Today’s Scrip-Bit 24 October 2014 Psalm 47:1-2

24 Oct 2014 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 47:1-2.   O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. For the Lord most high is terrible (awesome); he is a great King over all the earth.

Well Friends, at last we’ve reached the finish line for this workweek’s race… It’s Friday! Glory Hallelujah! And I do hope that we all did our best in this week’s sprint… 
 
And all God’s people joyfully declared: ‘Yes, we did our best! Jesus is proud of us! But nonetheless we must proclaim, TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday and the weekend is upon us! Oh there’s nothing like the weekend to rest and recuperate from massa’s slave-like toil and labour! That’s why we joyfully sing again: TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday yes!’
 
Oh Friends, it’s so wonderful to see us so joyful, because Jesus died so that we could enjoy our earthly life, enhanced by salvation and eternal life. And if we don’t enjoy it, especially when surrounded by the two greatest gifts ever granted to man – salvation and eternal life – then we’re just making His death a complete waste of time.
 
And we definitely don’t want to negate Jesus’ great sacrifice. Therefore, to help us continue in our joyful mode, here is a poem from an old Devotional called the ‘One Year Book of Bible Promises, I recently picked up in a Book Sale at church. It contains a Bible verse of promise for every day of the year, along with some interesting readings.
 
So expect to hear from it over the next little while. And I must tell you that when my eyes saw it, they lit up large and my heart was exceedingly joyful, because it’s one more source of fodder, of learning and truth that we have to engage us in our scriptural education.
 
Anyway, enough blather, (smile) here is the poem. It’s simply titled: ‘I Shout for Joy!’ And it says: ‘Sometimes Lord, You seem a million miles away. And then I remember Your unfailing words. “I will NEVER, NEVER, let go of your hand.” Once again I shout for joy, That what seems to be, Is not always what is.’
 
Oh yes my people, that’s ever so true! Lots of times our view of circumstances are totally at odds with the truth, with the reality of the situation, but at ALL times, we can be assured that our great and wonderful, magnificent and magnanimous, merciful, LOVING, most gracious and forgiving God is ALWAYS beside us, walking hand in hand with us along our pilgrim’s path!
 
Oh what joy and confidence that brings to our hearts and spirits, my fellow believers! It just lifts our hearts over the proverbial bar, like a high jumper, just brimming with confidence that he can scale the next height in his jump! Yes Friends, that’s what the promises of our eternal, ever-LOVING, omnipotent God does for true believers! 
 
Now it won’t always be wine and roses on our earthly pilgrim’s path – it definitely wasn’t for Jesus – but with Him working mightily in us, we can be assured and confident that ALL things will be eventually worked out in our favour, because that’s exactly what He has promised to do in Romans 8:28.
 
And my brethren, our majestic God is above everything else, most faithful to His promises!
 
That’s why we can joyfully declare in our Bit, these words of the sons of Korah from Psalm 47 – God is the King of all the earth. ‘O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. For the Lord most high is terrible (awesome), he is a great King over all the earth.’
 
That my brethren, is indisputable, undeniable, veritable gospel truth!
 
And to enhance those facts, the psalmist joyfully continues: ‘He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet. He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he LOVED.  Selah.’ (Ps.47:3-4)
 
Moreover, to corroborate those joyful proclamations, listen to Moses, as way back in the early days of Israel’s journey through the wilderness to the Promised Land, he directs them as to the blessings of obedience to the God of their fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
 
‘Thou shall not be affrighted at (afraid of) them: for the Lord thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible (awesome). And the Lord thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and (by) little: thou mayest not consume (destroy) them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee.
 
But the Lord thy God shall deliver them unto thee, and shall destroy them with a mighty destruction, until they be destroyed. And he shall deliver their kings into thine hand, and thou shalt destroy their name from under heaven: there shall no man be able to stand before (against) thee, until thou have destroyed them.’ (Deut.7:21-24)
 
And as we all know Friends, those promises were all fulfilled, delivered in spades, once the Israelites served and worshipped Jehovah God sincerely. And the same promises apply to us today my people… once we too serve and worship Jehovah God sincerely.
 
