Today’s Scrip-Bit 26 May 2008 Jonah 3:9-10‏

26 May 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Jonah 3: 9-10    Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not. And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil that he had said he would do unto them; and he did it not.
 
What a merciful and magnanimous God we worship Friends! The story of Jonah and the city of Nineveh is important in Jewish history. Some scholars even claim God used it to protect His chosen people from attack by their powerful neighbours, for it was over a century later that the Ninevites attacked Jerusalem. Anything’s possible with our God. Jesus mentioned it in Luke 11:30. ‘For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of Man be to this generation.’ And in Vs.32, He claims that the Ninevites would condemn His generation for not listening to somebody greater than Jonah. Sadly, Jesus’ generation didn’t consider Him greater than Jonah. The story also shows God’s power at work in the lives of individuals, and His concern for groups of people, even heathens. The first time He told Jonah to go and warn the Ninevites about their evil ways, Jonah got scared, ran away, and ended up in the belly of a whale. Hn! Proving the dictum that you can run but you can’t hide, especially from God. When Jonah realized this, he prayed fervently to God from the whale’s stomach. And our God, being fair and just, with a great sense of humour, gave him a second chance. Oh Friends, I just had a hearty chuckle, cause it suddenly hit me, that I’d have been in hot water too, like Jonah, if I had not heeded His promptings to do this Scrip-Bit thing. Lord have mercy! Don’t know how He would have brought me to heel, but thankfully, I didn’t have to find out. Jonah had to learn the hard way though. The second time the Lord sent him to Nineveh, he obeyed without hesitation. By then his fear of God was greater than that of the Ninevites. He went bravely into the city, ‘and he cried, and said, yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown. So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth from the greatest of them to the least of them.’ (Vs.4-5) Even the king participated, making the fast official by royal decree, instructing the people to curtail their wickedness. His reasoning? ‘Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not.’ And it worked. God saw their change of heart and relented. Note Friends, God didn’t change His intentions, it’s just that since they changed their attitude towards Him, He was able to show mercy. Yes people, our God is a God of second chances, and only threatens us with His wrath, uses extreme measures to get our attention, because we’re stubborn and hard headed. If we change, then He’s big enough to forgive and relent. Amos 7:3,6; Joel 2:14; Jeremiah 18:8; Exodus 32:14, are all examples of Him relenting or promising to relent if we change. What more does He have to do to get our attention eh Friends? Look at all the unexplainable tragedies occurring in our world. Shouldn’t we at least consider them possible warnings for the evil that dominates us and contemplate some improvement? Not by the world’s wisdom, so we continue our relentless spiral downwards, to Hades. But Friends it’s not too late. If, like Jonah and the Ninevites, we repent and amend our ways, the Lord will also gladly relent. Much LOVE!…only after death…is it ever too late to seek the Lord…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 25 May 2008 Ecclesiastes 4:9-12‏

25 May 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12    Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
 
Exceedingly practical advice from Solomon, wearing his preacher’s robes, dispensing the basic wisdom that there’s safety in numbers, and our strong need for help and support. ‘Two are better than one…’ except when it causes strife, ‘because they have a good reward for their labour.’ In most cases two people can accomplish much more than one in the same time frame. But an even better reason for two people working together, is the capability of one person to lift the other up, if one falls. As Sol laments: ‘but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.’ Yes Friends, many times when we fall, we’re either too tired, broken or defeated to get up on our own, and we need a helping hand. Unfortunately though, on this troubled planet, there are innumerable people with no one to help them up when they fall, neither, physically, emotionally or spiritually. That’s just so sad Friends, since no man is an island, none of us can do it all on our own, although lots of us try. And even when we accomplish much, without someone to share it, there’s always an empty space, something missing in our lives, because God made us to need others. Hn, hn! The next line has always been a favourite of mine; the way Sol uses a simple, practical aspect we all understand, to point out our deep seated need for each other, and I just love the way he phrases it. ‘Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?’ Indeed Friends; How can one be warm alone eh? With man made heat I guess. But there’s some thing about the heat of a human body, that heat, from no other source, can ever truly replicate. It’s a heat that…that warms, I guess, not burns, that radiates a sort of wellbeing in our souls. And even with plenty man made heat available, the addition of human body heat always enhances the situation. It’s just different. I call it the warmth of God’s LOVE built into us. Notice the comfort and warmth received and given in hugging and snuggling; the sudden peace and calm that comes over a crying baby when it’s rocked or cuddled. That’s just another way, God, in His infinite wisdom, moulded us; to need help, comfort and support from each other. ‘And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him, and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.’ Words of wisdom Sol! Two people will usually prevail against one attacker, while the more strands in a rope, the stronger it is. And the moral of the story? Simply to work together; encourage, help, support, lift up, energize each other. That’s why God made us incomplete, so that we’d need other humans and Him. We’re supposed to share, give comfort and succour to our fellow humans; recognize the need in others and try to fill it. Friends, our basic purpose is to provide help to the helpless; however we can. Much LOVE!…let’s make our Father proud…let’s help each other…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 24 May 2008 Matthew 21:22‏

