Today’s Scrip-Bit   23 April 2024 Hebrews 5:13.

23 Apr 2024 Leave a comment

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

Hebrews 5:13.       For every one that useth (partakes of) milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

Then it was Tuesday… which means that another trying and uncomfortable Monday has been left behind in the dust…and we’re moving on in glory! Yes friends, if Christ Jesus is your Lord and Saviour, then you’ve been called and are expected to move on, to get better, to become more mature believers with each passing day. Unfortunately though many of us are still babies in the spiritual realm. 

For as Bruh Paul wrote to the church at Corinth: ‘And I, brethren, could not speak to you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat (solid food): for hitherto (until now) ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying and strife, and divisions (dissensions), are ye not carnal (fleshly), and walk as men (according to the dictates of man)?’ (1 Cor. 3:1-3) 

And so it is with too many of us supposed believers, for we have been stuck in the elementary rudiments of our Christian faith for much too long, like babies who can only stomach milk, and have not matured or moved on to the advanced doctrines of Christ. Therefore, like babies, who cannot even help themselves, we cannot do any serious work for Christ because we don’t know what we ought to do, either because we don’t want to know, and are much more comfortable living in the flesh, or we’re afraid to step out and take a chance on Christ. But just look at the big chance Christ took on us when He sacrificed His sinless life for us. Why can’t we take a li’l chance and do the stuff that He desires of us eh? 

But we LOVE to call ourselves Christians! Hn! Christians who don’t do any serious or sincere Christian work! And although we’re not supposed to be of the world, but merely in it, we behave like we’re of it. We live just like the world does, for if you look at the lives of a great number of supposed believers, it’s exactly the same as the world’s; meaning we still live a carnal, fleshly life, with all the envying and strife, dissensions and divisions, that the world sees as necessary. No wonder Christ’s church is so disabled and ineffective, because from the top down, there is too much unchristian like behaviour in it. 

And Bruh Paul is not the only one to speak seriously on the immaturity of long time believers. The author of Hebrews also refers to their immaturity as milk and strong meat. Speaking of Christ’s qualifications to be our High Priest, he writes: ‘Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered (explained), seeing ye are dull of hearing, (of lazy hearing, slothful). For when for the time (when) ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles (sayings) of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat (solid food). For every one that useth (partakes of) milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat (solid food) belongeth to them that are of full age (mature), even those who by reason of use (practice) have their senses exercised (trained) to discern both good and evil.’ (Heb. 5:11-14) 

Yes friends, only when we wake up and begin to take our faith seriously, to study the Word of God and all the wonderful things it has to offer will we be able to grow, to become mature and truly know and appreciate the differences between good and evil. For, as the scholars explain: ‘The warning of this passage is that what is now described as lazy hearing can result in an entire life of sluggishness. (6:12).’ And we’ll look at that scripture, but starting at verse 9. 

‘But beloved, we are persuaded (confident of) better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of LOVE, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful (sluggish, lazy), but followers (imitators) of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.’ (Heb. 6:9-12) 

Oh my brethren, that’s the kind of stuff that’s expected from us. To not be lazy, to wake up and minister to the saints and keep on ministering right down to the end, because God is faithful and will not disregard your work to His people. But all of that calls for sincere study, patience, perseverance and willingness to sacrifice even when it seems unbearable. That brings us to this ever so important warning of Bruh Paul to the Ephesians. ‘That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight (trickery) of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. But speaking the truth in LOVE, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.’ (Eph. 4:14-15) 

Yes my fellow saints, we need to grow up in all aspects of Christian living, into Christ, the head of our church, be no longer immature children, who can be deceived by any and everything we hear, but through that spiritual maturity can discern truth from lies and good from evil. And as the scholars tell us: ‘Christian maturity is attained, in part, by thorough instruction in sound doctrine given in a LOVING manner.’ That means, until Christ’s people truly decide to study and learn His ways and sincerely put them into practice, His church will continue to be much less than it ought to be. 

Now, for those of us who are trying our best, let’s go home declaring (yesss!!!) our Tuesday mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. As one voice: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’ 

And having said that, it now behooves us to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so hat the too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!

…attaining Christian maturity is like going to school…you only learn…when you attend and put your mind to it…

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Today’s Scrip-Bit 13 March 2018 2 Peter 3:18.

13 Mar 2018 Leave a comment

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

2 Peter 3:18.   But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever.

And then it was a snowy Tuesday morning…not a whole lot of the white stuff, but certainly sufficient to cover everything and remind us that it’s still winter. Yeh, though we’ve been having some fairly mild temps recently, Ole Man Winter thought it necessary to remind us that spring has not yet sprung. (smile) 

And talking about winter; they say things happens in threes, and in the case of the North Eastern U.S. they are probably right, because for the third time in two weeks another winter storm is bludgeoning the area. Ah Lord eh! 

