Today’s Scrip-Bit 2 August 2020 Revelation 5:12.

02 Aug 2020 Leave a comment

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

Revelation 5:12.     ​Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing…
 

It’s worship time again friends; the day of the Lord, the Sabbath day! So let’s get together and do just that nuh, for it doesn’t matter where we are, in a majestic cathedral, a rundown shack, or under a mango tree, once two or three of us are gathered together in Jesus’ name, then we can have church, for He will be in our midst, that’s His faithful promise. (Matt. 18:20) And all God’s people said a loud and proud: ‘Praise the Lord! Bless His Holy Name!’ But sadly, many of us still can’t gather physically because of the pandemic affecting our world, but we can certainly gather by technological means and express our faith and receive God’s confidence and blessings. 

So let’s get started with today’s worship song titled ‘The Revelation Song,’ written by Jennie Lee Riddle with lyrics adapted from Revelation 5 of the New Testament. It’s new to me, but it seems to have been around for a while. And am I ever amazed when I check out some of these songs on You Tube and see the number of different versions and how long some of them have been around and I’ve never heard of them. Now today we going to do an up-tempo version of ‘The Revelation Song,’ because it’s a song of much praise and thanks and thus calls for an up-tempo mood. (smile) 

So in sweet and soulful harmony, let’s raise our voices to heaven in a sincere sacrifice of praise. ‘Worthy is the, Lamb who was slain, Holy, holy is He. Sing a new song, to Him who sits on, Heaven’s mercy seat. Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, Holy, holy is He. Sing a new song, to Him who sits on, Heaven’s mercy seat (Chorus: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty Who was and is and is to come. With all creation I sing, praise to the King of kings, You are my everything, and I will, adore You) Clothed in rainbows, of living colour, Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder. Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be, To You: the only wise King 

(Chorus: Holy, holy, holy….) Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder, At the mention of Your name. Jesus, Your name is power, breath and living water, Such a marvelous mystery. Oh, You’re worthy, mystery You are worthy (Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come. With all creation I sing, praise to the King of kings, You are my everything, and I will adore You, I will adore You…. With all creation I sing, praise to the King of kings, You are my everything, and I will adore You, I will adore You….’  

Oh friends, that was a wonderful rendition of such amazing truth, for Jesus is indeed all those things…in fact He is our EVERYTHING! Consequently, He needs to be adored and revered and sincerely worshipped. He’s done so much for us, that anything less than complete adulation is a sin! (smile) And since the sentiments of the song are adapted from Revelation 5, I guess it’s only right that we hear some of the original words. This is where John in his revelation saw God the Father sitting on His throne in heaven with a book in His right hand, sealed with seven seals. And an angel, ‘a strong angel,’ John says, was proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?’ (Rev. 5:1-2) 

Now according to the scholars, ‘The book is a scroll with seven messages, each of which has been sealed with the authority of God. The breaking of the seals would reveal the message inside each part of the scroll. Scrolls normally had writing on only one side. This scroll contains the Tribulation judgements of God (cf. ch.6; Ezek. 2:9-10; Dan. 8:26; 12:4) But unfortunately no man in heaven or on earth, or below the earth was found worthy to open it, or even look at it, and that brought tears to John’s eyes. (Rev. 5:3-4) 

As the scholars confirm, ‘Only one with the proper authority could open the book by loosing or removing its seals (cf. Is. 29:11). The question is ‘Who has the right to judge the world?’ – that is, to reveal what is hidden in the scroll and to execute what is written.’ But then, one of the elders said to John: ‘Weep not: behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed (overcome) to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.’ Then John saw the slain Lamb in the midst of it all, with seven horns and seven eyes corresponding to the seven Spirits of God sent forth into the earth. Then the lamb came and took the book out of the hand of him that sat on the throne. (Rev. 5:5-7)

 Oh friends, hear the scholars: ‘5:5-7. Christ is presented both as a Lion (Ruler) from the tribe of Judah (cf. Gen. 49:10) and as a Lamb (Redeemer; cf. Is. 59:7; John 1:29). The Root of David shows a messianic connection with the Davidic covenant (cf. 2 Sam. 7:16; Is. 11:1) and Christ’s right to the throne of Israel. The vision of Christ here brings together the twofold aspect of His first and second comings – His work as Saviour and as Sovereign. Christ has the right to judge, possess, and rule the earth because of His submission to the death of the cross (cf. Phil. 2:8-11).’ 

Now that’s why He’s our EVERYTHING! But the wonderful part of John’s vision is when the Lamb takes the Book, overwhelming thanks and praises break out in heaven as the four beasts and four and twenty elders fall down before the Lamb with their harps and bowls of incense – the prayers of the saints. ‘And they sung a new song, saying, ’Thou art worthy to take the book (scroll), and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred (tribe), and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on earth.’ (Rev. 5:9-10) 

But mih people, that was only the beginning of the celebrations. After that John heard angels and elders around the throne, in their thousands and ten thousands, and thousand thousands ‘Saying with a loud voice; Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing…’ And furthermore, he heard every creature in the creation saying, ‘Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts (living creatures) said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.’ (Rev. 5:12-14) 

And we think we can worship and party down here! Steups! Heaven is where the real party people are! (smile) Yes friends, with the wonderful Triune God of Father, Son and Holy Spirit that we claim to worship, much praise and thanks should always be in our hearts and mouths! Please have a blessed and glorious day thanking and praising our Triune God! Much LOVE!

