Today’s Scrip-Bit 30 June 2020 Isaiah 58:11.

30 Jun 2020 Leave a comment

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

Isaiah 58:11.     ​And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought (times of need), and make fat (strengthen) thy bones: and thou shalt be like a well-watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
 

Oh my people, my people, finally, after about three or four months, the ole fella actually visited one of the Lord’s sanctuaries yesterday! Glory be! And was it ever good to put foot in a church again, although it was for a sad occasion, the funeral of one of our long-time friends, Herman George Gabay. And it was a fairly new Catholic church, so you know it was fine, (smile) but with all the new regulations, we could only sit in every other pew and not too close to anybody not family. 

And it was indeed strange to see the fifty people now allowed for public gatherings all spread out over the large church and all the tape and ribbon and signs to keep us safely separated from each other, plus everybody, even the priest and his helpers in masks. But I guess that’s the new normal now. So, hopefully, we’ll do it responsibly and thus not have to lockdown the society again. 

Anyway, my condolences go out to the Gabay Family. Herman was indeed a kind, friendly, quiet and generous man, and led a long and interesting life. And did he ever look beautiful and at peace lying there in his coffin yesterday in his off-white suit! (smile) He will be missed by all of us though. 

And I have one more set of condolences to send out to the Wilson family in Tobago, as I understand that the neighbour of my youth and big brother Neil also passed away recently. He was much older than me, but I can remember growing up and seeing him dressed in his B.W.I.A (British West Indian Airlines) uniform.

In my time that was a position to which many aspired. We were never bosom chums or anything like that, but whenever we met each other, he was always friendly. I haven’t seen him in many a year, and never knew that over the years, he had become such a stalwart in Tobago politics; Chairman of the PNM party Council in Tobago, as well as ‘the heartbeat of Tobago tourism.’ 

May you both Herman and Neil rest in peace in the arms of the Lord, because that’s where eternal rest and comfort are to be found. And that’s not only for the dear departed my friends, but even more so for the living, as the prophet Isaiah long ago declared: ‘Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.’ (Is. 40:1) The prophet saw salvation and comfort in Israel’s future, and that has become even more firmly entrenched for us under the New Covenant with Jesus. 

And do we ever need comfort and consolation and assurance in these uncertain and trying times my brethren. We need all consuming faith so that we can stand strong and steadfast in the mighty purpose of God! And the minster at the funeral yesterday said he teaches the children that faith is the ability of our spiritual eyes to see beyond the short distance that our physical eyes can see. 

And that’s oh so true friends. If we can’t see figuratively far beyond the literal distance of our physical eyes, then there’s li’l or no chance for us. If we can’t see, feel and understand that our great God is ‘Always There’ for us, as described by this poem from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin, then we’re in sad trouble. 

Please pray with me: ‘So often, Lord I reach the bottom of the abyss. So often, I taste the dregs Of my own helplessness. Yet it is there, exactly there That You come to my immediate rescue. When I feel totally impoverished Of all self-sufficiency When I want to vanish into nowhere From the depths of despair I call Your name And You are always there for me!’ 

Now that’s the gospel truth friends! Our God is ALWAYS THERE for us – especially in the darkest times of our lives! All we have to do is call out to Him in true sincerity! And I know that these current times of worldwide sickness and strife are amongst the worst ever for many of us, that’s why I’m encouraging us, pleading with us, to call on the name of the Lord through our Saviour Jesus Christ, for He is the ONLY ONE, who can provide care, comfort, true wisdom and guidance and release from our earthly troubles! 

And when we read His Word, we see that He constantly and faithfully promises to look after us if we come to Him, like in this passage from Isaiah, that’s used as the Bible verse for today’s poem. ‘And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought (times of need), and make fat (strengthen) thy bones: and thou shalt be like a well-watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.’ (Is. 58:11) And the Lord does keep His promises, but He can’t help us until we come a calling on Him. That’s why faith, strong faith is absolutely necessary in these troubled times! 

And just in case you didn’t believe what Isaiah says above there, listen to him again with more substantial and faithful promises of our magnanimous and merciful God. (smile) ‘Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.’ (Is. 55:1) 

And the scholars explain thus: ‘55:1-7. God’s free gift of salvation is offered to all who will receive it. Those who are spiritually hungry and thirsty may come to eat and drink without money (or freely). He promises an everlasting covenant to the Gentiles like the one He established with Israel. His invitation to all men is clearly stated by the appeal, Seek ye the Lord and call ye upon him.’ 

