Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 April 2008 Acts 8:20-23‏

04 Apr 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Acts 8:20-23    But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
 
Ah Friends, even today, people still wrongfully think that the Lord’s grace and favour can be bought with money. But it’s just not so. This Bit is about Simon, a sorcerer in Samaria, in the early days of the church, when Paul was still Saul, and wreaking havoc in Jerusalem, just after he had them stone Stephen to death, and the believers were scattered all over, fearful of Paul, but still preaching the Word. At this time, Phillip went down to Samaria and preached the Word successfully. Acts 8:8 says; ‘And there was great joy in that city.’ However, Simon, who had made lots of money before this, bewitching them with his evil doings, saw his following converted and baptized, and figuring that he might as well get in on a good thing, he followed suit, then began hanging around with Phillip and his crew, marvelling at the miracles they performed. Now when the Apostles in Jerusalem heard about the good things happening in Samaria, they sent Peter and John down to witness also. When they came, they prayed for the Holy Spirit to come into the hearts of the believers, as they’d not received it yet, only been baptized. That’s when Simon, with his greedy self, popped up and offered Peter money for the power to lay hands on others and invoke the Holy Spirit. He obviously saw it as a money making machine. And Peter appropriately put him in his place: ‘thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.’ Yes Friends, there’s nothing truly of the Lord that can be bought with money. His grace, LOVE, salvation, forgiveness and mercy are all free, depending on the rightness of our heart. It’s all about out belief and trust in Him. Even being baptized and having the Holy Spirit in you, is not sufficient. You’ve got to use it, and use it right too. It’s like having money in the bank for a rainy day, but the rainy day comes and you don’t use it. As the cliché goes, ‘if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it.’ That’s the same with our God. He wants us to be actively involved in spreading His Word, using the tools He’s given us, in the right manner, with a heart to match. So my people, if today we find ourselves in a situation like Simon, where our intentions are not in sync with God’s Word, ‘in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity,’ and only we can know that, then let’s take Peter’s advice, turn to God, repent of our misdoing and ask for forgiveness. He will grant it, once He sees that our heart is right and we’re sincere. Much LOVE!…that’s why Bruh David pleaded…create in me…a clean heart…O God…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 3 April 2008 Deuteronomy 8:2-3‏

03 Apr 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Deuteronomy 8:2-3    And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.
 
Believe it People! Our God is a serious Being yes. He doesn’t make joke when coming to His business nuh. Yuh see how He had them Israelites wandering in the wilderness for forty, long, hard years of ‘sufferation’; to find out what they were made of, to humble them because He knew they were a stubborn, hard hearted people, and see if they would keep His commandments, since it’s hardest to keep them when you’re under serious strain. Friends, are any of us out there running around aimlessly, like we’re lost? Can it be that it’s God’s hand on us, trying to humble, or prove us, or just teach us a lesson we refuse to learn. But then again, when we’re under serious pressure, that’s the time we desperately need to call out to God for help. The Israelites didn’t understand that early on, they just complained. Here, Moses is giving behavioural guidelines to the young generation, for the promised land, and showing them why the Lord humbled them and made them go hungry, only giving them tasteless, unknown manna. He wanted to drive home to them the fact ‘that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.’ What a rough way to learn that eh Friends! But I suspect that’s happening to some of us today. We are either taking the Lord for granted, or making a mockery of His rules, and we’re paying the price, struggling through one or more aspects of life. Yes Friends, our God is nice and friendly and merciful and all that, but He’s a stickler for obedience, especially if we claim or pretend to be what we’re not. He has no qualms about bringing us to our knees and keeping us there until we learn whatever lesson He wants to teach us. So I’d suggest people, that we look closely at ourselves, because we all have areas in which we struggle, and try to find out why? Let’s talk to the Most High, go right to the top, humble ourselves before Him and ask Him to show us the error of our ways. It might be that He’s just testing us for promotion, trying to see if we have the mettle it takes to move up higher, or trying to say something significant and we’re not paying attention, who knows? But the best way to find out Friends, is to go directly to Him. He won’t beat about the bush. He’ll tell you exactly what is what, like He told the Israelites back then. We too may need to learn that it’s by the word of God, we live. Much LOVE!…when in doubt…go right to the top…for the true answer…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 2 April 2008 Psalm 18:1-2,49.‏

02 Apr 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 18:1-2,49.    I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.
 
