17 May 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a mere mortal, a strangle hold, abound to your account, according to his riches, actions, Amen, an acceptable sacrifice, aroma, be glory for ever and ever, behaviour, belief in Jesus, bring us together, Bruh Paul, busy lives, celebrate, Christians, church leaders, cliques, confident certainty, courage, deeds, denominations, desire fruit, differences, different functions, dignity, divide, divine destiny, divisions, dominon, ecstatic joy, evil minions, factions, faith, faithfully worship God, food for thought, fragrant scent, fulfill Jesus' mandate, generosity, giving thanks, glorifying God, God's sanctuary, God's word and will, grateful, Herculean task, holding my breath, hope, I do know, in cahoots with the world, inscribed me. in the palms of your hands, insular, investment, Jesus' church is one body, joy, Jude, keep keeping on, keep us apart, kindness, LOVE, lustful things, majesty, mercy, motives, Now unto God our Father, odour, our Saviour, petty, Philippians, pleasant fragrance, power, purpose, reaping, Ruth Harms Calkin, sad commentary, satisfaction, Scrip-Bit family, selfish, sheer delight, similaritites, sing and shout, soar, sob, sowing, spreading the gospel all over the world, strength, Sunlit morning, thankful, the church at Philippi, the God of the universe, the life of the Son, the Lord loves a generous giver, the love of the Father, the One Day Book of Bible Promises, the power of the Holy spirit, the prince of darkness, the things of the world, the work and treasures of heaven, thoughts, trust, ungodly world, united, uniting Christ's church, unlimited resources, uplifting, well pleasing to God, what a wonderful God we serve and worship, wise God, words, work together
Philippians 4:20. Now unto God our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
A warm and welcome, gracious and LOVING Sunday morning to you my Scrip-Bit Family! (smile) I do hope that you are in the process, or will soon be in the process of getting ready to go to God’s sanctuary to celebrate and faithfully worship Him with other believers, as He desires of His followers.
For as I say every week, Jesus’ church is ONE body, made up of many believers, and in fellowship together we find strength, courage, hope and faith to keep keeping on in this ungodly world. And being ONE body, it means that all the parts, though graced with different functions, NEED to work TOGETHER if we’re to fulfill Jesus’ mandate of spreading the gospel to all and sundry, throughout the entire world. (Matt. 28:19-20)
Unfortunately though, there are too many divisions, cliques, religions, factions, denominations and what have you that divide us. That’s why the prince of darkness and his evil minions have such a strangle hold on the world.
Ah Friends, what a serious splash Christians would make in this world if we were truly joined together, united as ONE! Now I’m sincerely hoping for that, but I’m not holding my breath, because it doesn’t seem like it’s going to happen any time soon.
Why? Because we tend to let our differences – many of which are petty, insular and selfish – keep us apart, rather than let our similarities – like our basic faith, trust and belief in Jesus – bring us together. What a sad commentary on our actions and behavior as Christians, my brethren!
But I guess it doesn’t bother our church leaders sufficiently for them to seriously work at uniting Christ’s church. And even if they truly tried coming together, it would be still a Herculean task, because too many of Christ’s supposed flock are in cahoots with the world and the lustful things thereof. Anyway Friends, let that provide ample food for thought today as we go about our too busy lives.
Now here is something much more uplifting, that I couldn’t resist sharing from the One Day Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. It’s titled ‘The Beautiful Sunlit Morning.’
And these are the wonderful sentiments it declares. ‘Dear God On this beautiful sunlit Morning in May You’ve drenched me With ecstatic joy. I want to sing and shout I want to soar with sheer delight. At the same time I want to sob – So utterly overwhelmed I am With the magnitude of You. O God, I know I do know With serene satisfaction And confident certainty That I belong to the God of the universe – To the Creator of all that exists.
I do know That I, a mere mortal Am forever linked to divine destiny – That my life has purpose and dignity. I do know That You have chosen me As the object of Your lavish LOVE That Your thoughts toward me Are thoughts of kindness and mercy That You have inscribed me In the palms of Your hands.
I do know That all the LOVE of the Father And the Life of the Son And the Power of the Holy Spirit Are freely, inseparably mine – Now and through all eternity. O God On this beautiful sunlit Morning in May I do know.’
Oh what a beautiful declaration of faith that is my people! But how many of us, if we declare it, will then have God sadly shake His head when He looks at motives of our hearts eh? Too many, my people, too many. And that is why Christianity isn’t as strong as it used to be; too many people are not truly motivated by the Word of God, we allow the things of the world to have more sway over us than God’s Word and Will.
We’ll leave that alone for today though. (smile) Let’s concentrate on the promise that the beautiful poem was based on, and is our Bit for today. ‘Now unto God our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.’
Now that’s what we’re supposed to be about my brethren; giving thanks to and glorifying our heavenly Father with our words, deeds and actions!
The church at Philippi did that concerning Bruh Paul, because that was the only one that consistently sent him gifts, although he never asked them to. And though he was grateful and thankful for their interest in his well-being, as he told them: ‘Not because I desire (seek) a gift: but I desire (seek) fruit that may abound to your account.’ (Phil.4:17)
He didn’t want them to think that he was just after their money, but rather that their gift was, as the scholars explain: ‘a sure investment in the work and treasures of heaven, each one yielding rich dividends.’
Yes Friends, likewise, when we make sincere investments in the lives of others, those investments will bring forth good fruit on earth, and rich rewards for us in heaven. That’s the basic law of God, re sowing and reaping.
And Bruh Paul continues: ‘But I have all (have received all), and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell (a pleasant aroma), a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Jesus Christ.’ (Phil. 4:18-19)
And the scholars explain those two verses thus. ‘4:18. I have all means that Paul has received their gifts. And abound signifies that he has plenty, since all needs are now met through their generosity. God looks on their gift to Paul as an odour of a sweet smell (a fragrant scent) and a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing.’
‘4:19. Because the Lord is aware of the sacrifice (v.18) the Philippians made in meeting Paul’s need, God will surely supply all their need. God will meet their “need” (1) according to his riches, that is in proportion to His unlimited resources; (2) in glory, that is He will meet their need “gloriously” or “in a splendid manner”, and (3) by Christ Jesus.’
Ah Friends, what a wonderful God we serve and worship! And we’ll end with a benediction that resembles our Bit, but from Jude, Jesus’ half-brother.
‘Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling (stumbling), and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.’ (Jude 24-25)
Much LOVE, my brethren!
