The Enormous Importance of Receiving Salvation…RIGHT NOW!

14 Nov 2024 Leave a comment

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

Romans 3:23.        For all have sinned and come (fallen) short of the glory of God.

Then it was Thursday, and the world is going along in it’s usual sinful ways, with many of us supposed believers in Jesus Christ helping them on. But as we saw yesterday, this world, both the solid part of it and the wicked within it will not last forever, it will go up in flames one day, or as Peter puts it, ‘in fervent heat,’ when the Lord decides it’s time. And what’s going to happen to us then eh? We’ll either end up in the New Jerusalem or in the lake of fire, to experience the Second Death. 

And if you remember, twice in the last couple of weeks we checked out a Bible tract from the Leviticus Church in Jamaica, New York, which had to do with Salvation. The first time we explored what it said about Eternal Life being a Free Gift, and the second time, we talked about how you can be saved. Well, today we’re going to explore the last aspects of the things it talks about, beginning with this one: that Church Membership CANNOT Save You. 

In support of their claim, they open with a quote from Romans 3:10, but I’ll add a couple of verses to it ‘As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.’ (Rom. 3:10-12) Now that’s also a fairly accurate description of today’s world. 

Then the tract continues with this quote from Romans 3:23: ‘For all have sinned and come (fallen) short of the glory of God.’ Then they declare: ‘Sin is the problem, and belonging to a church will NOT take it away. Jesus Christ Himself said, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) 

And for greater clarification, we’ll add these verses where Jesus further enlightens Nicodemus the Jewish ruler who had come to Him by night to question His purpose. ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.’ (John 3:5-6) And that tells us very plainly that we personally have to do something about our style of living if we want to see the pearly gates of heaven, and simple church membership will not cut it. 

Then the pamphlet exhorts us: ‘You Cannot Take Your Chances.’ In other words, you cannot gamble on your being saved. Then they let us know: ‘The Bible says, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement.” (Heb. 9:27) Thus they reason, you really don’t know for sure how much time is left of your life. And they support that with this scripture from James. ‘Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.’ (James 4:14) That in essence tells us that we could be here today, but gone tomorrow, therefore we must take the opportunity to be saved RIGHT NOW! 

Then, the tract reminds us of this indisputable truth: ‘You Cannot Save  Yourself.’  And they use these Bible quotes to justify their contention. ‘Knowing that a man is not justified (declared righteous) by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ… (Gal. 2:16a). It also says: ‘But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags (a filthy garment); and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.’ (Is. 64:6) I added the last half of the quote. 

Then we learn that ‘Salvation is “FREE” to ALL.’ The Bible says, ‘For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ (Rom. 10:13) And furthermore, the Bible says, ‘This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Tim. 1:15) There again, I used the whole verse. ‘For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God…’ (1 Pet. 3:18a) 

Now, we come to the most important aspect of the entire situation: ‘IF YOU DO NOT GET SAVED…’   And the tract expounds: The Bible says, “And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.’  (Rev. 14:11) The tract only gives the first half of that verse, but I thought the whole thing would be more beneficial. (smile) 

Then, it continues: ‘For the wages of sin is death;’ (Rom. 6:23a) But this death is more than just physical death. It is an “ETERNAL BURNING!”  The Bible says, ‘But the fearful (cowardly), and unbelieving, and the abominable, and the murderers, and whoremongers (sexually immoral), and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the SECOND DEATH.’ (Rev. 21:8) 

And that says it all my people! If we do not get saved before we die the physical death, then we will surely end up in that lake of fire for the second death, and then crapaud smoke we pipe for all eternity! Now, is that what we desire? I don’t think so. But the reality is that if you not get saved as soon as possible, there’s a great likelihood that you can end up with Beelzebub and all the other iniquity workers. So, a word to the wise; please look after your salvation, RIGHT NOW! 

Now, let’s declare and thus activate our Thursday Blessings, which the Lord has so generously bestowed on us to do His earthly work. As one voice: ‘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 every day! Amen!’ 

And having made that declaration, it now behooves us to go out and use those blessings just as generously on behalf of others. Much LOVE!

… he who has ears to hear…let him hear…  

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 February 2020 Proverbs 27:1.

18 Feb 2020 Leave a comment

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

Proverbs 27:1.    ​Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring.