But that’s the unfortunate crux of our problem though in this ungodly and evil day and age; not enough of us are serving and worshipping our great God, despite all the evidence that when we do so, we become peaceful and prosperous.
 
However, with the promises of Jesus riding high in our hearts, filling us with the spirit of evangelism, we few will continue to work diligently and sincerely to bring about His LOVE Revolution, because that’s wisdom from on high, as well as our bounden duty as His earthly ambassadors!
 
Now let’s go home chanting our Friday Chant- no I didn’t forget (smile) – fully embracing the wise perspective that it brings. 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.’
 
Much LOVE, my beautiful and joyful people!
 
and please remember…that the joy of the Lord is your strength… (Neh.8:10) 
 
P.S. Oh Friends, certain circumstances beyond my control kept me up late last night, and consequently I didn’t arise until late this morning. But through the wonderful and mysterious workings of our great God I arose with a joyful heart, otherwise I couldn’t have written such a joyful Bit. (smile) Please excuse its tardiness. But as they say; better late than never! Much LOVE!

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 16 September 2014 John 6:63

16 Sep 2014 Leave a comment

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

John 6:63.  It is the spirit that quickneth (gives life); the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Aye Friends, the ole fella’s in a bit of a rough shape this Tuesday morning. Last night my allergies, or the cold, or some similar malady had me sneezing and sniffling with a runny nose thrown in for good measure. (smile)
 
So I took some relief medication, which though it eased up the nasal situation, it was also sleep inducing, which therefore made it somewhat difficult to get up at an early hour. But as they say, better late than never! (smile)
 
And the ole fella’s up now, gung ho and ready to go; not a hundred percent fit, but feeling much better than when I went to bed last night, or rather early this morning. (smile) All praise and thanks to our ever-Loving, healing and comforting God!
 
Ah my people, when I consider all the blessings and mercies that our magnanimous and generous God daily bestows on us, it just boggles my imagination and fills my heart, body, soul and mind with the urge to greatly praise Him! He is ever so faithful and kind…
 
But I don’t really need to tell you all that eh, because if you’re a true believer, you will already have discovered that by the way He operates in your own life.
 
And all God’s children gave out a loud and grateful: ‘Glory Hallelujah! All thanks and praise be to Jehovah God, who has redeemed us from sin, and reconciled us to Himself, through the precious blood of His Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, that was shed on Calvary’s hill for our benefit!’
 
And isn’t that a most glorious and awesome truth my brethren? It surely is!
 
Now let’s have a look at some more wise and truthful words, words of Jesus, in our Bit. ‘It is the spirit that quickeneth (gives life); the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.’
 
And we saw yesterday where it was God’s Spirit that actually endowed us with physical life. (Gen.2:7) And that Bruh Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus, as well as Stephen’s wisdom and miracles were figurative manifestations of the way the Holy Spirit works in our lives.
 
I guess we can compare the Holy Spirit to the worker bee in a hive; He is the one who carries out the actual work or deeds in our Triune God.
 
Hear how Bruh Paul puts it to the church at Corinth: ‘Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able (sufficient as) ministers of the new testament (covenant)’ not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.’ (2 Cor.3:5-6)
 
Words of absolute truth my brethren!
 
And the scholars explain that last verse thus: ‘3:6. The new testament (lit. New Covenant) is both new in time (not being inaugurated until Christ – Matt.26:28; Luke 22:7-23; 1 Cor.11:25; Heb.8:8) and new in quality (providing better spiritual blessings than did the old Mosaic covenant).
 
Letter, but of the spirit: This expression corresponds to the thought of verse 3 contrasting “ink” with the “Spirit.” The contrast is between the externalism inherent in the Old Covenant and the internalism inherent in the New Covenant.
 
The letter killeth: Since certain Jews in the assembly at Corinth were concerned with Paul’s defection from Moses’ law, Paul here explains his position. The best the law could do was condemn the sinner.
 
It is not here implied that the law of Moses was evil. On the contrary, it is holy, just, and good (Rom.7:12). This can be asserted because it brought men to the end of themselves to Christ (Gal.3:24).’
 