…if one wants to receive bountifully…then one must learn to give generously… for the Lord LOVES a generous giver…
15 Apr 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a blessed day, admonishment, all-knowing, all-powerful, alleviate, as sheep having no shepherd, because they fainted, bounden duty, Christ has no hands feet or tongues but ours, Christ's work, compassion, courage, diligent, diligent workers, dissatisfaction, eat corn dogs, eternal life, eternally separated from God, ever-present, forgiveness, friends, glory hallelujah, God is good, good news, good to the last drop, Gramps Schuller, great abundance, halfway home, harvesters, He was moved with compassion, heart-broken, heathens, His church, His earthly body, Jesus, Jesus is depending on us, Jesus' sacrificial death, joyful, keep on ploughing straight ahead, King of the universe, life isn't fair, LOVE, loving kindness, Mama Mia, mercies, missionaries, monetary contributions, no turning back, onerous, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, pain, persevering, prayer, reapers, reconciliation, resurrection, ride the Ferris wheel, ripe to hear the Word, saviour jesus christ, scattered abroad, sorrow, soul-satisfying, spiritual harvest, spring like day, strong foundation, sunshine everlasting, the Creator and Controller of the universe, the Great Commission, the harvest truly is plenteous, the judgement day, the labourers are few, the Love Revolution, the lustful things of the world, the middle of the workweek, the unsaved, the wonderful sunshine of Jesus, they were weary, truth, unconditional LOVE, Wednesday, wisdom
Matthew 9:36. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted (were weary), and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
Ah Friends, it’s Wednesday, the middle of the workweek, we’re halfway home, so no turning or looking back now, just keep on ploughing straight ahead! And it’s also supposed to be a beautiful, spring like day, with temps in the mid teens and sunshine everlasting. Wow!
And for us believers it’s going to be an even brighter day, because along with the physical sunshine we’ll also have the wonderful sunshine of Jesus shining forth from our lives. Glory Hallelujah!
That means it’s going to be a real blessed day my people, for when you add all of God’s mercies, forgiveness and LOVING-kindness that He’s prepared especially to shower down on us today… MamaMia! I don’t know if we can handle it nuh. (smile)
And today we’re going to get going with an interesting, humorous but also true quote of a couple days ago from my friend Anselm. And it says: ‘Life isn’t fair. A fair’s a place where you eat corn dogs and ride the Ferris wheel.’
Now that’s absolutely true my brethren. But the wonderful thing about it all, is that our GOD IS GOOD… GOOD TO THE VERY LAST DROP! And there’s no denying it. So the world not being fair doesn’t cause us much anxiety, since our Good God is the Creator and the Controller of the universe.
We are the children of the all-powerful, ever-present, all-knowing King of the universe. And all God’s people said a most grateful, ‘Praise the Lord!’
And yuh know what too Friends, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ needs us to do His earthly work, to spread the good news message of His sacrificial death and wonderful resurrection that now allows reconciliation with the Father and eternal life for all who believe on Him. Wow! What an awesome job my people.
But as Gramps Schuller (Robert H. Schuller) says in His Hour of Power Devotional: ‘Christ has no hands but our hands to do His work today. He has no feet but our feet to lead us on the way. He has no tongues but our tongues to tell us how He died. He has no help but our help to bring us to His side.’
Oh Friends, that’s absolute truth! So you see how important we are to Christ’s work here on earth? It all depends on us. And after He’s done so much for us, how can we justify not being diligent and persevering in our work efforts on His behalf eh? We simply can’t!
And I’ve shared that message before, but it’s ever so important that I thought it worth sharing again, since we’re not doing Christ’s work as diligently, enthusiastically and truthfully as we should.
Ah mih people, Jesus is depending on us, His earthly body, His church with strong foundation, built on the rock of His powerful Word, to stir up the LOVE Revolution that will unite the entire world in His everlasting, unfathomable and unconditional LOVE! That’s why he gave the Great Commission (Matt.28:19-20) to the disciples, and consequently to us.
That brings us to our rather appropriate Bit: ‘But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted (were weary), and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.’
Yes Friends, our Lord and Saviour was heart broken when He saw so many people going astray; like lost sheep, with no shepherd to guide them. ‘Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.’ (Matt.9:37-38)
Oh Friends, that’s another admonishment for us to go out and reap a plentiful harvest, because the unsaved are still out their in great abundance, possibly more so today than in Jesus’ time. That means He’s still heartbroken to day, and only we, His true and faithful followers can alleviate His pain and sorrow.
And as the scholars tell us: ‘Verses 37 and 38 constitute one of the great missionary passages of the New Testament. Jesus pictures the world as a great spiritual harvest in need of labourers to gather it into the storehouse.’
Yes my brethren, there are many heathens to be harvested, and there’s lots of space in the storehouses of heaven, but sadly, there are not enough reapers, harvesters and diligent workers to do the job satisfactorily. And if you read between the lines, that’s a slight on us, a mark of dissatisfaction with way we’re doing, or rather not doing, our bounden duty here on earth.
Oh Friends, I know that we can’t all be missionaries to the far-flung parts of the globe, but we can help send some there through monetary contributions and sincere prayers. But we can also do the same job, the job we are called to do, right in our own homes and neighbourhoods, where there are oodles of people who still have never heard of Jesus, and thus have never had the opportunity to accept Him as their Lord and Saviour.
Remember Friends, we will all have to stand before Christ, come the judgement day. And when He asks why we didn’t talk to this one, or that one, right in our area, who was ripe to hear the Word, and unfortunately has since been eternally separated from God, what are we going to answer eh? The truth hopefully; that we were too busy with the lustful things of the world? Steups!
That’s certainly not going to cut it my people. So please, let’s get serious nuh, right in our own areas, let’s be diligent and persevering about reaping the plentiful harvest that’s out there to put in Jesus’ storehouse, so that none will be lost, and thus suffer the worst fate a human being can – that of eternal separation from Almighty God!
Remember too Friends, that Jesus has nobody else but us to do it. So let’s show some wisdom and courage, and just do it nuh. Much LOVE!
…after all Jesus has selflessly done for us…His earthly work should not be perceived as being onerous…but rather…joyful and soul satisfying…
15 Feb 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: according to the blessing of the Lord thy God, almighty god, Amazing grace, blessings, blind, Bruh David, can't be measured, confidence, consecrate his service to the Lord, courage, every man shall give as he is able, evil world, favour, for donkey's years, found, friends, generosity, givng traits, God in favour, God LOVES a cheerful giver, God's Law, good measure, greed, hit the nail on the head, immeasurable, Israel, Jehiel, joy, light of jesus, lost, loving kindness, material wealth, measured back to you, my new sight in Jesus, naked we came, naked we will go back, now I see, obedience, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, peace of mind, ponder, praise, pressed down, princes, principle, prosperous, running over, safe and narrow path, selfishness, share, share with others, St. Francis, strength, Sunday, testify, Thank you Father, thanksgiving, the house of God, the Lord thy God, the Lord's Day, to give is better than to receive, unmeasurable, what you sow you shall reap, worship, you can't plant peas and expect to reap corn
Deuteronomy 16:17. Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee.
Well Friends, it’s the Lord’s Day! The week has ended, and the cycle begins again today as it has for so many generations, or as the old people would say, for donkey’s years. (smile) And no doubt the cycle will continue for many more generations until the Lord is ready to call us to judgment.
But in the meantime, we are supposed to appreciate and respect it, and give oblation to out great and wonderful God every Sunday, by gathering in His sanctuary, or wherever possible, and honouring Him with praise, worship and thanksgiving.
