Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 September 2008 Genesis 43:23‏

22 Sep 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Genesis 43:23    And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them.
 
Yes Friends, may Peace be also with you, and be not afraid! Isn’t it wonderfully amazing when those words are spoken over us, how we feel relieved, like a balloon being slowly deflated, like a wave of calm gently washing over us? That is our God’s doing people! And note, in the Bit, it’s not a Hebrew servant speaking those words of Peace. From the start of Joseph’s sojourn in Egypt, all those around him, even Pharaoh, could see the hand of the Most High God moving in his favour, and consequently allied themselves with him. It’s marvellous when unbelievers recognize a higher power moving in tandem with us! Yes Friends, that is what brings glory to God’s name! And Joseph certainly had that aura of a spiritual being working with and through him. So now, poor Jacob’s eleven children leave him bereft of offspring in Canaan and go down to Egypt to stand before the twelfth. Ah people, only our God can orchestrate such coincidence! When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, his heart must have leapt for joy. He immediately tells his butler to take them to his house and prepare lunch, as they would eat with him. But like all of us, who either have a guilty conscience, or just can’t fathom God’s goodness in our lives, the brethren are scared stiff, thinking that due to the money found in their bags, Joseph was now seeking a reason to confiscate their stuff and turn them into bond servants. The Lord must have looked upon them, shaken His head and sadly muttered; ‘O ye of little faith!’ Like He often does with us nuh, when He reaches out to bless us, but we’re too afraid to take the step of faith necessary to receive it. Anyway, they ‘communed’ with the servant at the entrance to Joseph’s house, explaining that they didn’t know how the money got in their sacks, but they’d brought it back. That’s when the servant said, ‘Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks. I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them.’ Simeon must have been locked up in Joseph’s house. But what intrigues me is that the servant, most likely an Egyptian, is speaking in such rich, glowing terms of our God. Either Joseph explicitly taught him, or through constant association, it gradually assimilated into the servant’s consciousness. What’s important though, is that he knew of God, and His all-prevailing power. Praise His Holy Name people! But the next question is, do we give off that godly vibe? Do others get a sense of spiritual well-being when they interact with us? It’s important that they do, if we present ourselves as followers of Christ. We must talk, look and act the part. With those words of reassurance, the butler takes them into the house, where they refresh themselves and wait for Joseph. When he comes, they give him the present, ‘and bowed themselves to him to the earth.’ (vs.26) The Word doesn’t say it, but no doubt, every time they made obeisance to Joseph, he must have felt a little twitch of pride, of vindication, nothing malicious, just a touch of self-satisfaction, considering how they’d scorned him and laughed off his boyhood dream. Positive proof Friends, that with our omnipotent God, making a dream come true, is child’s play. Much LOVE!…dream big dreams…God LOVES a big dreamer…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 21 September 2008 Genesis 43:14‏

21 Sep 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Genesis 43:14    And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.
 
