Today’s Scrip-Bit 16 December 2007 Psalm 86: 11-13‏

16 Dec 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 86: 11-13    Teach me thy way O Lord, I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.
 
This psalm is simply titled ‘A Prayer of David.’ And it’s a simple prayer. Throughout it, he acknowledges his need for God’s help with all the problems in his life, while praising Him. In Today’s Bit, he particularly asks the Most High to teach him His ways, so that he can walk in obedience to them. He wants the Lord to work on his heart so that he can have true respect and adoration for His name. That’s what I like about Bruh David. He wasn’t afraid or ashamed to pour out the hurt and angst of his soul to his God. He was a man of passion; a mover and shaker, lived life to the full, made many mistakes, like all of us, but never forgot which side his bread was buttered on. He always remained true to the God of his fathers. And I guess that’s why Infinitely Everything liked him too, and pledged that He would never forsake his offspring. Many generations later, He tells them that He only looked upon them with grace and favour because of their forefather David. Friends, that’s the way our Heavenly Father wants us to come to Him: repentant but not grovelling, admitting our faults, our wrongs, our hurts, whatever’s troubling us, while acknowledging His sovereignty and loving kindness. That’s why Bruh David could say with a heavy, but thankful and hopeful spirit: ‘I will praise thee O Lord my god, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. For great is thy mercy towards me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.’ Friends, let’s turn to Him with the same kind of attitude nuh; an attitude of gratitude, crying out for His help and mercy and desiring to walk in obedience to His truth, while acknowledging the good things He has already done for us, and giving thanks in anticipation of what He’ll do in the future. Much LOVE!…remember…He says…my phone is never busy…my door is always open…come to Me…anytime.
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 15 December 2007 Philippians 1: 27-28…‏

15 Dec 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Philippians 1: 27-28…    Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. And in nothing terrified by your adversaries…
 
ONE! That’s the magic number in Paul’s little discourse to the Philippians. As though Bruh Paul could ever say it simply eh. (smile) Anyway, he’s telling them to very careful what they talk about. To make sure their conversations are within the acceptable bounds of J.C’s teachings, and does not contravene the Word, or cause it to gain a negative reputation, that will eventually hamper or curtail it’s dissemination. What he always wants to hear about their congregation, whether he’s there with them or not, is that they stand together as ONE: ONE Spirit; ONE Mind; ONE Body of People working together, going in the same direction, striving for the same thing; the spreading of a positive, affirmative and effective gospel, based on the ONE and ONLY true God. And that Friends, is the only way the Word can be spread effectively, and more unfortunate people offered the good news of eternal salvation through Christ. We need to stick together as ONE; like a closely knit family, which we are in Christ. Those selfish, unchristian egos, like who’s the better preacher, the more religious, or whatever, are causing unnecessary animosity, contention and petty jealousy. Oh People, those negative emotions are creating too much divisiveness, leading to too many divisions in what is supposed to be a unified body; ONE Church.  The same thing Paul wanted to prevent with the Philippians, is the same thing we’ve allowed  to happen today. The enemy has infiltrated our inner sanctum and caused us to lose sight of our objective. We’ve become afraid to stand up for what we believe in, afraid of what the wicked world will think of us. Paul also warned the Philippians about being scared of the naysayers…in nothing be terrified by them. It’s not always easy, but we’ve got to be fearless, or fight scared, if that is what it takes. Friends, it’s not too late for us to retake what was lost. But we’ve got to stand fast as ONE: ONE Mind, ONE Spirit, ONE Body in Christ. Much LOVE!… remember…stand strong…the battle is the Lord’s.

Today’s Scrip-Bit 14 December 2007 Psalm 84: 10-12‏

14 Dec 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 84: 10-12.    For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and a shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
 
Oh definitely Friends! One day in the place where our Heavenly Father dwells is much better than a thousand anywhere else. That’s a no-brainer! And who wouldn’t rather be a lowly servant in the Lord’s house, whether it be the physical church, or where He actually dwells, than to live with overly sinful and wicked people eh? Just imagine wandering around the gardens and rooms of Heaven nuh! What beauty and splendour! It’s strange though, some people would actually prefer to dwell amongst the evil doers, lured by their pretty but empty promises of an easy life, filled with fleshly lusts and earthly riches. But thankfully not those of us who profess belief in Jesus Christ, and try to live obedient to His will. For we know that the easy life is fraught with problems, while everything that glitters is not gold, and the lusts of the flesh only lead to death and destruction. But in the strength of the Most High, there is salvation and everlasting life! As the Psalmist says, the Lord God is a sun and shield. He simultaneously enlightens, and enriches our lives, as well as protects us from all harm. He’s a giver of grace and an uplifter of His followers. And if we walk in obedience to Him, hn, then people, He’ll shower us with mercy and blessings untold, withholding nothing good from us. Praise Him Friends! That’s much better than anything the evil doers can offer. And the fact that our God has proven His reliability and steadfastness over many, many generations, just bolsters our belief and faith in Him. Blessed is the man who places their utmost trust in the Most High. He will never be disappointed. Much LOVE!…just picture yourself hanging out with God in heaven nuh (smile)…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 13 December 2007 Isaiah 35: 3-4‏