I went to my little church, St. Francis down the street and we sang and worshipped and praised God and gave Him an awesome amount of thanks for His goodness and LOVING-kindness to us. A new member of the fold, a little girl was also baptized this morning and I trust that she will grow up to do Jesus’ will as we promised on her behalf today.
I do hope that all of us who are able, will go, are going, or have already gone to church and offered up our thanks and praise to Almighty God, and will in return receive strength, courage and confidence to face this evil world, bathed in the brilliant and beautiful light of Jesus!
Ah Friends, when we discover that light of Jesus, when our eyes are truly opened to the wonder of His glory… ohhh… such a joy fills our hearts and our lives are so improved that we wonder how come we hadn’t made that discovery or decision before.
As one of the prayers I found at the back of my Mother’s Bible so aptly details. ‘Amazing grace – how sweet the sound – that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind, but now I see. Thank You Father for my new sight in Jesus. Amen.’
Yes my people, when we truly discover Jesus, our eyes gain a new sight, like our 20-20 vision is restored, and we can see everything in greater detail.
And today we’ll go back to our old Bit that deals with giving. One of the basic laws of God’s kingdom. ‘Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee.’
Oh Friends, that is ever so true, and unfortunately there is really no word or words to truly impress that principle as mightily on our hearts as we need to have it imprinted. And it’s just another offshoot of God’s basic law of what you sow, you will reap.
As the old people would say, you can’t plant peas and expect to reap corn. The same way Friends, you can’t not give, not be generous and expect to receive, or have generosity and favour continually fall on you.
How did Jesus say it? ‘Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give unto your bosom (the fold in a garment used as a pocket). For with the same measure that ye mete (use) withal it shall be measured back to you again,’ (Luke 6:38)
Oh lordy, lordy Miss Clordy! (smile) Friends Jesus hit the nail on the head right there. Whatever measure you use to give, it will be used in giving back to you. So if you use a small cup to give, then whoever is giving back to you will also measure their giving with a small cup. But if you use a big bucket, then a big bucket will used to give back to you!
And yuh see how Jesus specifically enumerated that it will be pressed down, shaken together and running over! Mama Mia! My people how can we not understand that principle when it’s spelled out so loud and clear eh? Is the greed and selfishness of the world so engrained in our hearts, minds and souls that we can’t bring ourselves to follow God’s law, be obedient to His will.
I surely hope not, for remember, though we pile up lots of earthly possessions, we can’t take ANY of it with us, for naked we came and naked we will go back to where we came from. And besides it all belongs to God, and He’s blessed us with whatever we have so that we can share with others, be a blessing to the less fortunate.
And remember too that we can’t give grudgingly, or because we are compelled to give, because God LOVES a cheerful giver. Ah mih people, I can personally testify to the authenticity of that principle; give and it will be given back to you, because I’ve seen it happen so often in my life.
And if you want to be prosperous, not only in material wealth but also in peace of mind and soul, then I implore you to start thinking along those lines, for your situation will never improve until you stop thinking simply and solely about what you have, and begin considering what you have that you can share with others.
Now here is some scripture that admirably upholds the principle. This comes from way back when, when Bruh David wanted to raise funds to build God’s temple. After stating the purpose of his fundraising and what he personally had given (1 Chr.29:1-5a) he continues: ‘And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord?
Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers of the king’s work, offered willingly, and gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and one hundred talents of iron.
And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of the Lord, by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite. Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect (loyal) heart they offered willingly to the Lord: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.’ (1 Chr.29:5b-9)
Oh Friends, I won’t even add anything to that, just leave it fresh in our brains so that we can ponder our own giving traits and see if they fall into line with God’s.
Till tomorrow then, God in favour, please walk the safe and narrow path that leads to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, for that is eternal wisdom. Much LOVE!
…to give is better than to receive…because the joy we get from giving is unmeasurable…immeasurable…and any other words that mean can’t be measured… (smile
09 Feb 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: adrenalin level, almighty god, anxieties, aura of love, be ye kind to one another, bitterness, boost our spirits, bounden duty, Bruh Paul, Calvary's cross, confidence, contentment, courage, enemy's wicked taunts, enthusiasm, even as Christ forgave you, evil, faith, fears, first day of work, followers of Jesus, food on our tables, forbearing one another, forgiveness, forgiving one another, forgiving ourselves, friends, glorious kingdom, grace of God, gratitude, guilt, harsh knocks of life, humble servants, invincible, Jesus Christ, keeping a roof over our heads, law of nature, LOVE, loving kindness, meet the enemy in battle, mercy, Monday Morniing Battle Hymn, Monday Morning, negative response, practical experiences in life, rejuvenation of spirit, responsibility, righteousness., saving grace, seeds sown on stony ground, spiritual armour, steadfast faith, strength, sure conquerors, tenderhearted, truth, unforgiveness, weary souls, wisdom, wrath
Colossians 3:13. Forbearing (bearing with) one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Well Friends, it’s the second day of the week, but the first day of work. And I know that many of us are not happy about having to get up and go to work on this beautiful Monday morning.
But as I keep reminding us, we have no choice, if we want to make a living and keep a roof over our heads and food on our tables, so the sooner we stop giving ourselves heartaches over it, and become contented and peaceful, the sooner we’ll understand and appreciate the joys of working.
And I know some of you are querying the term ‘joys of working,’ assuming that there can be no joy in work. But I’m here to tell you differently Friends. Many of us don’t enjoy our jobs because we come to them with the wrong mind set; a negative rather than a positive one. Granted, many of them don’t ingratiate themselves to us, are not really likeable in the natural.
But as Bruh Paul told the Philippians: ‘Not that I speak in respect of want (regard of need): for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.’ (Phil.4:11)
Yes my people, the ability to be content in whatever situation we might find ourselves is one of the great tools of living. However, as the scholars tell us: ‘The Greek here suggests contentment is a lesson learned neither in a classroom nor overnight, but through practical experiences in life.’
And that’s a fact my brethren! Contentment is learned through experiencing the harsh knocks of life, and we have to consciously accept it, if we’re to be rid of most of our fears and anxieties, especially if we are followers of Jesus.
Anyway, let’s get to our Monday Morning Hymn that boosts our spirits, raises our adrenalin level and gives us the wherewithal to go out and fight the enemy, and thus bring souls to Jesus for saving.
So as one big, bold and harmonic choir, let’s sing: ‘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!’
That was a good rendition my people, but not good enough to move heaven, (smile) but our motors are running and that will enable us to face the day with faith, strength, courage and forgiveness.
Yes Friends, forgiveness must be a major part of our day, as so many things and people are out there to annoy us and bring negative emotions to our spirits, but we have to rise up over them by forgiving where forgiveness is called for. Because remember, forgiveness is for our health; physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Unforgiveness usually does nothing to the unforgiven, but it ALWAYS affects the ‘unforgiver’ negatively. So basic wisdom calls us to forgive as quickly and completely as possible. As our Bit so wisely and rightly tells us: ‘Forbearing (bearing with) one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.’