24 May 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Matthew 21:22    And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
 
Yes Friends, another powerful promise from our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! We all know the awesome power of prayer, and once Jesus said it, there’s no reason to doubt its veracity. So today instead, we’ll talk a little about prayer itself: What it is etc. And people, prayer is one of the most misunderstood, contentious, abused, misused. over and understated principles in human history. Everybody seems to have their own take on what it is, or should be. The dictionary defines it as ‘a solemn request to God, or object of worship.’ That’s fine, but then there are differences of opinion on how to pray, what form it should take, formal or informal, where and when to pray, in what position, on your knees or otherwise, and everyone feels they have justification for their prayer habits. Adding to the confusion, is that many of us feel we don’t know how to pray, and what Jesus gave His apostles in Matthew 6:9-13, ‘The Lord’s Prayer,’ was only meant to be a guideline for a formal request, because sometimes when the enemy is breathing down your neck, you don’t have time for all the formalities. So Friends, I humbly submit that there is no right or wrong way to pray, since prayer is not the act itself, however we perform it, but the message, the communication that goes out to God from us. How we do it; lying, kneeling, sleeping, standing, beating our bosoms, prostrating, berating or flagellating ourselves, none of those things make a difference, if the words and feelings that echo from our hearts aren’t real and sincere. The outward show doesn’t matter. Remember how Jesus castigated the Jewish elite for their public pretensions. (Matt.6) We must also remember that God judges us not by the words of our mouths, but by those of our hearts. And regardless of how, when or where we submit our request to Him, if it doesn’t ring true, He’ll ignore it. The most important thing about prayer is that it comes from a right, repentant, sorrowful, or joyous and sincere heart. Oh people, it’s all about the state of our hearts! God listens to every request submitted to Him, even the selfish, fanciful ones. Whether He answers, or how and when, that’s entirely up to Him. What constitutes prayer, is another area of contention. Prayer is simply communication with the Lord. It doesn’t have to be long and drawn out or very formal. Simply raising our eyes heavenward and silently pleading, ‘Help!’ is a form of prayer. Likewise, a simple ‘Thanks!’ Many of us have the mistaken notion that prayer is only when we ask for something, but giving thanks and praise is also a form of prayer, acknowledging His goodness to us. Any sincere communication with God can be considered prayer. We get so tied up with doctrine and dogma that we tend to pigeon hole God, when He’s really an eagle, soaring majestically, constrained by only the most basic of rules. He just wants to know what’s really in our hearts Friends. How, when and where we convey that information is secondary. Of course we must come to Him with reverence and respect, but boiled down to its very essence Friends, prayer is simply talking to the Most High, and what matters most, is that we do it sincerely and constantly, ‘pray without ceasing.’  Our best bet is to keep a running conversation with our Creator, cause if we allow that heavenly connection to be broken, then we’re in serious trouble. So please, let’s stay in constant contact with Him, in whatever shape or form that’s convenient. Much LOVE!…the only line that’s never busy…never puts you on hold…and always has a caring ear at the other end…the direct line to heaven…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 23 May 2008 Isaiah 51:7-8‏

23 May 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Isaiah 51:7-8    Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be forever, and my salvation from generation to generation.
 