13 Dec 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Isaiah 35: 3-4    Strengthen ye the weak hands, and comfort the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense, he will come and save you.
 
Yes Friends, Be Strong, Fear Not! Our God will come and save us! That’s for sure! These are certainly rough times in which we live, and we need all the help and encouragement that we can get, just to make it through each day. As Christians, we also have the extra duty, the added responsibility of walking in Christ’s footsteps, big shoes to fill, but with His help, through the Holy Spirit, we can do a worthwhile job. But we’ve got to stand strong in the faith! That’s why the Most High was sending out encouragement through Isaiah to the Israelites: ‘Strengthen the weak hands and comfort the feeble knees.’ We’re all one big family in Christ, and the only way we’ll survive and eventually win, is by helping each other, encouraging one another, boosting each other’s hope and faith in the low, emotional and physical moments that we all experience at some time in our Christian journey. O People! Like the weakest link in a chain, if we don’t strengthen it, then the chain will break asunder and everything will come crashing down. Yes…everything crash! And we definitely don’t want that to happen to our family in Christ now, do we? So we’ve got to pull up our socks, our bootstraps, whatever cliché you find fitting, and get on with the job assigned to each of us. We cannot afford to be lazy, idle or asleep, because the enemy never is. He’s always out there, constantly on the lookout for the slightest opportunity, the smallest opening to infiltrate the Christian family with his ungodly ways. That’s his avowed purpose. Friends, we cannot allow that to happen. So let’s stand strong! Let’s help each other! Strengthen the weak! Comfort the feeble! Encourage the fearful of heart! Be patient! Until our loving God comes to redeem us…And He will. Much LOVE!…remember His promise…I will never leave you nor forsake you…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 12 December 2007 Daniel 4:37‏

12 Dec 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Daniel 4:37    Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgement: and those that walk in pride, he is able to abase.
 
Yes Friends, Nebuchadnezzar deserves one more day for those words of common sense and faith. And he learned them from hard experience, from suffering the hard knocks of life. After yesterday’s Bit, he expounded on a dream he had, which none of his people could interpret, but Daniel did. And although it was not wonderful, in fact rather macabre, Nebu did show poise and restraint when Daniel told him that it meant he would be driven out of the kingdom to live with beasts, like a beast. However, he would not lose the kingdom forever, just for about seven years, until he understood ‘that the Most High ruleth the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.’ And sure as day, some twelve months later, while Nebu was strutting about in his magnificent palace, preening and gloating about his wonderful kingdom that he had built ‘by the might of my power and for the honour of my majesty’ a voice from heaven announced that the kingdom would be taken from him, plus all the other things Daniel had said. And in that same hour, Nebu was driven out; he did eat grass like an oxen, his hair grew like eagle’s feathers, and his nails like bird claws. But at the end of the appointed time, Nebu lifted up his eyes to heaven and his understanding returned to him and he blessed the Most High. He finally realized who was the real boss, the real mighty one. It’s sad that he had to go through so much humiliation just to learn the lesson of too much pride. The old saying of pride goes before a fall was truly exemplified by Nebu’s situation. Now don’t laugh or gloat either Friends, we are guilty of the same thing. If we look back through our lives, I’m sure we’ll all find numerous examples of when the Lord put us through some unpleasant circumstances, possibly not as rough as Nebu’s, but for the same reason, to teach us a lesson about being too proud. So People, please remember Nebu’s undoing when the enemy comes a calling, encouraging us to puff out our chest and march with boastful pride in the power of our own accomplishments. Much LOVE!…also remember his words…those that walk in pride, He is able to abase…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 December 2007 Daniel 4:1-3‏

11 Dec 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Daniel 4:1-3    Nebuchadnezzar the King, unto all people, nations and languages, that dwell in all the earth. Peace be multiplied unto you. I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought towards me. How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.
 
