Today’s Scrip-Bit   6 December 2023 John 8:12.

06 Dec 2023 Leave a comment

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

John 8:12.       I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

And Wednesday, our second-wind day, has opened somewhat cloudy and chilly. Oh, the sun is trying valiantly to have a say in the matter, but I don’t think he’ll prevail today, because the clouds do look rather raunchy and in a bad mood. (smile) But we true believers in Christ can handle a li’l cloudiness every now and then. It’s when the cloudiness gets to be a regular occurrence and we don’t see the sun for days on end, that we get a bit miffed and grouchy, and exhibit the tendency to fall into what we call SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder. That’s a type of depression that happens most often in winter, when we don’t get enough sunshine or light in our bodies and souls. 

This commentary tells us: ‘SAD is more than just “winter blues.” The symptoms can be distressing and overwhelming and can interfere with daily functioning. However, it can be treated. About 5 percent of adults in the U.S. experience SAD and it typically lasts about 40 percent of the year. It is more common among women than men. SAD has been linked to a biochemical imbalance in the brain prompted by shorter daylight hours and less sunlight in winter. As seasons change, people experience a shift in their biological internal clock or circadian rhythm that can cause them to be out of step with their daily schedule. 

SAD is more common in people living far from the equator where there are fewer daylight hours in the winter. SAD can be effectively treated in several ways, including light therapy, antidepressant medications, talk therapy or some combination of these. While symptoms will generally improve on their own with the change of season, symptoms can improve more quickly with treatment.’ 

And that’s the medical lesson for today! (smile) But then we have the spiritual lesson to help conquer the medical infirmity. That’s acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, for as He proclaimed in His fleshly walk on earth: ‘I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.’ (John 8:12) Now that says it all my brethren! If we desire to not walk and live in spiritual or even physical darkness, we desperately need to hook up with Jesus asap, for he is the ONLY One that can keep shedding light into our souls, hearts, spirits and minds! 

And we all know that light is a big deal in the Word of God; the Bible. There are so many references to it that we can never exhaust them, no matter how hard we try! So, let’s check out some of them nuh, to help us ward off things like SAD and the evil works and temptations that the devil tries to send against us. And I believe the best scripture to begin with is this one from the gospel of John, where he talks about Jesus’ background. 

He says: ‘In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness comprehended (apprehended) it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John (John the Baptist). The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that light, but was sent to bear witness of that light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.’ (John 1:4-9)  

Yes friends, Jesus is the LIGHT of the world, and He imbues all who are born into this world with the capacity to embrace His life saving light, although once we get here, the devil muddies our souls and spirits and tries to get us under his spell of darkness. And he does succeed to a great extent. That’s why when Jesus came, John states: ‘He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. he came unto his own (His own things or domain), and his own (His own people) received him not.’ (John 1:10-11) 

Oh my people, Jesus came bearing light for those lost in the darkness, but He was rejected by the world in general, and by His own people, the Jews, in particular. What a sad state of affairs, that still exist even to this day. But we’re here to talk about light, so let’s do that nuh. (smile) And the prophet Isaiah said this of Jesus several centuries before He was born. ‘The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them the light hath shined.’ (Is. 9:2) And we certainly saw the light in the person of Jesus, born unto the virgin Mary at this Christmas season of the year. 

However, as Jesus so sadly puts it to His listeners: ‘And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men LOVED darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth (practices) evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved (exposed, made public). But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.’ (John 3:19-21) 

And therein lies one of the greatest truths my brethren; men LOVE darkness, for their deeds are evil, especially in these terrible times of sin and ungodliness; therefore they refuse to come to the Light, that’s Jesus, because they know that their evil deeds will be exposed and they will have to suffer the resultant consequences. For never forget my people, there are consequences for wrong doing. The Lord will pardon sin, offer forgiveness, but continual sin will bring down serious consequences on us. 

Now, a couple of short scriptures, as we are running out of time and space. Peter says of us: ‘But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people (God’s special people); that ye should shew forth (proclaim) the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.’ (1 Pet. 2:9) Then Bruh Paul said to the Thessalonians: ‘Ye are all the children (sons) of light, and the children (sons) of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others, but let us watch and be sober.’ (1 Thess. 5:5-6) 

Then John informs us in his first epistle: ‘But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.’ (1 John 1:7) Meanwhile Psalm 119 reminds us of these most pertinent facts: ‘Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.’ (Ps. 119:105) And isn’t that the everlasting truth? It certainly is. 

That leads to these discipleship words of Jesus: ‘Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle (lamp), and put it under a bushel (basket), but on a candlestick (lampstand); and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ (Matt. 5:14-16). And I couldn’t think of a better scripture for us to end on today my fellow saints. So let’s remember it, and do our best to put it into action as we go about our daily lives. 

Now lets’ go home declaring (yes!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. Altogether now: ‘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 let’s not forget the added promise that anyone who endures right to the end with Jesus will be greeted, most amazingly astounded, by a future even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine. So, please, let’s all stand with and for Jesus right to the very end, so that we can enjoy that amazing future together! Much LOVE!

