Today’s Scrip-Bit 31 October 2017 John 5:24.

31 Oct 2017 Leave a comment

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

John 5:24.   Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation (judgement); but is passed from death into life.

Looks like it’s going to be a somewhat cloudy day outside, but on the inside…it’s surely going to be bright and sunny! 

Oh friends, how can life be anything else but sunny and wonderful eh, when we have the Holy Spirit of Jesus dwelling within us and riding shotgun on the outside? Every breath we take, and every move we make, He is right there in us and beside us. 

Oh glory to God for His Saviour Son Jesus Christ, and His holy comforter, Holy Spirit! With those two around us, we need NOTHING or NOBODY else to see us through both this earthly and the heavenly eternal life to come! Glory Hallelujah! 

That’s why Bruh Paul could confidently proclaim to the church at Philippi: ‘But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.’ (Phil.4:19). 

The Philippians had sent Paul a gift of money and other treats, for which he was grateful, and in return he was assuring them that God would look kindly upon their generosity towards him. 

The scholars offer this explanation of that verse. ‘4:19. Because the Lord is aware of the sacrifice (v.18), the Philippians made in meeting Paul’s needs, God will surely supply all their need. God will meet their “need” (1) according to his riches, that is, in proportion to His unlimited resources; (2) in glory, that is, He will meet their need “gloriously” or “in a splendid manner”; (3) by Christ Jesus.’ 

Yes my fellow believers, once we live under the mighty umbrella of Almighty God, He will satisfy all our wants and needs. And long before Bruh Paul ever came around, Bruh David declared that truth in Psalm 37 – The true state of the wicked. 

‘I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed (descendants) begging bread. He is ever (always, all the day) merciful, and lendeth; and his seed (descendants) is blessed. 

Depart from evil and do good; and dwell for evermore. For the Lord LOVETH judgement (justice), and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.’ (Ps.37:25-28) 

And that is gospel truth my brethren! Our great God is very faithful and kind to those who serve and worship Him! I can personally testify to that, as I experience it EVERYDAY when I come to write the Bit. 

No way could I be doing it for almost eleven years without His wonderful help. So please don’t be foolishly led astray from under His all-encompassing LOVE. 

And if you don’t believe Bruh David, Bruh Paul, or me, then listen as Jesus, the Son of God, our Lord and Saviour, assures us of the very same thing in our Bit. 

‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation (judgement); but is passed from death into life.’ 

Now what can be more joyous than that eh friends? Nothing really! To know that when we believe in Christ our lives will rise to such a higher level is the utmost in joy. As this quote I got from somewhere, so rightly tells us: ‘Joy is the most reliable evidence of God’s presence!’ 

Mama Mia! What indisputable truth and heavenly wisdom are contained in those few words! For it’s only when God truly reigns in our souls that we can ever experience true joy in this crazy, evil, strife-filled, sinful, godless world! 

And if after all of that, you still are not convinced of God’s goodness and great LOVE for mankind, then listen to these immortal words of Jesus; His raison d’être; His purpose, the reason why He came to be. 

‘For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.’ (John 3:16-17) 

And all God’s people declared a loud, proud and grateful: ‘Thank you yes Lord! Thank you for sending Jesus Christ to save us! We LOVE You, honour, worship and obey You. In Jesus’ name. Amen!’ 

Yes friends, no greater gift has ever been bestowed on mankind! And wonder of wonders, the gift is free and ever so easy to obtain! 

Hear Jesus again, as He reiterates the truth, efficacy and simplicity of our Bit: ‘He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.’ (John 3:18)  

Oh my people, my people, it’s oh so simple! For some though, just too simple. But God, in His eternal wisdom, knew that the best way to bring us to Him would be to make it as simple and easy as possible. 

All it takes is belief in Jesus Christ being the Son of God. Are you going to throw away that wonderful gift of salvation and eternal life with Jesus over simple belief? I certainly hope not. 

Now, for those of us who truly believe, let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra, telling all the world, in sincerity and truth, who and whose we are. 

‘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!’ 

And now it’s time to action those statements! Much LOVE!

…only as believers…SHARE the LOVE of Christ…will the world…ACCEPT the LOVE of Christ…

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 17 January 2017 Psalm 23:1.

