Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 June 2008 Zephaniah 3:17‏

22 Jun 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Zephaniah 3:17    The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty, he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
 
Oh, of a truth Friends, it’s a wonderful God we worship. A God who dwells both in and amongst us, and we have much reason to be glad. Today, He’s provided us with another beautiful day in Paradise. In comparison to 90% of the world, those of us reading this are living in Paradise. So let’s give Him thanks and praise for the fact that we have a roof over our heads, clean, comfortable clothes on our backs and food to eat. We are even able to agonize over choices in what to wear or eat. A great proportion of mankind doesn’t even have the bare necessities. Today’s Bit was Zephaniah’s prophecy for the remnant of Israel, after the Lord had purged the ungodly. It would be an exceedingly bright day for those who walk in obedience to Him. Friends, the same thing applies to us today. The Lord’s mercy and generosity will abundantly flow out on His people. Zephaniah exclaims: ‘Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The Lord hath taken away thy judgements, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil anymore.’ (Zeph.3:14-15)  The last part, re not seeing evil anymore, might be stretching it a bit in today’s world, because it’s just like Israel back then. ‘She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the Lord; she drew not near to her God. Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves…Her prophets are light and treacherous persons; her priests have polluted the sanctuary…’ (Zeph.3:2-4) Oh people, can you imagine that thousands of years later, even with the coming of Christ and the destruction that God has heaped on the disobedient during that time, our world is still like Israel; still bent on glorifying the enemy and not the Lord Jehovah? But take heart Friends; there’s a bright light a shining; the light of Christ. ‘The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty;’ Oh yes people! Jesus is in us and all around us! And He certainly is mighty! There’s no doubt about His great power; we see and experience it everyday, both in our lives and the forces of nature. ‘He will save…’ Blessed be the name of Our Saviour, Jesus Christ! He’s already done that Friends, by dying on the cross at Calvary. ‘He will rejoice over thee with joy…’ He’s doing that too people. Ever since He conquered death and rose again, He’s been celebrating the addition of each new believer and the faithfulness of all who walk in his footsteps. ‘As the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.’ (Isa.62:5) ‘He will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing,’ Wow! It’s so great to hear that Our Lord will provide peace and quiet for us with His abiding LOVE. That’s what the Holy Spirit is doing right now in all our hearts. Can’t you feel it people? That great surge of mercy, tenderness and forgiveness that’s coursing through our souls! That’s the LOVE of our God bringing peace and security to our lives. And Friends, each time a new believer is born, or one comes to Christ, or for each obedient step we take, the heavenly choir of angels bursts forth in song! Don’t you hear them singing songs of praise, joy and thanksgiving right now? Can’t you hear their glorious melodies? Ah Friends, just listen…with your heart, and you will. Much LOVE!…there’s endless joy in heaven…whenever we do right…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 21 June 2008 Romans 10:15‏

21 Jun 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Romans 10:15    …as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things.
 