Oh my people, I sincerely hope that gives us a better understanding of the scripture, because that’s what we’re all about with the Bit; learning, teaching, helping to understand God’s Word and keeping our focus on Him.
 
And please check out the scriptures mentioned in the scholars’ explanation, because they offer a wealth of information. I just did, and consequently was inspired to quote the last scripture reference, that from Galatians.
 
‘Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified (declared righteous) by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a school-master (tutor), For ye are all the children (sons) of God by faith in Christ Jesus.’ (Gal.3:24-26)
 
Yes Friends, as the scholars say: ‘3:25. After one’s conversion to Christ, he is no longer under the curse of the law, as it has fulfilled its divinely intended purpose.’ That is, bringing us to the point where we become children of God, through faith in Jesus Christ.
 
Oh, I know I digressed there for a moment, but I just thought it necessary to interject those verses so that we could come to a better understanding of Bruh Paul’s words. And we’ll close with some more awesome words from Jesus, re the second part of our Bit: ‘the flesh profiteth nothing.’
 
Listen to Him expound to Nicodemus: ‘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 the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
 
The wind bloweth where it listeth (wishes); and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.’ (John 3:5-8)
 
More truth of the awesome, indisputable variety my people!
 
Now let’s take a few moments to ponder all that we have spoken about today, then try, with the help of God obviously, to make our lives better and brighter by bringing them into compliance with God’s Word and the wonderful plan He has for each human life He has created. That is the ultimate wisdom of the universe! Much LOVE!
 
…oh what a magnificent blessing it is…to have the Holy Spirit of God dwell within us…to have Him continually lead and guide us in righteousness…to have Him strengthen us with true faith and trust in Almighty God…then finally bring us to eternal life with our wonderful Lord and Saviour…Jesus Christ…

 

 

 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 April 2014 Proverbs 16:16

22 Apr 2014 Leave a comment

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

Proverbs 16:16.    How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

Oh Friends and neighbours, it’s Easter Tuesday, time to get ready for the races! 
 
What races, you say? Steups! How yuh mean what races eh? The goat and crab races down Buccoo in Tobago of course! Down by the famous Buccoo Reef and Nylon Pool! 
 
That’s a celebration that’s been going on for as long as I can remember. Can’t remember much of the last one I went to long ago though, for I was so inebriated, so black up with fire-water it wasn’t funny. Hn, hn! All I can vaguely remember is a friend’s sister and I partying down the place in one of the many house parties they use to have back then. Ah Lord eh! 
 
But the celebration seems to have grown so much now, that when I was in Tobago earlier this year, I discovered that they had built a stadium just for those races. Only in T&T you say! (smile) 
 
Anyway my people, it’s oh so necessary that we keep the peace, LOVE, joy and fellowship of this Easter Season going on for as long as possible – at least till Jesus returns – for as we’ve been saying, it’s the most important aspect of Christianity – the foundation on which our faith is built! 
 
It is where we derive all our benefits from – benefits like resurrection, salvation and eternal life. It is only the spilled blood of Jesus, which paid for our abominable transgressions that made it all possible. So please let’s remember that, keep it at the forefront of our minds, and consequently walk with a spring in our steps, and a joy in our hearts that declares: ‘Saved – through the blood of Jesus Christ!’ 
 
And that’s why our Bit is so important in the overall scheme of things my brethren. It points out to us the most meaningful things in this life – wisdom and understanding! ‘How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!’ 
 
And that’s an everlasting truth my fellow believers, because those are the things which keep us wisely, sincerely and securely joined to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the Creator and Controller of this great universe and all therein! Now just think how foolish it would be if we didn’t have good communication with our great God and Maker eh! 
 
That’s why Cousin Sol informs us right at the very beginning of Proverbs: ‘A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto (acquire) wise counsels.’ (Prov.1:5) 
 
And as the scholars so rightly explain: ‘1:5. The wise as well as the untaught can learn from this book.’ 
 
And that’s gospel truth Friends! Whatever the state of your learning, your academic standing, you can always learn even more from the Book of Proverbs and the Good Book as a whole! 
 