Oh my people, the Lord has done all He can, right down to giving us the New Covenant though the sacrifice of His only begotten Son Jesus! Now it’s up to us to make use of all that He’s provided. And if we don’t, we can’t blame anyone else but ourselves, although nowadays we take great pleasure in playing the blame game! As they say, you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink. I can only lead you to Jesus, I can’t make you accept Him. But for those of us who have wisely done so, let’s go home now declaring {steups! – and I thought I was spelling it right oui – smile} our Tuesday Mantra, letting the world know who and whose we are. 

In strong voice, with sincere hearts: ‘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 the world.  Amen!’ 

Now it’s time to seriously action those statements! Much LOVE!

…blessed…are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness…for they shall be filled…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 24 June 2016 2 Corinthians 1:3‏

24 Jun 2016 Leave a comment

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

2 Corinthians 1:3.   Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort.

And then it was Friday; that day the working class holds so dearly, because it heralds the upcoming weekend, the couple of days off from work when they can do their own thing. 

That’s why they continually declare, ’TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday and massa work soon done! The weekend is upon us, and the time will be fine, partying and carrying on like leggo beast! Thank God for Friday and the weekend!’ 

Ah friends, as we keep on saying, some partying on the weekend is fine, but the overdoing and leggo beast thing is definitely not. The weekend is made for a sensible mixture of rest and otherwise. So let’s chant our Friday Chant nuh, so we that can get a better perspective on how to use the couple days off we have. 

As one now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. 

Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’ 

Yes my people, that’s putting the weekend to much better use! The important thing there is that we’re healthy, rested and ready to undertake next week’s work in the proper manner befitting a child of God, so that our work, character and attitude will glorify Him. Anything less than that is not good enough! 

Now here is an interesting poem from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin, which many of us can no doubt attest to in our own lives.  It’s simply titled ‘Always There.’ 

And it says, in all sincerity and truth: ‘So often, Lord  I reach the bottom of the abyss. So often I taste the dregs  Of my own helplessness. Yet it is there, exactly there That you come to my immediate rescue. When I feel totally impoverished  Of all self-sufficiency  When I want to vanish into nowhere  From the depths of despair I call your name  And you are always there for me.’ 

And isn’t that the awesome living truth my fellow believers in Christ? It surely is! For many of us don’t call to God until we reach rock bottom and the searing fires of Hades are burning all around us. But our God is such a wonderful Deity that whenever we do cry out, in sincere conviction and repentance, He will come to us and bring us safely through our trials and tribulations. 

Oh, what a majestic, magnanimous and magnificent God we serve my brethren! 

And the Bible promise attached to that poem comes from Isaiah. ‘And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought (dry places), and make fat (strengthen) thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.’ (Is.58:11) 

Oh what a beautiful promise precious people of God! And we know that God is ever faithful, and will keep every promise that He’s made, so there’s absolutely no need to worry if we’re travelling under His umbrella of LOVE! 

And that ties in ever so nicely with our Bit. ‘Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort.’ 

Yes friends, our God is indeed a God of mercy and comfort! He showers us with mercy and comfort so that we can go out and share it with others who desperately need it. So through us, He accomplishes His holy desire. 

Now let’s turn to some scriptures which complement our Bit. Listen first to the prophet Daniel. ‘O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face (shame), to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against him.’ (Dan.9:8-9) 

Yes my brethren, yuh see the vast difference between our God and us? We are rebellious, but He is merciful and forgiving, in spite of that rebellion! How can we ever want for a better Deity eh? 

Now hear Micah, as he extols the wonders of our great and mighty God. ‘Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by (over) the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy (LOVING-kindness)? 

He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast their (our) sins into the depths of the sea. Thou wilt perform (give) the truth to Jacob, and the mercy (LOVING-kindness) to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.’ (Mic.7:18-20) 

Now what can be more assuring and uplifting that that eh friends? Nothing really! So as we go about doing the Lord’s work today my brethren, let’s remember these promises, keep them throbbing in our hearts, so that we can be confident in all that we do and say. 

And let us never forget, as the scholars tell us: ‘7-18. The forgiveness and pardon of a merciful and gracious God toward sinful mankind is declared by the Scriptures to be based on the redemptive work of the Saviour.’ 

And all Christ’s followers declared a loud, proud and hearty shout of ‘All praise, honour and glory be to the innocent, spotless Lamb that was slain for our benefit, for our forgiveness of sins. May He live and reign forever!’ Much LOVE my people!

…oh, what would we worthless sinners do….without a merciful, forgiving and compassionate God eh…  

P.S. Just one of those days. (smile) Much LOVE!

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 June 2015 Psalm 37:5‏

04 Jun 2015 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 37:5.     Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Welcome Friends to a terrific Thursday, the penultimate day of our workweek, and another beautiful day in the annals of history! (Smile) Yes, it does look like a gorgeous day out there, lots of sunshine, though a mite chilly to begin, but will get up to about 20 degrees later on. I can certainly live with that.

