Today’s Scrip-Bit 13 August 2008 Luke 1:78-79‏

13 Aug 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Luke 1:78-79    Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us. To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
 
Prophetic words Friends! Zechariah, John the Baptist’s father, spoke them at John’s circumcision, eight days after his birth. Now Zechariah had been struck dumb for not believing when the Angel Gabriel told him that he would have a son, ‘great in the sight of the Lord.’ (Luke 1:15) At the circumcision they named him Zechariah, after his father, ‘And his mother answered and said, Not so, but he shall be called John,’ (Luke 1:60) This caused a commotion, for none of the family was named John, and tradition dictated that they named him after a family member. When they consulted the father in sign language, ‘he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.’ (vs.63-64) Yes Friends, when Zechariah finally accepted God’s word, his speech returned. And note, the first thing he did was praise God, then went on to prophesy about Jesus’ coming. Saying that John would would ‘be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways. To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins.’ (vs.76-77) And all God’s people said Amen! For that’s exactly what John did. Then Zechariah continued. ‘Through the tender mercy of our God;’ Undoubtedly Friends, the goodness in our lives comes because of God’s mercy. He’s not obligated to show us any mercy at all, but we are His, and He LOVES us dearly, in spite of our disobedience. Extending mercy is His way of showing that LOVE. ‘Whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us.’ Oh People, that’s the greatest act of LOVE ever! Jesus; the Messiah, the rising sun, the dawn of heaven, coming to earth, ‘to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.’ Isaiah foretold it. ‘The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.’ (Is.9:2) And Jesus confirmed it. ‘I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness; but shall have the light of life.’ (John 8:12) Bless His Holy Name Friends, and be eternally grateful that through the Father’s tender mercy, His great LOVE for us, His only Son, Jesus obediently came down from heaven and shone His eternal flame on us, sinful children wallowing in the mire of darkness, lurking in the shadows of death. He also came ‘to guide our feet in the way of peace.’ Now that word ‘peace’ is very contentious; we all don’t see it the same way. But Jesus said; ‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye will have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33) There you go Friends. If we live in Christ, we’ll have peace; the peace of mind that’s necessary to overcome the problems of the world. That makes Bruh Paul’s advice invaluable. ‘For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.’ (Eph.5:8) And while walking as children of light, we’ll have the peace of Jesus. ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’ (John 14:27) Listen to Him Friends. Much LOVE!…walking with Jesus…brings light to our hearts…and peace to our minds
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 12 August 2008 Psalm 62:1-2‏

12 Aug 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 62:1-2    Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock, and my salvation; he is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.
 
Oh Friends, what awesome words of inspiration, strength and encouragement from Bruh David! I’m always amazed at how he communicated so easily and purposefully with God. Psalm 62 basically deals with his trust and confidence in the Most High.  ‘Truly my soul waiteth upon God:’ implies great trust. Knowing that his soul finds rest and peace only in God, he therefore waits patiently. And Friends, it’s not just an abstract, one time thing, but it’s a constant in his life.’ ‘Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.’ (Ps.33:20-21) Yes People, as I keep saying, Bruh David knew on which side his bread was buttered. ‘From him cometh my salvation.’ Not only did he trust the Lord for the next life, but also this crazy, sinful one. ‘He only is my rock, and my salvation; he is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.’ Wow! What a sense of confidence and security! His rock, his fortress, his strong tower, all providing an unshakeable belief that he could not be moved or shaken, once he was under the Lord’s protection. And all of that stemmed from the fact that throughout all his ups and downs, the many highs and lows in his life, the Lord stood steadfastly by him and thwarted his enemies, even when he was wrong and downright sinful. Just consider how he was anointed to be king at a young age, then spent years running from the current king, Saul, through Saul’s resentment and jealousy. But Saul’s son, Jonathan befriended and protected him. That was God’s hand creating a lifeline in the enemy’s camp. Wherever Bruh David turned, whatever he did, wrong or right, he always sought the Lord. Friends, that’s something we must learn to do; seek the Lord continually, in good times and bad, sinful and righteous, cause that’s where our bread is buttered. The Lord rescued Bruh David from so many dangerous situations, that he could say with full confidence and trust: ‘Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.’ (Ps.55:22)  Oh People, none of us will ever be perfect since sin is an inherent part of our nature, and nobody knows that better than the Lord, but if we keep seeking Him, even in our sinful times, and recognize His power and mercy, like Bruh David, he will look favourably on us. Now that doesn’t mean we won’t pay a price for the wrongs we commit; Bruh David surely did. He lost his son by Bathsheba; paying for his adultery and the deceitful way he had her husband killed. Then his family became dysfunctional, especially when he named Solomon as his heir. But Friends, that’s all part of life. As Job said, we can’t expect only good and no bad. The important thing though, is to stay tuned to God. Set your dial to His station, then never change it. But hear it from Bruh David, the expert. ‘In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust him at all times; ye people, pour out your hearts before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.’ (Ps.62:7-8) Please Friends, let’s take Bruh David’s advice. He knows whereof he speaks. Much LOVE!…the key to a good life…constant communication with God…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 August 2008 1 Corinthians 14:20‏