Then a few lines later, Cousin Sol solemnly warns us: ‘The fear (reverential awe) of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.’ (Prov.1:7) 
 
And how very true that is my brethren! The fools of this world utterly despise wisdom and instruction! That’s why they reject Jesus Christ and Jehovah God and will eventually perish for their lack of wisdom and foolish disobedience. 
 
And the scholars explain that verse thus: ‘1:7. The fear of the Lord means submission to the Lord and His revelation. When one is afraid of something, he either runs from it or submits to it. The latter idea is in view here. It is a healthy fear, like the fear of electricity or the fear of one’s parents, which causes one to act in an appropriate manner. 
 
The beginning does not mean that “the fear of the Lord” is left behind in the course of acquiring wisdom, but that it is the controlling principle of wisdom.’ 
 
Yes Friends, we’ll certainly be wise to look upon the greatness, the majesty of Jehovah God with reverential awe, for He is ever so much mightier and wiser than us, but His LOVE and magnanimity towards His faithful children know no bounds! 
 
Wow! What an awesome God we serve and worship my people! It always boggles my imagination when I sit and contemplate His might and power, His mercy, grace, forgiveness, LOVING-kindness and the beauty of this universe He created! 
 
Therefore, how can I not LOVE, adore and magnify Him eh? It’s just impossible my brethren, especially after having experienced so much of His undeserving favour throughout my earthly life. 
 
And we’ll conclude today’s message with these wonderful, wise and uplifting verses from Proverbs Chapter 4. Cousin Sol declares in living colour, the importance of wisdom and understanding. 
 
‘Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to (place on) thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.’ (Prov.4:7-9) 
 
Oh my fellow believers, all I can say to that is a loud, positive and glorious ‘AMEN!’ 
 
Now let’s go out and put it all into practice and action today my brethren, because that is what will keep us on the straight and narrow path, in close communication with Almighty God! And doing that, is certainly heavenly wisdom! Much LOVE!
 
…oh how good and pleasant it is…to learn about the living God…then reverence and venerate Him with all our life-blood…    
 
P.S. Please excuse the tardiness of the Bit. I guess I celebrated too much last night, thus got up late this morning. Then there were a couple of things I had to do, which took up more time than I bargained for. But as a friend of mine likes to say: ‘It’s all good!’ And it’s also better late than never. Brother, it really short today too! (smile) Much LOVE!
 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 15 January 2014 Psalm 5:3

15 Jan 2014 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 5:3.   My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
 
Oh Friends, once again we have been blessed with God’s wonderful grace, enabling us to see another new day on His great planet earth! Wow! How thrilling that is!
 
And I know that you all will agree with me, for despite all the problems in the troubled world and our individual lives, very few really are ready to leave here and go over to the other side. There’s something about earth, with all its faults and foibles that still holds us captive.
 
Perhaps it’s simply because we know what’s here, but aren’t truly sure about what’s on the other side, although they claim it’s much better there.
 
In any case, since we’re here, and most likely want to be, let’s be happy, and like the psalmist, joyfully declare: ‘This is the day which the Lord hath made; we WILL rejoice and be glad in it.’ (Ps.118:24) That positive attitude certainly helps more than a negative, sorrowful, poor-me-one behaviour.
 
Oh by the way, a service man did come yesterday to look at our freezer problem, at an exorbitant service charge. Hn!
 
Apparently there’s a small plastic cup – no surprise there, for everything’s plastic now – where the water runs through to the icemaker. But whenever that cup gets clogged with ice, and the icemaker calls for water, the water cannot run into the cup and into the icemaker. So as water is wont to do, it finds other channels to run into.
 
Consequently, by the time he checked it yesterday, everything was clear and free, and the only thing we can do is keep a close eye on it, because there’s no finding out why it happens. Ah Lord eh! And last night we had to turn off the icemaker because the bucket was already full of ice.
 
And the techie agreed with my contention that the earlier appliances worked much better than these new fangled ones, neither did they have as many complications when something went wrong. Although it gave him more work, he wasn’t thrilled with the new stuff, and suggested that we complain to the manufactures themselves, not to the service people.
 
But which big manufacturer listens to the small man eh, unless there’s a big ground swell and a serious threat of boycotting their products?
 
