Today’s Scrip-Bit 30 March 2015 1 John 1:9‏‏

30 Mar 2015 Leave a comment

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

1 John 1:9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Well my people, unfortunately the weekend is now over. Chuh! Hope you had a good, godly and restful one, and that you joyfully participated in the Palm Sunday celebrations of your church.  Now though, it’s time to get back to the daily grind and common task that that wonderful day called Monday brings. (smile)

Ah well, we don’t have much choice but to go out and labour if we want to make a living, so why make it even more difficult by moaning and complaining when we don’t have much choice in the matter eh? It makes no sense at all. So the sooner we come to terms with it, the better it will be for all of us.
 
And to help us do just that, let’s voice our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with great gusto and tremendous energy….  Hn, hn! Awright, I know that many of you can’t get up to that kind of speed yet, so don’t worry, just give it your best shot.
 
Altogether now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
 
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
 
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
 
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
 
Now that wasn’t too bad at all Friends! It wasn’t spectacular, and didn’t draw any encores from heaven, but it was better than I expected. (smile) So now that the adrenalin is fuelling us, let’s get up to true speed by doing what our Bit advises, so that we can clear our souls, make them right with the Father, and thus be truly empowered to go out and do a wonderful job for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, namely living a life that will encourage others to want to know Him. 
 
‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’
 
Oh Friends, those are such mighty words of truth that they leave no room for any doubt whatsoever! That is exactly why we have been exploring our souls during this Lenten season, trying to clean them up, and why we’re waiting with bated breath for the duration of this Holy Week, when Jesus sacrificed His sinless life so that if wanted, our souls would be washed clean of sin and we’d have a chance to be reconciled to our heavenly Father.
 
That’s what Good Friday and Easter Sunday are all about my people; the opportunity to be forgiven of our sins and live eternally with our LOVING God!
 
But please note my brethren, we have to want that cleansing badly enough to first believe in Jesus, and then embrace that opportunity with serious action. It doesn’t just fall in our laps. We have to play a wise and sensible part in the partnership. God has done His part; providing salvation, it’s now up to us to accept or reject it.
 
And believe me Friends, there is no greater joy to be had on this earth than forgiveness of sins. Listen to Bruh David tell it from Psalm 32 – The blessedness of forgiveness. ‘Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not (does not charge his account with) iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile (deceit).
 
When I kept silence, my bones waxed (grew) old through my roaring (groaning) all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture (my vitality) is turned into the drought of summer.   Selah. 
 
I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.  Selah. For this shall everyone that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found; surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.’ (Ps.32:1-6)
 
Oh my people, my people, what joyful words! And the scholars explain them better than I can. ‘Psalm 32. The psalm describes the blessedness of forgiveness as no other does. This is the theme of especially the first five verses, which include the happiness of the forgiven man (vv.1-2), the physical and psychological effects of unconfessed sin (vv.3-4), and the simple remedy of confession to obtain God’s forgiveness (v.5).
On this basis David can experience prayer (vv.6-7), divine instruction (vv.8-9) and personal witness (vv.10-11).’
 
Now if that was good for Bruh David, why wouldn’t be good for us eh Friends? In fact it should be even better for us since we now have the overwhelming sacrifice and cleansing of Jesus’ precious blood.  So please my brethren, let’s wisely look to Jesus for succour and salvation nuh. It’s the only way to get to heaven and enjoy eternal life! Much LOVE!
 
…the fool hath said in his heart…there is no God…and that’s exactly why he is a fool…

 

 

 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 25 December 2014 Luke 2:20

25 Dec 2014 Leave a comment

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

 Luke 2:20. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

MERRY  CHRISTMAS !

Oh Friends, that momentous day we’ve all been waiting for with bated breath is here at last!

It’s Christmas Day! Glory Hallelujah! Much thanks and praise to Almighty God, our Creator and heavenly Father, for giving us such a perfect gift!

In fact, it’s the only perfect gift the world has ever known or seen; Jesus Christ, born so that no one would die…! Then Jesus Christ died, so that all should live…!

What a dramatic tale, one that only our wise and powerful God could weave! Oh my people, fellow believers, as well as unbelievers, let’s acknowledge our debt to Jehovah God for this wonderful day with a prayer.

Please pray with me. ‘Heavenly Father, on this special day of Christmas 2014, we raise our voices in thanks and praise, the way You desire. We LOVE You, and appreciate all that You have done, are doing, and will do for us.

Help us to keep on LOVING You and Your wonderful Son Jesus, born this day many years ago. Help us also to be obedient to Your call and our calling. We bless You this special day and laud and magnify Your Holy Name. Amen… And P.S. Thanks again so much for giving us Jesus. We’ll LOVE Him till forever!’