Our God, that master dramatist, at work again Friends, continuing to weave a devious, awe inspiring plot in Joseph’s story. When his brothers bow before him, he speaks roughly to them, accusing them of being spies. They refute his accusation, saying, ‘Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.’ (Gen.42:13) They simply explain the missing twelfth; ‘one is not.’ That must have stirred  Joseph’s emotions. He insists they are spies, instructing that one of them go and bring their youngest brother, else he would deal with them as spies, then he locks them up for three days. On the third day, he lets them out and says, ‘This do, and live: for I fear God.’  (Gen.42:13) His conscience is possibly pricking him some. One of them would stay locked up in Egypt while the others take food back to their families, but they had to bring their youngest brother back to prove they weren’t spies. Obviously agitated by this news, they argue amongst themselves, in front of Joseph, unaware that he understood their language, since he used an interpreter to communicate with them. They spoke of what they had done to him; their father’s youngest and favourite, and now his requiring again their father’s youngest and favourite, be brought before him. Hearing their controversy, the emotions so well up in Joseph’s heart, he leaves them, goes away and weeps. On returning, he has Simeon bound in front of them, then commands his servants to fill their sacks with corn, along with their money, and sends them away well provisioned. Along the way, one finds the money in his sack, and tell his brothers. ‘Their heart failed them, and they were afraid, saying one to another, What is this that God hath done unto us?’ (Gen.42:28) Oh Friends, isn’t it sad that when we do wrong, we’re not concerned about God, but when something untoward happens to us, we quickly blame God, or cry out to Him in anguish. So with that fear in their hearts they come to Jacob and recount their strange experience, and find all their money in their bags. Jacob is fit to be tied. ‘Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.’  (Gen.42:36) And though Reuben offers his two sons as a sacrifice if Benjamin doesn’t return, Jacob is adamant. Benjamin will not go. But when the Lord’s involved, a man’s plans are like a breath of wind; easily diverted. And so it was that the famine worsened, and all the corn they’d brought from Egypt consumed. Then Jacob asked them to go back to buy more, but they refused, for Joseph had refused to deal with them again unless they brought their brother. They seem to have forgotten that Simeon was a prisoner in Egypt and would die if they never returned. With the food situation worsening though, they finally convinced  Jacob. In sad resignation, ‘their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this.’ (Gen.43:11) He also told them to take presents for Joseph, whatever was best in the land, double the money to purchase corn, plus the money they’d found in their bags, ‘peradventure it was an oversight. Take also your brother, and arise and go again unto the man. And God Almighty give you mercy before the man…If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.’ (Gen.43:12-14) Ah Friends, children don’t realize that a parent’s greatest fear and biggest heartache is burying their children, especially the youngest. It should be the children burying the parents. Any parent would understand Jacob’s reluctance to let Benjamin out of his sight, having lost Joseph. But Friends, please remember, the Lord’s always walking beside, or carrying us on his strong, broad shoulders, so once we’ve given our lives and hearts to Him, we need not fear. Like Jacob, we simply pray that God grants us His mercy. Much LOVE!…do your best…to God…leave the rest…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 20 September 2008 Genesis 41:52‏

20 Sep 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Genesis 41:52    And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.
 
Yes Friends, that’s the Lord’s way: Stay faithful during times of trial, and He shall reward you beyond your wildest dreams, as He did with Joseph, who interpreted Pharaoh’s dream as being 7 plentiful years and then 7 of famine. He also advised him on how to handle the situation; ‘look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt,’ (vs.3) to collect a fifth of the food in the good years, and store it against the time of the famine. Pharaoh liked the advice, and after some rumination on a suitable person for the job, said to Joseph, ‘Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art. Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.’ (vs.39-40) So Pharaoh dressed Joseph in fine clothes, gave him his personal ring, placed a gold chain around his neck, had him ride in the second chariot, ‘And they cried before him, Bow the knee.’ (vs.43) ‘And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.’ (vs.46) Pharaoh also gave him the priest’s daughter, Asenath for his wife, who bore him two sons, Manasseh, ‘For God hath made me forget all my toil, and my father’s house. And the name of the second called he Ephraim, For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.’ (vs.51-52) And all God’s people said, WOW! Yes Friends,what an ascension! From a lowly Hebrew slave and a prisoner to being Pharaoh’s right hand man. Only our God can do that. All those years Joseph spent being subservient, was God’s way of training him for leadership, cause Friends, a good leader must also know how to be a good follower. It was a harsh testing, but Joseph withstood it with dignity, displayed integrity, belly and backbone all the the way through, and God justly rewarded him. Oh people, Joseph’s life is such a wonderful example for all us believers to emulate, for we all go through unfortunate circumstances which we don’t understand, but if we stay in faith, like Joseph, God will eventually work it out in our favour. And God’s machinations in Joseph’s favour, don’t even end there. The 7 prosperous years were closely followed by such widespread famine, that even in Canaan, Joseph’s homeland, it was severely felt. Jacob, his father, hearing there was corn in Egypt, sent ten of his sons down there to buy food for the family. He sent them all, except Joseph’s youngest brother, Benjamin, fearing some misfortune might befall him like Joseph. ‘And Joseph’s brethren came and bowed themselves before him, with their faces to the earth.’ (Gen.42:6) It was some twenty years later, but Joseph knew them. They however did not recognize him in his Egyptian finery, speaking the language, he used an interpreter. ‘And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them.’ (Gen.42:9) ‘We were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright: and behold your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.’ (Gen.37:7) Oh Friends, what a masterful strategist is our God. Twenty odd years after the dream, his brothers did pay obeisance to him. Wow! If I could only concoct stories half as good as those, infused with the attendant drama, then I’d be a most excellent writer. And the moral of the story? It doesn’t pay to ridicule the dreams of others, cause oftimes, like the stone the builder refuses, they become the head cornerstone. Much LOVE!…with God…dreams can come true…only believe…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 19 September 2008 Genesis 41:16‏

19 Sep 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Genesis 41:16    And Joseph answered Pharaoh saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.
 
