. No wonder in this chapter on respect for rulers, Sol asks, ‘Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing?’  He went searching for answers and found that even his great wisdom wasn’t sufficient to understand life fully. ‘All this I have proved (tested) by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. That which is far off and exceeding deep, who can find it out?’ (Eccl.7:23-24) But Friends, though we are unable to find all the answers, and also unable to fathom many we do find, it doesn’t mean we have to live a sour, disgruntled life, because what ever you bring to life, life will give back to you, and often more than you brought. In Sol’s search for wisdom, he found very few righteous but many sinful souls. Now that didn’t stop him from pursuing his attainment of wisdom, since in the context of our everyday lives, it is still the most useful, attractive and compelling virtue. Note his daring declaration: ‘a man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine.’ And so it should, if Sol’s words in Proverbs, on a father’s wisdom, are true. ‘Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not…Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: LOVE her, and she shall keep thee…Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver thee.’ (Prov.4:5-6,8-9) Oh my people, if such is the wonder of wisdom, why aren’t more of us diligently seeking it eh? I really don’t know, but I sure think we should, cause it will definitely improve our attitudes and certainly put a shine, a big, bright, beautiful smile on all of our too often sour faces. Then we’d be like Stephen, as Luke describes him sitting before the council after he was arrested. ‘And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.’ (Acts 6:15) Wow! Now wouldn’t that be wonderful my brethren, all of us with angelic faces! I know some of you will consider that a pipe dream, and it may well be, but that’s the wonderful thing about our faith; there’s always hope, it springs eternal when you have an omnipotent, kind, LOVING, merciful, forgiving God, like we do. And according to Sol, when wisdom is in a person’s heart, it also shows on the outside by a pleasant, shining face, ‘and the boldness (sternness) of his face shall be changed.’ And isn’t that the living truth, my people! When our inner workings are relaxed and on an even keel, it shows on our faces. We don’t have that stern, angry, sour, unappreciative, hate the world look. And it’s been this way ever since the first sin was committed. Hear what Moses promised the Israelites for disobedience: ‘The Lord shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand; A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard (respect) the person of the old, nor show favour to the young.’ (Deut.28:49-50) Yes my Friends, a fierce, unsmiling countenance usually is a replica, a mirror image of what’s inside, for as Jesus in His godly wisdom declared; what goes into us doesn’t defile or define us, ‘But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart, and they defile the man.’ (Mat.15:18) So Friends, let’s be very careful about what comes out of us. Let’s seek wisdom, so that our faces will be bright and smiling, and softened with the Spirit of Jesus. It’s the only way to live this life successfully. Much LOVE!…life…was made to be lived…with enthusiasm and passion…
 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 23 October 2009 Psalm 3:3‏

23 Oct 2009 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 3:3     But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
 
Oh Friends, it’s today once again! Yesterday is gone forever, and tomorrow is yet to come, so let’s be up and about and make full use of all we have; today. You know they say that knowledge is power, and it’s true in many cases. However, Herodotus, the Father of History, left us a little teaser that conjures up all sorts of arguments. He claims; This is the bitterest knowledge among men, to have much knowledge but no power.’ Now that’s also a possibility in the knowledge and power sweepstakes, today though, we’re dealing with another variation, one where Bruh David had power but no knowledge of His son, Absalom’s duplicity to wrest the throne of Israel from him. 2 Samuel, Chapters 15-17 tell the story of Absalom working behind the scenes to overthrow his father. I guess there was a rift between them ever since Absalom killed his brother Amnon for sexually assaulting their sister Tamar, then fled to Geshur for three years. But through the scheming of Joab, Bruh David’s lieutenant, Absalom was eventually welcomed back to Jerusalem, whence he began plotting (2 Sam.Chaps.13,14) The Good Book says forty years (2 Sam.15:7) but the scholars claim that’s a miscopy, because all the other versions read four. And forty would seem to be a lot under those circumstances. So for four years Absalom schemed and planned with the help of Bruh David’s adviser Ahithopel, Bathsheba’s grandfather. When Bruh David finally found out that most of Israel was behind Absalom, he fled from Jerusalem with his household. This is when he wrote Psalm 3. ‘A prayer of confidence in God.’ Hn! It’s real sad when we have to run from our children who seek to take our lives and belongings. The story goes: ‘And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up. And one told David, saying, Ahithopel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O Lord, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithopel into foolishness.’ (2 Sam.15:30-31) So it seems that only after he fled, Bruh David knew his adviser had turned traitor. And he did get his just desserts, for he eventually hanged himself. No wonder Bruh David lamented: ‘O Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. (Ps.3:1-2) But Friends, they were reckoning without Bruh David’s own perseverance and innate smarts, plus his steadfast and strong faith in the God of his fathers’ Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He hadn’t reached where he was only through his own prowess, but with the certain help of the Lord God of Israel. And had Absalom studied his father’s history carefully, he would have seen the many misfortunes he suffered, but also his many successes. Consequently, at one of the lowest points of his life, Bruh David was still able to dig deep down in his soul and faithfully declare: ‘But thou, O Lord, art a shield for (around) me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.’ Oh my people, when we are in the throes of danger, or some such negative situation, do we have the parts, the wherewithal to acknowledge the Lord’s faithfulness like Bruh David? I know it’s difficult, but if we are to prosper under Jesus’ tutelage, we need to, we must develop that aspect of our personality cause staying in faith is an essential part of our Christian walk, even when there seems to be no way out of our predicament. For remember, like Bruh David did, our omnipotent God will always make a way for His faithful followers. Throughout his writings he repeatedly calls the Lord his shield and protector. ‘For thou Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.’ (Ps.5:12) Here’s another famous instance: ‘The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.’ (Ps.28:7) Oh Friends, one of the reasons Bruh David was always focused on the Lord for help and strength is that he began doing so at an early age, so eventually it just came naturally. It became a habit of his to turn to the God of his fathers when beset by problems, good or bad. It’s a valuable habit we should also try to develop, for as it does in everything, experience also plays a large part in faith. The more often and the longer we practice it, the better we’ll become. That means we also have to teach it to our children right from the start too, so that they will grow up with it naturally. But my people we can only do that if we stay in constant touch with our God; keep our hearts and minds focused on Him and nothing else. That’s the only way to be primed and ready for whatever life brings. Then we know deep down that He’s indeed our shield, our glory, our encourager, the one who lifts us up in honour. Then we can say like Bruh David: ‘I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.’ (Ps.3:4-6) Our circumstance might be dire, but our faith will be rock solid, and our cry to the Most High God will surely be heard. And as for the Lord being ‘the lifter up of mine head,’…oh mih people, we couldn’t ask for a better encourager or grantor of honours. Bruh David also relied on the Lord in those situations, for he often found that man’s encouragement and honours were useless. ‘Have mercy upon me, O Lord, consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death.’ (Ps.9:13) This next example shows his true faith. ‘And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.’ (Ps.27:6) Yes Friends, that’s our reaction when we reach spiritual maturity. Now remember, it didn’t keep Bruh David out of trouble, but it steadied and assured him, where he could confidently say: ‘Arise, O Lord, save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.’ (Ps.3:7-8) And the Lord’s blessing is surely upon those who worship and obey Him. Friends, please let us be counted amongst that godly group. Much LOVE!…like in all walks of life…faith and trust in Jesus…only comes, only grows…with experience and time.