So what’s happening with our lives today eh? I do hope that we have positive, godly purposes to pursue, and that we will pursue them diligently and with excellence as our Lord and Saviour and Leader Jesus desires. That ought to be the hallmark of a Christian my brethren; excellence and diligence in all that we do.

Now here’s an interesting little ditty from the One Year Book of Bible Promises, with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. This one’s titled ‘WHEN I AM WITH YOU.’ And it says: ‘When I am with You, Lord It is as though I were given A cup of cool water Dipped from An ever-flowing Never-ceasing stream.

The water glistens As a piece of clear ice Tingles against The side of my cup. I want to drink More And more And more As though I could Never drink enough – And yet while I drink I am satisfied completely.   What a strange and beautiful Paradox!’

Wow Friends, what a paradox indeed! But that’s what happens when you are immersed in Jesus Christ! All sorts of unlikely but good things happen, for Jesus is not limited to the natural powers and things of this world. He has supernatural powers to do whatever He wants.

That’s why He can make this promise to which that ditty is attached. ‘Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’ (John 4:14 NIV)

And that’s the absolute truth my people. That’s why our Bit is so important to all believers, especially in these difficult days. ‘Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.’

That’s another absolute truth my brethren! Our wonderful, gracious and magnanimous God will never abdicate or abuse the trust we place in Him, for He is ever-faithful and can accomplish whatever purposes or promises He needs to. There’s no deceit or guile whatsoever in Him.

That’s why Bruh David could faithfully proclaim in Psalm 55 – The cry against deceitful friends: ‘Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer (permit) the righteous to be moved (shaken). (Ps.55:22)

What glorious, wonderful, soul enhancing and encouraging words my people! But it won’t happen until and unless we truly believe it and then put it into action. Remember the Lord has already provided us with everything we need to navigate this evil world, but we now have to accept the challenges, call up the things we need, and use them to spread His Word and glorify His Holy Name, for those are our avowed purposes on this earth.

And if by chance you didn’t believe Bruh David, listen to the Rock, Peter, expound on the subject. ‘Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.’ (1 Pet.5:6-7)

And Friends, if anybody should know first-hand about the Lord’s caring, it is Peter, for Jesus showed it to him in so many ways during their sometimes rocky relationship. So if He can show care and compassion to an often troublesome soul like Peter, why wouldn’t he show it to you and I eh?

No reason whatsoever my brethren! But first we have to place that total surrender and faithful trust in Him. Listen to how Cousin Sol puts it in Proverbs, while dealing with moral, ethical and spiritual precepts. ‘Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.’ (Prov.16:3)

The literal translation goes something like: ‘Roll thy works on the Lord.’ But any which way we put it Friends, we desperately need to commit whatever we do to Almighty God so that it can prosper and bear good fruit. If we don’t, there’s no guarantee that it will bear any fruit at all, much less good fruit, which is what we’re supposed to bear.

Ah mih brethren, it’s so sad to see every day a whole bunch of people placing their trust either in Beelzebub, meaning the things of this world, or themselves, neither of which can do anything really meaningful. I don’t understand how we can be moving away from God in such droves, when He is the One who caused us to be prosperous and successful in the first place.

Pride and arrogance my Friends are the most destructive forces in our world. Having attained a level of knowledge, sophistication and technology like never seen before on earth, we have become so full of ourselves, falsely thinking that it was our efforts alone which brought us to the pinnacle of success that we have achieved.

But please notice too my people, that the more we remove God from our lives and our societies, the more we and our societies are finding life difficult with many of both crumbling to the dust from which they were formed.

You have to give credit to the Jews of olden times, for whenever they achieved a modicum of prosperity and then went their own way rejoicing, they felt the backlash of God and eventually repented and returned to His wonderful fold.

However this current society is so full of itself that we won’t even consider going back to God as an option, though we’re seeing all our supposed great societies floundering dreadfully in the mire through following the haphazard, evil and deceitful plans of the great deceiver Lucifer.

And we’ll end with these powerful words which plainly show what’s possible when we deal faithfully with Jehovah God. This deals with the stuff that Cousin Sol asked for when the Lord anointed him king of Israel. Because he didn’t ask for material stuff, but for wisdom and understanding to justly rule the people, see what the Lord did.

‘Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches and honour: so that there shall not be any (anyone) among the kings like unto thee all thy days.

And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.’ (1 Kin.3:12-14)

Yes Friends that’s the kind of thing our God does when we come to Him in trust and true reverence. And I implore us to do that this very day, so that both our earthly and heavenly lives will benefit substantially from it, for that’s the wisdom of the ages. Much LOVE!

…to put our entire trust in our sovereign God…that is the wisest thing a human being can do…