Let’s pray for them friends, and do whatever we can to help them otherwise, even if it’s just calling or texting or somehow communicating with those in the affected areas to find out how they are doing. For we never know when we’ll be affected by some disaster and need their help. 

And today I want to share something from our One Year Book of Bible Promises, with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin that points out some of the trauma and drama in our spiritual growth. It’s titled, ‘Worth the Waiting.’ 

Please read with me: ‘Growing spiritually is such a long, slow process! It’s painful too. Every day at the turn of the road I become acquainted with new pitfalls and heartaches. Sometimes the pain backs me into a corner. For example: There is a woman I know who is so sarcastic, so curt and unkind. Am I ever excused? Is forgiveness always a part of my growth? 

So often I feel like a spiritual midget while my husband and friends appear to be spiritual giants. I seem to shrink in my own home. Another thing: I confess I’m a coward about pain. Emotional pain. Physical pain. The pain of loneliness, the pain of grief. Yet, again and again it is true. 

What I must learn in my pain is that it’s leading to something positive, something beyond what I can see in the present darkness. I do want to grow! I want to become more and more like Jesus. Even though it takes so long, surely it is worth the waiting.’ 

And it is indeed worth the waiting my fellow believers! Oh my brethren, growing in anything at all takes time and can be an arduous process, but like it is with Jesus, the end will all be worth it. And I know many of us want to grow spiritually but are having a hard time wading through all the stuff that it entails. 

But take heart, everything we go through in being recreated in the image of Jesus has a purpose. God never throws away anything in our lives, even the negative, painful stuff, He always puts them to good, positive use. That’s why Bruh Paul writes this very reassuring scripture in the word: ‘And we know that all things work together for good to those that LOVE God, to them who are called according to his purpose.’ (Rom.8:28) 

Yeh friends, if we LOVE God and are called to do His work, then everything will work out good eventually. It’s God’s promise, and as a faithful believer, you are expected to accept it…without a grain of salt. (smile) And the Bible Promise for the reading above is also our Bit for today. But before we get to it, let’s hear what Peter says to the early believers who were living in the hope of the Lord’s coming. 

‘Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before (beforehand)…’ And he’s talking about the Lord’s Second Coming and how we’re looking for a new heaven, and all the stuff that Bruh Paul has written, some of which is hard to do. (2 Pet. 3:1-16) 

‘…beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.’ (2 Pet. 3:17-18). 

Oh my people, Christianity is indeed a beautiful faith; the most beautiful, but it is also time consuming and calls for a lot of effort and sacrifice! But it’s all worth it! As the scholars explain: ‘Peter urges his readers to look beyond the present world to the new heavens and a new earth characterized by righteousness.’ 

And so should we be looking forward to coming in glory of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Remember this earth is not our home; we are merely strangers and sojourners here. Heaven is our real home. We should therefore look forward to it. 

But to do that we have to be strong and steadfast, like Bruh Paul warned the Ephesians in talking about the new life in Christ. ‘That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight (trickery) of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby thy lie in wait to deceive. But speaking the truth in LOVE, may grow up to him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.’ (Eph.4:14-15) 

Oh friends, to grow spiritually means we must stop being childlike and put in the effort to grow in all aspects of Christian living. And if we do so sincerely, God will give us the grace we need to become more like Christ, each and every day. 

Now let’s go home telling the world who and whose we are. Let’s shout out our Tuesday Mantra as though we really mean it. ‘I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world.  Amen!’ 

Now let’s go out and action those things in Jesus’ name. Much LOVE!

…‘Christian maturity is attained in part…by thorough instruction…in sound doctrine…given in a LOVING manner…’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 10 March 2016 2 Peter 3:18‏

10 Mar 2016 Leave a comment

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

2 Peter 3:18.  But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Oh friends, the ole fella’s a mess; tired and out of sorts…but I am at home, my comfort level has been raised, because they say that home is where the heart is, and though I LOVE Tobago dearly, it’s in the cold North country that I am currently domiciled. 

Now yesterday was indeed a crazy day. I got up pretty early so that I could write the Bit then finish packing, and I don’t know how many of you realized the nonsense that I did. First of all I did not include the Wednesday Wail. I only realized that last night while sitting down listening to Uncle John (John Hagee) trying to get back into my old routine. 