11 Aug 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

1 Corinthians 14:20    Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice ye be children, but in understanding men.
 
Never were truer words spoken Friends! We are past masters of the art of bearing malice, but lack the necessary Christian virtue of understanding; of listening, of turning the other cheek, of forgiveness, of empathy, and nowadays, even of simple sympathy. Bruh Paul was talking about speaking in tongues versus prophesying. He claims that talking in tongues has its purpose, but if the ones you’re talking to can’t understand the language, then it’s useless. Educating the people should be the objective, not a display of one’s language skills. ‘I thank God I speak with tongues more than ye all. Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice, I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.’  (vs.18-19) Then he went on to tell them Today’s Bit. But, as the intro indicates, I want to slant Bruh Paul’s idea a bit, and focus on the holding of malice in our hearts against each other. Jesus said we must become child-like to get into heaven, and the greatest in heaven were like humble children, and the kingdom of heaven is made up people like children. That means we need things like trust and faith, obedience, simplicity and humility to enter heaven. But when it comes to understanding and all it’s various aspects, ‘be not children.’ We ought to acquit ourselves like men; in a grown up, adult, mature manner, using the Christian principles laid out for us by Jesus. And Friends, malice, hatred, bad mind and all their negative associates certainly aren’t included in that portfolio. Ah people, it not only amazes, but saddens me tremendously to see the way we hold malice, anger, bitterness, whatever, towards others. Not only unbelievers, but believers too. Some believers can really hold malice yes! And unfortunately, as our world becomes more selfish and sinful, that angst, that hardening of the heart seems to be increasing. Our world is so full of bitterness, anger and hatred that it just boggles the imagination. I’m bewildered when I see people who thrive on that negative trip. Me, I get physically sick if I hold anger in my soul for any length of time. I always told my children that hate and its derivatives are like acid in a plastic bottle. The acid eats away the container. Exactly what those negative emotions do to our soul; destroy it, while the ones we bear the ill will against continue living their lives with no problems. Oftimes unaware that you’re holding them up negatively in your heart. And if they do, they most likely don’t care. So it’s only you, the bearer of the negative feelings that suffers. Now Friends, that isn’t too smart, is it? As Bruh Paul wrote to the Romans. ‘For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.’ (Rom.16:19) And Peter gives the best remedy for our negativity people. ‘Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings. As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.’ (1Pet.2:1-2) Yes Friends, we need to study the Word. It’s the only way we’ll live Christ’s principles. Much LOVE!…true believers need to…read and inwardly digest the word…then put it into action…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 10 August 2008 Psalm 72:18-19‏

10 Aug 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 72:18-19    Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen, and Amen.
 