17 Jan 2017 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 23:1.   The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want (lack).

Aye friends, it’s a rainy Tuesday morning in my neck of the woods, but it sure is good to be alive! Praise the Lord! I sure hope that all of us who have enjoyed His awesome largesse this morning have given Him the thanks and praise He so rightfully deserves. 

Every day we open our sleepy eyes, to another day, we ought to shout ‘Thank You Lord! Thank You for allowing me to see another beautiful day down here in paradise!’ For contrary to what a lot of us think, earth is indeed the Lord’s paradise, we have just made it seem like hell with all our iniquity and the carnality injected by the enemy. 

I was actually up a few hours earlier, but still felt sleepy, so I decided to get some more z’s, got to get them when I can (smile) since my sleep recently has not been the greatest, what with all the different medications I’m taking. 

But I feel fairly fresh now, so let’s get into our Bit without further ado. ‘The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want (lack).’ 

Yeah mih people, we’re still with that most promising of verses, because there is still a lot to say about the 23rd Psalm. Bruh David must have been truly inspired when he wrote it, there’s just no other answer to why it’s so beautiful and so encouraging! 

Anyway, what I want to do today is first share some thoughts from the scholars on it, then some choice scriptures which corroborate its verses. 

So listen first to the scholars: ‘Psalm 23. The psalm had been a favourite of God’s people through the ages and with due reason: it expresses as simply and clearly as any the role of God as our protector and provider in life. 

The charm of the psalm rests on two figures of speech: the Lord is compared to a shepherd and the believer to His sheep (vs.1-4); then the Lord is likened to a host with the believer as the guest (vs.5-6). The image of the Lord as shepherd is a frequent one in both the Old Testament (Is.40:11; Jer.31:10) and the New (John 10:11-16; Heb.13:20). 

Believers are never pictured in Scripture as mighty lions, independent and self-sufficient; rather, they are sheep who are dependent on their Shepherd for His provision and protection. 

The believer is more than a dependent sheep, however, he is also like an honoured guest, since the Lord prepares a table for him (v.5). Connected with this honoured position is abundant provision, vindication before one’s enemies, and eternal celebration of God’s goodness.’ 

And all God’s people declared a loud and proud ‘Glory Hallelujah! Glory to our great God on High! Praise His Holy Name, for He is indeed worthy to be praised!’ 

Yes friends, our awesome God deserves even more praise and thanks than our mortal souls can give! He’s done so much for us, creating, protecting and providing for us all down through the ages, despite our foolish penchant for turning away from Him. 

Now let’s look at some corroborative scriptures. Bruh David says: ‘The Lord is my shepherd…’ 

And Isaiah, when he talks about comfort through trust in the Lord, declares in full agreement: ‘Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand (in strength), and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work (wage) before him. 

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.’ (Is.40:10-11) 

How beautiful, promising and reassuring is that eh my fellow believers! One can’t ask for more. Then Bruh David says: ‘I shall not want (lack).’ 

And Bruh Paul shouts back at the Philippians: ‘But I have (received) all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell (aroma), a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God. 

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever Amen.’ (Phil.4:18-20) 

Ah mih people, what a wonderful God we serve and worship! The Philippians had sent some gifts to Paul, and as the scholars tell us: ‘4:18. I have all means that Paul has received their gifts. And abound signifies that he has plenty, since all needs are now met through their generosity. God looks on their gift to Paul as an odour of a sweet smell (a fragrant scent) and a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing.’ 

‘4:19. Because the Lord is aware of the sacrifice (vs.18) the Philippians made in meeting Paul’s needs, God will surely supply all their need. God will meet their “need” (1) according to his riches, that is, in proportion to His unlimited resources; (2) in glory, that is, He will meet their need “gloriously” or “in a splendid manner”; and (3) by Christ Jesus.’  

Oh friends, I do hope that as we ponder all we’ve said today, it will bring a greater understanding of the Lord’s word and His many promises, and increase our faith and LOVE for Him. 

Now let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra in full voice and strong belief. ‘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!’ 

And that’s the gospel truth my people, so let’s go out and put it all into action nuh! For that’s what Jesus desires of us. Much LOVE!

…to know…know…know Him…is to LOVE…LOVE…LOVE Him…