Then just now, when I read the Bit I discovered that I had written it as though it were Tuesday, complete with the Tuesday Mantra and all. Ah Lord eh! And as I just looked back at Tuesday’s Bit, the Tuesday Mantra wasn’t included. 

What a mess up! Friends, you’ll just have to forgive the ole fella yes, because he’s just showing His age and human frailty. (smile) 

And I am somewhat annoyed with you all, because when I mess up so badly I expect somebody to let me know. That means you all are either not reading the Bit, or not paying serious attention to it, which isn’t very encouraging. 

Anyway, what I believe really happened is that I was so taken up with leaving sweet Tobago, the packing, the seeing of friends and family for the last time and the feeling of sadness that obviously crept in, my poor brain just could not function properly. All of that though is just the Lord’s way to test your Christian sense of forgiveness. (smile) And I know that I am forgiven. 

But it truly was a rough day yesterday. I don’t know how many times I packed and unpacked the numerous heavy bags we had; from the house to the car, then from the car to the check in. 

Luckily I got a porter to take them from the arrival lounge to the car outside, but I had to pack them in the house again when I got home. By then I had spent some 7 or eight hours en route, most of them cooped up in a li’l tin can plane with barely any leg room, like sardines, leaving T&T around 1 p.m T&T time, not arriving in T.O. until 6.30 p.m T.O time, which is an hour different. 

And believe you me, T.O has the worst, yes I said the worst wheelchair service at any airport. Yes the ole fella has to use the wheelchair service now because he can’t walk the long distances between the arrival and departure points any more, especially with heavy hand luggage. 

One poor lady who couldn’t walk at all, and who was using the service for the first time was totally taken aback at the number of hold ups we were forced to endure. There never seems to be enough people or wheelchairs to ferry the passengers in Toronto. 

And then their main concern is to get your boarding pass so that they can record it, to possibly show how many people they serviced. Don’t know if they get paid by the numbers or what, but at each level, that’s always the first requirement. And even though they have state of the art golf-carts to move you around some, the service is very poorly run. 

Apparently this lady had once been a social worker, and she was truly appalled at the inferior service. She expected it to be better than T& T’s, but it certainly isn’t. So by the time we got to immigration all the other two hundred and odd people on our plane had already gone through, and at the baggage carousel, only the few bags of the seven wheelchair passengers remained. 

You can just imagine the duchess’ reaction. Hn! Sadly, she always gets saddled with my slow process. But what can you do eh? As a concerned and caring wife, you have to stay and support your not so ambulatory husband. (smile) 

And then, wonder of wonder, we arrived in T.O to 17 degree Celsius temperature. Mama yo! 17 degrees in the middle of March? That is unheard off! Inside the house was colder than outside. I had to turn up the heat. 

And right now it’s about ten or eleven with rain. Thank the Lord! I’m certainly not complaining, because the warmer temps are helping me to reintegrate myself much more easily than if it had been bitterly cold as it usually is in early March. 

And that’s the story of my life. Let’s hope there are no more screw-ups. (smile) And please friends, if I do screw up, please let me know nuh. I’m only human, and can’t catch everything. Thank you. 

Now we can finally turn to our Bit. ‘But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.’ 

Well I certainly hope I did some of that yesterday, because my Christian behaviour was truly tested by the waiting and the many security checks and all the other nonsense that is involved in airplane travel these days. 

Again, the Lord puts us through these things to test us, to see if we can truly walk our talk. On the scale of 1 to 10, I must have been around a 7, which is not too bad, all things considered. I didn’t complain too much, and my patience was fair. I was encouraging others to be patient. Hn!

And as we saw yesterday from Bruh Paul’s writing on the new life in Christ to the Ephesians, as Christians we have to be strong and steadfast in our faith. We can’t afford to be childlike and swayed by every evil and cunning doctrine introduced by man. That means we have to become, and then continue to be spiritually mature. 

And we’ll end today with this explanation from the scholars on the subject. ‘4:14-15. Two results occur when Christians reach spiritual maturity. (1) Negatively, they will no longer be children, that is, immature believers easily deceived by every wind of (false) doctrine; and (2) positively, they will grow up into him, that is fully grown in all aspects of Christian living – doctrine, conduct, service and so on. 

But speaking the truth in LOVE, may grow up may be read “by LOVINGLY teaching the truth, we will grow up.” Christian maturity is attained, in part, by thorough instruction in sound doctrine giving in a LOVING manner.’ 

And that’s indisputable truth my brethren! So please, let’s go out today, and every day, and try to grow thus nuh, for that is indeed the wisdom of heaven! Much LOVE!

…as each day goes by…our Christian meat intake…ought to supplant at least a little of our milk diet…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 2 March 2016 Psalm 77:13‏‏

02 Mar 2016 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 77:13.   Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary (holiness): who is so great a God as our God?