Oh yes Friends, we’re continuing Joseph’s story. It’s such a unique, intriguing tale, that once I began, I felt compelled to take it to the end. It encompasses so many things; mercy, forgiveness, treachery, justice, injustice, hardship, faithfulness, purpose, steadfastness and integrity, all of which a believer must either possess or withstand. Above all, it shows the mysterious workings of our wonderful God; the way He builds His dramatic scenes that eventually bring rewards to the righteous and glory to His Holy Name. Wow! Excuse the ole fella, he was just on a roll. (smile) Anyway, Joseph innocently languishes in prison for two years after the baker is hanged and the butler reinstated. Then the Lord puts the next step of his plan into action. As a writer, one has to admire the Lord’s script. He now has Pharaoh dream about seven fat pigs and seven meagre ones, also seven fat ears of corn and seven shrivelled ones, and both the meagre kine and shrivelled corn eat their fat, healthy counterparts. The dream worries Pharaoh, but none of his astrologers or magicians can interpret it. Then, and only then, did the ungrateful butler remember Joseph. Typical human nature! Only in times of trouble, do we remember those who helped us. The butler would probably have felt Pharaoh’s wrath if the dream had not been interpreted. So the ole ingrate jumps up and says to Pharaoh, oh, ‘I do remember my faults this day.’ (Gen.41:9) Yeh! Two years later. Then he tells Pharaoh about Joseph’s correct interpretation of his and the baker’s dreams. Obviously Pharaoh sends for Joseph. Note what the Word says here; ‘and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.’ (vs.14) Yes Friends, Joseph made himself presentable. I admire how he always picks up on the subtle necessities of a situation. Compare that to Jesus’ parable of those from the streets invited to the rich man’s wedding, who didn’t dress the part and were turned away. Also, when Pharaoh talks about Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams, he wisely deflects the credit from himself to where it rightly belonged. ‘It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh and answer of peace.’ Joseph was certainly wise beyond his years. I guess all the hardship he’d suffered had opened his eyes to the reality of life, had made him emotionally strong, but thankfully not cynical. That’s something a lot of us believers need to address. Some feel that because we have all the wonderful promises of God to look after us etc, life should be much easier than it is. But Jesus specifically said believers would be persecuted for His name’s sake, but we should let it be our testimony, by standing strong. (Luke 21:12-13) But too many of us falter as soon as things get tough, become cynical, start questioning God, or just stop believing altogether. Friends, that’s the wrong attitude. Look at Joseph nuh. I doubt  if any of us have suffered unfairness and injustice like he did. But he didn’t give up, didn’t get cynical or start doubting God. No. He stayed faithful, even though it wasn’t easy, and he must have died inside a million times over. He never doubted for one moment the goodness of the Lord, and that it would eventually shine brilliantly on him. Let’s take a page from Joseph’s book nuh Friends. It’s a perfect example. Much LOVE!…steadfast and true…that’s the way for you…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 September 2008 Genesis 39:21‏

18 Sep 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Genesis 39:21    But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
 