Ah Friends, like an angel of peace and calm danced through my soul today, for I’ve been so peaceful, it scares me. Several annoying problems cropped up that I could not fix, but I didn’t rant and rave. I couldn’t decide on a Bit, but I wasn’t perturbed. I’ve been a bit under the weather recently, but today I’m feeling much better, and it’s certainly been a restful, non stressed day. For all of that, thanks and praise seemed most appropriate today. Having said that, it’s obvious I went straight to Bruh David’s words, because nobody does thanks and praise like him. Had to do a bit of searching and checking though, since I’ve used so many of them already. But like he never runs out. And if he ever does, so what? Then we just use them twice, or even thrice.(smile) Listen to these words people, that he spoke unto the Lord, the day He delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, especially his nemesis, Saul. I can just imagine Bruh Dave, early in the morning, having found a quiet place, alone with God, releasing a heavy sigh, throwing up his opened arms and raising his tear filled eyes to Heaven, before waxing poetical, in a barely audible voice, filled with heartfelt gratitude. ‘I will love thee, O Lord, my strength.’ Then with increasing power, ‘The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;’ as the revelation of God’s goodness really dawns on him. ‘My God, my strength, in whom will I trust;’ And as the power of the Holy Spirit moved in him, he waxed stronger and stronger. ‘My buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.’ And he unashamedly poured out his heart, remembering the times the Most High had been good to him. And there were plenty, because it’s one of his longest writings; 50 verses. The tears of gratitude must have flowed copiously down his cheeks as he recounted them. And nowhere does he take credit for any of his victories, it’s always God. ‘He delivered me from my strong enemy…but the Lord was my stay…It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect…Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation, and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great…It is God that avengeth me…He delivered me from mine enemies…Therefore I will give thanks unto thee O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises to thy name.’ Oh Friends, there’s no more to say. Bruh David said it all. And if a strong, enlightened ruler like him can acknowledge the Lord as his rock and strength, and pour out his heart so eloquently, what can a lesser mortal like me say eh? Just that we should all go and do likewise Friends. The Lord has been good to all of us, and for many things we’ve never thanked him. So let’s just take some time, find a quiet place, enumerate some of His blessings, and pour out our hearts; shower Him with thanks and praise for His goodness to the undeserving children of men. He deserves it. Much LOVE!…Read Psalm 18…and weep…with joy…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 1 April 2008 Luke 1:38‏

01 Apr 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Luke 1:38    And Mary said, behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
 
Yuh know Friends, the other day I was watching Cousin Joel talking about some of the things, Mary, the mother of Jesus, went through, and it suddenly struck me that when names are called of people with great faith, hers is never mentioned. In Hebrews 11 Paul talks about Abel, Enoch, Noah Abraham, Sara, Isaac, Joseph, Moses, etc. but no mention of Mary. But Friends, using Paul’s own definition, that ‘faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen,’ what would you term Mary’s response to the Angel Gabriel eh? Remember, Mary was just a young, uneducated girl from a poor family in a poor neighbourhood of a poor town; in today’s parlance, from the ghetto of Nazareth, who’d recently gotten engaged. Now imagine her reaction when Gabriel suddenly shows up and declares, ‘Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.’ Vs.28. Obviously she was surprised and scared. But Gabe calmed her. ‘Fear not, Mary; for thou hast found favour with God.’ Vs.30. Then he went on to tell her about the son she would have, to call his name Jesus etc.Vs.31-33. And when Mary asked the obvious question, how can I have a child, if I’ve never been with a man? Gabe simply said that the Holy Ghost would come upon her, that’s why the child would be called the Son of God. He also said that her cousin, Elizabeth, previously barren, was now, in her old age, six months pregnant. ‘For with God, nothing shall be impossible.’ Vs.37. And what was Mary’s reaction to this unbelievable news? Without much time to consider it, she said without hesitation, ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.’ Now isn’t that the ultimate in faith and trust? Try telling that to any teenaged girl today. They’d laugh you to scorn. But in Mary’s time, they were a more God fearing people, though she had much bigger problems then, than girls in our more liberal society today. Getting pregnant outside of marriage is not as terrible as it was back then. How would Joseph, her fiancee react? No doubt he’d think she’d been unfaithful. Would he still marry her? And if he refused, what would happen to her and her illegitimate child? And we all know about the viciousness of small town gossip. But Mary did not wilt under the pressure, she stood strong. Then on visiting her cousin Elizabeth, when she called out to her, John the Baptist jumped for joy in Liz’s womb. Now there’s another woman who should be numbered amongst those of great faith. And after the two women communed, it dawned fully on Mary, that she was destined for a rather remarkable future, and she burst forth in praise. ‘My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour…For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.’ Now if that isn’t faith that should be acknowledged and shouted from the rooftops, I don’t know what is. Roman Catholics revere her for being blessed, but I don’t think we give her her rightful due in the faith category. Who else in history has ever been spiritually told they would have a child without knowing a man, and didn’t bat an eyelash, especially in those dark ages? Then, when we add all the problems she encountered with Jesus growing up and His eccentric, confusing manhood, death and resurrection, but never faltered, what else can you call her resilience eh? Nothing but FAITH!  Read it all in Luke Chap.1. Much LOVE!…this thing called faith eh…it can really move mountains yes…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 31 March 2008 Proverbs 2:10-11‏

