Today’s Scrip-Bit 16 November 2007 Jeremiah 9: 23-24‏

22 Nov 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Jeremiah 9:23-24    Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches. But let him that glorieth, glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I the Lord which exercises loving kindness, judgement and righteousness, in the earth, for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.
 
Woe be unto all those who take excessive pride in their wisdom, power and riches! It could not be put any simpler than Jeremiah does in Today’s Bit. But Friends we still do it. We allow our accomplishments and the possessions we amass to take centre stage in our lives. I know it’s difficult to refrain from doing that, when our society is structured for those things to be first and foremost. We’ve been conditioned to look up to, revere those with wealth, wisdom and power. They’re held up as paragons of virtue, ones we should emulate. But that’s not always true people; it’s just the enemy trying to lure us into his wicked web. A lot of that wealth and power has been obtained and propagated through evil, unjust, unfair means, and giving pride of place to those things is certainly not what our God desires from us. He wants us to put HIM front and centre! If there’s anything we’re going to pound our chest and boast about, it should be that we know the Most High; we understand that He’s the One and Only True God, that rules the earth with justice, kindness and mercy. That’s what He delights in. Those are the kind of things He wants us to concentrate on. Not on the ephemeral, transient, wicked and destructive things of the world. So Friends, please, let’s elevate Him, give Him, pride of place in our hearts and lives.  Much LOVE! ….remember, all things shall pass away, except the righteousness of God!

Today’s Scrip-Bit 15 November 2007 Matthew 18:20‏

22 Nov 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Matthew 18:20    For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
 
What an awesome promise! Unswerving reassurance from J.C. that wherever believers choose to get together, in whatever number, even the smallest possible group of two, He will be there in the midst, with His Holy Spirit to guide and protects us. He’s already with us individually, but this promise covers associations and gatherings of believers. Like in the early days of Christianity, when believers were constantly persecuted and cruelly punished for their faith in J.C. Check out, Paul, Stephen, John the Baptist. They all suffered for their faith, with beatings, imprisonment, stoning and with John, even beheading. And sadly, unfortunately, that sort of thing is still happening today. Yes Friends, in this modern, supposedly enlightened world, there are still many places where Christians are not allowed to practice their faith, neither privately or publicly, and so have got to resort to playing hide and seek with the authorities to simply talk about their God. That’s why J.C made that promise. He knew the rough times His followers would face, and He wanted to reassure us, to keep our faith burning brightly even under the most difficult situations or horrendous conditions. But wait, a thought just occurred to me. Why won’t these countries with other belief systems allow Christianity to be practiced openly eh? Is it because they’re afraid? Afraid of the awesome Power and Truth of the Word? Afraid that if they allow it to flow freely, that one day it will vanquish their belief system? And since we’re supposed to be spreading the Word, Friends, we need to come together consistently and talk about Him. Words were meant to be spoken, so to do our duty, we have to talk to somebody about it. And let’s not be afraid to do so. I know many of us are hesitant because of the negative reaction it still receives in some circles, but we can overcome that fear, because J.C promised that wherever and whenever we come together and call His Holy Name, be it in the largest church congregation or simply two strangers on a dark street corner, He will be there in the midst…His Holy Presence will always be betwixt and between any coming together of His followers. And we know He never breaks promises. Much LOVE!…and let’s remember to pray for those unfortunate brethren who cannot worship freely like us. They desperately need our prayers to keep their faith alive. 
 

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Today’s Scrip-Bit 14 November 2007 James 5: 7-8‏

22 Nov 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

James 5:7-8    Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient: stablish your hearts; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
 
Patience is probably the second most important aspect of Christianity, especially as it pertains to the Second Coming of J.C, which James talks about in Today’s Bit. After you become a believer, the next step is to learn to wait. That’s because the Most High makes many promises, but He keeps them according to His own timetable, not ours. As He says, His ways are not our ways, and He’s the boss. So until we understand this, and learn to wait until He’s good and ready, we’ll always be frustrated. That’s not an easy thing to learn in the best of times, but is made even more difficult by the high speed, instantaneous society in which we now live. Speed seems to be the new aphrodisiac. But that’s not our God’s style. He believes in taking His time. He sets everything in place, then like a meandering river enjoying the scenery, or like fine wine mellowing in a dusty cellar, He sits back and watches it unfold. Consequently, we tend to have our faith tested regularly. And, in the agricultural society of our forefathers, the analogy of watering, sowing, waiting and reaping would have been one they easily understood. So if you believe in The Birth and The  Resurrection, then the biggest promise left to be fulfilled is The Second Coming, which you’ve also got to believe, if you’re a believer. The problem is, we don’t know when that will happen. True, J.C made that promise two thousand years ago, and though it has not happened as yet, He emphasized that it could happen at any time, maybe tomorrow, or even a further two thousand years later. But it’s coming, we’re sure of that. It’s another test of our faith, possibly the biggest. That’s why James is saying that we should set our house in order NOW! Get our heart right with God NOW! Then be patient and wait, so that whenever He comes again, we’ll be ready. Much LOVE!…please, please, don’t procrastinate…do it NOW!

