Today’s Scrip-Bit 26 December 2007 Proverbs 8:17‏

26 Dec 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Proverbs 8:17    I  LOVE them that LOVE me, and those that seek me early shall find me.
 
Yes my Friends, this is the season of LOVE! A time when friends, families and even foes get together to share in the abundance of what the Most High has provided; food, drink, presents, good fellowship, and above all LOVE. That’s exactly what our Heavenly Father showered us with us that long ago Christmas. The Scripture says He LOVED us so much that He gave His only begotten Son for our sins. Not many of us would do that. And this is the time of year when there seems to be more positive fellowship than at any other. We get so excited and animated that we do godly things we’d never dream of doing at any other time. And it’s all engendered by the birth of Christ. So why doesn’t it last longer eh Friends? Why is it only during these yuletide festivities that we spout kindness and loving sentiments to each other, friend or foe? What happened to the rest of the year eh? Jesus doesn’t only exist at Christmas time you know. I realize that it’s a tad unrealistic to expect the euphoria to last, especially when too many people are worried about paying the holiday bills, but it certainly doesn’t have to drop to the low level it does, and not so soon either. Come the 2nd or 3rd of January we’ll be right back at each other’s throats; the fingers, the road rage, the animosity, the venom. Why? Is this spirit of Christmas so false and put on, that we can discard it and change chameleon-like between one sunset and one sunrise? Oh People, I hope not, because genuine LOVE, kindness and affection are not things that should be turned on and off like water from a tap. It’s something that should be constant, without such sharp peaks and valleys. Friends, for Jesus’ sake, let’s see if we can’t make this Christmas attitude last a little longer, nuh, like say until Easter, when we’ll have the Easter festive attitude.(smile) Realistically speaking though, let’s not allow it to plummet into the depths of the dark valley of anger and dissension, but keep it at, or close to the apex of the mountain of LOVE.  As always, Much LOVE!…if we LOVE Him…then we’d best find Him…and the sooner the better…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 25 December 2007 Matthew 1:21-23‏

25 Dec 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Matthew 1:21-23    And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which, being interpreted is, God with us.                                 
 
Hallelujah! It’s Christmas day Friends! Praise Him and give Thanks! It’s one of the four most important days in Christianity; the day we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Oh what a blessed, significant day it was when Mary gave birth to Him in that lowly manger! It meant that our Salvation; freedom and forgiveness from sin was underway, had begun in earnest. The Most High had promised it centuries before, but since His time  frame is different from ours, we just had to wait until whenever He was ready. I know that many people dispute whether He was really born on December 25, but what day He was actually born on is not that important. Plenty of us in this modern day and age with all the record keeping don’t know when they were actually born either. What’s important is that He was born, period. And through whatever circumstances, this is the day the Faith chooses to celebrate it. So let’s just do that and forget all the other stuff that causes strife and drives wedges between us nuh. One of His many titles is The Prince of Peace, so as His loyal followers, we need to glorify His Name by living in peace and fellowship with one another. It’s the constant animosity and divisions amongst ourselves, over trivialities, that turn off non-believers, as well as new believers, who encounter that unexpected negativity. Today is a day of Celebration, so let’s just Celebrate! And celebration means people coming together in Peace, in Joy, in LOVE. It’s a day to loudly proclaim PEACE and LOVE: the two abiding principles of our Most Wonderful Saviour. If we claim to LOVE Him, then let’s prove it by bonding with our friends and neighbours, whether they be believers or not. For He came to save the entire world of unworthy sinners, bearing His powerful message of LOVE. Remember People, that beautiful emotion conquers all! So on this blessed day, let’s give Thanks and Praise to our Heavenly Father for the most precious gift ever bestowed; the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who unselfishly took our human form, and came down from His comfortable place to this selfish, treacherous earth, to live amongst us, and eventually proclaim the good news of eternal salvation, through His Death, Resurrection and Triumphant Return. So Friends, for at least today, and hopefully this holiday season, let’s try and get along, show our everlasting gratitude by living in PEACE and LOVE with each other. That’s the only way we will promote His cause, spread His word and ensure the glorification of His eternal Kingdom. Much LOVE!… let’s be like the three wise men… faithfully follow the star of Jesus that’s shining brightly in our hearts… MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL!