And all God’s people said, Amen!  Yes Friends, it’s time for some T&P, Thanks and Praise; enough of the negative, wicked, sinful things happening around us. Let’s concentrate on the Most High God, Jehovah; shower Him with blessings, thanks and praises. ‘Wherefore David blessed the Lord before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.’ (1 Chron.29:10) Though Solomon only wrote two Psalms, 72 and 127, he had the word skills of his father David as exemplified by his numerous writings. Psalm 72 shows Sol’s righteousness and wisdom at a  fairly young age. It reflects his concern over his ability to rule wisely and fairly. He’s telling God his aspirations, and asking His divine help to accomplish them. ‘Give the king thy judgements O God, and thy righteousness unto the king’s son. He shall judge thy people with righteousness and thy poor with judgement.’ (vs.1-2) He’s basically asking for the ability to work righteousness and justice, to bring about peace and prosperity, to increase his wealth and strength, to help the poor and needy. In other words, to rule worthy of the Lord. And as with all the prayers of our forefathers that either begin or end with acknowledgement of God’s goodness and majesty, Sol ends: ‘Blessed be the Lord God , the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.’ No doubt about that Friends! Our God only deals in goodness and mercy, righteousness and LOVE! Moses and the Israelites sang ‘Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?’ (Ex.15:11) And El’i-phaz said to Job. ‘I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause: Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number: Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields: To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety.’ (Job 5:9-11) Ah people, with such a wonderful, caring God, Sol rightly declared, ‘And blessed be his glorious name for ever.’ And having rebuilt Jerusalem and rediscovered the Lord, the Israelites, dressed in sackcloth and fasting confessed their sins. ‘Then the Levites….said, Stand up and bless the Lord your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.’ (Neh.9:5) ‘And let the whole earth be filled with his glory.’ The Prophet Habakkuk felt the same way. ‘For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.’ (Hab.2:14) Wow! That’s really spreading God’s glory far and wide. But the most important words on the subject come from the Most High Himself: ‘And the Lord said, I have pardoned according to thy word: But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord.’ (Num.14:20-21) And all the people said, ‘Amen, and Amen!’  Yes Friends, let’s bless His Holy Name and go forth unto all the earth spreading His Word and His Majesty. Much LOVE!…what the world needs now…is God…who is LOVE…the only thing we’ve got too little of…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 9 August 2008 Revelation 4:11‏

09 Aug 2008 1 Comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Revelation 4:11    Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
 
Yes Friends, that’s why God created us; for His pleasure. We were wonderfully made so the Creator could delight in us. Though right now, I doubt He’s deriving any joy from our sinful, selfish, evil behaviour. Some days He must shake His head and wonder why He ever created us. But let’s bless and praise Him for it, cause if we’re going  to spend eternity in surroundings like what John’s spirit got a taste of in Revelation 4., it’s certainly worthwhile. He saw heaven; the throne room, with a rainbow around God’s throne, with 24 elders arrayed in white garments and golden crowns sitting around Him. And from the throne came thunder and lightning and voices, with 7 lamps of fire burning before it, corresponding to the 7 Spirits of God. ‘And the spirit of God shall rest upon Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.’ (Isa.11:2) That’s Isaiah prophesying  Jesus’ coming. A sea of glass rested in front of the throne and around it were four beasts with eyes in front and behind. One beast resembled a lion, another a calf, the third had a man’s face, and the fourth looked like a flying eagle. Each beast had six wings. Wow!  Only our God could fashion such exotic creatures. And all they did, night and day, was sing, ‘Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.’  (Rev.4 :8) Nice work if you can get it. (smile) That’s how much they revere the Father, the Eternal Creator. And that’s not all Friends: ‘When those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever.’  (vs.9) The 24 elders fall on their knees and cast their crowns before the throne and worship the Father, saying, ‘Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power.’ Yes people! ‘Worthy is the lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.’ (Rev.5:12) ‘For thou hast created all things.’ Exactly! ‘In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.’ (Gen.1:1) ‘All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.’ (John 1:3) That says it all Friends: He who creates, deserves respect, honour and adoration. ‘And for thy pleasure they are and were created.’ Yuh got that right Friends! God made the world and all therein for His pleasure, not ours. But He’s such a wonderful Being, and LOVES us so much, we’re His #1creation, that He shares His other creations with us. All things exist because of His will. And yuh know Bruh Paul must have an opinion. ‘For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth,, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him. And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.’ (Col.1:16-17) Yes sir, Bruh Paul! Ah Friends, it’s good to be light-hearted, but with serious overtones. We’ve got to revere, worship and adore the One who created us, like those creatures and elders. That’s one of, if not the main reason He made man. And we’d be doing Him a major disservice, as well as spoiling our chances to experience heaven with Him. So let’s smarten up; do His will and accord Him the reverence and honour He deserves. Much LOVE!…worthy subjects…humble themselves…with joy…before their King…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 8 August 2008 Proverbs 4:11-12‏

08 Aug 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Proverbs 4:11-12    I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
 