Oh Friends, what a wonderful assurance from an amazing God! One that has stood the test of time. Through Isaiah, the Lord’s calling the faithful to be courageous under adversity. ‘Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law.’ That’s us Friends; believers, followers of the faith. Bruh David said in Psalm 37’31; ‘The law of his God is in his heart, none of his steps shall slide.’ Exactly what the Lord wants to instil in us. If we have His law in our hearts, and are obedient to it, then there’s no reason to fear. ‘Fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.’  Many years later, in the Beatitudes, Jesus reiterated that assurance, adding His bit to it. ‘Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven…’ (Mat.5:11-12) What an awesome promise! It won’t be easy, because integrity matters a lot to believers. I think it’s Willie Shakespeare who said it’s okay to steal my purse, but not my good name, and we tend to rise up angrily when others demean our character. But with faith, belief and hope in Jesus, and working with the Holy Spirit, we can ignore most of the obnoxious things said about us. Jesus even went further in Mat.10:28, saying that we should not be afraid of someone who can only kill the body, but be very careful of those who can destroy both the body and soul. That’s the enemy people, who’s walking about just looking for victims, especially believers, so we’ve got to put on our protection; the armour of righteousness and stand strong. The Lord has solemnly promised that evil doers and abusers won’t last long. ‘For the moth shall eat them like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool.’ Apparently moths did a lot of clothes eating back in olden times, for Job also talks about it. ‘And he, as a rotten thing, consumeth, as a garment that is moth eaten.’ (13:28) So Friends, if we have the law of God housed in our hearts, we can say, like in childhood, ‘sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.’ And that’s the truth. The evil doers will perish, but if we stand strong in the faith, then we’ll receive the Lord’s wonderful promises. ‘But my righteousness shall be forever, and my salvation from generation to generation.’ Oh Friends, don’t you just LOVE it when the scripture fills you with such amazing encouragement? Wow! It’s like a refreshing breeze blowing through the soul, calming and recharging it. We need that every so often. Please let it energize us, so that we can keep on fighting the good fight for Christ. Much LOVE!…to fight successfully…one must stay strong…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 May 2008 Proverbs 3:5-6‏

22 May 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Proverbs 3:5-6    Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
 
Friends, truer or wiser words were never spoken. Those two verses provide the undeniable formula for success in this life. ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart.’ That’s the first step. And here, Solomon seems to be taking his own advice from Chap.1:8. ‘My son, hear the instruction of thy father…’ His father, Bruh David, stated the same thing in Psalm 37:3,5. ‘Trust in the Lord and do good…trust also in him and he shall bring it to pass.’ Yes Friends, trust, especially in these uncertain times, is very hard to give or come by, since the principle, like most of those dealing with integrity, honesty and fairness have been so seriously devalued, that now, they mean little or nothing. There are so many scams and schemers noising abroad, that it makes good sense to shy away from trust. But people, that’s only with our fellow humans, not with the Most High God, Jehovah. Unlike our human associates, He’s never given us reason to doubt Him, never broken any promises, and never will. If you can’t trust the one who made you, then whom can you trust eh? So although trust is the most difficult step in our relationship with the Lord, once we’ve accomplished that, the rest is easier, because with that trust, that belief and assurance, the Lord sends His Holy Spirit to dwell within us as guide and mentor. That brings us to the next step: ‘…and lean not unto thine own understanding.’ We should not depend on our own wisdom, our own basic instincts. Jeremiah alludes to this in Chap. 9:23-24. ‘Thus saith the Lord, let not the wise man glory in his wisdom…But let him that glorieth, glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me…’  Yes people, if we trust in the Lord, then we’ve got to rely on His wisdom and power, working in us through the Holy Spirit. This leads to Sol’s next bit of advice: ‘In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.’ That’s for certain sure Friends! We need to have constant fellowship with the Lord throughout our lives, even into eternity. It’s the only way to know what he requires of us. Through prayer and friendly chats we can keep in contact with Him, and He’ll guide us through life, on a path that’s much more constructive and useful, than if we did it on our own. Note, it’s not always going to be a bed of roses or a stroll in the park. I just got an e-mail that said, God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage. That’s gospel. The journey will be extremely interesting, and the end product of high calibre and very worthwhile. It’s a simple formula, and though it goes against our natural grain, Friends, it works. In Matthew 11:28,30, Jesus said: ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest… For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ Wow! People, it doesn’t get any easier than that, and the rewards are spectacular; everlasting life with Jesus. What can be better eh? Nothing! Much LOVE!…remember to…trust and obey…it’s the better way…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 21 May 2008 1 Corinthians 1:10-11‏