Today’s Scrip-Bit 24 December 2007 Jeremiah 18: 19-20‏

24 Dec 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Jeremiah 18: 19-20    Give heed to me, O Lord, and hearken to the voice of them that contend with me. Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul. Remember that I stood before thee to speak good for them , and to turn away thy wrath from them.
 
The cry of the Prophet Jeremiah, pleading with the Most High to help him in his struggle with the disobedient Israelites. As usual, they had gone their own sinful, selfish way, and when Jeremiah tried to warn them about the calamities God was planning to befall them, they arrogantly ignored him. In their obstinacy, they even wanted to ‘devise devices’ against him, ‘to smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.’ I know how Jeremiah must have felt. Ungratefulness can really kill the spirit, do irreconcilable damage to the soul and psyche. There he’d been, faithfully interceding with God on their behalf, asking Him not to make the punishment for their disobedience too harsh, then, ungratefully they turn on him. I’m sure some even plotted violence in their hearts. O Friends, unfortunately it seems that that is a part of our human nature. It happens so often…too often; the people we try to help are oftimes the very ones who turn against us. As Jeremiah bewailed, ‘shall evil be recompensed for good?’ Sadly Friends, the answer is yes. But Jesus, our Leader, said that we ought to LOVE those who hurt us, turn the other cheek and  forgive them. And not only to think that in our souls, but more importantly show it in our actions. Feed them and give them drink. That way, we’ll heap burning coals on their heads, hopefully shame them into rethinking their sinful ways. And if any retribution is necessary, the Most High will repay. That’s His job, not ours. Our task is not to be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good. Ah People! I know it’s difficult; certainly a hard row to hoe, and sometimes it even seems impossible. But that’s the reality of our faith, and remember that with God, all things are possible. I know we don’t have the wherewithal that Jesus had, being the Son of God, sinless and all that, but He still requires that we try to be like Him. That’s why He gave us His Holy Spirit to live within us. It’s supposed to be our rock, our anchor that steadies us in the time of storm. It’s a perfect reflection of Him; His strength, His mercy and His loving kindness. We will never attain the level He did; perfection, because of our sinful nature, but He requires His followers to die, trying. Much LOVE!…when we truly aspire to be like the Son…the Father smiles down on us…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 23 December 2007 1 Corinthians 15:58‏

23 Dec 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

1 Corinthians 15:58    Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
 
Those encouraging words that Paul spoke to the Corinthians in the early days of the Church have admirably stood the test of time. Now they are witnessing to us. Friends, let’s not be fooled. A true, Christian walk is not easy. Jesus, Himself, said that the lives of those who picked up their cross and followed Him would be fraught with problems and difficulties. Proclaiming His name would attract even more negative attention than normal. However, the Salvation He promises at the journey’s last stop, the pot of gold at the rainbow’s end, is worth every bit of hardship, persecution and suffering. In fact, that great gift of  Salvation is worth much much more! Just think about it nuh people; spending eternity with J.C after He’s defeated the forces of evil! Hn! How can anything be better than that eh? But as for all things, there’s a price to be paid. And as our esteemed and most venerable philosopher Confucius says, ‘good thing no cheap, and cheap thing no good.’  (smile) A very profound statement Friends, one we all know deep down, but yet clamour for the cheap things of this world, then complain when they don’t last. Salvation is free; but it’s not easy, because the philosophy of Jesus, that encompasses deep LOVE and true Humility, goes against the very grain of our human nature and the dictates of a selfish society. That’s why Paul spent so much time and energy encouraging the people to whom he ministered. And if anybody knew the rigours and suffering possible by proclaiming Christianity, it was certainly Paul. And nothing has really changed since Paul’s time; the powers of evil are still fighting against and denying the existence and sovereignty of the One, True God. That’s why Friends, it’s of the utmost importance that we encourage and keep encouraging our family in Christ. We need to emphasize that the enemy won’t give up, so neither should we. We need to stand strong, to keep the faith by harnessing the power of the Holy Spirit, and always endeavour to do the right thing, because  in the long run, yes Friends, it will all be worth it. Salvation will be ours. Jesus promised this. And He’s faithful who promised. Much LOVE!…remember…you don’t find gold…you mine it…that entails hard, but worthy, worthwhile work…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 December 2007 Matthew 19:30 & 20:16,27.‏

22 Dec 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Matthew 19:30 & 20:16, 27.    But many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first.  So the last shall be first, and the first last, for many be called, but few chosen.  And whosever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.
 
