Today’s Scrip-Bit 10 February 2021 John 14:27.

10 Feb 2021 Leave a comment

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

John 14:27.     ​Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither be afraid.

And then it was Wednesday, that invaluable mid-week day, that gives us our second wind, that is, when many of us had jobs to go to. But sadly, nowadays, jobs are few and far between compared to what they were a year ago. And many of us are struggling in all categories of life; financial, emotional, mental…and what have you. 

But what’s truly worrisome is not knowing, having no idea whatsoever when the situation will end and return to some sort of normal. It’s not so bad when we have something, a defined timeline to look forward to, but with the ensuing confusion of continuing infections, new variants of the virus, plus shortages of vaccines and all kinds of conflicting information it’s hard to develop any confidence in the eventual outcome. 

So what are we to do eh? The best thing seems to be to follow the rules laid out by the government, remember they are for our safety and protection, ignoring them isn’t going to help, regardless of what the naysayers say. It’s only going to make you more vulnerable to whatever illness is out there. Please look at the many people who didn’t believe the virus was real then caught it. Many died, but the blessed ones that survived, now have a different, more sensible, perspective on the whole situation. Please don’t wait to contract the virus before you get sensible. 

And while taking the necessary precautions, put your faith in Christ Jesus, or try and raise it to a higher level, and then stand! Stand strong by putting on the armour of Christ found in Ephesians 6:13-18; namely the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, with sandals of peace on your feet, the helmet of salvation on your head, the shield of faith in one hand to deflect the fiery darts of the enemy, and the sword of the Spirit, the mighty word of God, more powerful than a two-edged sword, in the other hand, then praying sincerely for all the saints. 

Yes mih bredrin, you need to stand firm in your belief and faith in these dangerous and trying times, because whatever happens, Jesus will still be there when the world finds some kind of relief from our present adversity. Glory be my people! That’s the ONE constant we have in this world my friends: JESUS! YAHEWEH! IMMANUEL! The PRINCE of PEACE! And if you don’t have Him in your life, then you are missing out on the most amazing situation possible in this life. 

Oh friends, if you don’t know Jesus as the Number One Mover and Shaker in your life then you are missing out big time! Why is that you ask? Simply because we were not made for this earth but for heaven, and you can only get to heaven through Jesus. As He so truthfully proclaimed to His disciples: ‘I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.’ (John 14:6) And you better had believe that, for regardless of your wealth and accomplishments in this world, there will always be an unsatisfied part of you until you receive Jesus as the Lord and Saviour of your life. 

As St. Augustine reputedly said: ‘No human being is really at peace until he has come to God by faith.’ And that’s the indisputable truth my brethren. Until Christ fills up that li’l space in your soul that the Lord, your Creator made especially for His presence, you will never know true peace. And what’s true peace you ask? Well it’s the peace of Jesus obviously. Hear how Jesus states it nuh: ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither be afraid.’ (John 14:27) 

Wow mih people! Yuh see that’s an entirely different kind of peace than what this crazy, evil and disaster filled world gives! And Bruh Paul said it this way to the church at Philippi: ‘Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep (guard) your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 4:6-7) And though it’s not always easy to do, do it we must, if we are to achieve godly success. 

Now here are some important explanations from the scholars on those two verses. ‘4:6. Be careful for nothing means “don’t worry about anything.’ The Lord’s nearness (vs. 5b) leads Paul to forbid his readers from worrying. This is no summons to irresponsibility or an invitation to dismiss legitimate concern. The solution to undue anxiety is prayer in every thing, “in any matter of life.” The way to be free of anxiety is to be prayerful about everything. While God is eager to hear our requests, they are to be accompanied with thanksgiving.’ And so they should be my fellow saints in Christ. 

‘4:7. The peace of God is that tranquility of mind freeing the believer from fear and worry. “Peace” which passeth all understanding means (1) peace divinely bestowed in times of anxiety, so wonderful that it exceeds one’s ability to understand it; and (2) God’s peace far surpassing one’s own understanding of the problem, and His ability to cope with and solve it. Shall keep means “shall guard.” This is a military term for a sentinel standing guard duty. As Philippi was guarded by a Roman garrison, and its citizens were accustomed to seeing soldiers protecting the city, this word would be especially appreciated by the readers.’ 

And it should also be greatly appreciated by us too my people, because in these dark and dreadful times we do need to have a higher power guarding us. So friends, I sincerely hope that I have given us some good food for thought with these few words (smile). Now let’s sit down and ponder the ramifications of them all nuh, and hopefully we’ll all get sensible, see the wisdom in them and wisely and enthusiastically reach out for Jesus and all the wonderful things He brings to a soul that accepts Him as its Lord and Saviour. 