Yes Friends, today is a mighty special day of gift giving, with Jesus being the best gift ever!

Now here’s this poem from the One Year Book of Bible Promises, titled ‘It’s Christmas’ that I just could not pass up.

‘It’s Christmas! Sing! Rejoice! Celebrate! Let God create in you Colourful explosions Of joy and excitement. Smile away fears, push away tears. Out with pretense, in with praise. It’s Christmas! Open your heart to light To trust, to LOVE, to hope. Awaken slumbering memories Stir up stupendous dreams Anticipate surprises Open your arms wide.

It’s Christmas! Time for candles and cards For carols and cookies For brightly lit trees With the fragrance of pine. Time to hug and hold To think and thank Time to greet the world With the Good News.

It’s Christmas! Thank God for life Thank Him for the manger For the splintered cross For the empty tomb Thank Him for His only Son The Saviour of the world. Shout! Laugh! Share! Care! And say to God On Christmas morning: “I entrust myself anew To You.”

Wow my people! Those are indeed the many things we can do, and the vast array of positive emotions we can share this Christmas day!

Please, I implore us to put as many of them as possible into action today, so that the Joy, the Peace and the LOVE that was meant for this day, can truly be spread across the entire globe and thus make a positive difference in all our lives.

Now let’s hear the story of Jesus’ birth as told by the Good Book. ‘And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed (registered). (And this taxing (registration, census) was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

And all went to be taxed (registered), everyone into his own city (original birthplace). And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house (family) and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused (betrothed) wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished (completed) that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger (feed trough); because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon (stood before) them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore (greatly) afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes (cloths), lying in a manger (feed trough).

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered (marvelled) at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.’ (Luke 2:1-20)

What a marvellous story my brethren! Only our wonderful God could have arranged it thus. Please note that it was played out on a low key. The message wasn’t taken to the rich and powerful, but to the poor and lowly shepherds, who were then encouraged to share it to the rest of the world.

The Lord’s plans called for a simple, basic birth in poor surroundings, but the message covering it was enormous, everlasting: ‘For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.’

What a monumental occasion my people, one that changed the course of the entire world! And that’s what we’re celebrating today.

So please let’s do all the things we’ve been encouraged to do; laugh, sing, shout, share, rejoice and give thanks, glorifying and praising God for all the good things He’s done for us, like the shepherds did two thousand years ago when they heard the good news of Jesus’ birth!

And all God’s children gave a loud and lusty shout of “Praise God in the Highest! For He is deserving of such praise! Amen!’

Now let’s observe a truly blessed Christmas day my people. Much LOVE!

…no other birth has ever caused such repercussions in all of man’s history…that’s why the birth of Jesus is indeed the GREATEST…

 

 

 

Today”s Scrip-Bit 12 July 2014 Proverbs 15:5

12 Jul 2014 Leave a comment

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

Proverbs 15:5.     A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth (keeps, accepts) reproof is prudent (sensible).

‘Saturday, oh glorious summer Saturday! Wherefore hast thou taken so long to come? I have been waiting with bated breath to see your bright sunshine, bathed in skies of heavenly blue;

To feel your cool and gentle breezes caress my warm skin, as they blow through the trees, and like an invisible partner, cause the leaves to dance to their vibrant riddim. Breezes that come from whence – no one knows; and whither they go – no one knows.

I’ve been longing to hear the birds sing their beautiful songs of praise to their Creator, as they sense your presence in the light that’s washing o’er the distant eastern horizon. Meanwhile, my soul is joyfully anticipating the tender and sensuous sight of the blood red petals of a rose opening up, virgin-like, to your irresistible charm, as the busy honey bee flitters around her, like a bashful suitor afraid to press his claim of LOVE!’

Oh Friends, even if I do say so myself, I like it! But they were God inspired words. I just didn’t have anything to write about and that’s where He led me. I guess He saw that my heart was in a poetic mood this morning and allowed me that small indulgence. Because I haven’t written anything like that, in that vein, for … for so long, that only the Lord alone knows.

Since He drafted me into writing the Bit, it seems like I’ve given up all other kinds of writing. Ah mih people, our great and wonderful God does move in mysterious ways yes! Now I’ve always considered myself somewhat of a writer, but definitely never envisioned myself writing the kind of scriptural stuff that the Lord has called me to do.