O People, very significant words of the One and Only Superstar, Jesus Christ. Hn! The audacity! As if He ever spoke any insignificant words eh? Anyway, it’s one of those times when I had something else planned, but while scanning through Matthew, I chanced on this one page with those three verses underlined, where Jesus said basically the same thing, the last shall be first and vice versa. And since I’ve perused Matthew many times and never noticed it before, I felt that there must be some significance, some Divine guidance at work. Moreover, it tied in quite nicely with the humility aspect in yesterday’s Bit. In those three verses, J.C is simply reiterating His basic philosophy of Humility; of dying to self, of putting others first, of giving of oneself to help others, even though you may need more help than them. In the first verse He’s telling His listeners that who ever gives up their earthly wealth and family to follow Him, will be moved to the head of the line when He returns in all his Princely glory and splendour. The second verse comes at the end of the parable about the land owner who hired workers at different times of the day and paid the last hires the same as the first. Obviously the first set complained, figuring they deserved more because they’d worked the longest. And it does seem unfair, but as the owner rightly pointed out, that was the nature of their contract, so he was not obliged to pay them more. This led J.C to make the assertion that many are called, but few really chosen. And we see this in all walks of life. There are auditions and interviews for everything, sometimes thousands of applicants for only a handful of roles or positions. And finally, the third verse. Here, Jesus gathered His disciples around Him and explained that unlike the normal world, where the leaders are always first and have it cushy, in His philosophy, whoever wanted to be the head honcho, must first be the servant, the ordinary man. A good leader must also be a good follower, else how would he know what it takes to make people follow him. And Jesus personified this theory splendidly! He was kind and gentle, clearly explained what He was about, and even washed His disciples feet, which in olden times was considered a lowly, demeaning job. Friends, it simply means that to be a real follower of Jesus Christ, we need to give up our own selfish desires and concentrate on putting others first in a humble, unselfish, but enthusiastic manner, like J.C. did. Oh, I know  it’s easier said than done, what with all the worldly stress and pressures, but that’s our calling, and the reason we were given the ever present, tireless assistant, the Holy Spirit. So let’s try and up our efforts nuh, so we can bring greater glory to His Name.  Much LOVE!…remember…only in dying to ourselves…can we live for Him

Today’s Scrip-Bit 21 December 2007 Micah 6:8‏

21 Dec 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Micah 6:8    He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good, and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.
 
This is a continuation of yesterday’s Bit, where the Prophet Micah is talking to the Israelites, after the Lord invited them to ‘testify against me.’ Micah’s reminding them of all the good things the Lord had done for them; bringing them out of bondage in Egypt and looking after them in the wilderness. Then the question of how they should approach the Most High in atonement for their sins came up; should it be with burnt offerings, year old calves, thousands of rams, rivers of oil, or the life of their firstborn? Micah however dismissed those actions by quoting Today’s Bit. He explained that the Most High had already shown them what was good and what he required of them. It was simply to live right, be just and fair with each other, to love mercy. Note, He did not merely say be merciful, but rather LOVE being merciful. It’s something that deserves a high priority, be right at the top of our how to live list and should come naturally from us as Christians. Friends, it’s a two way street: We can’t ask or expect the Lord to shew us mercy and forgiveness and not do the same to our fellow man. That would be totally hypocritical, a style which too many of us are comfortable with. But please remember, our Heavenly Father despises, hypocrites, fools and proud, arrogant individuals, that’s why His last requirement is to walk humbly with your God. Follow the example of Jesus. He was the first but made Himself the last, in obedience to His Father’s will. That’s what we’ve got to do if we really want to be numbered amongst His obedient followers. Yes Friends, we all know it’s not easy, but it’s very possible with the Holy spirit working in us…anything is. Much LOVE!…as Burning Spear says…humble yourself my little one…humble yourself…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 20 December 2007 Micah 6:3‏

20 Dec 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Micah 6:3    O my people, what have I done unto thee? and wherein have I wearied thee? testify against me.
 