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 October 2009 John 6:27‏

22 Oct 2009 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

John 6:27    Labour not for the meat that perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
 
Yes my Friends, it’s a new day, another one consisting of much labour, much scrambling and haste to and fro to meet deadlines and/or appointments, which the world deems necessary. But I have some enlightenment for us, bequeathed by that worthy orator, philosopher and playwright, Lucius Annaeus Seneca, born in Spain in 4 BC, educated in Rome, tutor and adviser to the mad Emperor Nero, but subsequently accused of conspiring against Nero in AD 65 and forced to commit suicide. Hn! The court of Rome was bad for conspiracy theories, but I don’t know if it can match our recent spate of supposed conspiracies nuh. And that ‘s your History lesson for today, my people. (smile) Anyway, Seneca reputedly penned these wise words: ‘Business runs after nobody; people cling to it of their own free will and think to be busy is a proof of happiness.’ But are we ever wrong Friends, cause being busy doesn’t necessarily mean being productive or happy. Many are the times we are busy just to appear busy, to impress ourselves or some other lost soul, because we’ve been brainwashed by the world into thinking that doing nothing or just moseying along at a relaxed pace is a crime. Well my people, it’s not. And Jesus corroborates that in Today’s Bit. This incident takes place after Jesus fed the five thousand with the five loaves of barley bread and the two small fishes and had so much left over; twelve baskets. That surely opened people’s eyes, causing Jesus to go up into a nearby mountain by Himself, fearing that since so many of them seemed to believe that He was the Messiah, they would take Him by force to make Him king, for hunger was common and a Messiah who could multiply food like Jesus did would certainly draw a huge following. Leaving Him alone, the disciples took a boat to go over the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, but during the night a storm blew up, then they saw Jesus walking on the water towards them and got scared. ‘But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. Then they willingly received him into the ship; and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.’ (John 6:20-21) Yes Friends, such is the power of our Lord and Saviour, that despite the storm and the remaining distance, once He entered it, the ship ‘immediately’ reached its destination. Praise His Holy Name! Now all this background is necessary because it’s the root, the very cause of Jesus’ admonishment. When the crowd came looking for Jesus the next day and couldn’t find Him, they were puzzled, since they knew He hadn’t crossed over with the disciples, so they hopped some boats too to the other side, and having found Jesus, asked: ‘Rabbi, when camest thou hither? Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.’ (John 6:25-26) Jesus meant that they were not following Him because of the miracles, the signs He did that showed He was more than a mere mortal, but because He could provide them with actual food to satisfy their physical hunger. Thus Jesus continued His admonishment with the Bit. ‘Labour not for the meat which perisheth, ( the food that spoils) but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you.’ Oh Friends, we already know Jesus’ famous words on the accumulation of earthly versus heavenly things. (Mat.6:19-21) Here He’s talking about physical food in particular, but it’s the same story. earthly things are indeed important to sustain earthly life, but heavenly things are always more important, and should be the main focus of our earthly sojourn. As He asked when He preached the Sermon on the Mount: ‘Is not the life more than meat and the body than raiment.’ (Mat.6:25) Therefore mankind should be more concerned with the spiritual things that only He can give us. And as He told the Samaritan woman at the well. ‘Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again. But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.’ (John 4:14) Poor woman, she didn’t really understand Jesus’ words and pleaded for some of that life-giving water so that she wouldn’t be thirsty, nor ever have to come to the well to draw again. Jesus then weighs in with some serous thoughts on bread: ‘I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.’ (John 6:51) What a monumental and revolutionary idea my Friends! It had the Jews wondering how they could eat Jesus’ flesh. And seeing their bewilderment, He continued: ‘Verily verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.’ (John 6:53-56) That says it all Friends. Unless we’re imbued with Jesus’ Spirit, which enters us when we believe and are born again, and continue to symbolically receive His flesh and blood through the ritual of Holy Communion, we’re not a part of Him. And He concludes the Bit with the definitive statement; ‘for him hath God the Father sealed.’ The Father placed His heavenly seal of approval on Him. And there are so many instances of that we can only mention a few. ‘Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgement to the Gentiles.’ (Isa.42:1) That’s Isaiah’s prophecy. And here is it’s fulfillment. ‘And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ (Mat.3:17) That’s after Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist. Again at the transfiguration, while Peter was talking to Jesus on the mountain; ‘While he yet spake, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them" and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.’ (Mat.17:5) And the spokesman Peter on behalf of the Apostles when preaching at Pentecost after the Holy Ghost invaded their souls. ‘Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know.’ (Acts 2:22) And I won’t quote Peter from his letter (2 Pet.1:17-18) where he talks about hearing the voice at the transfiguration, but repeat his warning after that. ‘We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.’ (2 Pet.1:19) Yes Friends, that’s the infallibility of Scripture as the greatest and clearest revelation of God to man. So if the Scripture says it’s so, then it’s so. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. And it says that Jesus is light and the day star. ‘I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.’ (Rev.22:16) So Friends, please, let’s pay attention to the Scripture and live our lives by it, so when the day star comes, we won’t be banished into eternal darkness. Much LOVE!…the three roads to salvation and the Father…Jesus…Jesus…Jesus…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 21 October 2009 Isaiah 54:5‏

21 Oct 2009 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Isaiah 54:5     For thy maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; the God of the whole earth shall he be called.