Ah Friends, having decided to continue with Romans 10, I could not decide which verse to use as the Bit. But the sentiments, the logic, and the word play of Vs.15 eventually won me over. Now that’s the kind of stuff by Bruh Paul that excites me, even though it’s based on Isaiah 52:7: ‘How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!’ Yes people, it’s certainly wonderful to hear others spread peace and good tidings, and in this particular case, preach Jesus Christ, as Bruh Paul desires. But we’ve got to back up a bit to get the full story. Yesterday he talked about Jesus being the only key to salvation. Today he emphasizes that he’s preaching the word of faith; faith in Jesus Christ, and if we confess and truly believe in His death and resurrection, then we’ll be saved. ‘For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.’  (Vs.11) That’s based on Jeremiah 17:7: ‘Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.’ In fact, Romans 10 is a skilful melding and blending by Bruh Paul of Old Testament Scripture, to prove his point that Christ based faith is the only way to salvation. Then he advocates that there’s no difference between the Jew and Gentile, because the one true God accepts all who call upon Him. ‘For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ (Vs.13) Now that is based on Joel 2:32: ‘And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord, shall be delivered…’ And having said all of that, he then mulls; ‘How then shall they call on him, in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things.’ (Vs.14-15) It just felt more appropriate to let Bruh Paul say it himself, he weaves it so skilfully. Then with his nimble brain, he complains in the next verse (16) ‘But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?’  That refers to Isaiah 53:1: ‘Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?’ Bruh Paul then concludes, ‘So then faith cometh by hearing; and hearing by the word of God.’ (Vs.17) He’s talking about the oral communication of the gospel. Not faith in what is heard, but faith that comes about by what is heard. Saving faith can only come about through the gospel. Salvation is of God, and can only be received through knowing and accepting the gospel of Christ. Friends, as believers, it’s our responsibility to live a life whereby we can be numbered amongst those who spread the message of peace and glad tidings of good things, especially, the gospel of Christ. Much LOVE!…sadly…those who don’t know the gospel…can’t be saved…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 20 June 2008 Romans 10:4‏

20 Jun 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Romans 10:4    For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth.
 
Yes Friends, it begins and ends with Jesus. Bruh Paul in Romans 10 is talking about the wrong mindset of Israel, their holding on to the Old Testament belief that salvation could be obtained by simply obeying the laws. In 9:32, he says, ‘…they sought it not by faith, but as it were the works of the law…’ They mistook the law itself as a path to righteousness, when it was only given to show the need for righteousness. If we were not such sinful and disobedient children, God would never have had to tell us what or what not to do, the law wouldn’t be necessary. And though Bruh Paul wanted Israel to be saved, and knew they had a great zeal for God, they were going about it the wrong way. ‘For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God.’ (Rom.10:15) Now that’s the kind of stuff that rubs me wrong with Bruh Paul. Did he really expect the mostly uneducated people he wrote to, to understand his wordplay? I guess he must. Anyway, he’s saying that Israel did not understand the purpose of the law, nor it’s scope. The intent was to show the need for righteousness, only possible through belief in Christ, and it was to be made available to all who accepted God’s presence through the law, be it Jew or Gentile. Israel, in effect, figured that because they had the law of Moses and were considered God’s people, only they were entitled to salvation, which was attainable by their own religious, worldly achievement. But Bruh Paul begged to differ and claimed, ‘For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth.’ Since the rulers and leaders of Israel did not accept Christ as the significant milestone He was, truly the Messiah, they were missing the one ingredient that could really lead them to salvation; faith in Jesus. He’s become the end all and be all of human existence. This is what the majority of Israel failed to understand; that Christ ushered in a new era. We still needed to live by the ten commandments, always will, because of our sinful nature, but sacrifices, both personal and communal, flagellation and all the other acts of Old Testament purification were no longer necessary, since Christ died for us and paid our sin debt in full. He was now the one we needed to look to for salvation. He’d paid the piper, so He was now entitled to call the tune. And He said works alone could not get you salvation. To get to the Father we must go through the Son; for He’s the propitiation, the atonement for our sins, also our lawyer and whatever else is necessary to connect to the Father. So Friends, if we claim to believe in the One, True God, Jehovah, then we’ve got to acknowledge Jesus and the important part He plays in us being made righteous in the eyes of the Father. He’s our guide and leader. Without Him, we’re nothing. Much LOVE!…for true believers…Jesus…is the only STAR…in our sky.
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 19 June 2008 Luke 13:3‏

19 Jun 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Luke 13:3    I tell you, Nay: but, except you repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
 
