Today’s Scrip-Bit 28 August 2007 Isaiah 9: 6

18 Nov 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Isaiah 9: 6      For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful,  Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father. The Prince of Peace.
 
There is so much stuff in the Bible to choose from that sometimes I get confused, especially when I open mine, with all its different colour underlining, highlighting and such. Today was one of those days. So, as usual, I left it alone for a short while, then came back, picked it up, asked for guidance, opened The Good Book… and there, right before mine eyes, was the above Scripture, boldly underlined in red. It’s Isaiah’s prophecy concerning the birth of Christ, which came through many many years later. Just goes to show how our God is faithful and keeps His promises, although they may not be when we want or expect them  But look also at the awesome responsibility this child is to be given nuh: the government shall be on His shoulders. He needs to be real strong, powerful and confident to bear such a burden. And we can see from the names bestowed on Him that He is, was, and will always be up to that monumental task. No one has ever been granted, so many, or such powerful titles, all at the same time: The Wonderful One; The Counsellor; The Mighty God; The Everlasting Father; The Prince of Peace. No wonder we are beholden to bow down and worship His magnificent majesty. Let’s do so with great faith, boundless energy and enthusiasm my Friends, for He is worthy and faithful that hath promised. Plenty, plenty, plenty… LOVE  &  PEACE! We desperately need them in these troubled times.

Today’s Scrip-Bit 27 August 2007 Proverbs 16:7

18 Nov 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Proverbs 16: 7.   When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
 
Wow! What Wonderful Words of Wisdom from the Wisest of the Wise; ole Solomon! So what’s keeping us back from doing the things that please God eh people, if that will bring peace even with our enemies?  Don’t we like peace? Sometimes I think so. The opposite also holds true; if we disobey, we pay, as Solomon learned the hard way. Although God told the Israelites not to inter-marry with other nations because they would turn them away from Him, Solomon insisted on doing just that, and God’s words came true. 1 Kings 11 claims he loved many foreign women; Pharaoh’s daughter, plus seven hundred wives, princesses and three hundred concubines. But when he got old, his wives turned his heart away from the Lord, towards their pagan gods. And although the Lord appeared and warned Solo twice about it, he did not listen, so the Most High finally got angry with him and took away the kingdom from his family. But Our God is such a magnanimous, faithful Being, He did not do it during Solo’s lifetime, but during his son’s. Neither did He take away everything, He left the family with one tribe in Jerusalem. Why? All because of His faithful servant David, Solomon’s father. Although David had done a lot of wrong, and he paid for it too, he had never forsaken the One True God of His Fathers, like Solomon. God had made Solomon the wisest and richest man of all time, but he lost most of it due to disobedience. Friends let’s try and learn that lesson: The Lord giveth and He taketh; if we disobey, we pay. Amen!

Today’s Scrip-Bit 26 August 2007 Luke 18: 1.

18 Nov 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Luke 18: 1.   Then Jesus spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not faint.
 
Well wouldn’t you know it, The Good Lord one-upped me again, in his usual devious manner. I had something else written for today, but then this thought about men should always pray and not faint got into my brain and just kept on nagging at me until I finally said, okay Lord, I got the message. Like He wanted us to stay with the prayer scene. And I really couldn’t disagree, because prayer is constantly being weeded out of our society, both secretly and overtly; out of our schools, our public institutions, like the courts, and by extension out of our lives. But how can a society call itself Christian if there is no prayer eh? Anyway, I was at work when I finally succumbed to The Lord’s urging, so I found a Bible, a new version, that did not have J.C’s words printed in red like mine at home, or significant passages underlined. And it was only after a fair amount of searching, looked through Matthew and Mark, that I eventually found it. Was actually about to give up when I spied it, in modern English of course, at the beginning of Luke 18. I now realize that He must have been trying to teach me a lesson about perseverance; the same not fainting, not losing heart, like the widow in that parable who kept on pestering the judge that feared neither man nor God. He only gave her justice because he was afraid that she’d eventually frustrate and tire him out by her persistent appeals. We’ve got to learn that same lesson Friends; to continue earnestly in prayer, persevere and not lose heart, for the Most High will definitely answer us, not always how and when we want, but according to His own agenda, which usually turns out much better for us. Lotta LOVE!

Today’s Scrip-Bit 25 August 2007 1st Timothy 2: 1-4

18 Nov 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

1 Timothy 2: 1-4.     I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men. For Kings and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our saviour. Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of all truth.
 