21 May 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

1 Corinthians 1:10-11    Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
 
But what a way I’m into Bruh Paul now eh Friends! (smile) Couldn’t stand him before. Considered him a bit too uppity and self-righteous, and his writing too high brow and wordy, difficult for the ordinary man to understand. Guess that was due to his higher level of education and social position than the other apostles. But like the Lord’s been quietly working on me and I’m beginning to appreciate him more. He’s certainly practical, and in his zeal, does not shy away from contentious matters, like Today’s Bit. He had heard from different sources, that the church at Corinth was being fractured by cliques. Now doesn’t that sound familiar? Of course. It’s happening today too, and on a much larger scale than back then. Oh people, it’s such a sad commentary on the body of Christ. The Church is supposed to be the true, unifying vehicle of Christ’s ministry, for spreading His Word to all ends of the earth. The Corinthians can be excused a bit for their dissension because they were new to the faith, which itself was new, and all the ramifications had not yet been ironed out. But Friends,what excuse do we have two thousand years later, with everything settled and in place? Why can’t we have a fairly unified Church eh? I said fairly, since human involvement always brings dissension, but certainly not to today’s extent. And I mean both inter and intra denominational. Within all spheres, there’s too much bickering, backbiting, distrust and anger, that’s boiling over into further divisions. We have not forsaken our selfish, egotistical ways to live in LOVE and unity as Christ asked. The desires of the flesh have conquered those of the spirit. Consequently, the Church has fallen into sad disrepute and neglect, both literally and figuratively. Like the Corinthians were forming cliques in the different apostle’s names, Paul, Apollos, Cephas, (1:12). But as Bruh Paul asks, (1:13) ‘Is Christ divided?’ And that’s the crux of the matter my people. The answer is a resounding, No! So why then are we dividing? Jesus himself said that a house divided cannot stand (Luke 11:17) In fact, anything that’s divided and fighting against itself, will not last. How then can we expect to do our duty and spread the word, when there’s no unity? How can we expect unbelievers to not only listen, but also joyfully embrace the word, if all they see is disunity amongst those claiming to be followers of this magnificent, loving, merciful, and forgiving Saviour, Jesus Christ? It’s highly unlikely. I keep stressing that it’s not what we say, but more so how we act, that wins hearts to Christ. Ah Friends, in these turbulent times, we need Christ more than ever, and unity should be paramount, though it won’t be easy, since we’re so deeply divided, but its our only hope for survival. So in Bruh Paul’s words, ‘Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement.’ Much LOVE!…remember…examples speak…plenty louder than words…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 20 May 2008 Romans 11:33-36‏

20 May 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Romans 11:33-36    O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgements, and his ways past finding out. For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
 
And all God’s people said,’Wow!’ As Bruh Paul sings our Lord’s praises to the believers at Rome. ‘How unsearchable are his judgements, and his ways past finding out?’ Exactly! If He is Almighty God, how can mere mortals, His creations to boot, question His judgement, or seek to find out His ways eh? If that were possible, then He’d be just like us, losing the awe and mystery that shrouds Him. Even the workings of great men are shrouded in mystery, much less a magnificent God like ours. The dictionary defines God, as a Superhuman Being, worshipped as having power over nature and human fortunes; A Deity of immense proportions. Yes Friends, that’s our God! Mighty in every imaginable way! As Bruh Paul asks, ‘For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been His counsellor?’ Job (36:22) Isaiah (40:13) and Jeremiah (23:18) three men highly connected to God, asked that same basic question centuries before Paul, and could find no answer. Even His Son, Jesus, during His earthly sojourn said that some things were only known to the Father. ‘Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?’ Now that’s certainly an interesting question? Where did God get His start? Who bankrolled Him? To whom does He owe a debt? Hn! We’ll probably never know, nor be able to comprehend it either, and it’s not really important. What’s important is that He is: He’s real: He exists in all His power and majesty, regardless of His beginnings. We got our start from Him, and it’s our duty to faithfully worship, serve and obey Him. That’s our immediate concern. So although disbelievers try to downplay our God’s greatness through logical arguments, we must realize that faith has nothing to do with logics. It has to do with belief. None of the countless other gods worshipped during mankind’s existence, fulfilled their promises. Yet people still worshipped them. Our God has done all He’s promised. He even sent His Son, Jesus to earth to experience our frailties and die to cleanse our sins. No one else can say that. Ah Friends, please don’t be misled by the iniquity workers. Our God’s real; we have experienced His reality, and His son Jesus, espouses the greatest philosophy of all time: LOVE! He showed it by dying for us. So let’s pose this bit of logic to the doubters: If there’s no God and no life after our bodily death, then fine, although living this life based on LOVE is still better than one based on evil. However people, and this is the multi-million dollar question, if, as we believe, there is a God, and life after death, and you haven’t received Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, what happens then eh? Crapaud smoke yuh pipe Friends! So as the ole people say, ‘better be safe than sorry yes.’ Accept the Lord today, ‘For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. Much LOVE!…as for me and mine…we’ll follow the Lord…right through eternity…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 19 May 2008 Romans 10:8-10‏