Today’s Scrip-Bit 13 November 2007 Esther 4:13-14‏

22 Nov 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Esther 4:13-14.    Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther. Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the King’s house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place: but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
 
We all know the story of Esther, the orphan girl who became Queen of Babylon under King Ahasuerus without divulging her Jewish ancestry, on the advice of her guardian, Mordecai. Sometime later though, when the King made Haman, an arrogant, egotist his new C.E.O, things turned sour. Haman wanted people to bow and scrape before him like the King decreed, but Mordecai refused. This made Haman angry, and when he found out that Mordecai was Jewish, he turned it into a vendetta against the Jews. He pointed out their diversity to his boss, and the fact that they did not follow the King’s laws, and talked the King into signing a decree that all Jews should be killed on the the 13th day of the 12th month, Adar, and their possessions taken as spoil. Ah Lord eh! Sadly, nothing has changed today; diversity and differences are still being selfishly and egotistically used as reasons for destroying individual groups of people. Obviously this decree distressed the Jewish citizens, and eventually Mordecai told Esther she had to go to the King and plead their cause. Poor Esther; caught between a rock and a hard place. The King had not called her in a month, and if she went in uninvited, and he did not raise his golden sceptre to her, she would be automatically put to death, not to mention that she would also have to divulge her Jewish heritage. That’s when Mordecai scolded her with Today’s Bit. She should not think that because she was a part of the King’s household she would escape the fate of the Jews. And if she did not stand up for her people, they would still find deliverance from some other source, but she and her family would surely perish. Most important though, was his theory that that might just be the reason she had been placed in such an exalted position at that particular time; to be a spokesperson for her people. And Friends, that might just have been true. We all know that our God works in mysterious ways that we can never imagine or hope to understand. But whatever He does or allows, is always for our benefit, even though it may not seem so at the time. So, if today, or someday, we find ourselves amongst hostile unbelievers, don’t automatically despair. Take heart and stand strong, for who knows if our Almighty Father might just have placed us there for some great purpose, or even a small one, that will eventually bring honour and glory to His Name.  Much LOVE! …a believer’s journey is never easy, but through faith and consistent communication with The Most High, we can surely make it.
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 12 November 2007 Revelation 15:2-4‏

22 Nov 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Revelation 15: 2-4    And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of  God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgements are made manifest.
 
That’s the way John saw it in his dreams about Judgement Day. This particular moment was just before the seven angels got ready with their seven vials of God’s wrath to spread the seven last plagues on the earth, on the worshippers of evil. According to John, those of us who had already conquered the beast through faith in J.C. were standing on a sea of glass, with a background of fire, playing glorious music on our golden harps, joyfully singing the songs of Moses and the Lamb; J.C, worshipping, giving praise and thanks as one, in a loud, harmonious voice, shouting, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy……… Yes Friends! That’s the way it’s going to be on the biggest day in Christendom: J.C’s second coming! The day when he finally returns in all his splendour and glory, not like His first, in a lowly manger, but in a manner befitting His princely heritage. O People, what a day that will be! There’ll never be another like it. A day of praise and thanksgiving, a joyous morn, when all of us believers meet in heaven and settle down to spend eternity with our Most Wonderful Lord and Saviour, J.C. at the right hand of the Father; The Most High. Hallelujah! Praise His Holy Name People! Much LOVE!…. please hurry up and get on that train bound for glory, cause we don’t know when it’s leaving, and it will be truly disastrous if you’re not there, when our conductor, J.C. happily sings out…All aboard…all aboard the glory train!…. Next stop….HEAVEN!
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 November 2007 Psalm 49: 16-20‏

22 Nov 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Psalm 49: 16-20    Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him. Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself. He shall go to the generation of his fathers: they shall never see the light. Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.
 