Tough words from the Master, Friends, but just and true. Jesus was referring to a group of Galileans apparently killed by Pilate’s soldiers while offering sacrifices in the temple. ‘…Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things?’ (Luke 13:2) Then He quoted Today’s Bit. ‘Or these eighteen, upon whom the tower of Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.’ (Luke 13:4-5)  Yes Friends, twice in 3 verses, Jesus used those words; that we’ve got to repent or suffer the same fate. He’s saying that it’s not right to assume or say misfortunes happen to others because they deserve it; they’re so sinful that the Lord had to strike them down. Neither does it mean that we are worthy to continue an untroubled life, because misfortunes will happen to us all, unless we repent. Jesus hit the nail on the head there since many of us tend to think that unfortunate things happen to others because they deserve it. While, we paragons of virtue, will escape unscathed. Hn! But Friends, neither case is true, for we are all sinners who can only be saved by confessing our sins to a merciful God and asking His forgiveness through His Son, Jesus Christ. We’ve got to get rid of the ‘we’re better than them’ attitude many of us have, the sin of pride, a sin the Lord thoroughly detests. Oh, He dislikes them all, but there’s something about pride, arrogance and their derivatives that really riles Him. In a number of cases we’re not even half the paragons of virtue we pretend to be, but instead are ole hypocrites, showing a nice face, while our insides seethe with pride, envy and bitterness. It all boils down to not being too quick to judge others, since we really don’t know their circumstances, and if we ever find ourselves in the same kind of situation, we surely won’t want to receive such rash judgement. This brings us to the parable Jesus told afterwards, about the owner of a fig tree that had been barren for three years. In disappointment and frustration, he instructed the gardener to cut it down, since it was of no use if it didn’t bear fruit. But the gardener begged for one more chance for that unfortunate fig tree, promising to mulch and manure it. Then, if it didn’t bear fruit, he’d cut it down. That’s like many of us Friends, unproductive, not bearing fruit, but luckily, the Lord’s patience and forbearance is extended to us; though not forever. If we continue to be unfruitful, then we’ll eventually feel His wrath. So it’s in our best interest to repent, change our sinful thoughts and actions to godly ones; ask for mercy and forgiveness, and sincerely try to do better, bear some wholesome fruit, unless we desire to perish. Much LOVE!…it’s a personal decision…repent…or perish…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 June 2008 Psalm 73:26‏

18 Jun 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 73:26    My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever.
 
What a beautiful and heartfelt sentiment from Asaph, Friends. And who is Asaph? He was a member of the priestly tribe of Israel; the Levites, on whose shoulders Bruh David brought the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord up to Jerusalem with much fanfare and festivity. He then appointed Asaph the chief Levite, ‘to minister before the ark of the Lord, and to record and to thank and praise the Lord God of Israel.’ (1Chron.16:4) That means Asaph had a big role in recording the Psalms; which are in effect ‘sacred songs sung to musical accompaniment’, hymns of praise. He seems to be a learned man who played the cymbals; ‘but Asaph made a sound with the cymbals.’ (1Chron.16:5) Psalms #50,73-83 are also ascribed to his authorship. On a point of interest, the Psalms have been ascribed to six authors: Moses, #90; Asaph, as above; Solomon, #72,127; Heman, #88; Ethan, #89; and Bruh David, 73 of them. Guess that’s why they’re usually referred to as The Psalms of David, because he wrote most of them. The scholars assume that the few titled, ‘For the Sons of Korah,’ were written by others, just for them to perform. And that’s today’s History lesson! (smile) Anyway, Psalm 73 deals with poor Asaph wondering how the wicked could be wicked and yet so prosperous. ‘They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.’ (vs.5) And though he knew that God was good to those with good hearts, pure intentions, when he saw the wicked prospering with no comparable suffering, he began to stumble. ‘But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.’ (vs.2-3) Yes Friends, it’s been happening since day one; we all envy the wicked who prosper. ‘Behold these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches,’ (vs.12) But Friends, note Asaph’s words, ‘who prosper in the world.’ Only in this mortal, sinful world do they prosper. But remember, Jesus said we shouldn’t be concerned about earthly riches because they rot and rust and you can’t take them with you into the next life. And though Asaph knew, as Bruh David says in Psalm 37:1; ‘Fret not thyself because of evil doers, neither be thou envious of the workers of iniquity,’ with his human frailty, he still had problems doing that, like all of us occasionally do. Yes people, it is difficult to see the wicked prospering while you, who’re trying to live a good life, suffer the pangs of this cruel world. It does seem unfair and unjust, especially when Bruh David claims ‘For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.’  (Ps.37:2) But Asaph saw them living long, healthy lives, not being cut down in their best years. He was understandably confused. ‘Until I went into the sanctuary of God: then understood I their end.’ (vs.17) He realised that God would deal with them in His own time. ‘So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.’ (vs.22) ‘For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.’ (vs.27) When all this had sunk in, he was able to say with renewed confidence and courage: ‘Whom have I in heaven, but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth; but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.’ Oh Friends, it’s not easy to see the wicked prosper, but we’ve got to be strong and refrain from envy, for they will pay a steep price at some stage. Ours is not to reason why or when, just to be steadfast and faithful to our calling, knowing that we will be rewarded in due time. Much LOVE!…envy only hurts the envious…not the envied…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 17 June 2008 Proverbs 16:3‏

