Today’s Scrip-Bit   6 October 2022 Luke 1:37.

06 Oct 2022 Leave a comment

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

Luke 1:37.       For with God nothing shall be impossible.

And though it’s a somewhat wet and cloudy looking Thursday morning in my neck of the woods, the temperature is supposed to be pretty good, at least in the high teens, if not better. And once it’s fairly warm, everything is right with the world! Hn! I wish I could say that in all truth and seriousness, but the opposite seems to be the prevailing truth right now; NOTHING seems right in our world! It’s bad enough with the many natural disasters that are occurring all over the world at the same time. And unfortunately, in the presence of plenty in our world,, so many have so little, and are suffering so badly for want of the basic things of life. Then, the magnitude of anger, hate, resentment, greed and selfishness that’s currently flooding our world is unbelievable. 

Chuh! The Lord must be sitting on His throne in the high heavens shaking His head in sadness and wonder at the low level to which His most precious and marvellous creation has fallen, despite the abundance of wealth, knowledge, understanding and LOVE that’s supposed to be prevalent on the earth. But it seems that greed, selfishness and lust for power are in the ascendance, for the level of help from those that have, to those that don’t have, is woefully poor. And besides, there are so many pockets of strife and outright war in our world that offering help is the furthest thing from many of our minds. Instead, self-preservation is our uppermost concern. Survival of the fittest seems to be the motto once again. 

And that’s what we are up against my Christian brethren. And yes, it does seem like an impossible task from a natural human standpoint, but please remember that we serve the great God who created the universe and all therein, and that nothing is impossible to Him, therefore nothing is also impossible to us, if we follow His will with the high level of faith we ought to embrace. Remember what the angel Gabriel told Mary, the mother of Jesus, when he came to give her the good news that she’d been chosen to bear God’s Son, and that her cousin Elizabeth, who had hitherto been barren was pregnant with John the Baptist. It was a simple, but powerful and true statement: ‘For with God nothing shall be impossible.’ (Luke 1:37) 

And the birth of Jesus bore witness to that fact, since He was born of a woman who had had no sexual relations with a man. Meanwhile, Jesus Himself proclaimed that same fact after telling the disciples that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. (Matt. 19:24) And when they became so amazed at His statement, He enlightened them thus: ‘With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.’ (Matt. 19:26) 

Now, my fellow saints, that’s a statement we have to sincerely believe, a state of mind we must necessarily have, if we ever hope to make any positive changes in our own lives, in the lives of those around us, and the world in general. For believe me, no other group in this world is going to try to improve the sad negative situation that currently exists but we staunch and sincere believers in Christ Jesus. Why? Because that’s what our Lord and Saviour expects of us; that’s why He came to earth, why He suffered and died for our salvation, so that the earth could be a better place under His sovereignty and guidance. Therefore, it’s our bounden duty, our rightful cause to do whatever we can to make a positive difference in this negative, crumbling, disaster and greed filled world in which we live. 

And I guess the best scripture to highlight that situation and purpose is what Jesus preached on LOVE for enemies in the Sermon on the Mount. He began: ‘Ye have heard that it hath been said , an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil (an evil person): but whosoever shall smite (slaps) thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at law, and take away thy coat (tunic), let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain (two). Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not away. 

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt LOVE thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, LOVE your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully (spitefully) use you. That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye LOVE them which LOVE you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans (tax collectors) the same? And if ye salute (greet) your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans (tax collectors) so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.’ (Matt. 5:38-48) 

Now my people, that is indeed a tough row to hoe, but if we are to be true disciples of Christ, we must put out the effort to do it. Oh, how I wish we had the time and space for the many explanations that the scholars offer on all of that monumental scripture, because doing that stuff is certainly hard, especially when it flies in the face of all the world’s teaching. But we need to remember that Jesus’ teaching is NOT like the world’s. It is of a much higher class, a class that calls for LOVE and not hate or enmity. 

And this explanation from the scholars should clear up some of the confusion. ‘5.43-44. The law of LOVE, sometimes called “the law of Christ,” summarizes the ethical principle of the Sermon on the Mount. “LOVE thy neighbour” summarizes the entire second table of the law (cf. Lev. 19:18-34) . But the unscriptural addition “hate thine enemy” was a popular concept in Jesus’ day. The admonition LOVE your enemies is one of the greatest statements Jesus ever made. 

The LOVE enjoined in this passage is LOVE that originates from God Himself. Man is not commanded to attempt to LOVE his enemy on the basis of mere human affection, but rather on the basis of a LOVE that comes from God. The quality of LOVE commanded here is expressed by giving. Bless them that curse you; do good to them that hate you; and pray for them that persecute you. LOVING an enemy involves doing good toward that enemy in order to win him over to Christ.’ 