Wow! Now isn’t that the mark of a just and fair God? The Lord was in a quandary. He didn’t know, couldn’t understand why His people Israel had forsaken Him. Through His servant, the Prophet Micah, He declares, ‘…for the Lord hath a controversy with His people and he will plead with Israel.’ And this he does in Today’s Bit. Which other God would even consider that He might have done something  to cause His people to turn against Him eh? Well…none really, because there’s no other God except the One we worship. But that just goes to show the lengths He’s willing to go for us. He’d brought the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt, looked after them in the wilderness, yet they’d still been disobedient. He just could not fathom it, and humbled Himself, asking what He’d done to make them forsake Him. ‘Testify against me,’ He says. Talk to me. Tell me the problem, because after all the good things I’ve done on your behalf, I can see no good reason for your backsliding. O Friends, I’m sure that hurt the Lord’s heart considerably, the same way it does when we turn away from Him for no good reason, after all the loving kindness and mercy He’s shown us. It all comes right back to that attitude of gratitude. That’s all He’s asking of us. The Israelites obviously didn’t show it and neither do we. It seems that we’re by nature a selfish, forgetful, ungrateful being. And that’s not right nor good people. It doesn’t play out well even amongst our human selves, much less in relation to our Heavenly Father. He’s our Creator, our Father, our God, our Guide, Provider, Protector…you name it, and He’s that to us. How then can we in all good conscience…and wisdom too, turn away, ignore, disrespect and disobey Him eh? Friends, it’s like that old cliché says ‘cutting off our nose to spite our face.’ It’s just downright dumb and stupid! However, another old cliché says, ‘a word to the wise is sufficient.’  Much LOVE! …being grateful for His goodness…that’s all he asks of us…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 19 December 2007 1 Chronicles 14:10..14..16..‏

19 Dec 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

1 Chronicles 14:10..14..16..   And David enquired of God… Therefore David enquired again of God… David therefore did as God commanded him…
 
Yuh see people, that’s why the Most High liked Bruh David so much; he enquired of Him, then he enquired again, before finally doing as the Lord commanded. Even so should we Friends. But all of this happened during David’s early warrior king days when the Philistines came a calling. The first time he asked about engaging them in battle, the Lord said yes. So he went out and smote them. But I particularly like what he said afterwards: ‘God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters.’  Notice Friends, that although Bruh David wrought the actual physical damage, he was wise enough to realize that the victory was only accomplished through the backing of the Most High. Now the second time David asked about fighting the Philistines, the Lord said no, don’t go face to face with them, go over by the mulberry trees and wait. When you hear the sounds like fighting coming through the treetops, then attack, ‘for God is gone forth before thee to smite the host of the Philistines.’ And obedient son that he was, Bruh David followed the Master Strategist’s orders and routed the Philistines, ‘from Gibeon to Gazer.’  I don’t know how far that is, but it sure sounds like a good distance. Those resounding victories over the hitherto invincible Philistines caused Bruh David’s fame to spread far and wide, ‘and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations.’  Friends, I want us to focus on the fact that in every circumstance, every act, every action, the Most High was significantly involved. Bruh David consulted Him each time, took His advice on both occasions and gave Him deserved praise afterwards. The second time it was the Lord Himself who lead the first charge and all Bruh Dave had to do was basically mop up. At the end, it was the Lord again who made his name a household word that instilled and injected fear into the hearts of his enemies. O People, that’s how we’re supposed to operate. We have the Greatest Consultant ever, who not only gives the best advice but also consults for free! So why aren’t we using Him more eh? He wants, desires, even pleads with us to consult Him before we do anything, anything at all. He has only our best interests at heart and will never lead us astray, like a lot of those earthly so called experts, who only charge large fees and dole out worthless advice. Friends, I’m pleading with us, let’s start consulting the Greatest Consultant more nuh. It doesn’t matter whether it’s fifty or five hundred times a day. He’s always ready, willing and able to help us through the rough and rugged journey that’s life. But we’ve got to first approach Him. Much LOVE!…remember…His door is always open…and His phone is never busy…please seek Him and His counsel…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 December 2007 Psalm 92:1&4‏

18 Dec 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 92:1&4   It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High. For thou Lord hast made me glad through thy work. I will triumph in the works of thy hands.
 