And the aspect of forgiving that I want to talk about today is extremely important, but one to which we don’t pay much, or definitely enough attention to; that’s forgiving ourselves.
Yes Friends, too many of us hold on to guilt and unforgiveness against ourselves. We tend to forgive others much quicker and more completely than we do ourselves. But that’s also wrong my brethren. Forgiveness is for everybody, including ourselves.
A good example of our negative response to ourselves, is in cases where we do things that we regret, and we even ask God for forgiveness, which He ALWAYS grants, but we still walk around with guilt and unforgiveness. Friends, it’s a basic law of nature that when we are given something, we have to receive and accept it, otherwise we won’t have it.
And the forgiveness, mercy, LOVING-kindness and saving grace of God are amongst those wonderful things that we need to receive with joy and gratitude. For if we don’t, we are doing ourselves great injustice, in fact negating the death of Jesus, making it of no account, for those are the things which He sacrificed Himself on Calvary’s cross to give us.
So if we don’t accept what Jesus died to give us, then we’re not His true followers, just seeds sown on stony ground with no real roots planted in the church and body of Jesus. The same goes for when other’s beside God forgives us. We have to learn to accept it with kindness and mercy and gratitude, else we’re still not doing ourselves any good.
And we’ll end with these wonderful and wise words on the subject; words of Bruh Paul to the Ephesians. ‘Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven (in Christ forgave) you.’ (Eph.4:31-32)
Words of everlasting wisdom my brethren! So let’s go out and put it all in to practice today nuh my people, obviously with the help of Jesus, because that’s our earthly responsibility, our bounden duty. Much LOVE!
…we must learn not only to forgive…but also to receive and accept forgiveness…for it is the grace of God…
22 Jan 2015
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a fight to the death, a fresh cold, a high priest, after the order of Melchizedek, an intense longing for god, ascended into heaven, atone for our sins, breakthrough, Bruh David, Bruh Paul, cast not away your confidence, courage, cure a simple cold, disregard the darkness, don't give up, done the will of god, endurance, eternal life, eternal separation from God, faith, feel miserable, feeling, fight against them that fight against me, fighting tooth and nail, future, God's plans for us are all for good, God's promises, God's promises stand firm, God's ways are higher than ours, going down to the wire, gospel truth, hang in there, hope, hope thou in God, I am thy salvation, I shall yet praise him, jehovah god, Jesus is the answer, joy, keep hoping in God, lie down and rest, lost, malaise in my spirit, Mars, negative circumstances, obedience, omnipotence, One Year Book of Bible promises, patience, perseverance, Plead my cause, put a man on the moon, receive the promise, recompense of reward, rely on God's immutable Word, reward, run its course, salvation, Salvation belongeth unto the Lord, salvation comes from God, Selah, selfless acts, shed blood, sinful souls, stand in faith, stand up for mine help, stop those who pursue me, Thank you Jesus, the author of eternal salvation, the darkest hour is the one before the dawn, the help of his countenance, the right medication, the sons of Korah, them's the breaks, thursday morning, thy blessing is upon thy people, times of questioning, trial, trust, trust God, ungodly world, unsaved, Venus, Why art thou cast down o my soul, why art thou disquieted within me
Psalm 3:8. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.
Aye mih people, is Thursday morning, another chilly one, and the ole fella fighting this cold tooth and nail! (smile) We going down to the wire with it, we not giving up! It’s a fight to the death!
Oh I know that it has to run its course, but while it’s doing its thing, I’m also doing my own, trying not to let it make me feel too terrible, because you know that nothing in this world makes you feel as miserable as a simple fresh cold.
Ah Lord eh! We can put man on the moon and voyage out to Venus and Mars, but we can’t cure a simple cold! Steups! But I guess them’s the breaks! And believe me, it was difficult to get up this morning, although I wasn’t sleeping. But a certain malaise in my spirit just said lie down and rest. (smile)
And I did for a short while. But knowing that the Bit had to go out, I eventually forced myself out of the bed. And I believe I have the right medication for whatever is ailing us this morning, in the words of The One Year Book of Promises, with writings from Ruth Harms Calkin.
This passage is titled ‘God’s Promises,’ and it says: ‘With increasing joy I am discovering that God’s promises do not suddenly disappear when our courage fails and our fears become overwhelming. Feeling or no feeling, when God gives a promise that speaks directly to our need, it stands firm regardless of negative circumstances.
There may be times of questioning, and we may not understand God’s timing, but His promise remains certain during our deepest trial. If we consistently rely on His immutable Word, we can disregard the darkness.
Oswald Chambers says, “Are you in the dark right now regarding your circumstances? Then listen, and God will give you a very precious message for someone else when you are in the light.” God waits for us to trust Him when trusting seems the most difficult thing to do.’
Ah Friends, the cruel, evil and ungodly world that we’re currently living in, is certainly making it hard for us to trust God and rely on His promises. But if we want to succeed, we have to truly stand in faith on His word, even though we may seem completely surrounded by darkness.
And as the Bible promise for that passage so truthfully declares: ‘Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience (endurance, perseverance), that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.’ (Heb.10:35-36)
Yes mih breddren, the one thing we CAN’T DO, is GIVE UP! And it’s when life seems the darkest that we need to hold on to God’s promises the strongest. For as the saying goes; the darkest hour is the one just before the dawn. And that’s no lie! We experience the roughest times just before we experience our breakthrough.
So please, let’s hang in there with Jehovah God, for He knows what He’s doing. His thoughts and ways are so much higher than ours that we don’t, and can’t always understand what He’s about. In His omnipotence He created us, and still controls the universe, and sincerely promised that all His plans for us were all for good, for peace, with hope for a bright future. (Jer.29:11)
And as our Bit so wisely and rightly declares: ‘Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.’ And of that my people, there is absolutely no doubt! That’s why so many people of great faith in the Bible declared it.
Now let’s look at a few more of those scripture passages that declare salvation comes from God, as we’ve been doing for the last few days. And we’ll begin with words of Bruh David, who called out to God so often and so seriously in his writings. Listen to how he begins Psalm 35 – A prayer for rescue from enemies.
‘Plead my cause (contend for me), O Lord, with them that strive (contend) with me: fight against them that fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler (a small shield), and stand up for mine help.
Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me (stop those who pursue me): say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.’ (Ps.35:1-3)
And we all know the turbulent and tumultuous life that Bruh David lived, but he never forgot or gave up on the God of his fathers, who faithfully saved him from his enemies whenever he cried out for help.
Now hear the author of Hebrews, whom I can’t help but think is Bruh Paul, with all the similarities of speech and mannerisms.
‘Though he (Jesus) were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him. Called of God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.’ (Heb.5:8-10)
And isn’t that the gospel truth Friends! Jesus died, rose from the grave and ascended into heaven so that we could have eternal salvation! Without those wonderful, selfless acts of His, there would be no general salvation. Many of us would stay lost and unsaved.