I’m trying my best to be obedient to His will, but I haven’t given up hope of writing other stuff, for as far as I’m concerned they can all co-exist. Let’s hope that is also a part of His plan, because I have so much other interesting – for want of a better word – worldly stuff of life and LOVE, just waiting to be published. It would be a crying shame to let all that go to waste.

However, the Lord is running the show, and I’m here valiantly trying to follow our Bit, not despising our heavenly Father’s instruction. (smile) ‘A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth (keeps, accepts) reproof is prudent (sensible).

Oh my people, those words are filled with so much truth, it’s not funny! And the writer of most of Proverbs, Cousin Sol, who was reputed to be the wisest man ever, considered them so important that he reiterated them in different ways. Today we’re going to look at several scriptures, all within Proverbs, that deal with those sentiments.

Cousin Sol seems to have had a fixation on wisdom and foolishness because he devoted most of his writings in Proverbs to a comparison and contrast between the two. Listen up to these scriptures that corroborate our Bit.

He opens Proverbs 10 – the wise and foolish contrasted – with these words. ‘The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness (grief) of his mother.’ (Prov.10:1) No parent will doubt those words! Oh, and by the way, they don’t only pertain to sons, but also to daughters. (smile) I guess the correct word would be ‘child’ instead of ‘son.’

And later on in Proverbs 15, Cousin Sol declares: ‘A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.’ (Prov.15:20) But isn’t it strange how Sol keeps turning the negative aspect of the situation towards the mother? Doesn’t a wise son make a mother glad too? I would hate to think that I didn’t make my mother glad. (smile)

Anyway, in chapter 17 – Moral, ethical, and spiritual precepts (cont’d) – Cousin Sol tells us that: ‘He that begetteth a fool (scoffer) doeth it to his sorrow; and the father of a fool hath no joy.’ (Prov.17:21) That’s indisputable truth my fellow parents!

And a few verses later, he pipes up: ‘A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.’ (Prov.17:25) At last Sol seems to be including the father in the negative aspect of the situation. (smile)

But he doesn’t stop there. In chapter 19, more moral, ethical and spiritual precepts, he solemnly declares: ‘A foolish son is the calamity (ruin) of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping (an unending irritation).’ (Prov.19:13)

Oh, oh, I’ll leave that last statement alone, (smile), but remember Cousin Sol was a wise man, and he had oodles of wives, so he must know what he’s talking about ladies.

And the scholars, in their wisdom, tell us: ’19:13. The foolish son or the contentious wife ruins a man’s life and home.’

Truer words were never spoken Friends. Now don’t hunger for my head ladies, because that statement is gospel truth!

So Friends, I guess we’ll all agree that a wayward, stubborn child is a burden and a disappointment to their parents. But how do most of them get to be that way eh? They’re not all born that way, but a lot of it has to do with our parenting.

And Cousin Sol advises us on that topic: ‘Train up a child in the way he should go: and (even) when he is old, he will not depart from it.’ (Prov.22:6)

That means rearing a child on the principles of the Good Book with a proper balance of LOVE and discipline. But unfortunately most of the children today are not brought up that way, therefore we cannot expect anything other than the undisciplined, ungodly, lustful behaviour from them.

And we’ll close with one more verse that proves the point. ‘The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.’ (Prov.29:15)

Oh Friends, that’s why so many children are the way they are today; they’ve been left to their own devices too much, plus the rod of correction and reproof has not been used on them enough! End of story! Much LOVE!

…we can’t expect to raise wise, obedient children…when we’re not leading them along wise paths based on God’s Word…you can’t plant peas and expect to reap corn…

 

 
 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 29 May 2014 Philippians 4:13

29 May 2014 Leave a comment

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

Philippians 4:13.     I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 
Oh Friends, I certainly wasn’t able to sit on my deck yesterday afternoon and enjoy the warm, healing rays of the sun, for it was a tad chilly, just like the weather people had said. And it looks like today will be just the same. Oh the annoying vagaries of the weather eh!
 
However, with bated breath, hungry hope and expectant faith, we are patiently waiting for those ‘lazy, crazy days of summer’ to arrive. (smile) For we know that they will eventually appear, because the Lord has decreed it, just not exactly when.
 
And so, as we wait with eager patience for all that God has in store for us, let’s make, or rather reaffirm this pledge, this declaration of intent, since we have invoked it before.
 
‘I can do all things through Christ. God has new opportunities for me. I am not settling for where I am now. I’m stretching myself, and pursuing what He (God) has put in my heart. God’s plan for my life is greater than I could imagine, and I am determined to be who He wants me to be. This is my declaration of what I can do through Christ.’
 
And all of God’s people proclaimed a loud and lusty: ‘Praise the Lord! Amen!’
 