 
Oh Friends, this is the day the Lord has made, let us be glad and rejoice in it nuh, especially since we don’t know how many more we shall see. So let’s make full use of this one today, and every today that we awaken to, for remember, tomorrow is promised, but it never comes, it’s always today that shows up. And having heard my words of wisdom, (smile) let’s hear some of Isaiah’s. ‘Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord.’ (Isa.54:1) In this chapter that talks about the Lord’s everlasting LOVE for Israel, Isaiah depicts the Gentiles as a barren, desolate woman who never suffered birth pangs as the Israelites, ‘the married wife’ did. The Gentiles are also estranged from God, but through the atoning work of the Lord, in the form of His Son Jesus, will nonetheless be uplifted; be offered salvation. And though there are more Gentiles than Jews, through the mighty power of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, they will procreate and  inhabit the desolate cities of the Gentiles. (Isa.54:2-3) Though the sins of Israel be numerous, and their disobedience overwhelming, he steadfastly maintains: ‘Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded (disgraced); for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood anymore.’ (Isa.54:4) Now hear Jeremiah’s version. ‘Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: And I will give you pastors (rulers, shepherds) according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.’ (Jer.3:14-15) Meanwhile Hosea puts it thus: ‘And I will betroth me unto thee for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness and in judgement (justice), and in LOVING-kindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the Lord.’ (Hos.2:19-20) What a most wonderful, LOVING, kind hearted and forgiving God, my people! Now please remember, that as children of Abraham and followers of Jesus, all these promises also apply to us today. That means the same LOVE the Lord held out to Israel, way back then, He still extends to us today my people, cause He never changes, He’s the same yesterday, today and forever more. And the promises in these next two verses certainly bring me much pleasure and rejoicing. ‘For a small moment have I forsaken thee: but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.’ (Isa.54:7-8) Oh Friends, how magnanimous and merciful is the God we worship! There is none other like Him. Sometimes His goodness and generosity just boggles my mind. Although we sin and disobey, yet will He show us mercy and forgiveness. ‘For thy maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel.’ Wow! Friends, our God is all those things: Thy Maker, thine husband, the Lord of hosts, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah sure laid it on thick, but I guess he had to if he wanted to get the attention of his stubborn, stiff-necked people, like we still are today. But it’s all true. The Lord is our Maker and Creator. And in Isaiah’s imagery of the ‘barren, desolate woman,’ as opposed to the ‘married wife,’ Israel is the Lord’s chosen, and therefore her husband. He is definitely the Lord of hosts; Lord of everything and everyone on the earth and in the heavens, which He created. But the next title though is my favourite; ‘Thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel.’ Why? Because if we were to choose the one, most important word in man’s entire history, it would undoubtedly be the word ‘redeem.’ Why, you again ask? Oh Friends, listen to how the dictionary defines ‘redeem’ nuh! ‘To buy back, recover by expenditure of effort, or by stipulated payment, perform, purchase the freedom of another, save by ransom. Save, rescue, reclaim; (of God or Christ) deliver from sin and damnation. Make amends for, compensate, counterbalance.’ Oh mih people, that’s our whole sinful life passing before our very eyes, then having the Lord, through His selfless Son Jesus, pay for, save, rescue, reclaim, purchase our freedom, save by ransom with His innocent life; make amends for us and our sins with His Father. Oh mih breddren, knowing all of this, how can we not LOVE the Lord, our Redeemer eh? It’s unthinkable, unfathomable! He’s done, doing and will do so much for us that unless we have a heart of stone, no, change that to no heart at all, we’ll all be very grateful and consequently obedient, for even a heart of stone would be softened, crushed by such LOVE, mercy and forgiveness. Oh people, the size of our God’s heart is immense, in fact immeasurable, cannot be measured. Who else would be so magnanimous as to bring His specially chosen, but sinful, disobedient people, plus the many others who never knew Him at all, under one, big shelter of LOVE? Only our God; the Most High God Jehovah. And as Isaiah rightly declares: ‘The God of the whole earth shall he be called.’ And all God’s people sang in unison: ‘Hallelujah! Praise His Holy Name, for He is most worthy to be praised!’ Zechariah agrees too: ‘And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.’ (Zec.14:9) Not to be outdone, Bruh Paul weighs in with his usual fiery self, straight to the point: ‘Is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes of the Gentiles also. (Rom.3:29) Yes Friends, there is but One, True God: our God; the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of all and sundry, who made everything, and without Him, nothing was made that was made. Selah. Now people, we all know of His wondrous LOVE for and considerable kindness to us; the undeserved forgiveness and mercy He’s showered upon us; the mighty redemption He wrought so we could be made right with Him, so why can’t we show some gratitude and LOVE in response to all of that eh? Oh friends, it’s a two way street: The Lord’s done His part, kept His promise, now it’s time for us to do ours. Please, let’s LOVE Him, show our thankfulness and gratitude by Spreading His Word, and LIVING our Lives in the Faith inspired by His Word. Much LOVE!…it takes two to tango…one hand to wash another…and two to clap…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 20 October 2009 Matthew 5:13‏

20 Oct 2009 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Matthew 5:13     Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
 
Oh Friends, another beautiful day is in the offing, so let’s be up and about the Lord’s business nuh! There’s no time to waste for the enemy is already up and at them. Remember the early bird catches the worm. (smile) Now  earlier on I read a quote that immediately stirred up my spirit, bringing a particular verse of scripture to mind. While sensing that both quote and verse would be appropriate for Today’s Bit, I first had to check to ensure we had not already used Jesus’ famed dissertation on salt. Luckily we had not, hence it’s use today. And the quote is: ‘There must be something strangely sacred in salt. It is in our tears and in the sea.’ That was Kahlil Gibran’s astute observation, which we all know is true. From since the dawning of time, salt has been an important part of man’s life, and still is, although in this great, modern technological era they’re telling us that salt causes High Blood Pressure, or to use the fancy medical term; Hypertension. But I say ‘chupidness’ yes! Granted, like too much of anything is bad for you, so is too much salt. And I should know because it runs in my family, and the medics have had me on several different medications for untold years now, but I refuse to eat salt less food, cause eating should be a joy in itself, bring a certain amount of sensual satisfaction to one’s soul. I’m sorry, but bland, salt less food doesn’t bring any joy or sensual satisfaction whatsoever to my ole, miserable soul. Now I might be crazy, but not quite stupid, so I don’t douse my food with salt, and sometimes when I eat out, I actually complain about the saltiness of the food. But then too, in our greedy, money hungry, hypocritical society, they tell us not to eat salt, but what do they load most of the food we buy today with? Salt! It’s the number one preservative and flavour additive. So on one hand they say don’t eat much salt, but then on the other, feed us an excessively salty diet. Who knows, possibly because on the packaging they call it sodium rather than salt, it’s okay to eat lots of that? (smile) But then they turn around and make more money selling you drugs to combat the problem caused by the salt, the same drugs that will cause other side effects, many of which they hide from us, or simply are not aware of since most of the drugs are not properly tested, just rushed to market to participate in the enormous profits available. And sadly, a lot of this is done with the cooperation of our supposed watchdog agencies. Ah Friends, it’s a real Jekyll and Hyde world we live in yes! Anyway, enough of my ranting, though it’s all true. (smile) Let’s see what Jesus had to say about salt. ‘Ye are the salt of the earth:’ Wow! What a rather profound statement Friends. It means that we born-again believers are the choicest group of mankind, chosen to