Yes, friends, following those precepts set by Christ are indeed difficult, but as always, He never gives us a task to perform without giving us the tools with which to perform them. And for all of that tough LOVING He expects of us there, He’s given us the tools we call our Thursday Blessings. But they need to be activated by declaring (yeah!!!) them out loud. So, let’s do that right now nuh. As one strong and sincere 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 activated those amazing tools, let’s go out and put them to good use now nuh…LOVING and helping those we come into contact with, like Jesus did, and as He so deeply desires of us! Much LOVE!

…only the LOVE of Christ…as performed by His followers…can turn this evil world around… 

P.S. Yes, it’s long, but sound! (smile) Much LOVE! 

Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8​       

Today’s Scrip-Bit 24 February 2017 John 3:16.

24 Feb 2017 Leave a comment

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

John 3:16.   For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Oh friends, welcome to another day of spring in the midst of February! This past week has been something else yes; spring like temps in a time when it’s the white stuff that’s usually falling. Hn! But I’ll take the rain that’s coming down out there now, any day over the white stuff. 

And it’s Friday to boot, so the workingman is happy, as he mouths his Friday song. ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday yes! That means the weekend is here too! Glory Hallelujah! No work for two whole big days! Take that massa! I can do whatever I want for the next two days and you can’t say a word! Bleh! (Longing out his tongue at the massa). 

So we going to eat and drink and party, and carry on like there’s no tomorrow…for who knows if there’ll be a tomorrow anyway! Thank God for Fridays and weekends yes!’ 

Ah mih people, I know that’s a very tempting way to spend our weekends, but it’s not a very wise one, for instead of helping to solve our problems, that kind of bacchanalian behaviour will only compound them. 

Our Friday Chant is much more subdued but nonetheless still free and friendly enough to allow us to enjoy the comforts and blessings of life, while keeping our heads about us. So let’s chant it now in unison nuh, so that we can prep ourselves for the upcoming weekend. 

‘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, that way we both enjoy the benefits of the time off, as well as rejuvenate ourselves for the upcoming week, which are the only things that make sense under the circumstances. 

Now let’s turn to our Bit, that awesome statement that changed the whole world, set it on its ear, some two thousand years ago. ‘For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ 

Wow! What a momentous, world changing statement, out of the mouth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! The world has never been the same since then friends! 

And you know the most important words in that scripture are simply, ‘God so LOVED…’ Yes my fellow believers, it all began with God’s LOVE! If He hadn’t LOVED, then we’ll all be toast at the end of our lives. 

But because He LOVED, many of us will be living forever with Him in heavenly circumstances when our earthly bodies crumble back to the dust from which they were formed. So let’s have a look at this miraculous word called LOVE nuh. 

The scholars have this to say about it. ‘3:16. LOVE is both an attribute of God and a description of His being. He alone is the epitome of divine LOVE and the source of all true LOVE. His LOVE is unconditional and consistently demonstrates the highest good of the one who is LOVED. 

Illustration: God’s LOVE was clearly demonstrated at Calvary when Jesus died for all our sins (1 John 3:1). Application: Because God first LOVED us, we ought to LOVE others as well (1 John 4:11). (First Ref. Gen.2:16-17; Primary Ref. John 3:16; c.f. James 1:17).’ 

Ah mih people, LOVE is what gave us life in the first place, and what is also keeping us alive now, and giving us hope for the future. So how can we be so callous about it eh? 

Listen to Peter and the other apostles when they were brought before the Jewish Council for continuing to preach Christ crucified, after being told to stop. ‘Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 

Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.’ (Acts 5:29-32) 

Oh my people, please let’s take the LOVE of God seriously nuh, instead of just taking it for granted. As I said yesterday, LOVE is the most lethal weapon in existence. Listen to Jesus’ teaching from the Sermon on the Mount. 

‘Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt LOVE thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, LOVE your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully (spitefully) use you, and persecute you. 

That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust. For if ye LOVE them which LOVE you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans (tax collectors) the same? 

And if ye salute (greet) your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.’ (Matt.5:43-48) 

Please note friends, that perfect here doesn’t mean sinless, but as the scholars say, ‘complete, that is, possessing a complete LOVE that, like God’s (v.45), embraces those who LOVE you as well as those who do not.’ 

So please my fellow believers, let’s just do what Jesus desires of us nuh, for that’s the ONLY way we’ll ever be successful. Much LOVE!

…without true LOVE…the world will eventually sink into the mire of hate and deceit that currently has it in grip…