Oh Friends, I can’t resist a Wow! (smile) Imagine that nuh! As a slave, Potiphar put Joseph in charge of his household, all his belongings, then, as a prisoner, the keeper also put him in charge of the jail’s administrative affairs. And like Potiphar, ‘The keeper of the prison looked not to anything that was under his hand: because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper.’ (vs.23) Yes people, it seems too good to be true, but it is. And it can happen to any of us who stay faithful when unfair and undeserved things come against us. I can attest to that Friends. Oh, I’m nowhere in Joseph’s class, but looking back on my life, I see negative, undeserved stuff happening, that caused me to rack my brain as to the why and how of it all. Like Joseph, many times I never understood what was happening but continued doing the best I could, and then, like the problem, a solution would suddenly appear. It’s only in the last dozen years or so, I finally realized that some of those tough times was the Lord testing me. There were too many clutch situations, to be mere coincidence. I’m sure if many of you look back on your own lives, you’ll find similar situations. Friends, that’s the Hand of the Lord at work in our lives. Remember, He never gives us more than we can bear. Joseph must have known this, for it seems that through all the injustice and unfairness, he just kept right on being faithful, doing good and being trustworthy. That’s the kind of integrity, we, as believers must have people. If we don’t show it, then it destroys our reputation and Jesus’, making others turn away from the faith. Look at Joseph; even when Pharaoh’s butler and baker were put in jail, under his direction, the Word says, ‘and he served them.’ (Gen.40:4) Note again, Joseph’s penchant for service; like Jesus. It’s an attitude we should all emulate, cause it’s an integral part of our faith. He also interpreted the dreams of the butler and baker: in three days, the butler to be restored to his position, and the baker to be hanged. This seems to be the only time, in all his misfortunes, that Joseph asked a serious favour of anyone. He shared his innocence with the butler. ‘But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house.’ (Gen.40:14) Three days later, on Pharaoh’s birthday, he held a party for his servants, and as Joseph predicted, restored the butler to his former position and hanged the baker. ‘Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.’ (Gen.40:23) Oh Friends, how that must have hurt Joseph. I know how it feels, for I’ve had more than my fair share. To me, there’s nothing worse than ingratitude. My family’s possibly tired hearing me talk about it. But it’s very important to show your appreciation. Sometimes all you want is a mere thanks and a simple acknowledgement of your help, but not even that is forthcoming. But such is the life of the believer people. We’re expected to withstand the knocks of misfortune with a smile, and turn the other cheek too. Hn! It’s not easy, and I’m sure Joseph didn’t find it easy either, but nonetheless, he persevered, with a good spirit and a right heart, and so too should we Friends. Please remember that. Much LOVE!…your sorrows…give all to Jesus…in return…He will give you joy…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 17 September 2008 Genesis 39:6‏

17 Sep 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Genesis 39:6    And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.
 
Oh Friends, those words should be written of us all! Yes, how good and how pleasant it would be to the Father’s heart, to hear those trustworthy sentiments expressed of all his children. Joseph’s story is held up as one of utmost faithfulness. Even as a youth, he knew his calling was to be extraordinary. So he walked around in his coat of many colours, dreaming big dreams. It’s senseless to dream small. But when he told them to his brethren, they laughed him to scorn and called him a worthless dreamer. Then, because of envy, he was also his father, Jacob’s favourite, they sold him into slavery, to be taken to Egypt. But the conniving brothers killed a young goat, spread its blood on his multi-hued coat and convinced Jacob that he was dead. Imagine being sold into slavery around seventeen years old, by your own kin, and taken to a far off land with a different language, food, and customs. But Joseph did not get disheartened and bawl, woe is me! He didn’t fully understand what was happening, but knew that if he remained faithful, all would be revealed. ‘And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man..’ (vs:2) Friends, that’s what happens when we stay steadfast and true. It wasn’t coincidence that Potiphar, a captain in Pharaoh’s guard bought him. Nor that he saw the Lord’s prosperity abounding in him. That was the Most High setting up one of His big drama scenes. ‘And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him.’ (vs.4) Now that last part of the sentence is very important; ‘and he served him.’ That’s how believers ought to act; faithfully serve both man and God. Anyone we work for, deserves just as much faithfulness as God. We can’t be unfaithful with man and expect to be faithful to God. That won’t wash with Him. And because of Joseph’s reliability, Potiphar put him in charge of all he owned. And ‘the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake.’ (vs.5) But I like how the Word says; ‘And he left all he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat.’ (vs.6) Wow! What trust and confidence! Oh Friends, can the people around us do that? Can they trust us with all they have? If not, then we’re doing something wrong. Wherever we go, we should display an attitude that instils trust. That’s the mark of a true believer. ‘And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.’ Sadly though people, when the Lord singles us out for great things, He never makes it easy. He always tests our mettle to see if we have the parts required for the job. And so He did with poor Joseph, starting with His master’s wife, who desired ‘to know’ him.(smile) But Joseph continually refused. He couldn’t break his master’s trust, but even better, declared; ‘how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?’ (vs.9) Note Friends, the Lord was still at the forefront of his thinking. And the drama rises. Unfortunately, one day the wife finds him alone in the house and makes her move; grabs his shirt. But Joseph shrugs it off in her hand and runs. Then in typical woman scorned style, she claims he accosted her and puts on a big act for her husband. It still happens today. Oh deceiver, thy name is woman! And mankind is still just as irrational and emotional where women’s supposed virtues are concerned. Potiphar  flies into a rage. All his trust and confidence in Joseph suddenly disappears on one deceitful woman’s complaint. Ah Friends, life sure is cruel. It seems he never even gets Joseph’s side of the story, just carts him off to jail, ‘a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in prison.’ (vs.20) The injustice of it all! But that’s life! Much LOVE!…though life’s unfair…we must be faithful… 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 16 September 2008 Luke 6:49‏