Anyway, that’s enough preamble for today. (smile) Yesterday’s Bit was one of the longest, if not the longest one I’ve ever written, and I promise today’s definitely won’t be as long. So in keeping with that promise let’s get to our Bit from Bruh David’s prayer for protection. 
 
‘My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.’
 
And I was up early enough today to do my prayer thing and still get the Bit to you at a reasonable hour. Glory Hallelujah! And we’ll continue looking at scriptures that show us the importance of prayer, as well as encourage us to get more involved in it.
 
And there’s lots of truth in the advice to begin each day with prayer. Bruh David and Daniel (6:10) did it, and in Psalm 88, a Maschil (Contemplation) of Heman the Ezrahite, a cry for deliverance from death, the psalmist also proclaims: ‘But unto thee have I cried, O Lord; and in the morning shall my prayer prevent (come before) thee.’ (Ps.88:13)
 
Now we already know that Jesus got up very early every morning to go out into a quiet place and pray. (Mark 1:35) But that wasn’t the only time He availed Himself of the power of prayer. And we have a good example of that after He fed the five thousand, (Matt.14:15-22) and sent His disciples over to the other side of the lake by ship, then went off by Himself to pray.
 
‘And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart (by Himself) to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.’ (Matt.14:23)
 
Apparently after using up all that spiritual energy, He needed some recharging of His batteries, some rejuvenation of His Spirit. And believe me Friends, nothing recharges or rejuvenates us like sincere prayer!
 
Now let’s move on to Bruh Paul. Oh my brethren, I don’t know if anyone has spoken about the importance of prayer more than him! In every epistle he encourages his readers to pray. And his most astounding pronouncement on the subject is simply this: ‘Pray without ceasing.’ (1 Thess.5:17) Plain and straightforward my people!
 
The scholars dissemble the verse thus: ‘The Greek word here rendered without ceasing is used in secular literature to denote a man suffering from an intermittent cough – one that is not continuous, but occurs at intervals. Just as the individual has the tendency to cough, though does not always do so audibly, so the believer ought to remain in the attitude of prayer though not always praying audibly.’ 
 
Therefore Friends, as true believers, we ought always to have that attitude of prayer about us, though not necessarily praying aloud. It’s a most wonderful behaviour to cultivate. And as promised, we won’t ramble on any more today.
 
But my brethren, that’s only the tip of the iceberg concerning prayer in the Good Book. However we’ll leave you to ponder those few verses today. Don’t want to complicate your busy minds and lives more than they’re already complicated. (smile) .
 
But please, please, let’s get serious about prayer in this important year of 2014 nuh, both for others and ourselves, because it’s the greatest power on planet earth, when entered into with heartfelt sincerity. Much LOVE!
 
…there’s nothing like prayer…to lighten the believer’s soul…  
 
P.S. Aye mih people, the Bit will most likely be plenty late tomorrow, because I’m going out of town this evening, and I don’t know when I’ll find the time to write it. But rest assured that once I’m alive and kicking, you will receive it. It’s just a matter of when. And as they say; better late than never. (smile) Much LOVE!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     

Today’s Scrip-Bit 27 November 2013 Deuteronomy 28:1

27 Nov 2013 Leave a comment

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

Deuteronomy 28:1.    And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee high above all nations of the earth.
 
Ah mih people, in this rough and rugged world, when it’s not one thing, it’s certainly another yes. Now yesterday my allergies were bothering me, but I beat them off. Today though, I couldn’t get up. Like the ole body was more tired than I thought.
 
However, as the old people would say; better late than never. So if the Bit’s a tad late, please bear with the ole fella, let your tender mercies and forgiveness, your Christian compassion come to the fore, as you remember that he’s only human and thus very fallible. (smile) And that’s why they say B.S. baffles brains!
 
But I have an interesting acclamation to share today. It comes from Bubba Joel (Joel Osteen), so those of you who deal with him might have already seen it, but for the many who don’t, it’s very useful to share.
 