Well hello there my beautiful fellow believers in the ONE and ONLY Jesus Christ; Lord and Saviour of sinful mankind, Son of God, Prince of Peace, Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, etc. etc….! 

Yes friends, that is the magnificent Being, Deity, and God we serve! Now one would be extremely foolish to serve and worship any other! 

However, as sad as it is, there are many, too many on His planet earth who serve and worship other non-gods, foolishly placing them above the ONE who made the heavens, the earth and all therein. 

To them we can only say, ‘that’s madness,’ in a decent and LOVING manner now (smile), try to tell them about our great Saviour Jesus, who sacrificed His holy and sinless life on the cross at Calvary to pay for our sins, theirs included, and bring us once more into the eternal fold of His Father, Jehovah God. 

But even more importantly, while telling them all that, we should endeavour to live the kind of LOVING, caring, compassionate, forgiving and peaceful life that our Lord and Saviour espouses. For as they say, more flies are caught with honey than with vinegar. 

Yes my believing brethren, we cannot afford to brow beat the unbelievers, as so many of us do, because that will only turn them away. Best we lure them to Jesus with our sweet words and positive actions. 

Hn, hn! And I have to chuckle here friends, because I don’t know where all of that just came from, because I didn’t plan it. But came it did, and it does make wonderful sense, providing a useful template for us all to follow in our earthly relationships. 

Now it’s a beautiful Wednesday in Paradise, unfortunately my last, so let’s wail our Wednesday Wail with much enthusiasm, sincerity and conviction. 

As one proud and loud wailer 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 I will add another ‘Glory Hallelujah’ to that my brethren, because I’m so thankful for being alive in sweet Tobago on such a beautiful day! Glory to God my fellow believers! Now how can I look back at the past and dwell in it eh, when there’s such a glorious future to be had with Jesus? 

Remember we’ve got to keep looking straight ahead, so we can create straight furrows, for as Jesus says, he who looks back is not worthy to be in the kingdom. And we all see what happened to Lot’s wife when, against the Lord’s directive, she looked back as they were hurrying away from the godly devastation that was Sodom and Gomorrah; she became a pillar of salt. (Gen.19:26) 

We obviously wouldn’t want any such calamity to befall us, that is why we have to keep on worshipping and serving the Lord of the Universe, who provides us with sufficient to meet our earthly needs. 

That brings us to our very timely Bit. ‘Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary (holiness): who is so great a God as our God?’ 

Ah mih people, as per the second half of that sentence, there are so many scriptures to show the might and power of our God, that I don’t even know where to begin. But as they say, the best place to begin is at the beginning. 

So let’s consider how He made the universe and all therein nuh. He spoke it into existence. Note, He used mere words to create the universe, not any kind of heavy or busy action, just simple words. How much more powerful can we get eh? And if you don’t believe me, you can read all about it in the first chapters of Genesis. (smile) 

And note how He made man too eh: by simply forming him from the dust of the ground, then breathing His own spiritual breath of life into him. Up to now no other supposed deity or even the brilliance and ingenuity of present man can do that. 

Look at how He brought His chosen people, Israel out of Egypt nuh. Starting with the mind games He played with Pharaoh, the nine plagues and the killing of the Egyptians first born, from which the Jewish Passover was derived. You can check that out in Exodus chapters 7-10. 

Then look at how He got the Egyptians to give and lend their jewels to the Israelites, so that when they finally left Egypt after four hundred and thirty years, many of those under tough bondage, they left very wealthy. (Ex.11:1-3) All praise and glory to our great and powerful God! 

And what about the crossing of the Red Sea eh? Who else could have caused the simple stretching out of Moses’ hand over it, to part and allow the Israelites to cross over on dry land eh? Then when the Egyptian army tries to pursue them, Moses again stretches out his hand over the sea, and the water rushes back together and drowns the entire army? (Ex.14:21-30) 

The Good Book ends that chapter with these words. ‘And Israel saw that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared (stood in awe of) the Lord, and believed the Lord, and his servant Moses.’ (Ex.14:31) 

Aye mih people, that’s just the beginning of God showing His awesome might and power! We’ll continue with it tomorrow, the Lord in favour, because I doubt we can stand to hear about all of our God’s mighty works in one sitting; it’s liable to boggle our frail and simple minds. (smile) 

And our homework for today is to sit and ponder how mighty is our God, and seriously consider why we, or anyone else, would even consider serving and worshipping any other deity. Much LOVE!

…Elohim…O Elohim…God of exceeding strength and mighty power…