 

And yuh see how life could turn back and bite yuh! Yes, for all of you in the G.T.A, who were crowing yesterday morning because you didn’t have to go to work, yuh see the dangerous and messy conditions you have to go out in today…the white enemy all over, after a heavy snowfall last night! Serve yuh right for lording it over those who had to go and labour yesterday! (smile) 

Ah friends, it’s just another winter’s day in the northern climes, and as you valiantly forge through it, you must have a good attitude, laugh and chuckle, hope for and think of the sunshine and good weather that soon come, otherwise it’s just going to drive you crazy, as you slip and slide through it. You might not like the snow, but the wise thing to do is to mentally embrace it, with Jesus’ help of course, so you’re not always flustered and bothered when you encounter it. 

Yes, that can be easier said than done, but like everything else in this world, we have been endowed with the parts to live a pleasant and abundant life, we just have to put our best foot forward in Jesus’ name. And all of that brings us to this ever so important principle of scripture and life in general. Hear these immortal, truthful and wise words of Cousin Sol. ‘Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring.’ 

And Jesus described it ever so well in the parable of the rich fool, who had so much wealth and not enough space to store it, that he decided to tear down all and build bigger and better… ‘and there will I bestow (store) all my fruits (crops) and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.’ (Luke 12:18-19) Yes my brethren, that’s how too many of us behave, believers included. We live too much for the world’s wealth and pretty but worthless possessions. 

And Jesus continued His parable with these words of everlasting wisdom. ‘But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?’ Yeh friends, for the lawyers and other professionals involved in the tremendous and foolish litigation that will follow his death! We see that played out everyday in the lives of the rich and famous: somebody is never satisfied with their portion of the estate, or unhappy that they didn’t get any. 

And the warning is also in the Old Testament. In 1 Kings 20, when Ben-hadad, king of Syria, threatened Ahab, king of Israel to destroy Samaria unless he gave up his wealth and power voluntarily, Ahab answered: ‘Tell him, let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off.’ (1 Kin. 20:11) Yes my people, we never know what’s going to happen in between time. And Ben-hadad in his righteous anger was defeated by Israel, obviously with God’s help, when he finally came against them. 

But getting back to Jesus’ parable of the rich fool. Here is how He ended it. ‘So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.’ (Luke 12:21) And the scholars explain: ‘12:21. Here Jesus brings out the meaning of verses 16-20. Notice that what Jesus calls for follows quite logically out of His own example (2 Cor.8:9), as well as out of God’s graciousness toward all who seek Him (Rom.10:12). Jesus is thus not speaking of a pay-as-you-go faith, but of participation in a relationship in which God already provides what He wishes His people to give back to Him.’ 

Oh my people, remember all that we have belongs to God, and we’re just stewards of His belongings, so it’s rather boldfaced of us to think that we’re giving Him our things. (smile) Anyway, we have space to highlight those two scriptures the scholars quote above. ‘For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.’ (2 Cor. 8:9) Yes, when coming to sacrificial LOVE, Jesus is the poster child for that, the mightiest example to be ever found! 

And the next verse declares (yeah!): ‘For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.’ (Rom.10:11-12) I put in verse 11 so that the context could be better understood, that our God is rich in mercy, grace, forgiveness, what ever have you, towards all and any that call on Him, in sincerity of heart, be they Jew or Gentile! So it doesn’t make sense for us to become so attached to the things of the world, as so many of us are. 

Now hear James theorize on the subject: ‘Go to (come) now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain (make a profit): Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this or that. But now ye rejoice (boast) in your boastings (arrogance): all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.’ (James 4:13-17) 

And the scholars offer a couple of explanations. ‘4:15. This, or that: This verse teaches that God does have something for Christians to do and that they should plan accordingly. James condemns only elaborate planning that omits God (cf. Prov. 16:9).’ ‘4:17. To do good here requires including God in one’s plans. Omitting God is not merely bad planning; it is sin.’ Now if all of that doesn’t grab our attention and teach us not leave God out of any of our business, then I don’t know what will. (smile) 

Now let’s go home declaring (yeah!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole 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!’ 

And the end goal is to now go out and share that wonderful friendship and amazing LOVE with those who don’t know Him! Much LOVE!

