Today’s Scrip-Bit 24 February 2021 Proverbs 4:12.

24 Feb 2021 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Proverbs 4:12.     ​For the word of God is quick (living), and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of (able to judge) the thoughts and intents (intentions) of the heart.

So how shall we begin this bleak and cloudy Wednesday morning eh? (smile) And since the Good Book opened this morning on the words of Cousin Sol from Proverbs, I think it’s a good idea to start with some of his wise advice on the treatment of neighbours, advice we can certainly use in these selfish and greedy times. So hear ye, hear ye: ‘Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do so. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by (in safety with) thee. 

Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm. Envy thou not the oppressor, and chose none of his ways. For the froward (perverse person) is abomination to the Lord: but his secret (secret council) is with the righteous. The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation (dwelling) of the just. Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly (humble). The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion (legacy) of fools.’ (Prov. 3:27-35) 

Oh my people, what wisdom! Wisdom for the ages! But wisdom we have not taken, thus the sorry state of our neighbourly behaviour. And here’s how the scholars summarize those verses. ‘3:27-35. The needy neighbour is to be helped (vs. 27-28); the innocent neighbour is to be respected and left alone (vs. 29-30); and the wicked neighbour is not to be envied (vs. 31-35).’ 

But sadly, so often we do the opposite of that advice, especially in times like these when selfishness, greed and personal advancement are all the rage. We do not help the needy neighbour, neither respect the innocent one, but are quick to engender strife and ill-will towards them. And oh, how we do envy and covet the things of our prosperous but wicked neighbour…what do we call it? ‘Keeping up with the Jones’…ofttimes to our own detriment and financial ruin. 

And I saw an interesting poem in our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin that I think might be rather appropriate for us today. It’s titled the ‘Last Word.’ I wonder who shall have that eh? (smile) Please pray with me. ‘I read, “In everything give thanks.” I said, “Lord, I’m in deep trouble…You know I can’t thank you for this.” You said, “My word is a command And not a suggestion, dear child.” I read, “Your sins are forgiven you.” I said, Thank you for forgiving me…I repeat the same sin so often.” You said, I can deliver, as well as forgive.” I read, “Trust in the Lord at all times.” I said, “You know how earnestly I try.” You said, “My Word says Trust.” Lord, it seems to me You always have The last word.’ 

Of course! He’s the Boss, so whom do you expect to have it eh? You, or I! No way Jose! Both the first and last words belong to Almighty God, our Creator and Controller! And until we understand that deep down in our souls, we will always have problems with His Word. But we are certainly foolish to dispute or denigrate or disobey it? Why, you ask? I don’t think you really want to know nuh. (smile) 

Here’s how the Good Book describes the Lord’s Word. It’s our Bit as well as the Bible Promise for our poem above. ‘For the word of God is quick (living), and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of (able to judge) the thoughts and intents (intentions) of the heart.’ (Heb. 4:12) 

Yes friends, that’s the mighty power that God’s Word has! It’s alive and sharp and discerns the thoughts and intents of mortal man! ‘Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in (hidden from) his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do (must give account).’ (Heb. 4:13) 

Now hear the scholars.‘4:12-13. For the word of God:The reason given for one’s careful scrutiny of his life involves the reality that God is intently scrutinizing it. His word isquick(living). This word is first in the Greek and is the emphasis. God’s Word is not old or archaic; it is alive. It is not inept or inactive; it ispowerful(active). It reaches into the inner secrets of man’s mind to discern even histhoughts and intents.Likewise, God’s eyes sees man as though he were naked, unable to hide behind excuse or pretense.’ 

And I sincerely hope that last sentence opens our foolish minds and hearts and lets us know that we can’t hide from God, as so many of us try to do. Oh friends, we claim that our great God is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. That means He sees all and knows all, and NOTHING can be hidden from Him. So let’s stop trying to do that nuh, for it’s a complete waste of time. Let me tell us another li’l secret here; (smile) the Lord knows our thoughts and intentions before we are even aware of them! Hn! Put that in yuh pipe and smoke it! 

Now here is some more interesting info from the scholars as to how the author skillfully uses the human terminology to describe how God’s Word operates .‘Immaterial Part of Man. 4:12.The writer here draws an interesting parallel between the joints and the marrow, which have different functions, yet both are part of a human’s bone structure. Thoughts and intents are also two distinct activities, yet both are activities of the mind. And while the soul and spirit are distinct in function, both have an immaterial character. 

When considering the nature of humanity, we must realize a person is a two-part being, that is, with body and soul. But in activity or function the body, soul, and spirit of a person each has a different function. Paul desired that his converts “whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:2). (First Ref. Gen 2:7; Primary Ref. 1 Thess. 5:23; cf. Prov. 4:23).’ 