31 Mar 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Proverbs 2:10-11    When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee.
 
Most excellent advice Friends, from Solomon, reputedly the wisest man ever. But what’s this thing called wisdom eh? This intangible attribute that’s considered so important, that Adam and Eve disobeyed  God and ate of the Tree of  Life, searching for it. The dictionary defines it as being wise, having experience and knowledge together with the power of applying them critically or practically; sagacity; prudence, common sense. But how do we acquire it? Whom better than Solomon to ask? Vs 6 says, ‘For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.’ There we go Friends! If we want wisdom, we have to turn to the Lord; He dispenses it. The rough part though is that we just can’t ask for it and get it instantly. I can attest to that (smile). Remember, part of the definition is having experience, which can only be earned over time. And hard time too; by learning from our mistakes and those of others; by keeping our eyes and ears open, but most of all people, by staying in close contact with the Lord, since in the long run, it’s through His grace and guidance that we’ll develop wisdom. And with wisdom comes knowledge, that body of information built up during the process. Hn! Remember growing up in the West Indies, when the ole folks tried to drum common sense into us? Well that’s just wisdom in its everyday clothes. But they also knew that much of it was earned in the school of life, undergoing its hard knocks and trying times. So what’s the purpose of going through all of that just to acquire some intangible ideal eh? As Sol says in the Bit, when you have wisdom in your heart and you appreciate and value knowledge, then you’ll really be capable of handling life. ‘Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee.’ Experience helps us to understand the complexities of life, and that knowledge allows us to successfully stick handle through it. ‘To deliver thee from the way of the evil man…Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness… Who rejoice to do evil…Whose ways are crooked…’ Vs’ 12-15. In other words, wisdom is a tool to help us navigate the deep, murky waters of life. But it can only be achieved through time and experience, that’s why it’s usually associated with advanced years, while the young make basic mistakes. That’s how the Most High set it up. The one concession He made was for Sol; He gave him wisdom at an early age, and he used it wisely until his old age. He didn’t heed his own advice, since he says in Vs.16-19, that one of the purposes of wisdom is ‘To deliver thee from the strange woman…which flattereth with her words…None that go unto her return again…’ That’s exactly what happened to poor Sol; he ended up in the arms of strange, pagan women against God’s advice. As Derrick Harriot said in that old Rock Steady song, ‘Solomon was the wisest man, But he didn’t know the secret of a woman.’ But which man knows it eh? (smile) What we do know Friends, is that to live life successfully, wisdom is essential, and as it comes only from the Most High, we need to have constant communication with Him. We all know what that entails too, so let’s sincerely promise ourselves to do that today nuh. Much LOVE!…to be wise…walk and talk with God…always…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 30 March 2008 1 John 1:5-7‏

30 Mar 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

1 John 1:5-7    This then is the message which we have heard of him and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his son, cleanseth us from all sin.
 
