Today’s Scrip-Bit 5 January 2008 Lamentations 3:24-26‏

05 Jan 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Lamentations 3:24-26    The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I have hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.
 
Oh yes Friends! More powerful encouraging words from Jeremiah’s soulful Lamentations. A continuation from yesterday, where he belatedly discerned that God is in everything, He controls all, directs every aspect of our lives. And having come to that enlightening conclusion, Bruh Jerry felt uplifted, bold and confident enough to say, ‘The Lord is my portion, saith my soul, therefore will I have hope in Him.’  That’s the way it should also be with us, my people. We should be bold and confident in the Faith. Note too, that it was not just a mental discernment that Jeremiah had, but more a spiritual awakening; ‘saith my soul.’ he claims. That meant he felt it deep down in the very depths of his being, where the Holy Spirit operates. It’s also how we need to feel it Friends. That’s where and how, the hope, the great expectations, the power to keep walking by faith is born. As the ole people say, ‘yuh got to feel it like a fire burning in yuh belly!’ (smile) But that’s the gospel truth. Only when something really moves us, are we able to truly rise above our calamities. That fire enables us to dig deep down for whatever resources we need to successfully climb the steep, slippery rungs of the treacherous, unsteady, manipulative ladder of life. Hn,hn hn! The ‘floweriness’ of that last sentence brought forth a chuckle since it was totally unexpected, just came out of the blue. But that’s exactly what I’m talking about; when you’re really moved, you’re empowered to do marvellous things. And it’s why Jeremiah was able to switch from bemoaning his travails to praising his God in one simple moment. His spirit was renewed, which lead him to acknowledge that our God is kind and loving to those who not only wait on Him, but also search diligently for Him. We must want Him in our hearts and lives so badly that we sincerely go looking for Him. That’s when His joy in us is really kindled. It let’s Him know that we are truly serious. And so, through the movement of the spirit, Jeremiah came to a most excellent conclusion. ‘It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.’  Friends, truer words were never spoken. Consequently, I’m pleading with us to seriously try and follow Jeremiah’s directive, so that the Most High will look favourably upon us. Much LOVE!…remember…there’s still work to be done…while we’re hoping and quietly waiting…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 January 2008 Lamentations 3:21-23‏

04 Jan 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Lamentations 3:21-23    This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
 
Oh Friends, those verses say so much about our God! Apparently Jerusalem and its people were going through some tough times and Jeremiah was lamenting the suffering brought on by the Lord’s anger, and His harsh punishment. But halfway through his plaintive tale, Jeremiah pulled himself up. Remembering all the affliction, the wormwood and gall which humbled his soul, he realized, in a moment of spiritual awareness, that it could have been worse, and right away the tenor of his words changed. ‘Therefore have I hope,’ he attests. ‘It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not!’  Oh praise the Lord people and thank Him for that merciful attitude!  Even when He’s angry with us, He’s still the loving Father and shows compassion when we possibly don’t deserve it. And Jeremiah doesn’t stop there. He maintains that God’s compassion is renewed every morning. Wow! That means everyday He comes up with new mercy. What an awesome God! Who wouldn’t want to be associated with a noble, forgiving Being like that eh? Then Jeremiah adds the crowning touch; ‘great is thy faithfulness.’  Oh yes Friends, that’s one thing we can surely count on; the faithfulness of our God. He always keeps His word, on that we can rely. So even though we may be lamenting our sorrows amid rough times, like Jeremiah, we’ve also got to realize that things could always be worse, and it’s only through the mercy and compassion of the Most High that they aren’t. At the same time, on the other side of the coin, this gives us hope. If it could be worse, that means it could also be better. And with the compassion of our Heavenly Father beginning anew each day, anything is possible. Friends, this is an excellent reason for us to take heart, hold our heads up high, and keep on keeping on in the walk of faith and singing ‘Everyday’s a new day…’ Much LOVE!…remember…once there’s life…there’s hope…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 3 January 2008 Hosea 8:7‏

03 Jan 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Hosea 8:7    For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal; if so be it yield, the stranger shall swallow it up.
 