So let’s give Him a big shout of praise and thanks for saving our sinful souls from eternal separation from Almighty God, the worst fate that can befall a human being.
And all God’s people declared a loud and heartfelt: ‘Thank You Jesus! Thank You ever so much for sacrificing Your holy, sinless life on the cross, so that Your shed blood, precious as it was, could pay for, atone for our abominable sins. We praise You, bless and glorify Your holy name! Amen.’
And now Friends, we’ll end with this well known verse from Psalm 42 – An intense longing for God – a contemplation from the sons of Korah.
And it simply says: ‘Why art thou cast (bowed) down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him for the help of his countenance (presence).’ (Ps.42:5)
Yes my people, I implore us to keep hoping in God, though our souls might not feel like doing it, for regardless of what anyone else says, only from Him is true salvation and eternal life possible. Much LOVE!
…to EVERY problem in our lives…Jesus IS the answer…
19 Nov 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a believer's life, adversity, almighty god, as the waves of the sea, be of good cheer, bear our earthly burdens, believers, benediction, bone-chilling cold, calamity, calmness of spirit, Canada, changes, climate changes, continuity, courage, Courage to change the things I can, difficult times, disobedience, dissension, earthly paths, Everett M Dirkson, god is still in control, God's goodness, grains of sand, heavenly Father, Holy Redeemer, Isaiah, Israel, keep an open mind, kind, Life is not static, living truth, long-suffering, LOVE, November wind, O if thou had heeded my commandments, obedience, pateint, peace, peace like a river flows, prayer, punishment, righteousness., rope to hang ourselves, sameness, serenity, Serenity Prayer, Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, shiver and shake, stand strong and steadfast, storms of life, testing, that's life, the Holy One of Israel, the promises of Jesus, thy peace had been as a river, tribulation, troubled valleys, unfaithfulness, upheavals, verdant mountain tops, waywardness, winter time, wisdom, wisdom to know the difference, ye might have peace
Isaiah 48:18. O that thou hadst hearkened to (heeded) my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.
Well a good Wednesday morning Friends and Neighbours! How’s it going eh? Well in my neck of the woods it’s a bit on the rough side with the bone chilling cold still in effect out there. Oh Friends, it’s been a long time since I remember experiencing such a bitterly cold and strong November wind as we had yesterday.
Hn! It was just a howling all day long! The only good thing is that there was no precipitation, but lots of sunlight. Somehow that just doesn’t seem right though; such bright sunlight with such cold weather, and we’re still officially a month away from winter (Dec.21).
But this is Canada and come the wintertime, anything is possible, especially with the unpredictable climate changes and weather patterns that are now in vogue.
Anyway, we believers are required to stand strong and steadfast in whatever weather and personal situations we may encounter, by holding on to the promises of Jesus and allowing Him to lead and guide us through the troubled valleys back to the verdant mountain tops.
That brings us to this quote from Everett M. Dirkson (1896-1969) a Republican American Politician, who reminds us that ‘Life is not static.’
And that’s the living truth my people. For if there’s one thing we can be sure of is constant change in our lives. We might not like it, or them, but be assured our lives will be full of changes.
Sometimes they might be small and slow, and thus barely noticeable; those we can easily handle. But when the big ones come, we shiver and shake and don’t handle those as well, because we all like some kind of continuity and sameness in our lives. We don’t do upheavals, especially the sudden, unexpected ones, very well.
But my brethren we have to realize that that’s all life, what it’s all about, and try and keep an open mind and do our best, believing that our wonderful and omnipotent God is still in control and will see us through those difficult times, as He’s promised.
We often need to invoke the Serenity Prayer too. ‘Oh God, please grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference!’
Yes Friends, it’s Almighty God who gives us the wherewithal to bear our earthly burdens. That’s why prayer, constant prayer to boot, is ever so important in a believer’s life. It’s through that continual communication with our heavenly Father that our earthly paths are made smooth and calm.
And what’s so wonderful about our God is that though He’s testing us with adversity, He still gives us the peace and calmness of spirit during those times. So that though the storms of life are raging all around us, within our souls, His peace and calm reigns.
And it is indeed sad to see that words used to rebuke Israel’s unfaithfulness so long ago, are ever so appropriate to us in these modern times; times of evil, idol worship and exceeding unfaithfulness.
Listen to Isaiah declare God’s words, including our Bit. ‘Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.
O that thou hadst hearkened to (heeded) my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:
Thy seed also had been as the sand, and the offspring of thy bowels (body, loins) like the gravel (grains of sand) thereof; his name should not have been cut off nor destroyed from before me.’ (Is. 48:17-19)
Oh my brethren, please look around and see, God’s punishment is being meted out to us for our unfaithfulness. You don’t have to be a brain surgeon to figure out why there’s so much calamity and dissension in our technologically advanced world right now.
It’s true that our God is patient, kind and long suffering, but even His patience runs out in the face of continual disobedience and mockery of His way and words. He’s given us lots of rope to hang ourselves, and now He’s simply pulling the noose tight.
And what amazes me is that we have all these wonderful Bible passages that promote peace through association with and obedience to God, which we totally ignore. Let’s hear some of them nuh.
And we can begin with the part of the priestly benediction that deals with peace, with which God told Moses to have Aaron and his sons bless the Israelites. ‘’The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee (look on you with favour), and give thee peace.’ (Num.6:26)
And in psalm 81 – God’s goodness to and Israel’s waywardness – the psalmist Asaph laments: ‘Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways! I should have soon subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries.’ Ps. 81:13-14)
Then in that longest of Psalms, 119, the psalmist truthfully declares: ‘Great peace have they which LOVE thy law: and nothing shall offend them (cause them to stumble).’ (Ps.119:165)
Jesus also held forth on the subject of peace, as He told the disciples when the time of His passion was nigh. ‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33)
What greater promise than that can we expect eh Friends! None really. However, time and space are against us, so we’ll end here for today. Tomorrow we’ll continue in this same vein.
So until then, the Lord willing, let’s hang on tightly to those promises and go out into the crazy and wicked world that surrounds us, with the everlasting peace of Jesus. That’s wisdom for the ages! Much LOVE!