17 Jun 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Proverbs 16:3    Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.
 
In simple English, Friends that just means commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out, cause it’s so logical. But whoever said we were logical creatures eh? If we were, most of the senseless turmoil and destruction happening today would not be taking place, neither would we be talking about committing our plans to the Lord, cause we would be doing that automatically since He promised long ago, ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you…thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end.’ (Jer.29:11) That means He has good plans for us. Why then are we so reluctant to go to Him with our plans? If He’s our Leader, we ought to do what He directs us to do, and if perchance we come up with any bright ideas of our own we should run them by Him first, to ensure that they live up to His high standards and would enhance His reputation, not sully it. A Leader’s job is to guide, consult and advise; things that will enable us to do a stellar job in accordance with the purpose and direction of the organization. And Jesus’ purpose is to bring sinners to Him through a philosophy of LOVE, with us as the catalyst; living the lifestyle and spreading His Word of LOVE. But due to the enemy’s prowess at dissuasion, and our own sinful lusts for the pleasures of the world, our job becomes harder and we’re constantly tempted to do things on our own, without consulting our Leader. Friends, that’s a tragic mistake, which usually ends in severe disappointment. In Psalm 37:4-5, Bruh David advises us to delight ourselves in the Lord, and He will give us the desires of our hearts. ‘Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass.’ He also says in Psalm 55:22; ‘Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee; he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.’ It just makes a lot of sense people; common sense, to talk to the Lord about our plans before trying to implement them on our own, cause that’s a path strewn with frustration and failure. Now would we  just get up and initiate a project without seeking advice from someone who’s had experience in that particular field? I doubt it. So it’s sensible to talk to earthly experts in a field before getting into it. Well you know what people? As believers, we’ve got the expert of experts at our beck and call; 24-7. Since He made everything, He’s the expert on it all. So whom better to talk to eh? Especially since we’re supposed to be working for Him. Yes Friends, I’m sure if we all looked back at our lives we can find several instances where, if we’d consulted the Lord before making a decision to proceed with a project, we’d have saved ourselves a lot of heartache and disappointment. But that’s the nature of the beast: We’ve been given choice and freewill, so we figure we know best and are too proud to consult with Our Maker, who wants us to lead a prosperous life. But Friends, we can’t receive it unless we work hand in hand with Him. That’s all He’s asking. And if we’re smart, we’ll do just that, cause He’s the Leader, the Father, and He knows what’s best for us. So let’s be sensible, safe and not sorry; talk to Him first before we make any decisions nuh. Much LOVE!…before doing anything…always…always…always…talk to your Heavenly Father…FIRST…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 16 June 2008 Matthew 9:27-29‏

16 Jun 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Matthew 9:27-29    And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? And they said unto him, Yea Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.
 