O People, what a horrible thing to envision! But the Israelites brought that on themselves by turning away from the Lord, although he showed them His awesome power and made them wonderful promises, if only they kept His covenant. I guess they either could not comprehend such a majestic, invisible Being, and/or their greed and impatience would not allow them to wait on His appointed time. We all know that His time frame is entirely different to ours, and one of His big concerns is that we wait patiently for Him. But apparently those folks of olden time could not do it. They wanted to see and touch their gods, so they made themselves calves and whatever out of molten gold and brass and worshipped them. They intermarried with unbelievers, which the Lord had distinctly told them not to do, because it would cause confusion, diluting their heritage and turning their hearts away from Him. So said, so done! Paganism increased. They wanted Kings and Princes; and did so without God’s approval, and paid the price. In fact, they seem to have done everything the Lord, through Moses and the Prophets, told them not to do. And then they wondered why the Lord’s anger was kindled against them? Sadly Friends, it looks like we’re heading down that same road of disobedience. Our greed, impatience, great lust for material things and personal glory, intermarriage with unbelievers, are all seeds of the wind we’re sowing, which at least blows one way at a time. However, if we keep going in that direction, what else can we expect but to reap the whirlwind; a turbulent wind that blows every which way and causes continuous turmoil. That is what happens when we stray from the Lord, when we get too big for our britches and feel we no longer need Him. Oh Friends, History is strewn with people who figured they’d outgrown God, only to discover to their everlasting detriment that we cannot outgrow Him. He is a staple in our lives. Without Him we’re nothing. I don’t understand it, but if we accept the premise that our God is the Creator and Controller of the Universe, who can do anything, and wants us to live a certain way, then why would we turn our backs on Him eh? That seems to be a rather unwise decision, but one, too many of us are still choosing to make. It’s always sad when the Lord is displeased with His children, but when He promises to wreak havoc on us, Hn! Then Friends, we’ve got to sit up and take notice. And we’ll all agree that there’s definitely too much strife and turmoil in our current world. And we seem to be adding to it everyday. Maybe He’s sending us a message, who knows? But to be on the safe side, let’s just lovingly embrace Him and live the way He wants us to live nuh. It might be a bit difficult, but right now, it’s the best decision, and will bear abundant harvest in the long run.  Much  LOVE! …remember… those who stray…usually pay…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 2 January 2008 Psalm 103:2-5‏

02 Jan 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 103:2-5    Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases. Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
 
No problem in finding a Bit today people. Went straight to the Psalms, and there it was. Bruh David at his most brilliant and encouraging. Almost every line of Psalm 103 is underlined in my Bible, three different colours too. Never realized before that it was so potent. And the four verses of Today’s Bit are amongst the most powerful; a poignant reminder of God’s overwhelming importance in our lives. As usual, Bruh David begins with praise and thanks: ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.’ We’ve got to give Him His due respect and homage before anything else, and also be mindful to offer thanks for what He’s already done for us. Then Bruh David goes on to list some of the benefits that accrue to us through our association with the Most High. Note, I said, some of the benefits. It would take too much time and space to try to list them all. And Bruh Dave is smart enough to begin with the most important benefit; Forgiveness of all our sins! Wow! That benefit alone is priceless! But He’s also our doctor; binds our wounds, heals our broken bones, makes well our minds, bodies and souls. Oh my! The Most High is also our bodyguard; keeps us safe from all harm, protects us from the wicked machinations of the vulture-like, ever circling enemy. And while He’s keeping us safe, He’s simultaneously doling out LOVE, empathy, understanding, strength and fortitude; physical, mental and emotional well being, not to mention the sweet tasting, savoury, mouth watering, finger licking good, life renewing  food He provides for our physical needs. Oh brother! It must be West Indian victuals, since that is the sweetest food in the whole wide world! And it’s so charged with His life force, so nourishing, that Bruh David claims it renews our youth like the eagle’s; makes us young and strong. Yuh see, I wasn’t lying, because is only West Indian food could do that (smile) Oh Friends, what a majestic God we worship! How can we be so inept and brain dead to forego all those wonderful benefits eh? All of us would give our eye teeth (smile) to have benefits like that on our nine to five jobs. So why won’t we accept His? And all it takes is to walk obediently to His will. True, that’s not exactly a Sunday stroll in the park, but all we need to do it is already built in to us, through those same benefits and the ever near, always ready assistance of His Holy Spirit. So Friends, please, let’s take full advantage of all the Most High has to offer in this new and wonderful year of 2008. Let’s show Him our appreciation by showering Him with thanks and praise and walking obediently in His will. Much LOVE!…remember the ole adage…if yuh doh use it…yuh lose it…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 1 January 2008 Zechariah 1:2-3‏