And for those of us who have already decided on that line of action, let’s go home now declaring (yeahhh!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know our wonderful position in Christ Jesus! Wow! What a position! 

So as one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’ 

And we all know that if we endure to the end, that future will be even more glorious than we can ask or even imagine! Much LOVE!

…if it’s true peace you’re seeking…then Jesus Christ is the ONLY place you’ll find it… 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 2 January 2015 Matthew 10:16

02 Jan 2015 Leave a comment

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

Matthew 10:16.  Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless (innocent) as doves.

Well Friends, at last there’s a smattering of that much LOVED and hated white stuff on the ground in my area this Friday morning, the 2nd day of 2015!

It’s been a while since we’ve seen snow around these parts, and though it’s not a lot, it’s enough to glaze the roads in a suit of white. So though it looks so virginal and harmless, it can still be dangerous. That means those who unluckily have to go to work today, will have to be cautious in their driving.

On the other side of the coin, there are those who haven’t worked much in the last two weeks because of the way the holidays have fallen. Consequently, we need to chant our Friday Chant even more than normal, to remind us of what is what in these times of celebration. (smile)

So let’s get the day started with a rousing and sincere chant. ‘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.’

Oh Friends, I do hope that we have been celebrating with a ‘modicum of circumspection,’ and not giving Lucifer any openings to creep into our souls, since it’s when we let our hair down that he usually finds a spot to invade our inner man.

And today I want to share an interesting and rather relevant New Year’s message I got from my friend Anselm yesterday, in his quotes to ‘Inspire us for a better tomorrow.’

It reads as follows: ‘We spend January 1st walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives… not looking for flaws, but for potential.’

Now that’s a new and different approach isn’t it? Instead of looking for negative things, things to fix, let’s look for the positive things that we can build on.

Then Anselm gives us a few  ‘Things to think about for 2015: 1. Talk less; listen more; 2. Remind yourself you are not the General Manager of the Universe; 3. Sit on your ego; 4. Take one day at a time; 5. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you to do and let go of the anxiety. If you can’t do anything about a situation, forget it; 6. Pray.’ 

Oh my people, all of that stuff is so true, we can’t refute any of it! And please note his last bit of advice; ‘Pray.’

Ah my fellow believers, in these troubled and tremulous times, we do need to fill the atmosphere with prayer, for it’s the most important and most powerful force in the universe!

Remember, Jesus told us ‘that men ought always to pray, and not to faint (lose heart).’ (Luke 18:1) For it’s exactly when we’re tempted to give up, to lose heart, that we need to pray most fervently.

Then Bruh Paul told the Ephesians to pray always. (Eph.6:18); the Thessalonians to ‘pray without ceasing.’ (1 Thess.6:17); and to Timothy he said ‘that men ought to pray everywhere.’ (1 Tim.2:8) So my brethren it’s rather obvious that prayer ought to be a very big and important part of a believer’s life!

That brings us to our Bit: ‘Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless (innocent) as doves.’

Yes Friends, Jesus is asking every one of His followers to go out into the evil, ungodly world, without malice and forethought, but with great wisdom and innocence. However, before we can even dream of doing that, we need to be aware of God’s faithful, and unchanging Word, else the world will just chew us up and spit us out like chewing tobacco.

That’s why I want to remind us today that ‘the Bible is God’s Word to us, still fresh through all the ages. And if we read it, we‘ll find God’s wisdom on its pages.’

Oh my people, it is ever so important for believers to read God’s Word, so that we can know what He is saying to us! The Bible is our Guidebook for life here on this earth, so we can’t get good and correct guidance and direction for our lives unless we read and study it.

You can’t be a true believer and not make reading the Good Book a habitual and integral part of your life. Remember too Friends, that we have resolved that in 2015 we will all endeavour to walk closer with Jesus, have a more personal and heart warming relationship with Him, than we’ve had before.

Now that means we have to read and study His Word more, pray more, fellowship more with other believers, and also do more good works in His name. That’s the only way we’ll ever increase our faith, grow and mature in our relationship with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

Please remember too my people that we are basically a longing for God, cause that’s how He made us. There’s an little empty pocket of space in our souls, and until we fill it with Jehovah God, we’ll never be truly happy or peaceful.

Now time and space have run out on us, and I do hope that what’s turned out to be a sort of refresher course in Christianity (smile) will wake us up, and greatly benefit us all during this new year of 2015, as we sincerely endeavour to walk more closely with Christ and make a positive difference in our lost and greatly disturbed world.

So till we meet again tomorrow, God willing, please go safely, in peace, wisdom and LOVE! Much LOVE, my fellow believers in Christ!

…no human being is really at peace…until he has come to God by faith… (St. Augustine)