Trust Bruh David to tell it like it is. In this Psalm he’s lamenting the excessive value and trust we place in worldly wealth and possessions. Earlier on, he says that those who trust in and boast about their riches can’t redeem the soul of their brother or ransom him with God, regardless of how much they have. So why hold it in such high esteem eh, especially since we can’t take it with us when we die? Some of the ancients, like the Pharaohs of Egypt, did try, unsuccessfully of course. Some try to get around this by leaving it to others, thinking that their names and riches would live on in posterity, but only a few actually do. All the wealth is left right here, for the living to divide, fight over and dissipate. And it surely seems that great wealth creates great problems: Look at how so many of the wealthy live; in constant strife and acrimony. The time spent getting the wealth means you’re always on the go, creating more stress, with less time to actually enjoy the fruits of your labour, less time with your friends and family too, consequently more divorces, estrangements, psychiatric problems, custody cases, insecure children, not forgetting that it heightens the inherent negative human trait; the more we have, the more we want. There’s nothing wrong in being wealthy, or acquiring wealth. It’s how we look at it and use it. So as Bruh Dave says, don’t be afraid or worried when the Most High gives you and increase. It’s only a tool to be used for good in this life, and you’re only the current steward. So though your wealth might make you feel important, with all the usual sycophants, hangers on etc, praising and fawning over you, don’t let that get to your head, because in due course you’ll leave it all behind, if you don’t blow it first. And as he concludes, the person who is blessed by the Most High with earthly riches and doesn’t understand that it’s not the end all and be all, then he’s just as ignorant as the beasts who don’t have thinking brains, but dies just like man. So Friends, please, let’s wake up and smell the roses; let’s stop pursuing earthly wealth as though it’s going out of style. It was here long before us and will be here long after us. As J.C. said, let’s lay up treasure in heaven instead, that doesn’t spoil or rust. Much LOVE!…remember, stress is the biggest killer in this fast paced, supposedly, wealthy, advanced, intelligent ‘civilization.’

Today’s Scrip-Bit 10 November 2007 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8‏

22 Nov 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

1 Corinthians 13: 4-8    Charity suffereth long, and is kind: charity envieth not: charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil: Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth: Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail: whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
 
Yesterday  we talked about Charity/LOVE, being a very important ingredient in the Christian way of life, and tried defining it. Today we continue with the same theme, giving you Paul’s words on how Charity/LOVE, actually operates; what it does and does not do. And you can see, it’s a rather long list. According to Paul, it’s long suffering, kind, not envious, nor stuck up and arrogant. Neither does Charity/LOVE behave inappropriately or selfishly, is not easily provoked, like some of us with short tempered fuses (smile). It’s not that I’m short tempered, it’s just as I get older, I find it harder to put up with a lot of the nonsense that passes for sense these days. In that respect I guess I’m uncharitable. Anyway, Paul claims that Charity/LOVE does not have evil thoughts or delights in wrongdoing, but happily deals in truth. And he’s  not done yet. He also believes it possesses fortitude; a strong backbone and plenty belly, accompanied by lots of self confidence, hope, and faith. In fact he states that Charity/LOVE never fails. Wow! It leads one to wonder if it’s even humanly possible by Paul’s dictates to be perfectly charitable. I guess he was just stating the ultimate position, because I’m sure he knew that basic human nature naturally veers towards the exact opposite, the negative aspects, of all the things he outlined; selfishness, jealousy, impatience, arrogance, immorality, insecurity etc. But Friends, just because it seems a bit difficult, doesn’t mean we should not try to attain it. As believers and followers of J.C. we’re expected to aim for the stars, set our sights as close to perfection as possible. Note though, not by unreasonably stressing ourselves to do it. J.C. expects a lot of His followers, but not excessive stuff that will eventually hurt and hinder rather than help us. So please, let’s all try and be as charitable as possible. I know it doesn’t come easily, but as with most things, through patience and hard work  (stick-to-it-tiveness) we can certainly improve, rise much higher than our current level. Much LOVE! ……. remember it’s for J.C’s sake…to bring Him Honour and Glory.
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 9 November 2007 1 Corinthians 13:1-3‏

22 Nov 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

1 Corinthians 13:1-3    Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge: and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
 
Wow! What is this charity thing Paul’s talking about? It must be something real important if it outweighs such weighty things like speaking  in tongues or the gift of prophecy and understanding. He even  goes so far as claiming that if you have all the faith in the world, so that you could move mountains, and don’t have this wonder thing called charity, then you’re still nothing. Neither does giving away all your possessions to feed the poor or sacrificing your body mean anything unless you have this charity. Well, Charity, in today’s parlance, has been whittled down to mean simply giving to the needy, however in Paul’s time it meant much more than that. Today, we tend to term it LOVE. But it’s also much more than simple LOVE. It ‘s more a genuine concern for others, a deep-seated interest in their well-being, whether or not they’re less fortunate than us. Paul is saying that even if we have all the wonderful God-given gifts of faith, speaking in tongues and prophecy and don’t have a sincere caring for our fellow man, then it’s all a waste. The same thing goes for giving away all your earthly belongings: If you don’t do it with the right spirit, the right intentions, from a heart that truly cares, then it really doesn’t earn you too much marks with J.C, because what He looks at, what He’s concerned with, is the state of our heart, the why of our giving, not merely the giving. That’s why Friends we’ve got to keep a close watch on our innermost feelings, keep checking our hearts to see if we’re doing the right things for the right reasons, not just for outward show. Unless there’s a genuine sincerity and thoughtfulness behind our actions, then it all goes for nought; it’s worthless. So please people, let’s try and improve that area of our lives, because many of us just do for doing sake, to make us look good in the eyes of others, and don’t really feel a genuine concern, which is so highly important to whatever we do in the eyes of The Most High. Much LOVE!…and keep those flames of true care and consideration burning brightly in our hearts, so others can feel it and be drawn into His Comforting Circle of LOVE!
 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 8 November 2007 Philippians 4:8‏