I most definitely will! Thank you Lord, Thank you! And again I say, Thank you! Oh Friends it’s such a wonderful thing to give thanks to our Heavenly Father, especially when He’s been good to us. Bear with me people. I’m on a high right now, a natural one, so if I write nonsense, just excuse me. The Good Lord has made me glad…no, glad is insufficient, it’s more like exceedingly joyful, through His wondrous work today, so I need to give thanks. And who knows more about giving thanks than Bruh David eh? That’s why I searched his copious library for something appropriate. And though I’ve used  the first verse as a Bit already, I didn’t care since it suited the occasion perfectly. And who says we can’t use them more than once? What happens when the Good Book runs out of worthy quotes eh? Then we’ll have to start all over again, like I had to do just now, when I lost the first version of this Bit. But that means we’ll be doing this for a long, long time. Hurrah! Another reason to give Him Thanks and Praise! Anyway, enough digression. It’s just something that’s been bugging me for a while, reared it’s ugly head full force earlier today. And whenever something’s riding the ole fella’s chest, he doesn’t enjoy peace until he gets it off. Smile children, you know how it is. So this afternoon I went right to the heart of the problem, aired my concerns. Lo and behold people, the Most High, in one of His mysterious, wonderful moves, immediately solved the problem, much to my immense surprise and satisfaction. All Thanks and Praise! It’s something I considered long overdue, that I agonized over from time to time and asked for His help in resolving. But obviously the Lord had a different timetable. He had it scheduled for solving today. And as I keep preaching, no keep emphasizing; Prayer and Patience people, Prayer and Patience. Although apparently I’m not following it myself. Shows I’m only human too. But that’s the only way Friends. Make your desires known, then patiently wait for Him to shower you with blessings, and then…excuse me a moment, I’m choking up…and then people just give Him thanks…a multitude of thanks…a whole heap of thanks and  praise for His loving kindness towards the children of men, who oftimes don’t deserve it. I sincerely appreciate all that you’ve done for me Lord. I’ve triumphed and been made joyful through the work of your wondrous hands. That’s why I’m saying, Thank You Lord, Thank You! Amen! As always Friends, Much LOVE!…nothing pleases Him more than a joyful heart, exuding sincere thanks and praise…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 17 December 2007 1 Samuel 12:24‏

17 Dec 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

1 Samuel 12:24.   Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.
 
Samuel was talking to the Israelites after they pleaded with God to give them a king, saying that although they had done evil, they should not turn aside from following the Lord because He would not forsake His people if they were obedient. Samuel himself promised to continue praying for them and their King, considering it a sin against the Lord if he stopped. He also promised to teach them the good and right way. And the good and right way my people is Today’s Bit. It’s pretty simple too. Fear the Lord; respect, revere, adore and worship Him. Serve Him in truth with all your heart. Just be obedient to His will. Do the things you know He wants you to do. Have a sincere, genuine desire to please Him. Live in LOVE. Eschew evil, do good. It’s nothing new. We’ve been hearing it since day one, but our inherent disobedience continually pushes us towards the negative side of life that He abhors. And finally, be thankful for all the wonderful things He’s done for us. As we said yesterday, have an attitude of gratitude. There’s nothing the Most High dislikes more than a proud, ungrateful sinner. The good and right way is simply showing genuine respect, obedience and thankfulness. That’s it in a nutshell Friends. Or as Dennis Hopper (Marshall Mcloud) would say in the old Detective T.V. Series, ‘Mcloud’…There you go! So Friends, let’s put a whole lot more effort into living THE RIGHT WAY nuh. Because Samuel ended his little chat with a solemn warning; if their wickedness continued, they and their King would be utterly consumed. And I know that we definitely don’t want that to happen to us. No way! Much LOVE!…just live in LOVE…that’s all it takes.
 

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