19 May 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Romans 10:8-10    But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
 
Yes Friends, Bruh Paul is at his ‘speechifying ‘ best today, talking about the heart and mouth, two very important parts of any animal God created. In humans however, besides being a life generating pump, the heart also controls our spirit, our soul, while the mouth communicates what the heart feels. Now that’s only theoretically speaking, (smile) since some of us are so glib and talented, we can let the mouth say what the heart doesn’t feel. But remember people, the Lord doesn’t only listen to the words of our mouth, in fact, He pays more attention to those of our heart. And if the two don’t jive, then we’re liable to incur his displeasure. Anyway, Bruh Paul is talking to the believers at Rome about faith. In Chap. 9:30-32, he claims the Israelites were unsuccessful in their search for righteousness, because they tried to achieve it through the works of law and not faith; they ignored Jesus and remained trapped in the Old Testament ideas of salvation through works. The Gentiles though, who weren’t thus preoccupied, found righteousness through faith. In Chap.10, he sincerely desires that the Jews be saved, but declares that they won’t, until they stopped trying to establish their own righteousness and submitted to the righteousness of God. ‘For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.’ (10:4)  And he’s preaching the word of faith, faith in Jesus Christ, because it’s the true base of righteousness. ‘That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.’ Wow! Oh Friends, Bruh Paul gets an A++, not only for the strength of his conviction, but also for diligently and unashamedly communicating it to others. What he felt in his heart, he declared through his mouth. ‘For the scripture saith, whosoever believeth on him, shall not be ashamed.’  (10:11)  But many of us believers today, seem to lack  a strong conviction, that’s why we’re not doing more to raise the profile of our faith. Why is that? Are we ashamed, not truly convinced? What? Unselfish people have a natural urge to share good things with others. Just look at the workers of iniquity; how they’re busy spreading their story. What’s wrong with us Friends? Why aren’t we being more proactive and diligent? We claim a wonderful saviour in Jesus, well then, let’s joyfully spread it all over the world, as He asked us to do. ‘For with the heart, man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation.’ We don’t have to force our faith on others, but we must talk about it, and most importantly, live it sincerely. ‘For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved.’ (10:13) Friends, having called upon His Name, let’s work diligently to get others to do likewise. That’s our earthly purpose. Much LOVE!…faith in Jesus…is the foundation of salvation…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 May 2008 Psalm 148:1-6‏

18 May 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 148:1-6     Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights. Praise ye him, all his angels, praise ye him, all his hosts. Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded and they were created. He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.
 