22 Nov 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Philippians 4:8    Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
 
I usually find Paul somewhat longwinded and highfalutin…Okay, I know that I can be longwinded too (smile) but this time he hit the nail right on the head without beating about the bush. He’s giving the believers of the recently formed church at Philippi, a prescription for right thinking and living, in what would become the Christian tradition. And two thousand years later, it still applies. Possibly more now than ever before, because the known world and everything in it, both good and evil, has expanded so much, especially the latter. And it’s the evil forces that seem to be in the driver’s seat right now. However Friends, if we are to be obedient to God’s Word and do our duty, we desperately need to uproot them and take their place. It’s not going to be easy, since they’re comfortably entrenched, and bet your bottom dollar, they won’t give up without a fight; a nasty one at that. But they can be defeated, because we’ve got the most powerful right arm ever, that of the Most High, on our side. As always though, we too have got a part to play, and our part starts with our mind – truly, everything begins with the mind. We’ve got to acquire a positive mindset, and concentrate on things like truth, honesty, justice, purity, and beauty. Look for stuff that bears good tidings, that’s uplifting and empowering – hopefully like Scrip-Bit. (smile) Not trying to toot my own horn, but that’s how I envisioned it, and I surely hope that’s the way it comes across. We should be trying to gravitate towards moral and praiseworthy matters, not towards the negative aspects of life. That’s where it all begins; in our thinking, that’s why Paul emphasizes it. And surprisingly, once we’ve begun to think right, a lot of stuff just automatically falls right into place. Yes Friends, it all starts with the mind. I can’t emphasize it enough. It all begins with the most powerful tool God ever created…the human mind. Before we can ever get right living, we first need right thinking. Much LOVE!…and remember, of these three; the heart, the body and mind…the mind is the greatest. Please use it wisely; for good and not evil.

Today’s Scrip-Bit 7 November 2007 Luke 3:49.‏

22 Nov 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Luke 3:49    And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my father’s business?
 
At twelve years J.C. was already full of p&v (smile). His parents had taken Him to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of The Passover, but when they set out to return home, J.C. stayed behind. Mary and Joseph obviously never expected Him to do that, so although He was not in their immediate group, they figured He had hooked up with one of the other families also returning to Nazareth. However, after a day’s journey and still no sign of Him, they became worried and went searching for Him. Three days later, yes, it took them three days to find Him. Hn,hn! Wonder what he was doing all that time eh, being only twelve years old in a big, strange city; what He ate, where He slept etc? Anyway, when they did find Him, wonder of wonders, He was sitting in the temple holding court amongst the esteemed and learned elders; having them under some heavy manners, in serious arguments, listening and questioning them, with the entire gathering astonished at His wisdom. His parents were also amazed, and Mary rebuked Him for leaving without telling them, and driving them crazy with worry.  That’s when J.C. shot off that smart aleck answer in Today’s Bit. And He got away with it too! Most of us know that at age twelve we could never dream of talking back to our parents without getting a good slap to the ears. Poor parents, they did not understand what was happening. But apparently J.C. went back to Nazareth and behaved himself after that, although His mother, Mary, never forgot all those weird, eccentric looking things He did. Ah Friends, each of us has also been given a task to perform by our Heavenly Father. But can we, like J.C. truthfully claim to be about our Father’s business? Are we really doing the job He put us down here to do? Only the individual and the Most High really know. Although we may be on different career paths, technically speaking, we all have the same basic functions to perform: To LOVE Him, spread his word and live in peace and LOVE with each other, espousing traits like kindness, forgiveness, honour, truth, trust and patience; all those things that are designed to bring honour and glory to His Name.  However, judging from the sorry state of the world right now, it doesn’t seem as if we’re doing it, else there would not be so much strife, conflict and disharmony in existence. And I’m sure it saddens, both the heart and the countenance of our Heavenly Father, to see such a proliferation of negative situations amongst His children, since He, like all good parents, wants us to live a full, positive, creative, obedient, loving life. It would certainly please Him, if when asked what we’re about, we can all proudly and truthfully say, ‘I’m about my Father’s business of course!’ Much LOVE…and Friends, let’s work seriously on improving and growing His business nuh!

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