…when my soul exalts in Jesus Christ…my Lord and Saviour…then peace like a river flows…
13 Nov 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a feast of fat things, a feast of wines, Amen, attitude, be of good courage, be strong and of a good courage, bound in chains, bravado, Bruh Paul, conquer this evil world, courage, daily walk, divinely provided, do not worry about tomorrow, doomsayers, eliminate god from our society, endure our afflictions with patience, enlarge my vision, faithful promise, fear not, find joy in each new day, focus on the present, forefront of our hearts and minds, forgiveness, God created me to be uncontainable, God has destined me to be a barrier breaker, God is fulfilling His purpose and destiny in my life, God is taking me places I've never dreamed of, God will perfect establish strengthen and settle us, God will wipe away tears, harbinger, I have talent and potential, I will esperience god's favour, in faith, in god's own time, in Jesus' name, jehovah god, Joel Osteen, limited mindset, LOVE, mercy, naysayers, new blessings, new mercies, plan for tomorrow but live for today, potential, prisoner, promise, righteousness., Rome, seeds of greatness, So let it be, stand strong, sufficent unto the day is the evil thereof, swallow up death, take hold of God's grace, take therefore no thought for tomorrow, talent, thanked God, the Creator of the universe, the here and now, the Lord goes with thee, the Lord of hosts, the Lord will not fail nor forsake thee, the Lord will strengthen thine heart, the rebuke of his people, there are seeds of greatness inside of me, Thursday, Today is my day, tomorrow shall worry about itself, took courage, truer words were never spoken, turn to Jesus, victory, wait I say on the Lord, wait on the Lord, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation, we've all sinned and come short of God's glory, without growing weary, words of encouragement
Psalm 27:14. Wait (in faith) on the Lord: be of good courage; and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.’
‘Thursday, oh Thursday; harbinger of Friday!’ Yes Friends, I know that many of us are just dying to see Friday, so that we can get the two days off from work.
But that’s not the attitude we should have. We need to live and find joy in each new day as our Lord provides new mercies and blessings for each one. Let’s learn to focus on the present, the here and now, for some of us might not live to see tomorrow.
And as Jesus so wisely reminds us in these memorable words. ‘Take therefore no thought for the morrow (do not worry about tomorrow): for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil (trouble) thereof.’ (Matt.6:34)
Yes my people, there will be enough trouble for us to handle today, and on each today thereafter, so let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s indeed do some planning for tomorrow, but let’s live in today.
Consequently, let’s renew this acclamation from Bubba Joel (Joel Osteen) which boldly proclaims, ‘TODAY IS MY DAY!’ And of course it is!
Please acclaim with me: ‘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 that 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.’
Now let’s just keep that at the forefront of our hearts and minds today my people, as we ‘seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,’ and as a direct result, are divinely provided with all we need for our daily walk. We can’t ask for a better promise than that my brethren!
And here’s another timely reminder that our task is to take hold of God’s grace, to endure our afflictions with patience, without growing weary, knowing that in His own time, God will perfect, establish, strengthen and settle us. We must wait on the Lord and be of good courage.
And my fellow believers, if there’s one thing we desperately need in this evil and troubled world, it is courage! Courage to stand strong and face the naysayers, the doomsayers, and all those who are desperately trying to eliminate Jehovah God from our society.
And in the words of our Bit, Bruh David says it so wisely: ‘Wait (in faith) on the Lord: be of good courage; and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.’ Truer words were never spoken my fellow believers!
And Moses, in his latter days, encouraged the Israelites with these words, which still hold true today. ‘Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.’ (Deut.31:6) Oh what marvellous words of encouragement my people!
And yuh better believe Friends, that even Bruh Paul, with all his faith and bravado, could not endure all that he did without encouragement from other believers. As he is on his way to Rome, as a prisoner, bound in chains, to plead his case before the emperor, the Good Book tells us:
‘And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appi Forum, and the three Taverns (Inns): whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.’ (Acts 28:15)
So my people, let’s not believe that we’re alone in needing courage, for we’ve all sinned and come short of God’s glory, which means we all need help on this earthly journey, which can best come from Almighty God.
And we’ll end with some appropriate verses from Isaiah 25 – The song of praise by the redeemed. ‘And in this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things (choice pieces), a feast of wines on the lees (wines matured on the sediment), of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.
And he will destroy (swallow up) in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death (forever) in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it.
And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.’ (Is.25:6-9)
Oh Friends, with all these encouraging scriptures percolating in our hearts, minds and bodies, let’s go forth today unafraid, full of vim and vigour, with righteousness exuding mercy and forgiveness, and valiantly conquer this evil world, in Jesus’ name!
And all God’s people declared a joyful and courageous: ‘Amen! So let it be!’
Much, much LOVE, my brethren!
…if you need strength…if you need courage…whatever you need…sincerely turn to Jesus…and He will provide it…that’s His faithful promise…
17 Oct 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a heart filled with love, almighty god, Amos, bacchanal, Carnival, chikungunya, Christmas, confidence, confines of heaven, corruption, courage, crush the needy, darkness, deadly Ebola virus, death, demon-filled, depravity, depressed, destruction, disaster, disease, disgruntled, disgusting society, dissolute, doom and gloom, Ebola, economic downfall, economic engines, executing judgement, famine, fellowship, fishhooks, flood, forgiving, Friday chant, fun, furthering God's glorious kingdom, generous help, global village, god unleash His wrath, hooks, indictment, Israel, It's all about Jesus, Jamaica, Jesus Christ, Jesus' sacrifice, joy, kine of Bashan, look on the bright side, Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, LOVE, Lucifer, lush pastures, make a mockery, mas, may the Lord bless and keep us, merciful, moral perversion, negative aspect, one and only true and living deity, oppress the poor, party down the place, passes all understanding, peace, perverse, positive enablers, posterity, prayer, punishment, put Jesus first, re-offender, relaxation, relent, rest, right choices, safe from harm, sales, Samaria, Scrip-Bit family, sentence, serving, shopping, sincere hearts, splendiferous light, storm, strife, stubborn pride, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob, the hand of God, the weekend's here, the women of Samaria, wantonness, war, West Africa, wisdom, wives, worshipping, wrath, wreaking havoc, yet you have not returned to me, zenith of wisdom
Amos 4:6B. …yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.
So Friends, it’s Friday! What do you have to say for yourselves eh?
And everybody just began rejoicing: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday! The weekend’s here! Work soon finish, and we going to party down the place! Getting ready for Christmas and Carnival, checking out the parang, (Venezuelan based folk music popular in T&T) and whatever else there is to check out!
Yes Friends, the Christmas scenario is already being played out in T&T, and after Christmas is obviously the epic street party termed Carnival, Mas, Bacchanal, etc. etc. Imagine that nuh, in the middle of October, we already touting Christmas!
Every year it seems to start earlier and earlier, driven by the economic engines of sales and shopping. But my people, we need to remember that it’s not all about partying, or shopping, or any of those worldly related things.
It’s all about Jesus! The One who made it all possible, from a heart exceedingly filled with LOVE for us. So let’s try to put Him FIRST nuh… FIRST in all we say and do, because He is the One who enables us to do anything at all!
Now today I want to ask us to address two serious problems in prayer; that of the deadly Ebola virus that’s wreaking havoc in West Africa and is slowly spreading to other parts of the world. It’s already in Europe and North America, so please don’t think that because we’re so far away from Africa, that we’re immune to it. The very fact of our small, global village world and the ease with which we can travel makes anything very easy to spread.
And I also want us to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ in Jamaica, who are apparently suffering the wrath of another virus called ‘chikungunya.’ It doesn’t seem to be as deadly as Ebola, and consequently isn’t making as many headlines, but it certainly seems to wreaking havoc in J.A.