And since we have a whole lot of food for thought there, (smile) let’s go home declaring (steups!) our Wednesday Wail, telling all and sundry of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. Altogether now: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’ 

And what a truly glorious future it will be, if we endure unto the end! Much LOVE!

…keep thy heart with all diligence…for out of it are the issues of life… (Prov. 4:23) 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 February 2021 Isaiah 43:13.

04 Feb 2021 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Isaiah 43:13.     Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let (reverse) it?

Oh friends, we’re just strangers here, Christian pilgrims on our way home to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in the high heavens! So please give thanks and praise for our blessedness, because not everybody is blessed like us! And all of God’s people shouted proudly and gratefully: ‘Blessed be the name of Jesus Christ, blessed be the name of God the Father, and blessed be the name of the Holy Spirit, our triumvirate God!’ 

Ah mih people, there’s no God like ours! In fact, our God is the ONE and ONLY true living Deity! None other exists. That’s just the simple fact. You can’t be a God unless you’re alive and kicking, else how would you do things for your people eh? Dead gods can’t do anything for anybody. 

That’s why our triune God is so wonderful; they are indeed alive and kicking! Glory be mih bredrin! That’s why they can be our help in times of trouble and keep their awesome promises…because they are alive and omnipotent! And today we’re just going to look at a few Bible verses that verify the fact that our God is omnipotent and can do anything, whatever pleases Him. 

And I believe the verse that says it all is the very first one in His Word. ‘In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.’ (Gen. 1:1) What can be more powerful than that eh friends? 

Bruh Paul says it thus to the Colossians: ‘For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in (on) the earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities (rulers), or powers (authorities): all things were created by him, and for him.’ (Col.1:16) 

Yes friends, God, through Christ Jesus created everything by Himself, for Himself. So who the heck are we, a mere mortal creation to want to kick God out of His own universe eh? We’re boldfaced and stupid just like another creation, Lucifer, alias Satan, who wanted to overthrow Almighty God when he was a mere archangel, but God booted him out unceremoniously from heaven with all the other foolish angels who had joined with him to create the rebellion. 

And the great thing about our magnificent God, is that He created it all through the spoken word, showing exactly how powerful His word is. The first chapter on creation is all about ‘And God said…’ and it happened instantaneously. 

Hear how the Good Book describes the power of God’s word nuh: ‘For the word of God is quick (alive, living), and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of (able to judge) the thoughts and intents (intentions) of the heart.’ (Heb. 4:12) 

Yes people, God scrutinizes all our lives, that’s why we have to be careful how we live them. No wonder Bruh David could truly declare (yeah!) in Psalm 139 – The everlasting presence and power of God. 

‘O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me, Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; thou understandeth my thought afar off. Thou compasseth (understandeth) my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether….

Whither shall (can) I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall (can) I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.’ (Ps. 139:1-4, 7-10) 

Yuh see friends, we can’t get away from God no matter how hard we try, for not only is He omnipotent -all powerful, but also omniscient – all knowing, and omnipresent – everywhere! 

And the prophet Amos put it this way: ‘For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind (or the spirit), and declareth unto man what is his (God’s) thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The Lord, the God of hosts, is his name.’ (Amos 4:13) 

Yes my people, that’s an awesome fact. It’s the Lord our God who is the Creator and Controller of this great universe in which we dwell at His command and desire. We’re here to do His bidding, not the other way around, like so many of the foolish think. 

Meanwhile, Jeremiah, in his prayer said it with surety and praise: ‘Ah Lord God! Behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard (difficult) for thee:’ (Jer. 32:17) And the last two verses of that chapter tell us: ‘Then came the word of the Lord unto Jeremiah, saying, Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for me?’ (Jer. 32:26-27) 

Ah mih people, the Lord doesn’t like it when we doubt Him. And by the way, the answer to His question is a big and definite ‘NO!’ Jesus made that quite clear in His sojourn on earth. When talking about it being easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter heaven, He announced to His listeners: ‘With men this is impossible; but with God, ALL things are possible.’ (Matt. 19:26) 

And why shouldn’t it be eh, if He is mighty and omnipotent? Job said it in his submission. ‘I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.’ (Job 42:2) And that’s the gospel truth friends! Our God can do any and everything, and no purpose of His can be thwarted by mortal man. 

So I don’t see why we keep on trying to hide ourselves and things about us from Him. As He says through Isaiah. ‘Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let (reverse) it?’ (Is. 43:13) And the obvious answer my brethren is ‘NOBODY!’ 