…light is stronger than darkness…for even a small amount of light…can easily penetrate a great darkness… 

P.S. Yes, it’s long, but LOVERLY…! (smile) 

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Today’s Scrip-Bit   2 December 2022 Psalm 146:5.

02 Dec 2022 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 146:5.       Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God:

And it’s Friday, so everyone’s joyfully shouting: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday and the work week is over! Glory be!’ You know it always amuses me at our different reactions on Mondays and Fridays; one of anger and frustration and the other of happiness. But the fact is that life goes on as planned, regardless of our reactions. And despite all of our advancements, none of us know what’s going to happen on any particular day of our lives, nor in our oh so messed up and confused world. So why not enjoy every day that we are alive, regardless of what day it is eh, and whether we have to go to work or not? 

The truth is that ONLY the Lord God Almighty knows what’s going to happen, and He’s not telling, because He desires us to put our sincere trust, faith, and hope in Him, to rely completely on His mercy, grace and LOVING-kindness. And that makes very good sense since He is the Creator and Controller of the earth and all therein. Why look to anyone or anything else for safety, comfort, prosperity and health when we have the ONE who created and controls it all to look to eh? 

And Psalm 146 puts it so nicely and wisely. ‘Put not your trust in princes, nor in the (a) son of man (human being), in whom there is no help (salvation). His breath goeth forth (spirit departs), he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God: Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever.’ (Ps. 146:3-6) And that’s so easy to do, through the medium of prayer. As they say, Jesus is only a prayer away; that means a couple of breaths and words away. 

But no, because we have free will, we figure we are entitled to do what we want, when we want, and with whom we want. But that’s a great fallacy my brethren. The Lord didn’t give us free will to run amok and do the devil’s evil bidding, but to choose to come to Him in LOVE and true fellowship. No wonder there are consequences for all of our behaviour, both good and bad. And believe me, some of those consequences are very far reaching, even to the destiny we face at the end of this earthly life. Please remember Bruh Paul’s very serious warning to the Roman church. ‘For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through (in) Jesus Christ.’ (Rom. 8:23) 

Now that’s possibly the most significant warning in all the Bible, because it gets right down to brass tacks, doesn’t mince words about our eternal fate. Now, whether or not you believe Bruh Paul’s warning is entirely up to you, but be assured that it is the truth, and a life of sin will be paid for by death, both physical and spiritual. And since we were all born in sin, because of our forefather Adam’s sinfulness, we are automatically labelled for death: ‘For all have sinned, and come (fallen) short of the glory of God.’ (Rom. 3:23) 

And for that we will pay a hefty price unless we repent, turn from our evil ways and receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, whom the Father sent to die on the cross at Calvary, so His sinless blood could be shed and pay for our sins. Yes friends, our sin debt has been paid in full by Jesus Christ. As Bruh Paul writes in his second letter to the church at Corinth: ‘For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.’ (2 Cor. 5:20) 

Oh my fellow saints, how great and wonderful is our Father God! How deep and marvellous is His LOVE for us, that He sent His only begotten Son to die for a bunch of ungrateful sinners like us! You must admit that He had to think very highly of us to do such an amazing and selfless deed. Jesus said it thus: ‘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. For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.’ (John 3:16-17) 

That says it all right there friends! Jesus came so that we could be saved, because the Father LOVED us so much, He didn’t want to see His most precious creation languish in hell, in pain and suffering for eternity. So He gave us another option; one of redemption and reconciliation, through belief on the shed blood of His Son Jesus Christ. But the choice is all up to us. That’s the crux of the matter. And my heartfelt advice is that we do like Moses told the Israelites: ‘I call heaven and earth to record (witness) this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.’ (Deut, 31:19) 

Oh friends it couldn’t be any clearer than that! And for those of us who have chosen life, let’s go to God in prayer, through our Friday Chant, asking for His divine guidance and continued grace and mercy. Altogether now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. You know it’s been rough… what with all the anxiety, the confusion and havoc that the several viruses and our many other problems are causing. We can’t seem to fix it on our own Lord, that means we desperately need your help. 

Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat both the viruses and the simmering unrest in our land. So Lord, we sincerely ask you today to give the governments and those involved in the forefront of this serious and unexpected storm, the wise guidance to handle the situation properly, with the least amount of loss to life and property as possible. And please help those of us who must go out to work amidst all the confusion, to be responsible and to stay safe, and avoid any more serious setbacks. 

And Lord, we fervently pray that You’ll use this situation to bring a lot of backsliders back to your fold, show them the error of their ways. And please introduce a whole new flock, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion by the example, we, your faithful believers set. Yes Lord, please use this pandemic, the discontent and dissatisfaction in our land that’s threatening to boil over, as a means of restoring faith in You, so that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, wake up and smell it sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’ 

Now, if we truly want a positive answer to our prayer, then we’d better wake up and smell that coffee and turn from our evil ways. Much LOVE!

…sin brings punishment…godliness brings rewards… 

Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