‘It’s five o’clock in the morning, As I rise to greet a new day, I wish everyone could feel the way I do today. Just to hear the birds a singing, and the joy that they are bringing. This is Jah’s gift to everyone. Give thanks and praise. Give thanks and praise. Give thanks and praise to Jah, for his ever-loving ways.’ My sentiments exactly Friends. Those words from the old reggae song, ‘Give Thanks and Praise’ touched me from the very first time I heard them. They are an apt description of a new day, and the birds singing in the background, just makes it more realistic. I used them as background music on my answering machine for many years. I think it’s by a group called the Uniques, but since I could find neither the record or a tape with it, I had to do it from memory. It’s not word perfect, but close enough to bear out the idea of Thanks and Praise, which I felt we badly needed to do today. So many people around the world don’t have the luxury of such a start to their day, but instead are experiencing such monumental suffering, that it seems shameful for us lucky few to just take our good luck for granted, and not really appreciate how blessed we are. The few inconveniences we have are miniscule compared to the plight of say, the people in the recent earthquake in China, the cyclone in Burma, the wars and strife in Africa, the numerous refugee camps all over the world, with new ones being set up daily, the millions of poor and destitute even in rich, peaceful countries. Not to mention the recent financial crisis that hit closer to home, but also spread worldwide because of greed and ineptitude. And the sad part is that the ones who caused it aren’t really paying for it, neither in cash nor kind. Friends, our world should not be in such dire straits with all the wealth and technology we have, and when everyone’s spouting the new mantra re ‘the global economy.’ But that’s only a ploy for the wealthy to move their money around the globe to wherever they can get the most for the least, without any thought to the loss of jobs and socio-economic decline left in their wake, or the unreasonably high expectations being created in the new lands of promise, which they’ll leave just as unceremoniously and unconscionably when it suits their greedy purposes. The only things that seem to be truly going global are negative; like poverty, suffering, oppression, terrorism, fear and crime. Ah People, who knows where it’s all going to end eh? Only the Most High. And regardless of how bad it looks, we know He’s still in control. So please, let’s all stand strong in our faith, work conscientiously in our little corner, walk obediently, give much thanks and praise for whatever we have, and pray, pray constantly, for the numerous unfortunate beings around the world, that their lives, as well as ours, will improve in the near future. Much LOVE!…when in doubt or fear…give thanks and pray…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 17 May 2008 Jeremiah 33:2-3‏

17 May 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Jeremiah 33:2-3    Thus saith the Lord the maker thereof, the Lord that formed it, to establish it; the Lord is his name. Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
 
Jeremiah was locked up by Zedekiah, King of Judah,  for prophesying about the fall of Jerusalem to the Chaldeans. And while in prison, the Lord spoke to him twice. Today’s Bit is the start of the second conversation. Note how he sets the stage, by first acknowledging, ‘…the Lord, the maker thereof, the Lord that formed it, to establish it; the Lord is his name.’  In times past, believers always opened with an acknowledgement of God; His greatness, goodness or mercy, but something respectful. Our modern society though, emphasizes speed and short attention spans, which leaves no time for such niceties. But Friends, whenever we approach God, it’s important to give Him His due; pay some sort of homage, or simply recognize His Deity, like Jeremiah did. It’s just to show that we’re not only interested in what He can do for us, but we appreciate all that He is. So although Jeremiah is relaying God’s message, he still prefaces it with words of reverence and respect. And what did the Lord say? ‘Call unto me, and I will answer thee…’ It’s a directive, a promise that still holds true today people. Yes, sometimes it doesn’t seem so, for we’ve all called, often desperately, and got no answer. But Jeremiah forgot to mention the time frame for the answer, and the patience required when dealing with the Most High. Everything’s a priority to us, but the Lord sees the big picture and knows how and when best to react. So when we call on Him, don’t think that He hasn’t heard , or is ignoring us. That’s definitely not the case. He always hears and always pays attention. It just might not be the right time. And Friends, He’s the master of timing, which He reminded me of today. (smile) I’ve been asking for guidance on a particularly persistent problem for a bit, with no response from on high, only my constant vacillating  from one solution to the other, with time fast running out for a final decision. But today, unexpectedly, I got an answer, and luckily it was the one I was hoping for; the one with the least problems. That’s not always the case, but the Lord always has our best interest at heart, even when it doesn’t seem so, and through our faith and trust in Him, we need to move ahead in the direction He guides us. He’s not going to lead us astray, for Jeremiah’s praises weren’t only respectful, but also true; He is ‘the maker thereof, the Lord that formed it, to establish it.’ He’s the Creator of the universe, so who knows better than Him, how it works eh? We go to man made experts for problems with man made things, so for problems with life, it’s only logical that we turn to the one who created it all. Yes Friends, there’s only one real expert in this world, the one in whom we’ve placed our utmost faith and trust; the Most High God Jehovah, is His Name. Call on Him, ask for His expert guidance, He’ll provide all our earthly needs, and those thereafter too, when we come to Him in glory. Much LOVE! …whatever the problem…first…take it to the Lord in prayer…
 

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