Today’s Scrip-Bit 26 October 2019 Matthew 19:26.

26 Oct 2019 Leave a comment

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

Matthew 19:26.    But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With man this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.
 

Now that’s what a beautiful autumn morn looks like! Yeh friends, the glorious sun is shining brightly on the multicoloured leaves, reflecting God’s variety of wonderful colours, and showing that He too can like beauty, just for beauty’s sake! (smile) Ahh! And it’s Saturday too, and the ole fella got up late, but that’s the beauty and purpose of Saturday eh? (smile) Saw the clock, thought it was eight, but it was actually nine. Hn! That’s what happens when you go to bed in the wee hours of the morning. Anyway, let’s see what inspiring quotes our friend Anselm sent us this week, as he aspires to inspire us for a better tomorrow. 

Hear this first one: ‘I didn’t get there by wishing for it or hoping for it, but by working for it.’ And that’s usually true! Most of us get where we are by working our way to the top of the ladder. Unfortunately though in this lazy, turbulent society of ours, where the work ethic is almost dead, a lot of people want to, and expect to rise to the top of the heap by merely wishing and hoping. They simply don’t realize the necessity for blood, sweat and tears in the accomplishment of anything. And also the fact that we appreciate stuff more when we work for it. Look at the vast number of those who don’t work for what they have, who don’t truly appreciate it, and lose it quite soon thereafter. Think of the Lotto players, and those who receive enormous windfalls from their deceased relatives. 

And this second quote is challenging: ‘Think progress, not perfection.’ Yes mih people, many times we seek perfection in our search for progress, but progress does not have to always mean perfection. It’s quite alright to make progress without it being perfect. Once we’re moving forward, that’s the important thing. Remember too, that not many things, and NO people, are perfect in this fallen world. Now listen to this next quote: ‘When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills.’ 

And that’s the awesome truth my believing brethren! The winds of change are always blowing in our world. That’s one of the few things we can be certain of in this life; things will change whether we want them to or not. And what makes the difference is whether we build walls to try and keep out the changes, or if we do things that will help us yolk those changes for our benefit. Like in the rest of life, it’s all about attitude. 

And I can personally testify to that because I don’t like many of the changes that are currently taking place in our society, especially with the social media thing, but I’m not trying to build walls around it to protect myself, I’m just trying to use it astutely (smile) to enhance my purposes. I can’t get away from it, or change it, so why battle it? And it’s like that in all phases of life. We have to learn how and when to choose our battles, and understand when it’s wiser just to go along for peace and the Lord’s sake. (smile) 

That leads us to the next quote: ‘It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.’ And I guess that’s somewhat true, because if we look at all the varied species of life that have become extinct it’s because many of them could not adapt to the changes that were happening in their lives, in their habitats. But it’s not easy to change when your habitat is changing because of outside influences. That’s why we have the scary talk these days about climate change. 

Mankind has made so many of God’s creations extinct by changing their habitat, and now we’re in the process of making ourselves extinct by the way we’re destroying the Eco system, the carefully planned and synchronized work of God. Listen friends, our planet and all therein is a finely tuned and balanced machine. God left nothing to chance. And when we disturb anything, it causes repercussions in all areas. So let’s wake up and smell the roses nuh. If we continue in today’s careless manner of destroying our planet, then we too will eventually become extinct. 

And here’s the last quote: ‘The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones that do.’ And the first name that comes to mind is Jesus! Yes friends, He was probably the craziest of us all! He came to earth in what we’d now call a backward time, chose twelve uneducated men and sent them out to change the world. The disciples must also have been somewhat off their rocker to believe Christ’s words and accept such an impossible looking challenge. But yuh know what? They indeed changed the world! That’s why today we’re still talking about Christ and heaven and hell and all that godly stuff! 

The fact is that they had certain assurances, and they believed them. I guess the first and biggest assurance was Jesus when talking to them about a camel passing through the eye of a needle said: ‘With man this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.’ Ah mih people, that’s the basic foundation, and until we believe that, like those disciples did, we won’t be able to make any worthwhile improvements or changes in our lives or our societies. And then Jesus inspired them with acclamations like: ‘Ye are the salt of the earth…Ye are the light of the world…Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ (Matt.5:13,14,16) Yeah friends, they believed that and went out and did what Jesus desired, and were successful, as we very well know. 

And we’ll end with these last words of Jesus to the puzzled and unsure but ever-faithful disciples. ‘Go ye therefore, and teach (make disciples of) all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’ (Matt.28:19-20) And they took those fateful words, what we call the Great Commission and ran with them to all and sundry people and parts of the world, especially when as Jesus promised the Holy Ghost came and indwelt them in a fiery display of power on Pentecost Morn.  