16 Sep 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Luke 6:49    But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built a house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.
 
Oh Friends, what rather appropriate words of Jesus! The founding fathers of America must be weeping and moaning, shaking their heads in disgust and dismay, sadly wondering how a country they founded on the Word of God, ends up being the Devil’s Advocate. That’s because their descendants did not heed Jesus’ words to build upon a rock, but instead built upon the porous earth, and now the whole house of cards is tumbling down; the chickens are coming home to roost. Oh how the mighty have fallen! But Solomon said it long ago: ‘He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house: but he that hateth gifts shall live.’ (Provs.15:27) America is likened to a melting pot, but that’s a fallacy, the many different ingredients haven’t melted, they’re still there, large as life, making it more like a Guyanese pepperpot, with everything rolling around in their original form, seeking their own ends, and in the process creating a mass of contradiction and confusion. Yesterday I wondered, but today I’m sure; this is the hand of God. Too many self fulfilling prophecies to be mere coincidence: Several hurricanes, one right after the other, devastating their oil producing region; the same oil whose ever increasing price and dependency has recently been causing severe hardship around the world. Then it’s financial pillars are crumbling because they were built on greed and crookedness…let’s give them their respectable names; avarice and chicanery. The state of their economy is worsening every day, again through their greed, sending the high paying, productive jobs offshore to increase profits. And the leadership; hn! An arrogant, inefficient, fear mongering group of wealthy, powerful old boys, who have mired the country in disagreements and unwinnable wars around the globe, costing the country billions of dollars daily, while at home, the homeless, the jobless and widespread poverty dramatically increase. They never learned from the Vietnam debacle. And all this, in the midst of a Presidential Election that’s been turned into a Barnum and Bailey like circus, where the sex, race and other unimportant attributes of the candidates glean more attention than whether they can handle the real issues of homes, jobs, economic stagnation, financial ruin and lack of adequate health care. Oh Friends, why is there so much more style than substance in the greatest country the world has ever seen? And even if you don’t like what they stand for, you must admit, as America goes, so goes the rest of the world. Their culture, music, clothes, food and corporations still dominate the planet. Where else can you package worthless and overpriced goods and sell them to the rest of the world at exorbitant prices, thus artificially raising the wealth index? Only in America! Then the insatiable desire for more; more profits, power and size, spawned a whole host of new, unsound investments, all in the name of shareholder value, that’s today drowned in a sea of bankruptcy! And sadly, the ones who really drove these vehicles of doom won’t suffer many, if any reprisals, possibly come out better off, by selling the rights to their infamous exploits. But again, that’s only in America! Ah people, who knows where this will end? But as I tried to hammer home yesterday, the one thing we have going for us is HOPE; HOPE IN GOD! Hopefully, we’ll all rise like the Phoenix from our ashes, but that won’t happen unless, and until we all start building our personal lives on that HOPE IN GOD. It must begin with us. Building our finances and personal relationships on a solid foundation, not one based on greed and chimerical investments. Aided by the Holy Spirit, we can resist the enemy’s temptation and build our houses on a sturdy, unshakeable, unmoveable rock; a rock named Jesus. Much LOVE!…rock of ages, cleft for me…let me hide myself in thee…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 15 September 2008 Romans 15:4‏

15 Sep 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Romans 15:4    For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
 