01 Jan 2008 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Zechariah 1:2-3    The Lord hath been sore displeased with your fathers. Therefore, say thou unto them. Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you…
 
Hn,hn! Our God never ceases to amaze me! When I came to write Today’s Bit, I was in a blah frame of mind and body, and could not conjure up a topic, or the necessary energy to do so. So, with a heavy sigh, I asked for guidance and opened the Good Book. It opened unto the first page of Zechariah, and mine eyes beheld the underlined words, ‘Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you…’  I wondered if that was it, but continued looking at some other underlined passages. However none of them spoke to me, and I realized that was supposed to be Today’s Bit. And by the time I’d read the verses surrounding it, I began chuckling, and my spirits rose, so I could confidently put pen to paper. I write the Bits out in long hand first. It might be old fashioned, but it works for me. Anyway, that procedure just renewed  my confidence in God’s faithfulness. Proved that He will never leave us in the lurch. If He wants you to do something, He will give you the wherewithal to do it. We’re not always able to handle the task on our own, that’s why we’re given the Holy Spirit to assist us. And my guess is, it’s the Holy Spirit that rose to the occasion and showed me the way. And just by coincidence…no…by divine set up, one of the other underlined verses I looked at, was that of the Angel saying in Chapter 4:6, ‘Not by might not by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.’ I’ve always considered the passage for a Bit, but never felt confident enough to tackle it, wasn’t sure exactly what it meant. But now I know: He just likes to keep things low key, and work in the background through His invisible, but nonetheless invincible Spirit. Friends, I don’t consider myself a prophet, not by a long shot, but it sure looks like on this first day of 2008, looking back on 2007, a year fraught with numerous negative occurrences, the Most High is trying to send a message through me; advising us, encouraging us, to turn from our wicked, worldly ways, back to Him, back to the straight and narrow way. And He’s promising, if we do that, then He’ll also turn to us. It’s certainly sound logic, and even better self preservation. Remember, He’s the powerful Being, and we the lowly sinners. We need Him more than He needs us. But He’s such a loving and forgiving Father, that He’s more than willing, in fact, He’s ecstatic when His prodigal children return home. So Friends, for 2008, let’s put a big, broad, happy grin on our Heavenly Father’s face nuh. Unlike our forefathers, let’s please Him and come home, so that He can break out the joyous celebrations, with the best robe, the fatted calf and the scintillating music. All power to us in the year of Our Lord 2008! It will be our best year yet. Much LOVE!…consider this nuh…our best years are still ahead of us… HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL GOD’S CHILDREN!

Today’s Scrip-Bit 31 December 2007 James 1:22-25‏

31 Dec 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

James 1:22-25    But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
 
All thanks and praise to the Most High for bringing us safely through another crazy, tumultuous year! It’s a time when we review the year just past and resolve to do better in the coming months. Full of vim and vigour, often assisted by heady libations,(smile) we faithfully promise ourselves that this will be the year we work those resolutions through to the very end. But alas, faced by the stress and busyness of our lives, within a short period, those resolutions fall by the wayside and we plod along just like before. It’s not easy to make changes to an accustomed lifestyle, but sometimes we’ve just got to take the bull by the horns and do it. And for 2008 Friends, I want us to make one resolution and resolutely follow it; that’s to be doers of the word and not only hearers. It’s very easy to listen, but downright difficult to get out there and actually do. But that’s the job we’re called on to perform; spreading the Word. And how can we spread the Word if we don’t meet people and tell them about it, then put what we’ve spoken into practice eh? Remember, personal examples are much more powerful than mere words. As Cousin James nicely puts it, if we’re only hearing and not doing, then we’re deceiving ourselves. I’m not as politically correct though, I’ll tell it like it is: We’re just a bunch of so and so hypocrites when we spout the Word and don’t practice it. But that seems to be the prevailing style nowadays. Everybody’s running around mouthing, ‘Praise the Lord! Thank you Jesus!’ etc, etc. But ask them when last they gave somebody in need, a cup of hot water or a piece of bread, or an old coat to keep out the winter chill. Hn! They won’t be able to answer. As James says, we’re too Narcissus-like; looking in the mirror and only seeing ourselves. Friends, I believe that’s one of the serious shortcomings of our faith today; too much feel good jargon and not enough actual getting down and dirty in the trenches. The Christian faith is supposed to be one of action; helping, working, forgiving, loving. That’s the type of person Jesus was; a mover and shaker. He did not simply sit around and spew forth high sounding doctrine. We need to get up and do. It’s the only way to keep the faith strong and growing, running with a smooth, beautiful riddim. It’s like any living organism or mechanical apparatus, if you don’t service and maintain them regularly, they eventually die. That’s why I’m pleading with us people, that this year, if we only make one resolution, please let it be that we’ll all endeavour to be better doers of the Word. It’s also in our best interest, because, as Cousin James rightly says, a doer shall indeed be blessed. Now isn’t that wonderful? Much LOVE!…let’s do people…let’s just get up and do…plenty blessings will follow…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 30 December 2007 Isaiah 59:1-2‏