Now that same baton has been handed down to us, and we have many more tools to do the work than those disciples had, so why are we so reluctant to take up our task and do it eh? Are we too sacred, or not crazy enough? That’s for us to work out individually with God! Much LOVE!

…if you are a Jesus follower…then the impossible…is in your power…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 December 2018 Ephesians 4:32.

18 Dec 2018 Leave a comment

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

Ephesians 4:32.   ​And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
 
And so it’s Tuesday, the day before the next Big Day. Steups! Let’s hope it happens as planned now yes, and no more silly postponements! That means friends, many prayers bombarding heaven for the ole fella’s safe and productive surgery tomorrow. Glory be! That is if you want him to be around for a long time writing these interesting and provocative Bits! (smile) 

And I sincerely thank you for all the support I’ve gotten so far, and I know that the effective and fervent prayers of you righteous people will be heard and positively answered in heaven. So I’m not worried, just a li’l skeptical that something might happen to put it off again. Let’s hope that this is now the Lord’s time! Amen! 

And with that, let me share a most appropriate poem from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. This one’s titled ‘Slow Growth!’ Please pray with me: ‘In my fretful patience I am so often inclined to ask “Why can’t she change?” “Why is he always so slow?” “Will they ever learn from their past mistakes?” 

And then You begin to impress me With my own slow progress upward. I see Your stretched-our patience. I remember how long you’ve waited for me. And I grieve that my attitude Is so often intolerant. O God, keep fresh the imprint Of my own need to grow And make me more flexible More understanding And always more LOVING.’ 

Ah mih people, not one of us can truly say we don’t see ourselves in that picture, because impatience and intolerance with the attendant hypocrisy are big parts of our society today. We all show some of those negative traits at some time or the other because we are human and live in a fallen society. But as sincere Christians, true believers in Christ, we ought to show those negative characteristics on as few occasions as possible. 

Instead my faithful brethren, we ought to let these momentous words of Bruh Paul sink into our consciousness and lead us on a more Christ-like path. Hear him to the Ephesians, re the new life in Christ: ‘And be ye renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place (an opportunity) to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 

And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.’ (Eph.4:23-32) 

Oh my people, what a treasure trove of practical ideas for godly and righteous living! If we’d only adopt a few of them, our lives would be oh so much better. And it’s not like they are so difficult to put into practice. Once we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, His Holy Spirit comes to live within us and seals us forever. Consequently our behaviour ought to change, granted, not all at once, but there must be some newness in our behaviour otherwise Jesus is not truly dwelling within us. 

And hear these oh so practical options nuh: No more lying, but truth speaking to everybody, because we are all members of Christ’s body, His church. No keeping of anger after sundown, because it destroys our sleep and we wake up angry the next day. As best we can, don’t give the enemy any opportunities to invade our souls. Like no more stealing, but productive work, so that we can share with the unfortunate. 

No cursing and corrupt communication, but words that can edify and uplift those who hear them. And put away all the negativity of vs. 31, which tend to be Satanic in nature. But instead, we ought to be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving, showing grace and mercy to others, just like our heavenly Father has showered down all that stuff on us. 

Remember these immortal words of Jesus, the basic foundation upon which our faith has been founded and still rests: ‘For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.’ (Matt.6: 14-15) 

Friends, it couldn’t be any simpler or plainer than that! So please, let’s seriously get ourselves together and begin treating each other the way we ought to nuh. Remember, it’s all for our benefit, not God’s! Now let’s go home declaring 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!’ 

And if we truly believe it, then let’s go out and action it! Much LOVE!

…true Christianity places much more emphasis…on action…than on talk…

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 12 February 2016 Philippians 2:5‏‏‏‏

12 Feb 2016 Leave a comment

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

Philippians 2:5.    Let this mind be in you, which also was in Christ Jesus.

And then it was Friday… yes friends, the first Friday in Lent! But that doesn’t make that much difference to the ordinary Joe Blow, who’s all week been enduring work, the workplace and the problems to get to and from there. 

He’s still concerned with declaring: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday and soon work shall be no more! The weekend is upon us and we can do whatever we want! Thank God for Fridays and some much needed respite from work!’ 

And who’s to say that worker nay eh? Our world and working lives are filled with so much stress and strain that we all look forward to some time off. However, the weekend is not necessarily for us to do as we please, but rather to get ourselves together for next week. 

Now let’s chant our Friday Chant, which gives us a better perspective on using 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 my fellow believers, that’s more the kind of attitude we need to adopt; rejuvenating ourselves, so that we can continue the process all over again, and hopefully in a more mature and Christ-like manner. 

Anyway, yesterday was certainly an interesting day in the ole fella’s life. After writing the Bit; yuh know that comes first, the duchess and I went out to do some shopping. But was it ever hot! Brother! 