Friends, I want to continue talking about that marvellous feeling, the wonderful emotion termed HOPE. When I look around, I see a planet marred and ravaged by wars and natural disasters. And if that isn’t bad enough, the first world nations are all in decline: economic activity is rapidly being curtailed, exacerbated by the recent mortgage fiasco and the steady stream of production being outsourced to lower wage countries, resulting in loss of jobs and homes, families falling apart and society generally deteriorating with fear, violence, envy, immorality, greed, the rich getting richer, the poor poorer, God being relegated to the sidelines…the powers of evil just becoming predominant. That’s not an encouraging picture, but there’s something that can change it all: HOPE; HOPE IN GOD! As we said yesterday it’s the most potent motivator, encourager, reviver and refresher of daunted, discouraged souls and spirits. Yes people, HOPE’s the only thing that will pull our sad world out of the terrible state it’s in. As Bruh Paul says in the Bit, all the stuff that was written long ago was for our education, so that through patience, perseverance and the comfort the Word gives, we might have HOPE. For without HOPE, life stops. So I’ll stop rambling. (smile) Instead, let’s contemplate a few of those scriptural texts, that deal with HOPE. And we’ll begin with Bruh David and Bruh Paul, two men who were totally imbued with HOPE. Here’s Bruh David: ‘Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that HOPE in the Lord.’ (Ps.31:24) ‘And now, Lord, what wait I for? my HOPE is in thee.’ (Ps.39:7) ‘Why art thou cast down , O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? HOPE thou in God:’ (Ps.42:5) ‘But I will HOPE continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.’ (Ps.71:14) How can we not be inspired by those words of Bruh David eh? Now hear Bruh Paul: ‘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 it? But if we HOPE for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.’ (Roms.8:24-25) ‘Rejoicing in HOPE; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.’ (Roms.12:12) ‘But let us, who are of the day,be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the HOPE of salvation.’ (1 Thess.5:8) ‘Which HOPE we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast…’  (Heb.6:19) And obviously we must include Bruh Paul’s immortal words. ‘And now abideth faith, HOPE, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.’ (1.Cor.13:13) Now listen to Jeremiah: ‘Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose HOPE the Lord is.’ (Jer.17:7) ‘It is good that a man should both HOPE and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.’ (Lam.3:26) Solomon had this to say: ‘HOPE deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.’ (Prv.13:12) Wow! Trust Sol to be different. Meanwhile, Zechariah puts it thus: ‘Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of HOPE: even today do I declare that I will render double unto thee.’ (Zech.9:12) Yes Friends, HOPE cause us to get double. And I think it’s only fitting to end with words from the Big Fisherman, Peter: ‘Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and HOPE to the end for grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.’ (1 Pet.1:13) Yes Friends, that’s some of the scripture that was written to give us HOPE! I sincerely HOPE it does generate some much needed HOPE in all our souls. Much LOVE!…in Jesus…rests…the HOPE of the world…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 14 September 2008 Psalm 119:49-50‏

14 Sep 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 119:49-50    Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
 