Yes Friends, that’s the Christian walk in a nutshell; ‘According to your faith be it unto you,’ You will accomplish as much as your level of faith. And what is faith? Bruh Paul romanticized it in that great treatise on Faith; Hebrews 11. ‘Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.’ (vs.1) That basically means believing you’ll get the things you hope for. So it’s a combination of hope and belief. Faith=Hope+Belief. The stronger your hope and belief, the stronger your faith. The only problem is where and in what to place our faith. Many people place their faith in things like power, money and other material possessions, or some supposed god. But Friends, I’m here to tell you, that the place you’ll obtain the greatest and most lasting benefit for your faith is in Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It’s better and safer than money in the bank. And if two blind men can figure that out, why can’t we? That’s why Jesus asked them, ‘Believe ye that I am able to do this? And they said, Yea Lord.’ He wanted to test their faith. And it must have been very strong, since they’d been following him for some time, ‘…crying and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us.’ (Matt.9:28) Those words ‘Thou son of David’ also bear great significance, for it meant that something about Jesus, his words, aura, or personality impacted them with a sense of His Messianic presence, and they instinctively knew that He could heal them. Sometime later, on His way to Jericho two other blind men sitting by the wayside, also called out to Him, ‘Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David.’ And though the crowd following Him told them to shut up, they kept on crying out to Him, until Jesus stopped and asked them, ‘What will ye that I shall do unto you?’ They asked Him to grant them their sight, and Jesus with His usual compassion, touched their eyes, immediately restoring their sight, and they followed Him. Now isn’t it strange that blind men could detect Jesus’ power, when those with sight could not? It might be because when we lose a sense, like sight or hearing, the others compensate for it with increased intensity. But those blind fellows certainly felt something powerful stir their spirit in Jesus’ presence. Now Mark (10:47)and Luke(18:38-39) report this incident as one blind man, but the story is the same. ‘And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight, thy faith hath saved thee.’ (Luke 18:42) Yes People, it’s all about faith. As Bruh Paul says in Hebrews 11:6, ‘But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God, must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.’ Then he goes on list some believers who showed great faith: Noah, Abraham, Sara, Moses, Joseph, Jacob. Friends, the Scriptures are full of them. But then that’s what the Scriptures are about, people who hoped and believed in the Most High God, Jehovah; people of faith. People like us, who never saw Jesus on earth, but still believed He came and died for us, and we’re hoping and believing, having faith, to live a life of eternal salvation with Him sometime in the Great Beyond. That strong conviction, that faith, can do wonders in our lives Friends. As Jesus said, ‘According to your faith be it unto you.’ So let’s work towards a high level of faith, so that we can enjoy a more successful life and also spread the word with more vim and vigour. Much LOVE!…if you see it, why hope for it…but if you don’t… then with great hope and strong belief…wait patiently…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 15 June 2008 3 John 4.‏