Yes people, it’s only fitting that we continue with Nebuchadnezzar today, to show how the Most High operates when He’s really ready to bring you into the fold, under His wings. Look at how He brought Paul, that terroriser of early Christians to heel. Struck him down in broad daylight, with a blazing burst of bright sunshine, when he least expected it. Note however, that he did not curtail his zeal, just changed his focus; turned him from the most vocal of dissenters and doubters to the most fervent believer, a zealot for the faith instead. It’s the same thing He did with Nebu: Had him spouting peace and LOVE to all his kingdom; extolling the Lord’s awesome majesty…’How great are His signs! How mighty are His wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and His dominion is from generation to generation!’ Hn,hn! Nebu must have been greatly moved to be so enthusiastic. But wouldn’t you, if you threw three men in a blazing furnace, then saw four in there, and had the original three walk out unharmed ? Wish all of us could be as enthusiastic without seeing those kinds of miracles though. (smile) So Friends, never doubt or underestimate the Lord’s power. When He’s really ready for you, He’ll get you, one way or another, although it seems as though there’s no middle road with Him. He tends to like the extremes; He either does it with a big splash, like Paul and Nebu, or a subtle, underhanded nagging, like He did with me and this Scrip-bit thing, and also with many of you. Yuh know, just the constant egging on, the never ending bobbing and weaving, like a boxer, a jab here, a jab there, not looking for the knockout, but just wanting to go the whole bout and win on points. And even though we know that He can outlast us with His superior stamina, we still try to fight Him off. But then, finally, one day, after the constant jabbing, yuh get so tired that yuh kyar hold up yuh hands and yuh knees start to buckle, yuh kyar take it no more, and yuh throw in the towel in sweet surrender, saying, "awright Lord, awright, yuh win! yes, yuh win!" Yes people, there’s no getting away from Him when He’s really ready for you. So don’t try to fight it nuh. But then again, why would we want to get away from such a kind, loving, generous, forgiving, merciful, almighty, all powerful Being, who cares so much and looks after us so well eh? Much LOVE!…under the shelter of His mighty wings…the safest place there is…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 10 December 2007 Daniel3: 28-29‏

10 Dec 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Daniel 3:28-29    Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the King’s word, and yielded their bodies that they might not serve or worship any God, except their own God. Therefore I make a decree, that every people, nation and language, which speak anything amiss against their God, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.
 
Oh yes Friends! That’s for certain sure, because our God is the One and Only True God! We all know the story of the three young Jewish men, whom, during the Israelite captivity in Babylon, were thrown into a blazing furnace, as an example to other dissidents, because they refused to worship a golden image created by the King. When they told Nebuchadnezzar that they would never worship his Gods or golden image, he got so mad at their impertinence that he ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than normal, had them bound and thrown into the raging fire. But Nebu didn’t know who he was playing with, and much to his astonishment, when he looked into the furnace he saw four people. Puzzled, he turned to his counsellors and asked if they had not thrown three people in? Yes, they answered. ‘So how comes I’m seeing four!’  he exclaimed in confusion. ‘Walking about without bonds and unhurt to boot. And the fourth one looks like the Son of God!’ Hn,hn! How he knew that beats be, but it just goes to show the awesome might, power and ‘cunning’ sense of humour of our Heavenly Father. When He wants to, He can turn any situation, disastrous or not, into an opportunity to lift and highlight His Holy Name. Exactly what He did here, for when the King called the lads out of the furnace and they walked out unharmed, not even smelling of smoke, he was so moved that he made that sudden, unprecedented, mind boggling announcement in Today’s Bit, making our God, the official God of his kingdom. So Friends, don’t despair. Whatever situation you’re facing today, even if it looks hopeless, don’t give up, stand strong, keep believing. Do what you can, then leave the rest to the Most High. He created us and the entire universe, and can do whatever, whenever He wants, and He promises never to leave us stranded. Much LOVE!…only believe… He’s a God of miracles…anywhere…anytime…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 9 December 2007 James 1:5‏