And Bubba Joel excitingly declares in the title: ‘TODAY IS MY DAY! God has destined me to be a barrier breaker! He created me to be uncontainable. I have talent and potential given to me by the Creator of the universe. There are seeds of greatness inside of me. Today, I choose to break free from a limited mindset and enlarge my vision.
 
Today, God is taking me places I’ve never even dreamed of before. Today, God is fulfilling His purpose and destiny in my life. Today, I will experience His favour like never before in every area of my life.’
 
Yes Friends, we all need to enlarge our vision and change our mindset to one that expects God’s favour, His goodness and mercy, every day of our lives, otherwise we’re more than likely to short-change ourselves.
 
Oh I know that lots of people cry down what’s generally called prosperity and positive thinking, but why not embrace it instead eh? Jesus said that He came to earth so that we could have life, and have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)
 
So what does that mean eh? It surely doesn’t mean we should live poor, downtrodden lives. But neither does it mean that every believer will become filthy rich in worldly goods and live high on the hog, as some preachers preach, and some believers believe. I think it means that generally speaking, true believers will live a decent, above average life.
 
For as our Bit so wonderfully puts this everlasting promise of our great and wonderful God: ‘And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee high above all nations of the earth.’
 
As usual Friends, our God’s pronouncements are plain and simple: obey, and you’ll be blessed. ‘And all these blessings shall come upon thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.’ (Deut. 28:2)
 
Ah mih people, how wonderful He is eh! He even goes on to spell out in more detail, the many fabulous blessings He has in store for us, if we obey His rules.
 
‘Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body (offspring), and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine (cattle), and the flocks of thy sheep. Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store (kneading bowl). Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
 
The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten (defeated) before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.’ (Deut.28:3-8)
 
Oh my brethren, what’s in that not to understand eh? But being foolish, rebellious, prideful, think we know it all, trusting in our own sub-par provision, we’ve turned from the Lord. And what’s the result? We’re obviously reaping what we’ve so stupidly sown with our disobedience; poverty, sickness, economic distress, war, strife, and all other sorts of disasters and calamities.
 
But do you think we’ll even for a moment sit down and seriously ponder the situation? Oh no! Because Beelzebub has us in grip, we’re so firmly ensconced in the palms of his hands, we can’t escape his evil hold, for we’ve sold our souls to him for the worthless treasures of this soon to be destroyed world.
 
And we’ll end with this simple, straightforward, but oh so important verse of scripture. ‘The Lord shall establish thee a holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in his ways.’ (Deut.28:9)
 
Oh Friends, it can’t get any simpler and more straightforward than that! So please, today, as true believers in Jesus Christ, let’s all pluck up our courage, pick ourselves up from wherever we’ve fallen, and believe God for a good and decent life, if we follow His dictates. 
 
And it’s not like we haven’t seen it played out just as He said, all down through the centuries; from the days of Jewish prosperity, to their calamities when they disobeyed, right down to our earlier prosperity when we were a more godly people, to our now divisive, disaster and strife torn world, as we’ve become very idolatrous and disobedient.
 
So it’s not like the words of the Good Book haven’t been played out and found to be true. It’s just that we’re obstinate, rebellious, prideful and foolish.
 
So please my people, let’s try and make some wise changes nuh, once again becoming obedient to God’s Word, starting TODAY! That’s wisdom of the most immense proportions. Much LOVE!
 
…if you want to disobey…then know that you’ll surely pay…and pay large too…
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 June 2013 Philippians 3:17.

18 Jun 2013 Leave a comment

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

Philippians 3:17:    Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example.
 
‘Just a closer walk with thee. Blessed Jesus let it be. Always walking close to thee. Let it be, dear Lord… let it be.’
 
Oh Friends, those words from that favourite old hymn are very significant in a believer’s life; so significant that they should be written indelibly in our hearts and be constantly on our lips!
 
Yes my brethren, if we’re to walk closely with God, as believers ought to, then we certainly need His empowerment to help us, because that’s something we simply cannot do on our own. Our sinful nature, our weak will, and Lucifer’s constant prodding just won’t allow us to do it. But we have to walk that close walk to be true and faithful Christians!
 
