Today’s Scrip-Bit 23 November 2017 1 Corinthians 1:4.

23 Nov 2017 Leave a comment

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

1 Corinthians 1:4.   I thank my God always on your behalf (concerning you) for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ.

Well another year has come around, and it’s Thanksgiving time in the U. S. once again! I’d like to wish them a most Happy Thanksgiving Day, probably their most widely celebrated holiday. But in doing so, I would also like us to remember that we should not just give thanks on a single man-declared day, but EVERY DAY; EVERY DAY that the Lord allows us to draw breath on His gracious earth. 

And though the once great nation is now in sad decline and turmoil because of their ungodliness, their overwhelming desire to purge God from their society, and instead form a great attachment to sin, there are still lots of things to be truly thankful for, and no reason why the wallowing ship cannot be successfully righted with the right leadership and the strong and sincere backing of its still numerous godly citizens. 

Remember, as Cousin Sol so rightly warns us: ‘Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach (shame, disgrace) to any people.’ (Prov.14:34)  And that’s no lie! Therefore the Christians need to step up to the plate and fight a good fight. And that’s not only required in the U.S. but ALL OVER THE WORLD! 

Friends, if we want Christianity to not only exist, but to flourish, we who call ourselves the body of Christ, desperately need to improve our act. The evil side seems to be winning because of their greater effort, while we, the supposedly good side either rest on our laurels or are afraid to get up and perform the necessary actions that are required of us. 

And yuh know my fellow believers, it’s not that we need any great evangelical meetings, revivals and all that, although those are useful, the most important thing that we can do is simply start living like the Christians we claim to be, by showing sincere LOVE and kindness to other believers, as well as the unbelievers. The only way that the unbelievers will ever come to Christ is if they see us living the kind of life we talk so much about. 

But the sad fact is that we do more talking than walking. Just imagine nuh, if all Christians rose up and truly began living the way Christ desires us to, what a monumental impact we’d have on this sinful old world! Glory be mih people! Heaven would ring with exceptional joy! There would be such dancing and singing like heaven has never seen before! 

But it all depends on US, my brethren. If WE don’t get up and begin living right and fighting and standing steadfast and strong, the sadness right now in heaven will continue and possibly get worse. That brings us to our Bit, which shows how Bruh Paul prayed and thanked God for the welfare and fellowship of the believers in Corinth. 

Oh precious people of God, this morning I believe that we all need to consider these wonderful, prayerful and thankful words of Bruh Paul to the Corinthians and let them resonate in our hearts, minds, bodies and souls as we go about improving our Christian image. 

‘Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always on your behalf (concerning you) for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ. That in everything ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you. 

So that ye come behind (short) in no gift; waiting for the coming (revelation) of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.’ (1 Cor.1:3-9) 

Ah friends, what a powerful and all-encompassing prayer! And I believe we badly need it today. Many of us desperately need God’s peace and grace as we struggle through unfortunate circumstances in our lives. We also need to be enriched by His word and our knowledge of it, so that we can perform our God-given tasks, using the various gifts that the Lord has so generously granted to each of us. 

All the while remaining in fellowship with Christ and with each other. That’s when and where we are strong my brethren. Otherwise the enemy will just divide and conquer us, like they are currently doing. Let’s remember too that our wonderful God is ever-faithful, and if He has called us to His body, then He WILL provide all that we need to do His work, until His Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ returns to take over His kingdom. 

So please, I implore us to be strong and steadfast in Christ and with each other, so that the unbeliever can see what true Christianity is really all about and thus acquire that great desire to come to Jesus. Wow! What a time that will be! Now let’s be thankful for all the wonderful gifts the Lord has showered upon us, as we declare with loud voice and true sincerity our Thursday Blessings. 

All together now: ‘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!’ 

And now, as Jesus desires of us, let’s go out and share those blessings with others in His holy name. Much LOVE!

…rejoice…and give thanks…ALWAYS…in EVERY circumstance…that’s God’s will…

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 23 January 23 2015 Romans 8:28

23 Jan 2015 Leave a comment

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

Romans 8:28.   And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
 

Well my fine Friends and neighbours, please don’t all gladly shout out at the same time, but it’s that magical day called Friday! 
 
And do you think they listened to my plea? Steups! No way! For immediately a cacophony of sound erupted in my ears.
 
‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday yes! The week’s been a li’l rough, and we need a break from the slave labour right about now! Thank the Good Lord it’s finally Friday oui, and the weekend soon here to ease up the pressure!’
 
Ah mih people, I know that some of us are tired and hurting, and just dying for the weekend to come. And nothing’s really wrong with that, because we all deserve a couple days off after several days of labouring.
 
But we shouldn’t just have this worldly attitude of living for Friday and the weekend to come around. We ought to have a higher and deeper purpose in life.
 
The message we’ve been enjoined to share as followers of Jesus Christ is one LOVE, peace, harmony, justice, equal rights, truth, trust, surrender to and faith in Almighty God through His most wonderful son, Jesus Christ! 
 
That’s the message we need to share with, reveal to the world, not just a bout of passing happiness on a Friday, because we’ve gotten a break from work. As true believers, we have to rise to a higher level than that.
 
Work should not be our enemy, but our friend, because it’s what keeps us going, gives us the broad and varied interaction with others that we need to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. And it also keeps food on our tables, as well as a roof over our heads.
 
So work should play an important part in our lives. We have to look at it not as the same old, same old, mundane way of life, that’s just a revolving circle with no end. Instead, we have to develop a bigger, brighter and better sense of purpose; one that will bring us the lasting joy that we so desperately need and desire, every day, rather than just on the weekends. 
 

Now let’s chant our Friday Chant, which helps us to have a better perspective on the use of the weekend. 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 Friends, it’s short, but to the point! Let’s hope that it will cause us to look at our individual attitudes towards work and the weekend, and encourage us to come up a bit higher in the overall scheme of things.
 
And talking about purpose Friends, there’s no better scripture to call to mind on the topic than our Bit. ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.’
 
And there’s no disputing that statement my people, because that’s exactly what our omnipotent, omniscient and omni-present God does! He works out everything for good to those whom He has called, and who have responded with a deep and sincere LOVE for Him.
 
And I can personally testify to that, because since He’s called me to do His work, some eight years ago, my life has improved in numerous ways. Now it’s not a bed of roses, for I still have my human and earthly ups and downs.
 
But with His assurance and faithful work in my life, I now go about with a more confident and proactive outlook. And He can do the same for you, if you’ll only look to Him with sincere trust and faith.
 
Now let’s get some explanations on our Bit from the scholars. ‘8:28. To them that LOVE God is the human perspective. God is working all things together for good, but those who LOVE God are best able to appreciate that fact because they LOVE Him no matter what. (cf. Job 13:15) To them who are the called is the divine perspective. Scripture often refers to believers as “the called” or “the elect.”
 
Yes my brethren, we are indeed “the called, the elect” who are supposed to bring a brighter and better perspective to the world, one that reflects the characteristics of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
 
But are we doing that? To some extent, I suppose. But certainly not enough, for the world’s spinning further and further out of control, getting deeper and deeper into evil and ungodliness. And we, the followers of Jesus Christ, are the only people capable of stopping and righting it.
 
And that’s our basic purpose Friends; to right this fallen world of ours. That’s what Jesus died for. He gave His sinless life as a sacrifice to bring us into His fold, so that we can have fellowship together and a wonderful relationship with Him.
 
But once we’ve found that grace, mercy and forgiveness that He pours into our hearts, we’re also supposed to tell others about it, so that they too can find the joy, the peace and LOVING-kindness that comes with being a believer. Remember Jesus’ last words to the disciples were to go and spread the good news of His salvation all over the earth. (Matt.28:19-20)
 
Now my people, that Great Commission has been passed down to us. This is our time to spread the Word. And more than any other generation before us, we have the tools to do so with the recent explosion in communications technology.
 
So please, let’s get ourselves together nuh, in peace and harmony, as Jesus desires, and live up to our purpose as “the called, the elect” of God. That’s the wisdom of heaven! Much LOVE!
 
…it’s time to take up our cross and follow Jesus…wherever he may lead…even to the ends of the earth…
 
P. S. It’s late because I had a bit of a struggle this morning, both physically and mentally. And just as I was about ready to send it out, the finicky computer froze on me. Ah Lord eh! But as you can see, the Lord eventually worked all things out for good as He promised. (smile) Much LOVE!