15 Jun 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

3 John 4    I have no greater joy than to hear my children walk in truth.
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!
Yes Friends, today is dedicated to Father’s all over the world. Now, once upon a time, Father’s were held in high esteem, with almost godly reverence and much physical fear, and though many did not deserve that respect, that’s how society was set up. Father provided the strong, manly presence, both mentally and physically. He was breadwinner, master of the household, the one to whom everyone looked up and aspired to be like, and he took his responsibility of caretaker of his family seriously. But sadly, today that august reputation has suffered serious damage due to things like technological advances; we’re less important in reproduction. Economic necessity; one income is no longer sufficient, so more mothers are working. Relaxed, lax mores, with an upsurge in women’s independence and responsibility, and a corresponding decrease in those of young men, while fathering ever more children out of wedlock, with different women. Consequently, the basic unit of society, the family has suffered irreparable damage. Too many households now consist of single parent families. The 2006 Census states that 281,406 of those were headed by men; 20 % of the 1.4 million one parent families in Canada. So we’re not all dead beat dads. But Friends, there are still too many out there. And it’s the innocent children who suffer the most because of it. I’ve told my children that my job is to raise them as close to perfection as possible. And they’ll all say that I’ve done a marvellous job. (smile) And though I haven’t done too badly, there’s still room for improvement. Yes children, I still stand by that. But the only way to raise them with high standards is by teaching them a godly lifestyle. That itself isn’t easy, cause you raise the children and not their minds. But if you inculcate the right things, when the enemy comes a calling, at least they’ll have an option, and hopefully will choose the right one. A Father’s job is also to set a decent example. What kind of example is having several children with different women, or even one with one, and not taking part in their upbringing, neither through physical presence or financial support? Unpaid child support runs in the millions of dollars. The women are partly to blame too, with lax morals, having children with different men, most of them low life, unemployed, with no good intentions. Our young people have to learn to take responsibility for their actions. But how can they when the role models we’re dishing up are the so called celebs who are in and out of jail and /or drug rehab, short lasting illicit relationships, while making the most money, living the most luxurious lifestyle but have little or no education or common sense? How can you expect a youngster to believe in education or morals when the few who do, are often belittled and ridiculed.? Friends, it all boils down to respect for ourselves and each other, which derives from our commitment to God and obedience to His dictates. When John wrote ‘I have no greater joy than to hear my children walk in truth,’ he was referring to a group of believers he had mentored and was glad to hear they were living their faith in a good manner. I found it a very appropriate Bit for Father’s Day. We can ask nothing better from our children. But Fathers, that requires a deliberate commitment to a long process, involving financial support and some physical presence in your children’s lives. By trying to set a good example, by admitting mistakes, giving up things that don’t jive with the the LOVE we’re teaching for God, ourselves and our neighbours. And most important Fathers, please, I implore you; TEACH THEM TO PRAY. It will stand them in good stead all their lives. Much LOVE!…if we follow the Father…our children probably will too…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 14 June 2008 Psalm 28:

14 Jun 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 28:7    The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth, and with my song I will praise him.
 
Unlike Samson, Bruh David knew which side his bread was buttered on. Whenever he found himself in trouble, either through his own disobedience or unkind fate, he never hesitated to call on the Lord. Psalm 28 is one of his many prayers to God for help during those rough times. In his own unique style, he begins by petitioning the Lord for deliverance. ‘Unto thee will I cry, O Lord my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.’ In Vs.3, he keeps on pleading for God’s goodness and mercy. ‘Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.’ Oh Friends, doesn’t that sound like many of us? Our world is filled with fickle hearted hypocrites, smiling and talking to you nicely on the outside. Hn! But behind yuh back, is an entirely different story, they’re only too willing and eager to jam the knife in, right up to the hilt. Words like trust, integrity, character, decency, no longer are the watchwords of our lives. In this dog eat dog world, it’s everybody for themselves, survival of the fittest. With our economy seemingly on the down swing now, life is getting rougher for everybody, which just leads us to become more selfish and egocentric, only concerned with our own welfare. The popular phrase is; ‘Who cares!’ That aptly describes our society today. And since we’re sinful by nature, it’s very easy to get caught up in the rat race, though, as believers, we ought not to let the wiles of the world entrap and entangle us. But people, that’s only possible if we continually call on the Lord, both in good and bad times; the only way to end up on His good side. ‘Blessed be the Lord, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.’ (Vs.6) Friends, we should be putting ourselves in a position to also shout words of praise and thanks like those, for whenever we come to him with a right, repentant heart, He listens to our pleas. Bruh David knew this, that’s why he kept the Lord at the forefront of his life. And the Lord never let him down. He didn’t always make it easy, but he certainly extricated him from some serious problems. That’s why he could unreservedly declare: ‘The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth, and with my song I will praise him.’ Yes Friends, it’s that kind of trust and faith we need to aspire to, but it’s only possible by having a constant and right relationship with the Most High. Let’s all set that as our goal today nuh. There is nothing in a believer’s life more wonderful and worthwhile. Then let’s pray, with all our heart and soul that we accomplish it. Much LOVE!…how sweet the name of Jesus sounds…in a believer’s ear…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 13 June 2008 Judges 16:4‏

13 Jun 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Judges 16:4    And it came to pass afterward that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek; whose name was Delilah.
 