Ah Friends, I’ve sadly decided to dedicate Today’s Bit to all those who have recently suffered the ravages of natural disasters; famine, earthquakes and storms; in particular the hurricanes Gustav, Hanna and Ike, that have wreaked such havoc in the Caribbean and the U.S. Ike’s wind power in Texas and Louisiana has now lessened considerably, but his rain is still cascading down on the already flooded land. We’re even feeling it’s effects up here in the northern climes. As I write, there is a steady downpour outside, that’s expected to continue for at least another day. Oh people, we’ve had three hurricanes of lethal force, one right after the other. I don’t know if this has ever happened before, but if not, why now? I’m tempted to hazard two guesses. The first is our total disregard for the atmosphere which surrounds and sustains us, re global warming, damaging the protective ozone layer, etc. We cannot continue to spew smoke and noxious gases into the atmosphere without eventually causing some harm. And maybe that time is now. The ecological balance is finely tuned and constant chemical attacks will definitely throw it off balance, creating a negative backlash. One would expect our leaders and decision makers to see this, but apparently greed; the lure of money and power has blinded them. And the second consideration Friends; is this the hand of the Lord? Is He trying to tell us something? We’ve become such a sinful, evil society that anything’s possible. I keep referring to all those great societies that got so big, they forgot or denied their need for God, and were all subsequently destroyed; by indifference and sloth, warfare or natural disasters. And sadly, History does repeat itself. Friends, that’s where we’re at now. We’ve gotten too big for our britches, believing we don’t need God, placing our trust in mortal man. But people, man needs something bigger than himself to believe in, for there’s an empty space, a void within our souls that only something greater than us can fill. So in our unending quest to conquer nature, we’ll always come up short, thus the need to embrace a higher power. And that’s where our Creator, comes in. The Lord’s promises are many and varied, but all have two common denominators; TRUTH and HOPE. They will all be fulfilled; both negative and positive. So where He’s promised to punish His children for constant disobedience, He will. And where He’s promised to guide and protect those faithful to His Word, He will. The Bible recounts instances of both categories, and Bruh David falls into both. ‘Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.’ Oh Friends, that beautiful word; HOPE! It transcends everything with it’s magical properties. With HOPE in our hearts we can bear, rise above, withstand or accomplish almost anything. That’s the element I want to instil in all our hearts today, especially those who’ve experienced the recent natural disasters; in fact to anyone undergoing any difficulties at all. Please remember the Lord is still in total control; that means there’s still HOPE. Don’t give up. Turn to the Lord. Accept His reassurance. Like Bruh David, let’s say, ‘this is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.’ Yes Friends, HOPE in His Word will always give, forever provide us with comfort in troubled times, and magically revive us. Much LOVE!…oh, for HOPE…that NEVER dies…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 13 September 2008 Ephesians 2:8-9‏

13 Sep 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Ephesians 2:8-9    For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
 
Oh Friends what a wonderful, magnanimous God we worship! Words can’t do justice to describe Him. Look at what He’s done for us nuh. He LOVES us so much, that despite our rude, disobedient, wicked behaviour, despite our alienation from Him, His heartstrings were still tugged in our favour, and He made a way for us to return to His fold, any time we wanted. Now isn’t that REAL LOVE? Many of us won’t even brook the slightest nonsense from our children, much less go to the great lengths the Lord went to for us. Let Bruh Paul expound on it: ‘For by grace are ye saved.’ He knows it better than anyone, after the Lord confronted him on the road to Damascus and showed him the light, both literally and figuratively, turning him from the Church’s biggest persecutor to its most zealous preacher and advocate. Yes Friends, it’s through grace: the Lord’s goodness, His mercy, His LOVE, that we are saved. We’ve done nothing to merit this favour. In fact, we really don’t deserve it, but our awesome God has this great hang-up, called unconditional LOVE, that He granted us His grace anyway. Now we’ve got to do our part and accept that gift, which calls upon us to have faith; to believe on His Son, Jesus, whom He sacrificed, so that our sins could be washed clean. ‘But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.’ (John 1:12) Yes Friends, it’s as simple as it sounds; you have faith, believe in Jesus and all that He did, and voila, you’re saved. But it’s also complex; for when you truly believe, you’re said to be born again, ‘Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.’ (John 1:13) That means you’re a changed person; you don’t exist on a fleshly level again, but then dwell more in a spiritual realm, by bringing your life into closer connectivity with Jesus, following in His footsteps and being obedient to His dictates. It’s of the utmost importance to understand that saving grace through faith, has nothing to do with anything we’ve done, or can do; ‘it is the gift of God.’ That means, no works, nothing in our earthly power can save us. That’s why Bruh Paul added, ‘Not of works, lest any man should boast.’  ‘And if by grace, then is it no more of works…But if it be of works, then is it no more grace…’ (Rom.11:6) In the Old Testament, it was held that salvation could be earned through good works, so there was opportunity to boast, but with the coming of Jesus, that all changed. He became the only way, yes people, the ONLY WAY, to obtain salvation. So good works went out in that respect. ‘Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay; but by the law of faith.’ (Rom.3:27) Friends, good works are still important, but that alone won’t get you into heaven. You must first believe in Jesus and be saved through God’s redeeming grace. Then Friends, once we’ve been saved, we’ve got to go out and spread that good news of salvation to the unsaved multitude, so that they too can repent and accept Jesus’ saving grace. Much LOVE!…the greatest gift ever…salvation, through faith in Jesus Christ…
 

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