And this last scripture is oh so suitable to end with. Re the marriage supper of the Lamb, John the Revelator, says: ‘And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice (roar, sound) of many waters, and as the voice (roar, sound) of mighty thunderings, saying. Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.’ (Rev. 19:6) And He will reign for ever and ever my fellow saints in Christ. the marriage

So let’s go home now with all of that scripture securely embedded in our hearts and minds, and we declare (yesss!) our Thursday Blessings that the Lord God Almighty has so generously bestowed on us to do His earthly work. 

As one strong voice: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! 

I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and everyday! Amen!’ 

Now it’s time to share those magnificent blessings just as generously with those around us. Much LOVE!

…if you don’t believe that the Lord is…omnipotent, omniscient and omni-present…then what do you believe eh…

P.S. It only seems long…but it’s not really. (smile) Much LOVE!

Today’s Scrip-Bit 16 December 2015 Hebrews 4:12‏‏

16 Dec 2015 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hebrews 4:12.  For the word of God is quick (living), and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of (is able to judge) the thoughts and intents (intentions) of the heart.

Oh friends and neighbours, it’s only nine more days to that marvellous and miraculous day of Jesus’ birth! Wow! Isn’t it wonderful how we all come together to celebrate Christmas! 

Oh how I wish that we could be so together all year round. But I suppose that’s just an idle wish of a naive old man. Hn, hn! 

However, what I want to point out here is that though Christmas Day is important, what’s also important is our journey to it, the way we approach it; with joy and gladness and singing and pleasant fellowship and good cheer. 

That’s what this season of Advent, or preparation for the arrival of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is all about. So let’s get in the spirit nuh, the real spirit of Christmas, not the worldly aspect of it, where the buying of gifts and busyness and rushing and pushing and frustration and household preparations are paramount. 

Let’s remember to keep Christ in Christmas, for He is the reason for the season! 

Now listen to these words of wisdom from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. I just couldn’t pass up the chance to share this one. It’s titled ‘Book of All Books.’ 

And it says: ‘Lord, I am overwhelmed As I read Your living Word. What power, what pungency I find within its pages. It stirs me, burns with me It challenges me, invigorates me And often disturbs me. When I obey its commands  The results are what you claim: Darkness becomes light Crooked places become straight 

The more I seek, the more I find. Within its pages, God I see beyond mere philosophy I see beyond a neat package of ethics. I crash head-on with a living Person The One who makes all things new. No other book can claim as much.’ 

And isn’t that the gospel truth my people! No other Book in all of man’s existence can make all those truthful claims but the Bible; God’s infallible Word to man! Glory Hallelujah! 

Now the next thing is when we read it, does it elicit in us the emotions the writer points out? I surely do hope so, because that is what it was meant to do. That’s why it is ever so important for us to continually read and study the Bible, for it’s the only way we will get true insights into our great God and His most wonderful persona! 

And since it’s Wednesday, that means it’s wailing time, so let’s declare our Wednesday Wail with much enthusiasm and sincerity. As one now: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! 

I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’ 

Oh glory to God my precious people! Isn’t it wonderful to be alive, especially in this Christmas season of joy and festivity! And looking forward to all that Jesus has promised to those who follow Him is certainly intoxicating, for no one else has, or can make the promises that He has done? Give Him thanks and honour my brethren! 

And the promise for that poem above is also our Bit for today. ‘For the word of God is quick (living), and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of (is able to judge) the thoughts and intents (intentions) of the heart.’ 

More indisputable truth my fellow believers! The Word of God is indeed powerful! Remember how He created the universe and all therein? With His Word, by word of mouth! ‘And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.’ (Gen.1:3) 

And you can go through that first chapter of Genesis and see where our mighty God spoke everything, except man, into existence. Man, He made LOVINGLY with His own two hands, in His own image, and gave us His breath of life. That’s why we’re so special to Him. 

But friends, if the Word of God is that powerful, and we are made in His image, with His breath of life flowing through us, then that means we also have power through the Word. Consequently, we need to continually speak God’s Word over our lives and the lives of those around us. For as the song says: ‘There is power in the Word!’ Glory Hallelujah! 

And one of our serious shortcomings is not speaking the Word more often in our daily walk with Jesus. And you’ll notice that during Jesus’ sojourn here on earth, He was always quoting the Word. So if he could quote the Word, why should we be any different eh friends? No reason whatsoever! 

Anyway, enough stuff for us to ponder today. (smile) Tomorrow, God in favour, we’ll continue this most important teaching. Till then my fellow believers, may the God of all goodness and LOVE, walk beside us and keep us safe, for that’s what He has promised to do for all those who believe in Him and His Son Jesus Christ. Much LOVE!

…the Bible is God’s Word to us…still fresh through all the ages…and if we read it…we will find God’s wisdom on its pages…