Tell them Pablo, tell them!  Words of Paul to his protege Timothy on the importance of Prayer. Yes, we’re still on prayer today. It’s importance in a believer’s life can never be over emphasized. Notice Paul says, that first and foremost we’re to give thanks and pray for ALL MEN. Then for those in authority, that they may be granted wisdom and whatever else they may require for us to lead a quiet, peaceful, godly, honest life. That makes me wonder if we’re doing enough praying for our leaders today, since they’re handling things so badly. They obviously could not be getting enough guidance from the Lord, because we’re certainly not living in peace, quiet etc. Paul also emphasizes that we should pray because it delights our God, who wants us all to be saved and come to know Him. What more can I say? Just let’s keep praying Friends, because God does answer prayers. Let’s keep giving thanks and praying for everybody, because The Most High delights in it. It puts a broad, beautiful smile on His face when His children talk to him. Much LOVE, and Plenty, Plenty PRAYING. We desperately need it in in these troubled times. Amen.

Today’s Scrip-Bit 24 August 2007 1st Thessalonians 5: 17.

18 Nov 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

1 Thessalonians 5: 17.      PRAY WITHOUT CEASING!
 
Hn,hn,hn! This God of Ours is really something else yes. Well just now, minutes to 4 ( is 4 a.m. on the dot now) I’d just finished listening to some of my music and was quite happy with it, so I decided to go and sit out on my porch with some cake and ice cream, (the cashew kind children, so yuh know what that means) and commune peacefully with my Maker for a short spell. While waiting for the ice cream to melt a little, I got to thinking about all the natural disasters that were currently befalling our beautiful world and to wondering why. Suddenly this thought flitted though my mind: perhaps that’s the Lord’s way of getting us to pray more often, because yuh know how mankind stay, even the ones and them who don’t believe in Him, when the mark buss on them, the first thing they cry out though is "Oh God!" and hold deh head and bawl. And yuh know that when times fine, half of us forget all about God, just park Him in a corner until the next setta trouble comes and we we looking for some mercy. But it doesn’t work so yuh know. Although He’s sweet and generous and forgiving, if you insist on doing your own thing, He’s surely going to make you pay the price. And, as if to show me He meant business, how yuh think He ended the session? Although it was a slightly muggy morning, there were no signs of rain, but then, all of a sudden, from down in the west, this bright spurt of lightning just flashed out on me from behind the trees and houses. Well yuh know what happen after that? I man simply said, Yes Lord, ah heard yuh, and I quietly picked up my untouched cake and ice cream, my half glass of coke, quietly come inside mih yard and gently close mih door yes. Then I came down here to my study and wrote this because I figured He was giving me the next Scrip-Bit; which is that we must always pray, I repeat, His followers must always pray; must pray consistently. And is not only when we tail in a vice that we must run to Him begging and pleading.  Anyway, I’ve done what He said, now later on, I’ve got to look for a Scripture that fits this. Got to finish mih cake and ice cream first though.  Oh! I found the Scripture just as I finished, or rather, it found me. Like He couldn’t wait for me to go and look for it later. It’s at the top in big, bold letters… And all yuh trying to tell me that he ent something else. Chuh! That ent true nuh! Hope everybody understand the patois (broken English) but that’s just how the story happened to come out. Much Peace and Plenty, Plenty LOVE!

Today’s Scrip-Bit 23 August 2007 Nehemiah 2: 20.

18 Nov 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Nehemiah 2: 20.
Then answered I them, and said unto them, the God of heaven, he will prosper us: therefore we his servants will arise and build:……….
 
When the Israelites were taken captive away to Babylon and Jerusalem was left in ruins, the Prophet Nehemiah was instructed by God to go and rebuild it. And He indeed paved the way for him to do so, despite detractors from amongst his own people. Now that is how we’ve got to react in this time of sorrow and disaster. In spite of all the destruction wrought by the elements, we’ve got to have a strong faith and believe that Our God is a mighty Being, who will prosper us, and give us the necessary strength to rebuild, perhaps not bigger, but certainly better. However, we can only do that if we are willing to put in a lot of physical and emotional effort. As Paul keeps reminding us, it’s not only a matter of faith, but also of works. One without the other is no good. It’s got be a combination of both. Together they’re unbeatable. So Friends, let’s cool some of the talk, because talk is quite cheap, and instead get up off our rear ends and do some walking nuh. Let’s build God’s Kingdom here on Earth, so that at the end, he can say, Welcome, thou good and faithful servants! Amen!

Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 August 2007 Isaiah 54: 7-8.

18 Nov 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Isaiah 54: 7-8.   For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.
 
Today we’ve got to pray for the people on The Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico that got battered by a strengthened, Category 5 Dean, as well as for those poor, trapped miners in China and the U.S. Thankfully, Dean did not hit any populated tourist areas, but the indigenous Mayan Indians who live in remote areas in poor housing conditions  apparently bore the brunt. And although Dean has been reduced to a Category 2 Storm, it is still heading for the Belize Coast and the Gulf Coast Area of the U.S. Let’s hope and pray that it does minimal damage wherever it lands and peters out soon. It certainly seems though, that everyday now, there is some sort of natural disaster or man made calamity befalling our beautiful planet; Mother Earth. It’s sad and heartrending, but we’ve got to know and believe, as Today’s Bit says, that although The Most High may get angry and forsake us for a brief moment, nevertheless, He will spread His loving kindness and mercy over us most of the time, because He’s our Friend, Father and Great Redeemer. In this truth we can stand strong, and by working together in peace, love and harmony, overcome any negative forces that may come against us. Please keep the Faith. Much LOVE!