‘I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.’ John 12:46. That’s the message the Apostle John heard from Jesus’ lips, and desires to impart to us Friends. God is light, bright and shining. And… Ohhh! Just remembered, I saw the perfect example of that, driving along the shoreline of Lake Ontario this morning, on my way to visit my mother in Toronto’s east end. The new day was just dawning, when, from between the branches of some evergreens, I glimpsed a bright light in the distance. A few seconds later, I went ‘WOW!’ For right out there on the distant, eastern horizon of the lake, was the most beautiful sunrise I’ve ever seen. I’ve heard about some and seen a few myself, but Friends, this one…hn! This was surely the best! A big, deep orange hued ball of fire just sitting magnificently on the edge of the horizon, casting its bright reflection on the dark blue water around it, changing it to burnished silver. I had to take out my darkers and put them on, the brilliance was so overwhelming. Now that’s the kind of light Jesus was obviously trying to portray, since there’s no other light in our world as bright and powerful as the sun. It’s also the most dazzling that we can comprehend. Hn,hn! Just musing Friends. Was that a sign? I had no idea that I’d be talking about light today, but He did. I did not even remember the experience until I began writing the Bit. Who knows? His ways are higher than ours. But I’d like to think He was lending me a helping hand, which I certainly appreciate. (smile) In that kind of light people, darkness can never exist. Here, light and darkness basically refer to good and evil, truth and lies, righteousness and sin. That’s why John says, we can claim to be walking in the faith, but if our lives are still evil and based on the world’s view and approval, then we’re lying, fooling ourselves, since God has no dark, negative qualities. And sadly Friends, too many of us fall into that category of living a lie. What we show, is not who we really are. In public we have one persona, but behind closed doors…it’s entirely different. That means our heart’s not right Friends. If we’re really walking in the light of God, we’d be living right; in peace and LOVE with our neighbours, kind and considerate to the poor, the widow, the stranger, church would be for sincere worship, not gossip and dissension. We would not allow the glitz and glamour of the world, it’s attention to material rather than spiritual things to affect our relationship with each other and God. Remember, it was our sinful lives that first disassociated us from God, but in His great mercy He redeemed us, ‘and the blood of Jesus Christ his son, cleanseth us from all sin.’ Let’s remove the darkness from our lives please Friends. We can’t afford to spoil our relationship with God again. Much LOVE!…like the bright morning sun…Jesus came…to light our dark and evil way…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 29 March 2008 Isaiah 50:5-7‏

29 Mar 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Isaiah 50:5-7    The Lord God hath opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. For the Lord God will help me, therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.
 
Exceedingly wise words from Isaiah people. Words it would do us well to live by. As we mature in the faith, acknowledging that the Lord is in control, and submitting to His will, He enables, strengthens and guides us in a truly surprising manner. In verse 4, Isaiah says that God gave him wisdom, ‘the tongue of the learned,’ so that he’d find the right words to encourage a struggling, weary believer. He also opened his ears, making him more aware of the happenings around him. Yes Friends, when we allow the Lord to guide us, our spiritual consciousness rises to a higher level. We see, hear, think and feel stuff like never before. But by the same token, this increased awareness of God can also make life tougher. Isaiah realized this, but persisted: ‘and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.’ It’s not easy Friends. Isaiah accepted both the back stabbing and frontal attacks. He did not hide from those who mocked and rebuked him. Why? Because the Spirit of the Lord was moving within him, strengthening his faith. ‘For the Lord will help me; therefore I shall not be confounded.’ What a powerful testimony people! ‘Therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.’ Ah Friends, those are the parts it takes to walk faithfully in the Lord; perseverance and fortitude. Because once the world realizes that we’re on a different wavelength; in it, but not of it, it tends to ridicule and condemn us. It’s the nature of the beast; cry down and belittle what you don’t like or understand. But if we’re to succeed in God’s ministry, we need to have plenty belly Friends, a backbone of steel, and a heart engorged and overflowing with God’s LOVE, because the enemy will test our mettle every chance he gets. So, like Isaiah, we’ve got to acquire that faith in God’s promise, but unfortunately that only comes through the same school of hard knocks. That’s why the life of the faithful is so difficult. But please remember that we’ve got the awesome Spirit of the Most High God, Jehovah, the most powerful Being in the universe, living within us, and consequently we can withstand anything the enemy throws against us. He’s promised that no weapon that comes against us shall prosper, so let’s raise our consciousness a notch or two nuh, and speak words of enablement and encouragement to our fellow travellers along life’s dusty highways and byways, in Jesus ‘ name. Amen! Much LOVE!…to really serve the Lord…requires mucho gumption…a strong backbone…and plenty, plenty belly…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 28 March 2008 2 Samuel 23:2-4‏