Ah Friends, as the ole folks say, ‘is woman like them who does turn good man bad yes.’  Delilah’s place is assured in the annals of infamous women. But we can’t blame her for everything. Samson should have known better. He was a judge of Israel, their military leader for twenty years, and although he did great exploits, should have set a better example in his personal life. He was physically strong, but morally weak, violating all his Nazarite vows, by touching a dead body, the lion’s carcass, going to the prenuptial drinking party and shaving his locks. But it seems God overlooked his shortcomings a tad, to bring about the good will he held toward Israel. Even after killing the thousand men with the ass’ jawbone and being revived, by the Lord miraculously causing a spring to spout up from some hollow ground, Sammy continued his disobedient ways. He went to Gaza to visit a prostitute. But the Lord always seemed to be with him, for while the Gazites lay in wait outside the house and by the city gate, intending to capture him when he left in the morning, Sammy left at midnight, taking the big, heavy city gates and posts with him up to a hill in Hebron. Now it’s estimated that Gaza was thirty something miles from Hebron. Wow! It means Sammy was physically, mucho strong, but rather weak where morals, self indulgence and women were concerned. But like us all, he eventually met his Waterloo; ‘And it came to pass afterward that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek; whose name was Delilah,’ whom he moved in with. Delilah was offered eleven hundred pieces of silver apiece, by the Philistine Lords to find out the source of Sammy’s strength. There were about five Lords, making the total haul fifty-five hundred pieces of silver. Friends, that’s mucho dinero, so Delilah accepted the offer and began pumping Sammy for info re his source of strength. Three times Sammy lied to her. Each time she did what he said and had the Philistines accost him, but to their detriment. But persistence, thy name is woman, and Delilah kept prodding him. Now why would any sane man stick around after she betrayed him three times and was still prodding eh?  But stick around he did, and Delilah kept prodding, ‘so that his soul was vexed unto death.’ (Jdg,16:16) He got so worn down, that he finally told her the truth. She immediately called up the Lords, who came with the money, and she had Sammy fall asleep with his head in her lap, then got a man to shave off his seven locks. Sammy was a baldhead! What a pity! Then she woke him and said the Philistines were coming to get him. Poor Sammy, not realizing that Lord’s Spirit had left him, figured he’d do like the other times, but the Philistines captured, blinded and bound him in shackles, then set him to the grinding wheel in the jail. Sometime later, they all gathered in the temple to offer sacrifices and praise to their god Dagon for delivering their enemy into their hands, and they brought Samson out to make sport for them. But they all reckoned without the Most High God, Jehovah. Sammy’s hair was growing back and he was feeling his oats again, so he enticed the lad guiding him to take him to the main pillars of the temple. There, with one hand on each pillar, ‘he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.’ (Jdg.16:30) In death, Samson was selfless and victorious; avenging himself, but also by killing the Philistine rulers, substantially decreasing the threat to Israel . What does Samson’s story teach us Friends? First, disobedience will invariably be punished. Sammy enjoyed his wine, women and song, breaking all the laws he was entrusted to uphold, and he paid dearly with betrayal, blindness, servitude, and finally his life. But in all this the Lord still found a way to make him a hero, to have him accomplish the task he was born for; ‘to begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines,’ Yes Friends, the Lord always wins. Sammy learned that the hard way. Let’s try and learn from his mistakes nuh. Much LOVE!…it doesn’t pay…to disobey…

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