…a man’s heart deviseth (plans) his way…but the Lord directeth his steps… (Prov.16:9)

Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 June 2019 Proverbs 27:1.

11 Jun 2019 Leave a comment

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

Proverbs 27:1.    ​Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
 

Oh yes, it was indeed a very ‘riney’ day yesterday – from early morn, right on into the night! But it’s very sunshiny and beautiful today though! Glory Be! Like it’s becoming impossible to have a few bright and sunshiny, warm days in a row. But we’ll take them however we can get them yes! (smile) 

Anyhow, here’s an interesting situation. And you’ll notice how the Lord is so up on things? I’m in the habit of telling the duchess that the week is almost done, but I haven’t done even a half of what I wanted to do. And she replies by telling me that time isn’t waiting on me. Then lo and behold, a few days ago, a friend sent me this message via her what’s app app. 

It says: ‘This was sent to me today and couldn’t help but share, very beautiful, very true….! Hardly the day started and … it is already six o’clock in the evening. Barely arrived on Monday and it’s already Friday… and the month is already over. … and the year is almost up. … and already 40, 50 or 60 years of our lives have passed. … and we realize that we lost our parents, friends. And we realize that it is too late to go back … 

So … Let’s try, however, to take full advantage of the time we have left … Let’s not stop looking for activities that we like …Let’s put color in our greyness … Let’s smile at the little things in life that put balm in our hearts. And yet, we must continue to enjoy serenely the time that remains. Let’s try to eliminate the “after” … I’ll do it after … I will say after … I will think about it after … 

We leave everything for later as if “after” was ours. Because what we do not understand is that: after, the coffee cools … after, priorities change … after, the charm is broken … after, health passes … after, the children grow up … after, the parents get older … after, the promises are forgotten … after, the day becomes the night … after, life ends … And after that it’s often too late…. 

So … leave nothing for later … Because always waiting for later, we can lose the best moments, the best experiences, the best friends, the best family … The day is today … The moment is now … We are no longer at the age where we can afford to postpone until tomorrow what needs to be done right away. So after you read this message…  Please share it with others… And don’t leave it for “later”… Or not share it “ever”….’ 

Well I left it for a li’l later, but not for ever. (smile) Yes friends, that’s why they say time flies, and time waits on no one, and why our parents and teachers drilled it into our heads to not leave for tomorrow what we can do today! But do we ever listen? No sir! We still procrastinate and say, tomorrow, even though tomorrow never comes – because it’s always today! 

So let’s hope that li’l message will help us stop putting off things for later, or tomorrow, because we often miss the best of life when we do so. That’s why Cousin Sol warns us in Proverbs: ‘Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.’ And isn’t that the gospel truth? We don’t have a clue as to what will really happen tomorrow. That’s why we should try our best to do what we have to do today. 

And even when we can’t, we should make this proviso as James warns. ‘Go to now (come now), ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain (make a profit): Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 

For that ye ought to say, if the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice (boast) in your boastings (arrogance): all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.’ (James 4:13-17) All of that is simply gospel truth my people, whether we think so or not! 

And the scholars offer some explanations on those verses. ‘4:13-14. This one is a fool, for he thinks he knows something that he doesn’t. He presumes he has the resources to control his destiny. (cf. Prov.27:1; Luke 12:13-21).’ ‘4:15. This, or that: This verse teaches that God does have something for Christians to do and that they should plan accordingly. James condemns only elaborate planning that omits God (cf. Prov.16.9).’ ‘4:17. To do good here requires including God in one’s plans. Omitting God is not merely bad planning, it is sin.’ Matter fix mih people! 

And if you don’t believe James, then you can check out his brother Jesus, when He told the parable of the rich fool, (Luke 12:13-21) who was only interested in his own aggrandizement and left God out of his plans. But what he forgot was that he had no control over the breath of life in his physical body, which belonged to God in the first place. 

So when the Lord decided to take back His breath of life that very night that he was making big plans, the poor fool had no recourse but to go away and leave all his material wealth for others to blow away. And that’s what is likely to happen to any of us who is not rich towards God. And now, having that lesson written indelibly in our hearts, minds, bodies and souls, let’s go home declaring (yes!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know who and whose we are. 