30 Dec 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Isaiah 59:1-2    Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
 
I like how Isaiah doesn’t mince words with the rebellious Israelites. It’s not because the Lord’s hand is shortened, or His ear heavy, that He’s not saving or hearing you. It’s your sins that have come between you and your God. It’s your sins why He has hid His face from you, and won’t hear your selfish pleas. Friends, that’s quite true. Nothing has happened to our God; He’s still the same, yesterday, today and forever. That simply means, if there’s a communication breakdown between us and Him, then the odds on bet is that it’s our fault. We have done something to displease Him, or haven’t done what He’s required of us. It’s only disobedience that causes the Most High to hide His face and turn a deaf ear to His beloved children. Just look at our own lives; one of the tools we use for bringing our children to heel, if they’re disobedient or just downright annoying, is simply ignoring them. and it works most of the time. After a while, with no response from us, they finally get the message and clean up their act. It’s the same with our Heavenly Father. When He gets tired and fed up with our selfish, stupid shenanigans, He just tunes us out until we smarten up. But Friends, that’s the worst thing that could happen to us; our Heavenly Father, our rock, our shield, our fortress strong, our refuge, our safe hands, ignoring us…Oh no! It means that during that period we are bereft of all  the benefits He provides, which is certainly not a good thing, because that’s exactly when the enemy will strike. He knows we’re most vulnerable when the Most High has blocked our number and doesn’t answer our calls. Note, His line is not simply busy, what we’re getting is dead air, and any radio operator will tell you, that’s the most distressing thing to happen in radio land. At least if the line is busy, you know that someone is at the other end. But when it’s just complete silence, then Friends, that means the connection is broken. So I’m pleading with us today, don’t allow a communication breakdown between us and our Heavenly Father. Let’s try our very best to be obedient to His will, so He won’t have cause to turn away His face or shut His ears to our pleas. It’s the most disastrous thing that could ever occur. Much LOVE!…dead air between us and God…it sadly means we’re without protection…a disaster waiting to happen…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 29 December 2007 Psalm 92:13-15‏

29 Dec 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 92:13-15    Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing. To shew that the Lord is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
 
Most definitely Friends, most definitely! Like the cedars of Lebanon, those strong, towering trees that Bruh David is talking about, all of us who are rooted in the Lord, who stand strong in the faith, shall flourish wherever we’re planted in God’s fertile earth. Consequently, we shall bring forth fruit in our old age. Isn’t that wonderful people? To know that even in the winter of our days, we’ll still be useful and contributing to our family in Christ. We won’t just be a burden; a mental and physical wreck, but still a fat and flourishing part of the Christian community. And what will all of this prove? It will show that our God, the Most High, Jehovah, is a just, fair and upright God. He takes care of those who believe and stand strong in His worthwhile cause. It shows that He’s our rock, that we can depend on, lean or fall back upon in times of adversity, and that there is no guile, deceit or unrighteousness in Him. He does what He promises to do. Friends, I’m sure that all of us would love to be fat and flourishing in our declining years, so sink your roots deep down in the faith, and flourish right where you’re planted. That’s the formula. Use it…else you’ll lose it! Much LOVE!…smile people…it’s short and sweet today…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 28 December 2007 Mark 2:17‏