Yes Friends, the words of wise parents to their offspring. In this section of Proverbs 4, Solomon is dishing out wisdom, in particular the avoidance of wickedness. ‘Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.’  (vs.10) It’s only when many of us attain adulthood and have children of our own that we recognize the wisdom our parents tried to knock into our stubborn heads. Unfortunately, some of us, to our detriment, did not follow their advice and succumbed early. ‘For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.’ (Prov.3:2) All our parents felt like Sol. ‘I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.’ Our Father in heaven feels the same way. He guides us in the way of wisdom and leads us along straight paths. As Samuel said when he pleaded with Israel to serve God. ‘Moreover, as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way. Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.'(1 Sam. 12:23-24) There it is in a nutshell people: the way of wisdom along a straight path; revere the Lord and serve Him faithfully with gratitude for His tender mercies. So that ‘When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened.’ And if you listen to Bildad the Shuhite reasoning with Job about the plight of the wicked; ‘The steps of his strength shall be straitened, and his own counsel shall cast him down.’ (Job 18:7) But when we revere the Lord and follow His will, then we shall proclaim as Bruh David; ‘Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.’ (Ps.18:36) Yes Friends, when the Word and the Holy Spirit is your guide, your steps will not be hampered, hindered or shortened. Likewise, ‘when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.’ Oh Praise His Holy Name People! For ‘Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.’ (Job 3:23-24) ‘For he shall give his angels charge over thee; to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.’ (Ps.91:11-13) Wow People! What awesome promises on walking in faith and obedience to God, from three of the most blessed and ardent believers. One should think they know, whereof they speak. Job had some of the most unfair and undeserved things happen to him, but he remained faithful and ended up with twice as much as he had before. Bruh David was a man of the people who had his ups and downs, some brought on by his disobedience, but he never faltered or forgot the God of his fathers. So much so that same God promised to look out for his descendants till eternity. And that same God blessed him with a son, Solomon, to be forever known as the wisest and wealthiest man in all kingdom-come. And though Sol blemished his record at the end by turning to his wives pagan gods, he left us with a bountiful legacy of wise words, that if we follow them, we’ll never go wrong. Sol would possible tell us today, ‘Do as I say, not as I do,’ for we are each responsible for our own salvation, and there’s no better or easier way to learn, than from other people’s mistakes. So Friends, let’s do that nuh. Let’s choose the path of wisdom and walking in obedience to God, so that our days may be long, our paths straight, and our steps strong. It’s not that difficult…and it’s wise. Much LOVE!…a word to the wise…is sufficient…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 7 August 2008 Isaiah 29:15‏

07 Aug 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Isaiah 29:15    Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?
 
That’s the wisdom of fools, my Friends! ‘Woe to the rebellious children, saith the Lord, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin.’ (Is.30:1) Yes people, it’s certainly foolish to try and hide our doings from the Lord. As Bruh David so rightly declared: ‘Understand ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise? He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? He that formed the eye, shall he not see? He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? He that teacheth man knowledge, shall he not know? The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.’ (Ps.94:8-11) It’s not rocket science Friends, just simple logic: If the Lord created us, set us in our ways, and rules us from on high, then obviously, He will hear, see and read our hearts and minds and know all that we do, whether in darkness or light. Some of us though still try to hide and do wrong stuff, believing that neither God or our neighbours will find out. But that mindset is totally wrong Friends. You might be able to fool your self, but never God. The neighbours aren’t always fooled either, for as the ole people were wont to say, ‘everything done in darkness, comes to light sooner or later.’ And that’s the gospel truth people. And we know it too, for all of us, at some stage in life, have done things we don’t want others to know about, but eventually, it might be years later, they still become public knowledge. And Friends, the sad part is that the longer we hide certain things, the worse they appear when daylight finally strike them, and the more our reputations, integrity and character suffer. Let’s not fool ourselves people, let’s not do works in the dark, then claim, ‘who seeth us? and who knoweth us?’ Especially in these days of the all pervasive paparazzi and the media circus, whose slimy tentacles reach right down into the very core of our lives. ‘They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless. Yet they say, The Lord shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.’ (Ps.94:6-7) Not so at all people; He sees all and regards all. As He said to Ezekiel, ‘Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The Lord seeth us not: the Lord hath forsaken the earth.’  (Eze.8:12) But listen up Friends, even if the Lord forsakes the earth, and He’s promised not to forsake those who do His will, He will still see our deeds, even the evil ones, done in darkness, and judge us accordingly. So please, let’s try to always do deeds that favour the light of day nuh. Much LOVE!…you can run…but not hide…can do in darkness…but not cover up…from the Lord…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 6 August 2008 Leviticus 18:22-23‏

06 Aug 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Leviticus 18:22-23    Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is an abomination. Neither shall thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion.
 