In strong voice and sincere sense of purpose now: ‘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!’ 

And as always, the corollary is to go out and share that special friendship and wonderful LOVE of Jesus with those who don’t have the immense pleasure of knowing Him like we do! Much LOVE!

…a man’s heart deviseth (plans) his way…but the Lord directeth his steps…(the Lord is sovereign…over man’s scheming and planning…) (Prov.16:9)

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 19 December 2018 James 4:15.

19 Dec 2018 Leave a comment

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

James 4:15.   ​For what ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. 
 
Well at last friends, at long last the Big Day is here! Give God the glory! The ole fella’s heart is finally going to be fixed up, given some assistance so that he can live and LOVE longer in God’s great universe and do His work with greater diligence and excellence! Give Him plenty thanks friends! Now you’re only getting this so early because I have to be in the downtown hospital by seven o’clock, so please don’t think it will be the future norm. (smile) 

And I have to chuckle here because none of my surgeries have gone off on the day originally planned. The removal of the tumour in my head had been planned for January, but that never took place until the end of April. Meanwhile, with the heart stuff, I was in the hospital for that at the end of March, but it didn’t happen. Now, after another postponement last week, it finally seems to be happening. 

All in God’s time, my people, all in God’s time! We need to remember that we can make lots of plans, but they can all come to nought if they don’t correspond to God’s time, or include Him at all. And when thinking about making the statement that all will be well, and I’ll speak to you all tomorrow, bright and spunky, the Holy Spirit brought this passage of Scripture to mind. 

Listen up here to James re Unchristian conduct. ‘Go to now (come now), ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain (make a profit): Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.’ (James 4:13-14) Yeh friends, that’s pure presumptuousness! 

And the scholars don’t mince any words in their explanation of those two verses: ‘4: 13-14. This one is a fool, for he thinks he knows something that he doesn’t. He presumes he has the resources to control his destiny (Prov.27:1; Luke 12:13-21).’ True words of wisdom my people! 

And here is how Cousin Sol puts it: ‘Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.’ (Prov.27:1) And we really don’t. Look at how many of us go to bed fine at night and don’t awaken in the morning eh? It’s all in the Lord’s hands! And until we learn that, our well-prepared plans are liable to go awry very often. 

And James continues: ‘For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.’ Now that sounds more like it! And the scholars tell us: ‘4:15. This, or that: This verse teaches that God does have something for Christians to do and that they should plan accordingly. James condemns only elaborate planning that omits God (cf. Prov.16:9).’ 

And as always, Cousin Sol has a saying on every subject: ‘A man’s heart deviseth (plans) his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.’ (Prov.16:9) And the scholars simply explain: ‘16:9. The Lord is sovereign over man’s scheming and planning.’ No doubt about that my brethren! It’s His universe, and He controls it, though it sometimes looks otherwise. But please have no doubt that His finger is on the pulse of everything that goes on in His world, and NOTHING happens unless He allows it. 

Therefore I will say to us, that we will speak again tomorrow, possibly very late though, because I might not get home until the afternoon, and might need to rest before I can get up the gumption to write the Bit, (smile) but…but with the proviso…the Lord willing! I strongly believe He is willing, and with all the prayers and pleas you righteous saints are sending up to heaven on my behalf, how can He do otherwise eh? (smile) 

He’s had oodles of opportunities to take me home…and never did…so why now eh? He’s put too many desires in my heart for exalting and proclaiming His name, that taking me home now would simply be a waste of those desires.

And as the old people would say; ‘my pee (urine) has burnt any grass as yet.’ (smile) Meaning that I haven’t left a mark on the world as yet. Anyhow, be that as it all may, it’s all in the Lord’s hands, and He will do what He thinks fit. But yes, mih friend Scotty, we are being positive! (smile) 

And since today is Wednesday, it behooves us to go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, letting this evil and ungodly world know our true position in Christ. As one loud, strong and sincere body 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 though I know that the future will indeed be glorious, I don’t think I’m ready to see it in living colour just yet. (smile) So until we talk again sometime tomorrow…the Lord willing obviously…please stay strong and steadfast my people…and pray fervently! Much LOVE!

…our times are in the Lord’s hands…that’s for sure… 

P.S. It’s surely a smiley kind of day! But why not eh? Much LOVE!