Yes Friends, please remember that when we partner with Christ, when we have Him and His Holy Spirit buried deep in our hearts, minds, bodies and souls, when He’s our true guide and leader, anything at all is possible through His omnipotence!
 
And that’s something we Christians don’t take as seriously and believe as strongly as we ought to, for if we did, a lot of us wouldn’t be in some of the unfortunate and/or untenable situations that we’re currently in.
 
Unfortunately, too many of us simply pay lip service to our Bit. ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’
 
Oh Friends, that’s a basic tenet of our faith! If we don’t truly believe that, and even more importantly put it into practice, then our faith is useless, since we can’t successfully fight the evil powers of this world in our own strength.
 
Now just before our Bit, Bruh Paul made two other famous statements to the Philippians. Speaking in appreciation of a gift they’d sent him (most likely money), he declares: ‘But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me (concern) hath flourished again (revived); wherein ye were also careful (though you surely did care), but ye lacked opportunity.
 
Not that I speak in respect of want (regard of need): for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I both know how to be abased (live humbly), and I know how to abound (live in prosperity): every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.’ (Phil.4:10-12)
 
Oh my fellow believers, what mighty words, and also lessons that each and every Christian ought to learn and apply!
 
Now here is some worthwhile info from the scholars on those verses and our Bit. ‘4:10. Wherein ye were also careful, or, “regarding your care for me, you really were concerned”: Paul acknowledges that they were concerned about his needs all along, but they lacked opportunity to minister to him.
 
4:11. Not that I speak in respect (because) of want: Paul’s ability to be content despite the circumstances assures the readers that his joy of verse 10 is not solely over his “need” being met at their expense. He implies that he could have done without their financial aid. For justifies this implication.
 
I have learned…to be content: The Greek here suggests that contentment is a lesson learned neither in a classroom nor overnight, but through many practical experiences in life.
 
4:12. By listing some specific examples, this verse elaborates upon the very general and broad “in whatsoever state I am” of verse 11. Be abased means literally to discipline oneself, that is, to tighten the belt in lean times. To abound means to live in prosperity.
 
Every where and in all things I am instructed (or, “in all circumstances I have learned the secret of how”) to be full, that is, “well-fed” To abound means to have plenty. To suffer need means to go without.
 
Paul has acquired the skill for successfully living with little and with much, the latter probably being harder: “For one man who can stand prosperity, there are a hundred that will stand adversity.” (Thomas Carlyle).
 
4:13. The apostle’s ability of knowing how to live skillfully on little or in prosperity does not mean that he is a spiritual superman.
 
The reason he can live in such extremes is not owing to his own ability. Rather he can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth him, thus enabling him to adapt to his various, ever-changing circumstances.
 
God orders Paul’s various situations, and God gives him the strength to be content in them all, trying and perplexing though they may be.’
 
Oh yes my brethren, it’s God’s provision that enables us to be strong and content in any and every situation. But it’s not an easy thing to accomplish and can only be learned though life’s hard lessons.
 
That’s why it’s so awfully important to have the Holy Spirit of Jesus firmly entrenched in our being, so that we can have the necessary help to face all our situations, be they good or bad.
 
Steups! And it’s interesting that I had one of those situations a little while ago. In the middle of copying verse 10, above, the power suddenly went, and I lost a little of what I had written. But I didn’t pull out my hair and scream to high heaven, as I would have done previously. 
 
Now I was unhappy and annoyed, but over the years I’ve learned to save stuff as I write, so it wasn’t as bad as it could have been, or has been in the past, when I had to start over from scratch.
 
So I had to reboot and all of that, and with my already waking up late, it just makes the Bit even later. I don’t like it when the Bit is late, but life happens, and I just have to grin and bear it. (smile)
 
Oh, one more thing, for those of you who happen to check out my Blog site, please accept my humble apologies for the different fonts and sizes that have been appearing on it lately. That’s not my fault. I post it properly, but somehow or the other when wordpress, my blogging site, converts it, these days it comes up that way.
 
I’m not thrilled with it all, and I’m trying to have it fixed. But until then please bear with me. Chuh!
 
Anyway, we have lots to meditate and ponder on today, to learn to live contentedly in whatever situation we find ourselves, so let’s get to it nuh. (smile) And I know it’s long, but that makes up for yesterday’s short one. (smile)  
 
And I hope that the Bit helps us all to keep our focus on Almighty God, as it’s designed to do. For that’s wisdom at its zenith! Much LOVE!
 
…to know, know, know Him (Jesus)…is to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE HIM…for He makes everything worthwhile…