…let everything that hath breath…praise the Lord… (Ps.150:6)  

Today’s Scrip-Bit 31 May 2017 James 2:14.

31 May 2017 Leave a comment

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

James 2:14.   What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

Well friends, it’s Wednesday! What’s on tap for today eh? I’m supposed to have my eaves troughs replaced today, so hopefully that will solve my problem of water leaking down into my basement when the rain falls. 

Let’s hope and pray that it actually does stop it yes, else I’ll just hold my head and bawl! Yes, I will, because I’ve been trying to fix the problem for a while now and nothing else has worked. And for the kind of money I’m expected to pay, it ought to… it better had work! (smile) 

But all I can truly do is leave it in God’s hands, for regardless of what I think or do, it’s His will that will eventually prevail, and I know that He will in His own time work everything out for my good. Glory to the great God we serve and worship my faithful brethren! 

Now here is a li’l something from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. It so reminded me of our foolish behaviour that I just had to share it. It’s titled ‘Two Questions.’ 

And it simply says: ‘O God In my fear and frenzy In my darkness and dread My screaming question is “Where are You?” And in reply, the Lord simply answers: ‘Wandering child When things were going well And you carelessly ignored Me Where were you?’ 

Now that’s a very question friends, to which we have no good answer. That’s because too often, too many of us conveniently forget the Lord when things are going well. But as soon as our lives begin to get topsy-turvy we’re quick to run to Him and plead, ‘Oh Lord help me!’ And we expect Him to jump right on the problem. Hn! 

But life doesn’t work like that friends. Our God is not there to simply fix our problems when we decide to ask Him. We have the whole concept wrong: We’ve been created to serve and worship Him, to be available at His behest, not He at ours. 

But He’s so wonderful that He’s arranged a covenant, a partnership with us, that if we serve and worship Him faithfully, He will indeed answer us when we call. He has even gone so far as to promise: ‘I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.’ (Heb.13:5) 

But friends, that all depends on us keeping our part of the bargain, faithfully serving and worshipping Him. So please let’s stop the nonsense nuh. It’s high time we stop ignoring our God and our Creator when times are good, and instead constantly seek Him, whatever the state of our lives. 

And it’s all for our own benefit yes mih people. Our God doesn’t need anything from us since He owns everything and everyone in the universe. We are the needy ones. So let’s start knowing our place and begin giving Almighty God the adulation and glory He so rightfully deserves…that is if we want to see favour and length of days. 

And one of the surest ways to obtain God’s favour is by understanding our Bit and living according to it. ‘What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?’ 

As we said yesterday friends, one must have faith to be saved, but one must also show that faith by doing good works in Jesus’ name, for He expects it of His followers. 

Remember what He said about false prophets? ‘By their fruits ye shall know them.’ (Matt.7:20) The same goes for us my brethren; true believers shall be known by their faithful works. It’s very easy to profess faith, but to manifest it is another story. 

That’s why Bruh Paul talks about the fruit of the Spirit (Gal.5:22). And when we walk in it; in LOVE, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness (kindness), goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (self-control), then we will obviously bring forth good fruit, good works, to back up our faith. 

Now after our Bit, James goes on to argue about Abraham and his willingness to offer up Isaac as a sacrifice as an example of the faithful being recognized for good works. And then he talks of the harlot Rehab, as a non-believer being considered faithful for her good works by her saving the Jewish spies. (James 2:21-26). 

However friends, the scholars have a long explanation which I can’t go through for lack of time and space, but what they essentially say is that James and Bruh Paul are using the word for ‘faith’ with different meanings and ‘justified’ in different senses. 

Bruh Paul using his New Testament theological idea of  ‘God’s act of declaring all believers righteous on the basis of Christ’s redemptive work. But a common Old Testament and gospel usage involves demonstrating or showing something to be righteous (cf.Ps.51:4; Luke 7:35; Rom.3:4); it is this usage that James follows. 

They are discussing totally different subjects, since they are confronted by different problems. Paul opposing the Judaizers seeks to prove that the Gentiles can be saved and sanctified apart from circumcision or any other work of the law. James opposing merely nominal, professing Christians, seeks to show that true faith confirms itself by deeds of LOVE.’  

So let’s understand that they are not fighting each other, but together, against different foes on different subjects. And now that that has all been cleared up, (smile) let’s go home sincerely declaring our Wednesday Wail, which addresses our faith, and consequently, our good works. 

‘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!’ 

Have a blessed day my faithful brethren, manifested by good works! Much LOVE!…

both faith and works are important parts of Jesus’ awesome LOVE…