28 Mar 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Samuel 2:2-4    The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me. He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth; even a morning without clouds, as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        According to Samuel, these words were numbered amongst the last of Bruh David. (Vs.1) As usual, he’s in fine form: ‘The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue…The Rock of Israel spake to me. He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.’ Words to live by Friends. A ruler if nothing else must be just; meaning fair, reliable, acceptable, relevant, trustworthy and true. But how many of our rulers today, can we say that about eh? Sadly,very few. Most of them don’t know the meaning of the word just in this sense, much less to be ruling in the fear of God. In the first place, not many rulers believe in or respect God, and those who claim to be God inspired, oftimes their words and actions do not jive. How can you be just, ruling with reverence to God, exercising your authority in the maintenance of truth and rights, if your policies and actions tend to be oppressive eh? While the greedy, loot and shoot, ‘pauperize’ the country with impunity; the rich get richer. Look around us Friends, there are very few countries today, where the ordinary man is living a fairly decent life. Many can’t get jobs, others have to work at several, just to make ends meet. But the ruling class seems to have money to burn. Problems must arise from that drastic inequity. Look at all the nations, mostly underdeveloped, currently pumping out black gold, while raking in the solid yellow kind, yet the citizens of almost every one are still living in miserable poverty. Very little of the supposed communal wealth, is actually filtering down to those who need it the most. But the rulers live jet set lives, and if the people dare to complain, they are repressed even further. Corruption is rampant all over the world, not only in high places, but low ones too. So we shouldn’t get too smug Friends, since each of us is a ruler in some sense: As a supervisor at our jobs, places we volunteer at, wherever we have some control over others, especially in our homes. How do we perform those duties? Are we just and fair, do we show respect to God? Or are we just as despotic and egocentric as those we decry and despise? Are we dealing under the table, encouraging idle gossip and backbiting, playing both ends against the middle? Then we’re no better, so we can’t rightfully judge them. Friends, although our stage might be small, it’s still important that we do it right, because we will take whatever we learn there to the big stage. I know it can’t be perfect, but it doesn’t have to be as evil, wicked and corrupt as it is right now. There is too much abundance in our world for the majority to be suffering from lack of basic food, clothing, clean water and shelter. But Friends, a lot of it starts with us, the examples we set in our homes, schools, churches, parks, playing fields, wherever. What we practice there; right, wrong, just or unjust, positive or negative, that is what we, and the others involved will take with us when we move on to bigger things. So Friends, for the sake of our world, our children’s future and reverence and honour for God, let’s try to be just and true nuh, ‘be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds…’ Much LOVE!…truth, rights and justice…are not only for us…but for others too…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 27 March 2008 Matthew 19:27-29‏

27 Mar 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Matthew 19:27-29    Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold we have forsaken all, and followed thee, what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
 