It’s the first time that I’ve ever felt it so hot since I’m down here, although it’s possibly been just as hot all along, (smile) so by the time we got back home it was like moving from hell to heaven. Thank the Lord for some air conditioning yes! 

Then later in the evening I went to what I was told was a Bible Study, just a small group of about twenty adults with a handful of children in the lobby of an apartment building, though it evolved into a full fledged worship service. 

But was it ever good! And the West Indian flavour made it even better! It started out with some praise and worship, accompanied by the Pastor on an electronic keyboard. Then some prayers; then some testimonies. Obviously the ole fella had to get up and offer his two cents worth. 

But what surprised me most was when the leader introduced the pastor who was going to address us. She called a female name, and a young lady who had been sitting quietly by the door with a young child in her arms, gave the child to the male pastor and she got up and preached us a wonderful and powerful sermon on James 1, re the power of temptation and the joy that believers should find in it. Glory to God! 

The pair of them reminded me of Sister Joyce (Joyce Meyer) and her husband Dave, where she is the one who preaches and he listens and does behind the scenes work. But I enjoyed her preaching, like Sister Joyce, she spells it out loud and clear, the way it ought to be. 

As I keep saying, we need to put actions to our words, tell our practical testimonies, let our lights shine in the darkness of this corrupt and evil world, truly be the salt of the earth, like Jesus desires, for that’s the only way that the heathen and the unbelieving infidel will ever come to know and trust Him as their Lord and Saviour. 

But before all of that can happen, we first need to lay the basic foundation of what Christ is about, and we can only do that when we follow the wise and wonderful advice of our Bit. ‘Let this mind be in you, which also was in Christ Jesus.’ 

Oh friends, we can only truly be like Christ when we truly begin to think like Him. ‘It’s elementary my dear Watson!’ as the famous sleuth Sherlock Holmes is reputed to have said to his associate. Although I recently read somewhere that Sherlock never really said that in the books, but it was something that came up out of the movies or some such scenario. 

However, it is very appropriate to our talk today. We can’t be like somebody unless we know how they think because it all begins in the mind. And as Sister Joyce likes to call it, ‘The Battlefield of the mind.’ 

And that’s gospel truth friends, for the war begins and ends in our minds. That’s why Jesus had those twelve disciples hanging around Him; so they could learn His way of thinking and what ought to proceed from it. 

Now I had some scholarly info to share on the great verses we read yesterday. (Phil.2:6-8) I don’t know if space and time will allow it, because it’s pretty long, but as true believers, we should always have time for understanding God’s word, (smile) so here goes. 

‘2:6-8. These famous verses substantiate the assertion of verse 5b that Jesus did indeed have within Himself the same attitude of verses 2c-4, which the readers of Paul’s letters are also to maintain within themselves. 

Verses 6-8 may be translated as follows: “For He, though eternally possessing the divine nature, did not regard His existing-in-a-manner-equal-with-God; (i.e. His heavenly existence or divine lifestyle) as something to be (selfishly) maintained, but He emptied Himself in that He assumed a servant’s nature and appeared in the likeness of men; and having been recognized in outward form as a man, He humbled Himself in becoming obedient unto death, even death by crucifixion. 

Being in the form of God signifies that Christ has eternally possessed the very nature of God. To own the nature of God is to be God and to be equal with the other personalities of the Godhead (namely, the Father and the Spirit). 

Thought it not robbery to be equal with God means that Christ decided not to continue enjoying His heavenly existence; He enjoyed the same divine life-style in heaven that God enjoyed. Though the Son could have lawfully maintained this heavenly existence, He did not. Rather He assumed a servant’s position and appeared in the likeness of men. 

Consequently, being judged by His fashion (outward appearance) He was recognized by many people as a mere man. But He was much more than that – He was still the Son of God, who continued to possess the divine nature. 

Why did Jesus willingly give up His divine existence with all its benefits and advantages? Because He had within Himself the attitude of verses 2c-4: He regarded sinners as more important than Himself (v.3), and was just as concerned with their needs as with His own affairs (v.4). So the Philippians were to cultivate within themselves this same attitude and express it to one another.’ And we are supposed to do likewise! 

Oh my people, I know that it’s long and somewhat confusing, but as I keep saying, it’s time we learn to make time for God, expanding our concentration spans, and to start eating solid food, meat and potatoes, not baby milk and gruel, so that we can grow and mature in our faith. That’s what is expected of us as true believers. 

So please, today, let’s get together with the Lord and work out our problems nuh, our salvation, with Him on an individual basis, because that’s where it all begins. Much LOVE!

…it’s time for Christ’s church…to truly learn how He thinks…to start thinking in the same manner…and thus start behaving like Him…