09 Dec 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

James 1:5     If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
 
Oh Friends, those words of James are so true that sometimes they seem hard to believe. We all know that we have a wonderfully generous God, who gives without finding fault, when we ask Him, though He suggests that we ask for what we really need, rather than what we just want. And I think  it pleases Him most when we ask for things like wisdom, knowledge and understanding, and not long life, honour or material possessions. Look at what He did for Solomon, who asked for wisdom and understanding: He ended up being not only the wisest man around town but also the richest in terms of material wealth. The way I see it Friends, is that when we ask for mental and emotional stimulation instead of just material advancement, the Most High recognizes that we’re not in the Faith for only the physical riches He can provide. In other words, we’re not the ‘gimme gimme’ type, but we’re also trying to figure out and understand the spiritual aspect of His show. I always chuckle appreciatively when I think about Solomon asking for wisdom and understanding, because it shows he was one smart dude. Some people are derisive because he did not ask for money or power or such. But he already had power; he was a King and as such had money. He was however lacking in experience and governance mainly because of his youth, so he asked for what he needed. And if we look at the whole thing logically, it seems obvious that if we possess wisdom and understanding, then we possess the very tools necessary to make money and gain power and honour and whatever else we consider important. But it doesn’t necessarily work the other way; money and power doesn’t always translate to wisdom and understanding. So Friends, when we’re coming to the Father in prayer, asking for help, let’s not just ask for the material stuff, but let’s throw in some wisdom and knowledge and understanding too, because with those mental and spiritual gifts, we can always figure out the physical and material part of life. Much LOVE!…remember, when we come to Him in faith…He always gives us more than we can ask or imagine…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 8 December 2007 Deuteronomy 16:17‏

08 Dec 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Deuteronomy 16:17    Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessings of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee.
 
Words of Moses to the Israelites before they crossed over Jordan into the Promised Land, concerning certain male celebrations and the giving of thanks. He enjoined them that no man should appear before the Lord empty handed, but everyone should give something within his means. The amount itself does not matter as much as the percentage. We should give a fair portion of whatever the good Lord has blessed us with. If he has blessed us with plenty, then we should give plenty, because it’s written; to him that much is given, much is asked. If we only have a little, then we can only give a little, like the poor woman who offered the last mite she had. The basic theme however, is that we give as we have. This goes for everything we do, not only with gifts to the church. Whether it’s money, time or talents, we need to give, and give generously, to share with others less fortunate than us. And believe me, there is always someone worse off than us. Giving is an essential part of our Christian Faith. It’s an integral part of LOVE in action, which defines the way God wants us to live. It’s obvious that we cannot give all that we have, but a lot of us are stingy with our giving, we give much less than we can comfortably afford. And Friends, it’s also important that we give with a willing heart, not grudgingly. The Lord looks upon us more favourably when we give with joy. But a word of caution people: Beware of the false witnesses. In these predatory times when there are so many fraud artists, uncharitable charities, false churches and leaders, and a host of other unsavoury elements out there, constantly reaching out and pleading for help, it’s very important that we be careful whom we give to. Many of us cannot afford to give a whole lot, so it’s doubly important we be sure, that whatever we give, is actually used to help others in real need, and not to simply fatten the pockets of some ungodly crooks and charlatans. Be careful. Give as you can afford, but do your homework first. Much LOVE!…remember…the Lord loves a cheerful giver…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 7 December 2007 Nehemiah 9:31‏

07 Dec 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Nehemiah 9:31    Nevertheless for thy great mercies sake thou dids’t not utterly consume them, nor forsake them, for thou art a gracious and merciful God.
 
Nehemiah’s doing a bit of sucking up here. He admitted that the Lord had blessed the Israelites on numerous occasions, only for them to reject and turn away from Him once they became prosperous. However, they were once more in distress; returning from captivity in Babylon to rebuild Jerusalem, but without as much physical and monetary help as they needed, though they were surrounded by enough strong naysayers and people who wanted to curtail and/or sabotage their efforts. But Nehemiah had an ace up his sleeve. He knew there was yet hope, because the Heavenly Father had not thoroughly forsaken or destroyed his people, although He had very good reason to, and it was certainly within His power to wipe them of the face of the earth, if He so desired. Instead, after every spell of disobedience, when the times became real hard and they came running back to Him, He never ignored them, but in His merciful and loving kindness, He pardoned them and caused them to be bountiful again…until the next time. That’s why Nehemiah was confident enough to ask for help. He knew that the Most High was a gracious and merciful God. Yes Friends, that’s the kind of God we worship; a God with a largesse of heart that’s unmatched; a God so full of mercy and forgiveness that it’s beyond our simple human comprehension. Which other Being is there that keeps on pardoning and forgiving in spite of all our disobedience eh? None! We just have to come to Him with a sincere heart, a heart that’s truly repentant, and He will forgive us, and set us back on the straight and narrow path again. Friends, if we happen to stray, don’t be afraid. We can’t expect to always disobey and not be punished, but the good news is that His punishment is always clothed in mercy, and as many times as we ask Him, respectfully and repentantly, He’ll forgive us, cause He’s a gracious and merciful God. What a wonderful Father! Praise His Name people! Much LOVE!…just take your troubles to Him in prayer…He’ll never turn you away.
 

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