Ah Friends, just one more possibility why our world is in such great turmoil; we’re just straying further and further from the Lord’s dictates. It seems that homosexuality and bestiality have been around since ancient times. Then it was considered an abomination punishable by death. ‘If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.’ (Lev.20:13) The same goes for bestiality: ‘Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast.’ (Deut.27:21) Leviticus 20:15-16, is even more specific, saying that if either man or woman lies with a beast, both they and the beast shall be put to death. Now the death penalty may be a bit harsh, showing how much God was against it, to meet out such dire punishment. But Friends, today homosexuality is so rampant, it’s become so entrenched in society, that it’s even been legalized in some places. Even saying that it’s wrong is frowned upon, not considered politically correct. Like our leaders, lawmakers, churches, ministers and society to a large degree, have forgotten to read, or conveniently bypassed these two verses. ‘Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you. And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants.’ (Lev.18:24-25) Yes Friends, the Lord keeps His promises; Sodom, Gomorrah, the Israelites through several captivities, Rome, Babylon, and many other immoral, ungodly societies that have fallen along the continuum of time. Once a nation or society gets too big for it’s britches, forgets where its largesse and safety truly come from, and behaves as a law unto itself, the inevitable, inevitably happens. How often do we have to suffer the consequences of disobedience before we really realize the truth eh? Whether you believe in God or not, we’re all smart enough to realize that there’s a higher power, a greater universal law, the Law of God which transcends that of man. Otherwise we would be able to control and prevent all the disasters that occur in our world. I know that Jesus’ coming brought into being a new covenant with God, and some things changed. I doubt that included the acceptance of homosexuality and bestiality. Obviously Bruh Paul held forth on it. ‘And likewise also the man, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.’ (Rom.1:27) Yes Friends, they paid the penalty. And though there seems to be no penalty in today’s laws, there still is in God’s. And remember whose law rules. ‘Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts to dishonour their own bodies between themselves.’ (Rom.1:24) God did not give them permission, He just withdrew His gracious help, left them to their own devices, to eventually suffer the consequences of the lie they were living. It’s the same today Friends: We have freedom of choice, so God does not intervene in our affairs right away, He gives us time to do right or continue doing wrong, but at some stage, when the wrongdoing gets to Him, He will finally set the consequences in motion. Rest assured of that people. So to him who has ears, let him hear. Much LOVE!…when yuh doh hear…yuh does feel…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 5 August 2008 1 John 2:6‏

05 Aug 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

1 John 2:6    He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
 
Now Friends, isn’t that the burning truth? Whoever says that Jesus lives within them, ought to emulate Him. While we can’t atone for others sins, or do some things He did, cause He was God in human form, His followers are expected to devote themselves to God, and have compassion for others, as he did. Jesus said it. ‘For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.’ (John 13:15) Peter expanded on it. ‘For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow in his steps.’ (1 Pet.2:21) And Friends, the scorching hot question is how many of us supposed believers are even attempting to walk the way Christ walked? I don’t know how many, but I know it’s not sufficient, else our world would not be in such a terrible mess. Plenty people, walking in Jesus’ rather large and difficult footsteps, would have made a greater, more sobering Christian like impact on our troubled world. I guess my first question should have been, how many people really have Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, really abiding in them? As Jesus advised. ‘Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.’ (John 15:4) Maybe that’s the problem people? Jesus doesn’t inhabit the hearts of enough people, so we’re not bearing enough fruit, not making sufficient difference. To bear much fruit, you need many branches. And we’re supposed to find the branches, the unbelievers, and prune them, share the good news of Jesus’ saving grace, so that they too can be fruitful. Does that mean we’re not doing our job and bringing lots of lost souls to Jesus? Friends, I don’t have the answers, but this I do know, that we’re not making sufficient inroads into the enemy’s territory, as quickly as we need to.  If we keep on in the evil, angry, selfish, greedy, oppressive, immoral, ungrateful, inappropriate direction we’re currently heading, then sooner, rather than later, it’s all going to blow up in our faces. And the only antidote for the malady that ails our world is Jesus! No doubt about it Friends. Why? Because Jesus lives by and teaches the most most workable and most beautiful Philosophy of Life; One of LOVE! And as Bruh Paul explains in his famous treatise in 1 Cor.13; LOVE ‘suffereth long, is kind, envieth not, vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave unseemingly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, rejoiceth not in iniquity, but in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things, never faileth.’ And of the big three; faith hope and LOVE, LOVE IS THE GREATEST! Wow People! What a wonderful way of life! Why aren’t we living it eh? You know it’s only two things Jesus asked of us; LOVE God, and LOVE our neighbour as ourself. And just looking at our world consumed by evil, it’s obvious we’re not doing it. But Friends, loving God is so easy, once we appreciate all that He’s done, and still doing for us, and realize our need for discipline. Loving our neighbours is a tad more difficult. But as Jesus pointed out, just LOVE them as we LOVE ourselves. Does that mean many of us don’t LOVE ourselves? The important thing Friends, is to LOVE God. Once we do that, everything else falls into place. So I’m imploring us to let the Spirit of Jesus not only abide, but grow and prosper in us, through faithful LOVE and devotion to God. Only then will we be able to walk confidently in Jesus footsteps. Much LOVE!…the only true way…is…LOVE…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 August 2008 Genesis 1:26-28‏