do great and wonderful things in Jesus’ name. ‘But the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits (take action) (Dan.11:32) Now how does all of that relate to salt? Because salt is possibly the most useful, naturally found compound on God’s good earth. Its uses include flavouring food, preserving food, which our forefathers used before ice and modern refrigerants were available. Salt is also used to melt coldness, as well as to preserve it. The ole timers will remember salting ice to keep it from melting too quickly, especially churning ice-cream. And of extreme importance, possibly not so much today, with all the new fangled medicines, salt is a most wonderful healer of wounds. I would dare to say the best. It brings back memories of the days when I got all sorts of cuts and bruises that were unfortunately washed with Epsom salt. But after the initial terrible burning, the wounds would heal in a jiffy. On a point of interest, Epsom salt was also excellent as an inside cleanser too, much preferable to the dreadful tasting castor oil. (smile) But Friends, look at how all them ole time things gone outa fashion nuh. Remember when after every school vacation you had to get a wash out, to get rid of all the junk you ate during the holidays. Hn! And yuh know, although we never liked the procedure, it did work well, for you never had as many sickly, wimpy children as we do today. Oh the good ole days eh! A little bit more work, but certainly better educational and social value. Epsom salt was the only thing my mother claimed that healed her wounds. And Friends it doesn’t need to be Epsom salt, any ole type of salt will do. And as Kahlil noted, salt is in both our tears and the sea. Why? Because after we have a good cry, shed plenty of salt, it makes us feel better. And people, the best therapeutic remedy in the world is the salty seawater! It cures everything; aches, pains, strains, colds and wounds. Oh how mih aching bones crying out for some now, especially with the cold winter weather on the way! Steups! Never thought I’d ever miss the sea this much nuh, but I guess that’s life! So there we have it, the many and varied good uses of salt. That’s why Jesus alluded to us as ‘the salt of the earth.’ A good Christian soldier must be ready, willing and able to help meet the many needs of the world, just like salt does. However mih people, please pay particular attention to the last part of Jesus’ statement. Though He states that we are the salt of the earth, He also qualifies it. ‘But if the salt has lost its savour (flavour), wherewith shall it be salted?’ Yes Friends, if the salt has lost its flavour, then how can it add flavour to anything else eh? Obviously it can’t. Jesus is here referring to His followers losing their flavour; their Christian ethic, enthusiasm, joy, reason to be, falling by the wayside, falling prey to the enemy’s evil machinations. Oh mih breddren, the Lord forbid that ever happens to us, for then we can’t fulfill our calling; go out and stir up the unbeliever and bring him into the wonderful flock of Christ. And Jesus continues: ‘it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.’ That’s a fate worse than death itself, mih Friends! And we certainly cannot afford to let that happen for we’d then be letting down Jesus, after He boasted about His followers being the salt of the earth, the ones to work wonders, to stir up the passion and energy of mankind, to witness to unbelievers and bring them all under His big, beautiful umbrella of LOVE, Mercy and Forgiveness. Oh Friends, we can’t do that to our wonderful Lord and Saviour, who gave His innocent life for us worthless sinners. His sincere followers are worth much more than silver and gold to Him, that’s why He died for us, and He desires, wants, expects us to stand strong, stay salty, passionate and flavourful so we can make a difference in this unstable, greedy, evil world. Yes people, if is one thing we can’t do is let Jesus down; make His great sacrifice, the hefty ransom He paid to cleanse us go to waste. So I’m imploring us, today, right now, if we’re not salty, then let’s get salty…read the Word. And if we’re already salty, then make sure we stay salty…study the Word, for there’s nothing like the Word to keep us flavourful and passionate about Christ. Wow! Just look at my saltiness this morning nuh! (smile) Much LOVE mih beautiful people!…without salt…there’s no passion…no flavour…no glory to be had for Jesus…
 

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