I don’t know much about it myself, but as I e-mailed some of you a message earlier on, sent from one of our Scrip-Bit family members, a doctor down there, asking for immediate prayer, because it appears to be taking a serious toll on the Jamaican population, and prayer is ALWAYS the best, if not the only solution to our woes.
Ah mih people, every day something new on the sad and unhealthy scene is raising its ugly head! If it’s not war and strife, then it’s some other natural or even manmade disaster; disease, famine, flood, storm, economic downfall, etc, etc.
We just can’t seem to get it right these days. And why is that? Because we have moved away in foolish, stubborn pride from sincerely serving and worshipping Jehovah God, the ONE and ONLY TRUE and LIVING DEITY; the ONE who created the world and all therein!
And then we wonder why our world is in such a damned state, one of death and destruction, where the positive enablers of peace, LOVE and joy are sadly lacking!
That brings us to the similarity of our current situation to that of Israel, its serious depravity, moral perversion and corruption which the prophet Amos spoke about. And our Bit is simply the end of several punishments that the Lord brought against Israel back then, unfortunately though, without the end He desired.
As the prophet wrote: ‘yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.’
Can you imagine it Friends? Listen to how Amos begins Chapter 4. ‘Hear this word, ye kine (cows, wives) of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters (husbands), Bring, and let us drink.
The Lord God hath sworn by his holiness, that lo, the days shall come upon you, that he will take you away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks. And ye shall go out at the breaches (breaks in the walls), every cow at that which is before her (each one straight ahead of her); and ye shall cast them into the palace (be cast into Harmon), saith the Lord.’ (Amos 4:1-3)
Now is that the kind of thing a God should have cause to say to His chosen people? Of course not! But He certainly had occasion to say it to the depraved and corrupt Israelites back then.
And unfortunately my people, today, this very day, He’s saying the same thing to us, because we are even more depraved and dissolute than Israel was back then. We just can’t seem to get it into our foolish skulls that a lot of the disaster befalling our world today is the hand of God, executing judgement on an evil, godless, depraved and disgusting society.
Hear how the scholars explain those verses. ‘4:1-3. Ye kine of Bashan is an indictment against the women of Samaria. The “cows” of Bashan were noted for being well fed and strong because of the lush pastures of the area.
The women of Samaria lived in luxurious wantonness, enjoying their luxury because they oppressed the poor and crushed the needy. When the women of the land sink to such a low moral and degraded state, God’s judgement must fall, for the entire land is degraded.’
And that’s exactly what’s happening to day my Friends! Our land is so depraved, depressed, disgruntled, distrustful, demon-filled, perverse, corrupt, beset by such doom and gloom that the true, just and holy God we are supposed to serve, has no other choice but to unleash His wrath, His punishment on us.
Anyway my brethren, enough of that negative aspect for today, let’s look now on the positive side of the ledger. Our God, He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, is a merciful and forgiving God, who LOVES His children dearly, and is only too glad to relent of His anger and punishment, if and when we return to sincerely worshipping and serving Him, as we’ve seen happen on several occasions with Israel.
Yes my people, that’s the answer to all our problems; get out from under the evil darkness of Lucifer, which is currently blanketing our world, and move rejoicing and refreshed into the bright and splendiferous light of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
That’s why He left the cozy and comfortable confines of heaven to come to earth and die in our place. And now, if we don’t accept Him, and all that He stands for, then we’re simply making a mockery of His sacrifice, making it all a huge waste of time.
Anyway Friends, let’s hope that calmer and wiser heads will soon prevail, and we will return to worshipping and serving Almighty God with sincere hearts, because that is the zenith of wisdom!
Now let’s go home chanting our Friday Chant. Thought I’d forgotten nuh? (smile) All together 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.’
Now may the Good Lord bless and keep us safe from harm. May He make His face, His favour to shine upon us, and give us His extraordinary peace that passes all understanding, as well as the wisdom to make right and good choices today, as we venture forth with courage and confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us! Much LOVE!
…what’s a judge to do eh…with a proud, stubborn and foolish re-offender…but to hand down sentence…and execute punishment…
13 Oct 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: appreciation, aura of love, be not far from me, blessed land, blessings, bounden duty, confidence, courage, diligently, do good, Drunk or sober mind yuh business, enthusiasm, eternal life, evil, evil cohorts, faithfully, feed the fire that's burning for Jesus, fight the good fight, for there is none to help, for trouble is near, friends, from sea to shining sea, further God's glorious kingdom, generous, glory, grace, Granny's advice, guidance, Happy Thanksgiving Canada, he that keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep, help, holy spirit, honour, humble servants, I will lift up mine eyes to the hills, Jesus Christ, joyful celebration, keeping lives and families together, lies, Lord God of Abraham, Lord God of Abrahm Isaac and Jacob, LOVE, Lucifer, magnanimous god, mercy, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, my help comes from the Lord, omnipotent, Praise the Lord, prosperity, rejoice, rejuvenation of spirit, relaxation, saviour, serving, sincere thanks, spiritual armour, spirituality, steadfast faith, taunte, thanks and praise, the joy of the Lord is your strength, the Lord is thy keeper, true wisdom, trust, trust in the Lord, trustworthy source of help, truth, undying gratitude, ungodly world, wiles, wisdom, worshipping
Psalm 22:11. Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY CANADA!
Well a Happy Thanksgiving Monday to all Canada! May we rejoice in the blessings of our omnipotent and magnanimous God, and celebrate this joyful day with much thanks and praise, seeing that He has been so generous to us over this past year!
Yes Friends, we are living in a very blessed land, and to continue to do so, we need to continue faithfully worshipping and diligently serving the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, because it is He who provides the opportunities for our prosperity. Without His help and guidance, we are nothing! Let’s never forget that.
So today, let’s join together in joyful celebration, all over this glorious land, from sea to shining sea, raising our sincere thanks and undying gratitude to heaven, so that the Father can hear and see our true appreciation of all His mercy, grace and LOVE!
And my brethren, please remember the many in our society who don’t have as much as we do, and as the Good Book says: ‘send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’ (Neh.8:10)
Yes Friends, we need to remember those who don’t have, as well as those who have to go out and labour today, while we celebrate. That means they need the help of our Monday Morning Battle Hymn to boost their confidence and courage, before they face the evil world that’s lying in wait for them.
Therefore, as one voice, let’s belt it out in sweet harmony and awesome power. ‘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!’
Oh Friends, that was a most beautiful rendition! However, I strongly suspect that the loudest and most harmonious voices belonged to those who don’t have to go to work today. (smile) And I really can’t give you wrong for being so elated. But please, please remember Granny’s sage advice: ‘Sonny boy… drunk or sober, please mind yuh business!’
And that’s no joke my people, because it’s when we are celebrating that we are the most susceptible to the wiles and leis of Lucifer and his evil cohorts. And for those of you who have to go out and labour; may the Lord strengthen your spirits, raise up all that you need to fight the good fight in His Holy Name!