04 Aug 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Genesis 1:26-28    And God said, Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness…So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him: male and female created he them. And God blessed them…
 
Oh praise His Holy Name Friends! Today was one of those days when I couldn’t decide on a Bit. Then suddenly this bright idea hit me; why not go right back to the beginning, when God in His wisdom -we won’t argue that – decided to create man. Yes Friends, on the sixth day, having made all the necessary preparations; the earth, sky, sea, plants and the lesser creatures, God was ready for the climactic moment in His miraculous week of creativity. ‘And God said, Let us make man…’ Note people, that unlike all the other creatures, where God commanded the waters and the earth to bring them forth, (vs.20,24) He decided to mould us personally, to fashion man ‘in our own image, after our likeness…So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him: male and female created he them.’ What a spectacular gift, what an awesome privilege He bestowed, by creating us in His own likeness! As the three year old told her father; He mixed up some dirt and bones, covered it with skin, moulded it to resemble Him, then like the potter with the clay, baked it in His secret fire. Then He breathed life into the nostrils of that figure, and voila! Man became a living soul! And our reproduction now, is just as exciting and exhilarating as Adam’s formation from the dust. So we should all say with Bruh David: ‘I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.’ (Ps.139:14) An unarguable fact people. God made us in His image, lower than the angels, but much higher than the other creatures. They reproduce their kind, but only man resembles God, and reproduces in that same image. ‘And Adam lived a hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, and called his name Seth.’ (Gen.5:3) Ah Friends, what high hopes our Creator had for us; making us to look like Him, primarily in spiritual terms. Only man has a brain, with the capacity to think rationally, the capacity for eternal life, moral discernment, self realization, to talk, and so, fellowship in praise and worship. And like the rest of His handiwork, God was pleased with His beautiful creation, which mirrored His likeness. ‘And God blessed them…’ As per the scholars, to bless is not to only bestow a gift, but also to assign a function: ‘And God said unto them, Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.’ (vs.28) But sadly Friends, shortly thereafter, we fell from grace through the disobedience of our forefathers, and been paying a hefty price since then. And though we still retain His image, it’s been somewhat tarnished by sin, that’s become our inherent nature. But God is LOVE, and despite all our faults, if we’re obedient to His will, He’ll help us. And He demonstrated that amazing LOVE by sending His only Son, Jesus, to die in innocence, to pay for our sins, once and for all time! Wow! And when we believe, place our faith in Jesus, whose spilled blood washed away our guilt, then salvation and eternal life are ours; the tarnish of sin is removed from our souls, and we again resemble our Creator. Oh Friends, how much more can we ask of Him eh? He made us. But we disobeyed. Then He provided the means for us to be made whole again. It’s so unselfish, forgiving and merciful, that it should just make us want to jump for joy, sing His praises, give thanks for His loving kindness, worship Him with majesty, and go out into the sinful world, excitedly and enthusiastically spreading His Holy Word. Oh Friends, I’m all worked up now! (smile) But More Time, and Much LOVE!…creation and redemption…should be cause for… GREAT JOY…
 

Previous Older Entries Next Newer Entries