And we have some excellent advice in our Bit on that subject, where Bruh Paul is talking to the Philippians, encouraging them to keep pressing on towards the mark, walking faithfully in the Spirit of God.
 
‘Brethren, be followers together of me (join in following my example), and mark (note) them which walk so as ye have us for an example (a pattern).’
 
And the scholars it thus: ‘Paul asks the Philippians to imitate him. (But) due to his absence they cannot observe him (personally), so he tells them to imitate those among them who live as he does.’
 
And my people, that admonition holds up even until today, and will be forever applicable as long as believers walk this ungodly earth, since we cannot do it all ourselves, but need like-minded persons around us to help and encourage us. That’s why fellowship amongst believers is ever so important, especially in these rough, trying and godless times!
 
Bruh Paul also said basically the same thing to the church at Corinth. ‘Wherefore I beseech (urge) you, be ye followers of (imitate) me. For this cause have I sent unto you Timothy, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.’ (1 Cor.4:16-17)
 
That’s why we need learned, responsible brethren like pastors and such to teach and show us the proper way to walk with Christ. All Christian congregations need good, strong, knowledgeable and sincere leadership and guidance, if they are going to thrive and succeed in doing the will of God.
 
And not wanting the Corinthians to forget that, Bruh Paul reminds them of it in Chapter 11. ‘Be ye followers (imitators) of me, even as I also am of Christ.’ (1 Cor.11:1)
 
Oh Friends, in this godless, evil age, we certainly need all the reminders we can get about walking safely, securely and faithfully with Jesus!
 
Now why is that so important eh? Bruh Paul goes on to explain it after our Bit. ‘(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind (set their mind on) earthly things.) (Phil.3:18-19)
 
And are there ever numerous enemies of the cross of Christ today my brethren; in fact there are more enemies than friends! 
 
Now hear how the scholars explain those verses. ‘For provides the first reason the readers should emulate the apostle’s life; there are many professing Christians whose worldly, hedonistic lifestyle can corrupt them unless they imitate Paul. These enemies of the cross are described in four ways:
 
(1) Their end or destiny is destruction, that is eternal punishment. (2) Their God is their belly. In submitting to, and being controlled by their earthly nature, they worship their sensual desire by surrendering themselves to gluttony, sexual immorality, licentiousness, and all manner of unbridled lusts.
 
(3) Their glory or reputation consists in their shame – they are well known indeed, their renown being that of ignominy (dishonour, infamy). (4) Their mind is constantly on earthly rather than heavenly things.’
 
And isn’t that the living truth! Oh Friends, earthly excesses are all around us, and sadly have now become the norm rather than the exception. But as followers of Christ we can’t afford to get caught up in all the immorality and godlessness that’s so prevalent today. 
 
It’s not easy Friends, and Jesus knows that, because it’s everywhere we turn, protruding from almost every little nook and cranny. Bruh Paul also recognized that ungodly lifestyle in his day, that’s why he’s so adamant about us staying on the straight and narrow path. But if he thought things were bad in his day, he’d have a fit, a heart attack when confronted by the high levels of evil and wickedness that’s running rampant in today’s world.
 
That’s why it’s ever so important for us to surround ourselves with true and faithful believers, otherwise we’re liable to get sucked into the evil and immorality that’s running riot.
 
Oh my brethren, in this age we also need to be pressing on diligently and steadfastly towards the mark; that’s walking faithfully in the dictates of God. And thankfully, this advice that Bruh Paul gave to Titus so long ago, still holds true today. Listen to it carefully.
 
‘In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness (integrity), gravity (reverence), sincerity (incorruptibility), Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part (an opponent) may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.’ (Titus 2:7-8)
 
Yes my fellow believers, that’s sound, wise and wholesome advice; advice that can surely benefit us all! So please, let’s read, mark, learn and inwardly digest it nuh, and thus be enabled to have that close or closer walk with Jesus, which we all so badly desire. Much LOVE!
 
…just as every job requires the right tools…to walk with Jesus…one must also acquire the right tools… 
 
P.S. Please excuse the lateness of the Bit Friends, I simply got up late, then had problems finding a Bit that suited what I wanted to say. But as always…better late than never! (smile) Much LOVE!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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