Today’s Scrip-Bit 21 August 2007 Lamentations 3: 31-33.

18 Nov 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Lamentations 3: 31-33.    For the Lord will not cast off forever. But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of man.
 
All Thanks and Praise to The Most High for lessening the effects of Hurricane Dean over J.A. and the Caymans! It could have been much worse if Dean had not  veered off some. Just shows that he does answer prayers, because I know that many people were praying for just such an outcome. Anyway, it was a little bit easier deciding on a Bit today. Only had three passages to choose from, and finally decided that Lamentations suited the bill the best, since right now is a time of Lamentation, in many parts of the world. Plus the strange fact that in all my perambulations through the Bible, I never really noticed that book. I knew it was there, but never paid any attention to it until today. Another devious move by The Lord you say? However people, even though lamenting might be in order right now, some praise and thanksgiving should also be offered for having come through the ordeal relatively unscathed, compared to some other parts of the world, like China, India, Taiwan, Peru, etc, who have recently suffered much tribulation through natural disasters too. And please believe the Bit that though He may cause grief, and not willingly either, His mercy and compassion is boundless. So Friends, let’s keep on praying for, and do whatever we can to help, not only our friends and family in the Caribbean, but also for those unfortunate souls all over the world who are facing unexpected tribulation from whatever source. Much Strength and Faith, wrapped in Endless LOVE!

Today’s Scrip-Bit 20 August 2007 Matthew 12: 34-37

18 Nov 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Matthew 12: 34 – 37.    O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
 
One of those days when I just couldn’t decide what to choose, so many choice choices, so I just asked for guidance, opened the Good Book and those words of  J.C. jumped out at me. He’s warning us to be careful about what we say, because some day our words are going to come back to haunt us. All of us have had occasion to regret things we’ve said, for one reason or another, and throughout Proverbs, Solomon keeps reminding us to be careful with our tongue, since it can cause untold problems. J.C just reiterated the warning. And truly, no weapon yet devised by man, has the power to inflict as painful a hurt as  that little flap of flesh. And its effects lasts a long, long time too. A lot of wars have been caused simply by poorly chosen words. But also, as my Uncle Foster use to say, "Is talk win the war"  because it’s in the peace talks afterwards, when the spoils are divided, that we see the real winners and losers. So please friends, let’s try and consider the possible consequences and repercussions of our words before we utter them nuh, as there’s nothing  in this world as sharp as our little tongue. And as J.C. says, we’ll pay for any hurting words sooner, in our lifetime, or later, at the judgement. Much LOVE, and plenty, plenty bridling of the tongue. (smile)

Today’s Scrip-Bit 19 August 2007 Mark 13: 7-9.

18 Nov 2007 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living

Mark 13: 7-9.  And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginning of sorrows.
 
Wow! Those are the words of J.C.  I discovered them today and they seemed so appropriate to our current situation that I had to use them. They are encouraging in one respect; that we should not worry because certain things need to happen before the end finally arrives. In the meanwhile though, wars and all sorts of natural disasters have to happen. And right now we’re seeing an inordinate amount of negative stuff: There are wars and all kinds of strife going on worldwilde; I won’t even try to list them, because they are too numerous; Earthquakes in Peru, Japan, Dominica;  Floods and Heatwaves in Europe;  Long dormant volcanoes suddenly coming to life and erupting; Typhoons, monsoons, hurricanes by other names in India, China,Taiwan and Dean currently cutting a swath northwards through the Caribbean, towards Mexico and the U.S.A. And these are just a few that I can remember happening recently. If we look back at the last decade, I don’t think we’ll find as many natural disasters happening worldwide in such a short space of time. The weather patterns have changed significantly; The Equator is getting cold, while the North and South Poles are getting warmer. Hn! Twenty years ago you wouldn’t get rain in T.O in Jan. or Feb. But now that’s normal. Then the greed and corruption in high places seems to be spreading like wildfire, bringing evermore suffering and poverty to the masses. Don’t even talk about the ethnic cleansing thing, that’s becoming more popular too, with the perpetrators going largely unpunished. And then there’s the terrorism business, sweeping across the world like an out of control juggernaut. Where’s it going to end eh? If J.C. says that all these things are only the beginning of sorrows…Hn! Then I, personally don’t want to see the last days. Anyway, all we as believers can do is live in hope, stand strong in our faith, help one another however we can and pray. Yes Friends, we’ve got to pray, while giving thanks for whatever we have, and spreading as much LOVE as possible. I know it’s not a pretty message, but that’s the reality of the situation. Most of all, never, never forget that The Most High is still in control, so anything is possible. Keep the Faith and Stand Strong!

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