Many of us have asked the same question? What’s in it for us? What do we get for giving up things and people we love to follow Jesus? Well Jesus spelled it out for Peter, and the same applies to us my Friends. When Jesus comes again in all His splendour and glory, He promises that His twelve disciples will sit on thrones and rule Israel. They’ll surely be well rewarded in His Kingdom for their sacrifice and passionate faith in Him. Everyone else who has forsaken friends, family and material wealth to follow Him ‘shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.’ Now that’s a mighty generous promise made there by the Saviour. All His followers will receive an hundredfold increase in blessings as well as everlasting life! Wow! Now isn’t that something to look forward to and work towards eh Friends? Some will question the wisdom of giving up what we can see and feel now, for an ephemeral reward in the future, and who knows if there’s really life after death anyway eh? But Friends, just supposing, for argument sake, that there really is life after death, and you don’t do the things now that will cause you to inherit it, what happens then eh? Crapaud smoke yuh pipe! You’ll be thrown into outer darkness forever. So isn’t it better to be safe than sorry? To hitch up your wagon to Jesus’ mighty engine now, rather than chance on missing out on the hundredfold blessing and eternal life He’s promised at His second coming? Which, in comparison to the first, will be like moving from rags to riches. Oh Friends, right now the world is in a financial calamity because the supposedly wise and wealthy hedged their bets on insubstantial man made elements that had no real foundation, so the slightest whiff of adversity brought the whole house of cards tumbling down to everyone’s dismay. The only safe place to hedge your bets people is on Jesus. He’s never broken any promises and never will. In the final analysis Friends, we’ve got two choices: to hook our lowly wagon to the enemy, who promises glitzy earthly possessions that rot and wither, and you can’t take with you when your physical body returns to dust, as it surely will, and if there’s eternal life, you’ll be left in the lurch. Or will we hook up with the one and only Super Star; Jesus Christ, Him who died for our sins?  In whose earthly service we can still acquire and enjoy material stuff, just not make it the focus of our lives, and at the end, eternal life with Him. Ah Friends, there’s only one choice, one sensible option, and I implore us all to choose it and say defiantly, ‘As for me and mine, we’ll follow the Lord, every time.’ Much LOVE!…who knows what the future holds…but the promises of Jesus…Hn…they are the best…by far…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 26 March 2008 Jonah 2:1-2‏

26 Mar 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Jonah 2:1-2.     Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish’s belly. And said, I cried by reason of my affliction unto the Lord, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.
 
Are you crying to the Lord my Friends in a time of desperation, and it doesn’t seem like He’s hearing or paying any attention to you? Well take heart. So am I. But the truth is that our God always listens and always hears. It’s just that His response and timing doesn’t always match ours. We want to be relieved of a problem now for now. But that’s not God’s style. The problems we’re facing might have a higher purpose that we don’t know about, and if He granted our request immediately, we’d lose the good stuff, the increase He has in store for us if we’d only ‘band our jaw’ and ride out the problem without too many complaints. Look at poor Jonah nuh. He refused to do the Lord’s bidding, then tried to run away and hide. But as the ole people say, ‘yuh could run, but yuh can’t hide.’ That’s so true people. And we know that our God has a tendency to do things in a roundabout way. It’s never as straightforward and simple as it seems. He allowed Jonah to run, then had the whale swallow him, just to teach him a lesson. And as Jonah ‘guttsily’ testified: ‘Out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.’ Yes Friends, wherever we are, in whatever circumstance, good or bad, the Lord is always with us, and always hears our cries of anguish, or songs of praise, and we have to believe that we undergo certain things for reasons that He alone understands. And if we look back on some of the hard times we’ve been through, we’ll notice that almost always, we’ve come out better than before. The problems strengthen us; either financially, spiritually, emotionally and even physically. That’s how we grow and mature as Christians. And as I keep reminding us, it’s not an easy walk, this Christian faith we’ve chosen to follow, for even though we know deep down, that with hope, belief and faith in the Most High, we’ll come though with flying colours, it’s still difficult to drum up the necessary patience to wait on Him.  However Friends, if we’re ever going to be successful in our endeavours, and hoping in the Lord to help us, then patience is something we’ll definitely have to acquire. And here I’m preaching to myself too. (smile) The Mighty One above says, ‘Be still and know that I am God.’ Yes Friends, that’s what we need to do. So whatever unfortunate circumstance you might find yourself in today, remember the Lord is always there to help. Do the best you can, cry out to Him for help, then leave the rest to Him, wait patiently, with thanks and praise and faith. Like Jonah, He might just be trying to teach us a lesson, or testing us for promotion. But please don’t lose hope, cause it’s when things look the bleakest, that we’ve got to hold on the strongest. That’s the enemy desperately trying to hold us back from the good future he knows the Lord has waiting for us. Hope I can remember that too. (smile) Wish all the Bits flowed as easily as this one (wishful thinking) Guess that’s because it relates to me on a personal level also. Anyway Friends, as always, Much LOVE!…and remember…He’s always with us…we just have to stay in faith…and bide our time…
 

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