28 Dec 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Mark 2:17    When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
 
Edifying words of Jesus my Friends! He had cause to enlighten the hypocrite elite of the Jewish society, the Scribes and Pharisees, when they questioned Him about eating and associating with sinners and publicans. On this particular occasion, at the house of one Levi, a tax collector. It’s obvious they did not understand J.C’s purpose down here. He was meant to be the propitiation for our sins; our Saviour from the wicked world, so who else was He supposed to hang out with eh? Definitely not the righteous, like they considered themselves. That group was already saved. It was the ones who weren’t saved that He came to claim as His own, so to do that He had to hang with the unrighteous, and unsaved. That’s the only way He could interact with them and teach them about His Father’s mercy and loving kindness and fulfil His destiny. And just take a look at the rough, uncouth group that Jesus put together to be His disciples nuh. That alone speaks volumes about His perspicacity: whom better to use as an example than one(s) from the same group we’re trying to proselytize? (smile) That’s one of the qualities I admire most about Jesus. He hung out with what was considered the wrong crowd; the prostitutes, the drunks, the low life; in fact the ordinary people, the salt of the earth. Two thousand years later, too many of us are still like the hypocrite Scribes and Pharisees; turn up our noses at the fallen and downtrodden, considering ourselves too nice, too prim and proper to even give them the time of day, much less eat or associate with them. But Friends, those are exactly the ones who need our help, those are the sick ones who need the healing of the Great Physician. It’s out there, in the rough parts of the world, that we’re expected to go and spread the Word. We’re not meant to just sit in our comfortable middle class surroundings and hypocritically pat ourselves on the back for the wonderful job we’ve done building our earthly wealth. That’s heifer dust people! What about the spiritual wealth? There are so many of our fellow children of God, out on the highways and byways, the alleys and shanties, who need spiritual heart transplants, who for one reason or another have fallen, or have never heard or understood the Word. They are the ones who need our helping hand. Remember, our calling is to walk in Jesus’ footsteps, and He went, walked to boot, all over His countryside, meeting, greeting and helping the poor and spiritually downtrodden. Friends, to be a sincere, successful follower of J.C, that’s what we got to do too.Much LOVE!…let’s…eschew the comfortable life…get up…go out…and spread the Word of LOVE…where it’s so badly needed…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 27 December 2007 Ezekiel 33:31‏

27 Dec 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Ezekiel 33:31    And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after covetousness.
 
What an awesome truth people! Ezekiel faced the same problem of hypocrisy that we’re experiencing today. The Lord told him that the people were talking about him, encouraging others to come and hear the Word. But sadly, it was all show without any substance. They talked a lot of LOVE, but never walked that talk, because their hearts weren’t really into obeying the Word. Deep down, they still preferred the selfish, lustful, covetous life the world had to offer. The same thing’s happening today Friends, especially in this Christmas season. It’s one of the few times in the year that some of us darken a church door, and we’re all full of LOVE and fellowship, plenty hugs, kisses and good wishes. But how much of that is for real eh people, especially when we go right back to our old, ugly ways in the New Year?  LOVE is the most bandied about word nowadays, but like so much else in our cosmetic society, it’s mostly talk and very little action. But Friends, LOVE IS AN ACTION WORD! We’ve got to do it, show it, through empathy, kindness, caring and all the other things it entails. Sadly though Friends, our current world seems to be very lacking in this motivating and encouraging emotion. It’s the negativity that’s prevalent; the anger, hypocrisy and duplicity (a nice name for our most pervasive crime; fraud) It’s much harder to get a kind word than an angry one. And when we’re lucky enough to get a compassionate expression, we’re not even sure that it’s really sincere, because it can either be the forewarning of some fraudulent act, or it’s just put on for show. We’ve become a society of show-boaters; there’s too much emphasis placed on outward appearances, plenty show and little substance, and this only leads to a lot of fakery, fraud and hypocrisy. Is that the kind of society we want to bequeath to our children? I doubt it. But we’ve got to move quickly and try to regain the ground we’ve lost, because every moment we delay, we sink deeper and deeper into the enemy’s evil quagmire of hypocrisy and deception. Friends, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, we cannot allow this to happen, so let’s regroup and get the LOVE Army marching forward into battle again.  Much LOVE!…any talk we talk…please, please…let’s walk it…

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