Now let’s turn to our Bit, for this last time in the series of messages on HELP. ‘Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.’
And for the last few days we’ve been coming up with scripture passages which proclaim that the Lord God Almighty is the ONLY truly trustworthy source of HELP in this universe, for man’s help is often unreliable and deceitful. And we’re going to try and keep it short this morning … and a whole lot of ‘Thank You Lord!’ went flying up to heaven. (smile)
Oh Friends, it’s not that I like being long-winded, it just happens that way. There’s usually so much to write and when the passion grips me, I just can’t help myself! Anyway, as I was saying we’re going to keep it short by simply quoting Psalm 121 – God’s sustaining power, since it’s very appropriate.
Listen to these comforting and encouraging words of the psalmist: ‘I will lift up mine eyes unto the hill (mountains) from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved (slip): he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is thy keeper (protector): the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve (keep) thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve (keep) thy going out and coming in from this time forth, and even for ever more.’ (Ps.122:1-8)
And all God’s people declared a loud and grateful: ‘Praise the Lord! Amen!’
Yes my people, those are words of undisputable truth! So I implore us, that whatever we do today, to allow them to feed the fire that’s burning for Jesus in our souls, that we might further His oh so necessary LOVE Revolution, and bring even greater glory and honour to our heavenly Father, for that is our bounden duty, as well as true wisdom! Much LOVE!
…trust in the Lord and do good…so shalt thou dwell in the land…and verily thou shalt be fed (feed on His faithfulness)… (Ps.37:3)
12 Oct 2014
by randyobrien50
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living
Tags: a time of joy, a very present help in trouble, anger, be not dismayed, be not far from me, be not wise in thine own eyes, believers, blessed be the Lord, blessings, bolster our faith in God, Bruh David, Canadian Thanksgiving, come up over a problem, courage, depart from evil, encouragement, faith, faithfulness, faithlessness, fear the Lord, fellowship, first day of the week, for there is none to help, for trouble is near, For where two or three are gathered together in my name, forgiveness, friendship, glory hallelujah, God is our refuge and strength, grace, guidance, health to thy navel, help, Hosea, I am in the midst of them, I am thy God, I will help thee, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness, in me is thine help, Israel, Jesus Christ, joy, like a bird from a snare, marrow to thy bones, mercies, our help is in the name of the Lord, our soul is escaped, praise for deliverance, praise the Lord for His goodness, promises, prosperity, protection, psalm 46, Sabbath Day, Selah, strength, succour, Sunday, thanksgiving, the Lord God Jehovah, the LOVE of Jesus christ, Togetherness, truth, wanton, we will not fear, words of wisdom, worldly, worship
Psalm 22:11. Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.
Well hello there Friends and Neighbours, another Sunday has rolled around! As the song says: ‘We’re right back where we started from;’ Sunday, the first day of the week.
And that means fellowship, worship, a gathering of faithful believers to give thanks and praise and receive blessings, encouragement, friendship, mercy, grace, forgiveness, and all the wonderful things our great God so generously bestows on us, His marvellous children! (smile)
And all God’s children declared a loud and ecstatic’ Praise the Lord for His goodness to us, undeserving though we may be!’
Yes Friends, our great God is indeed worthy of much praise, especially on this weekend when we choose to celebrate the feast of Thanksgiving here in Canada. That means all the sanctuaries should be filled to overflowing with believers, whether there are thousands in a big, new, pretty building, or a handful under a mango or apple tree. (smile)
Remember what Jesus said: ‘For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them.’ (Matt.18:20) So the surroundings aren’t all that important, just the people and what’s in their hearts – the LOVE of Jesus! Consequently, ALL believers ought to find some means of joining with others to celebrate the Sabbath Day in the Lord’s Name!
And remember too Friends, that when we treat the Sabbath Day, the first day of the week, as it ought to be treated; with worship, praise and togetherness, then the rest of the week will unfurl so much better than if we are wanton and worldly. It’s always better to come up over a situation or a problem, than to have the situation or problem come up over you.
And the only way we can do that on a fairly consistent basis is by turning to the Lord God Jehovah for help at ALL TIMES! Why? Because as our Bit so wisely and truthfully declares: ‘Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.’ And truer words were never spoken my brethren!
So let’s continue with some scripture passages that prove our point and bolster our faith in Almighty God. And we’ll begin with these poignant words from Psalm 46 – God is our refuge and strength, from the sons of Korah. ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help (an abundantly available help) in trouble.
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst (heart) of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.’ (Ps.46:1-3)
Yeh Friends, take a moment to ponder those statements nuh! What words of wisdom, truth, courage, strength and faithfulness!
Now listen to Bruh David from Psalm 124 – Praise for deliverance from enemies. ‘Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of a snare of the fowlers (bird trappers): the snare is broken, and we are escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.’ (Ps.124:6-8)
And isn’t that the gospel truth my people? It certainly is!
But just in case you don’t believe the psalmists, then hear the words of God Himself, as spoken through the prophet Isaiah, re the final restoration of Israel. ‘Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.’ (Is.41:10)
Oh my fellow believers, what could be more uplifting and encouraging than that eh? Nothing! When our powerful and faithful God promises something, we know for a fact that it will come to pass, for He cannot lie, and thus ALWAYS does as He says! Glory Hallelujah!
That’s why I can’t understand how, in this modern day and age, when everything is going haywire and things are topsy-turvy, we are turning away from God in anger and faithlessness, rather than running full speed into His ever-LOVING arms for protection, strength, LOVE, succour and guidance.
And just to prove that our wonderful God is not a wishy-washy, unfaithful Deity, who just talks for talk sake, listen to the prophet Hosea, as he declares the Lord’s words, when foretelling the destruction of Israel.
‘O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help. I will be thy king: where is any other that may save thee in all thy cities? And thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes? I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath.’ (Hos.13:9-11)
Yes Friends, through the source of His mighty power, the Lord gives…and He also takes! Which man or other supposed deity can say Him nay eh? NONE WHATSOEVER!
So my people, on this Canadian Thanksgiving weekend, let’s all make it a time of joy nuh, of giving serious and sincere thanks, of being faithful, of getting together in worship, and above all, remembering that Jehovah God is the source from which all blessings, help, prosperity and all good things flow. Do have a happy Thanksgiving weekend. Much LOVE!
…be not wise in thine own eyes…fear the Lord…and depart from evil…it shall be health to thy navel (body)…and marrow (strength) to thy bones… (Prov.3:7-8)
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Today’s Scrip-Bit 17 May 2015 Philippians 4:20
17 May 2015 Leave a comment
by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: a mere mortal, a strangle hold, abound to your account, according to his riches, actions, Amen, an acceptable sacrifice, aroma, be glory for ever and ever, behaviour, belief in Jesus, bring us together, Bruh Paul, busy lives, celebrate, Christians, church leaders, cliques, confident certainty, courage, deeds, denominations, desire fruit, differences, different functions, dignity, divide, divine destiny, divisions, dominon, ecstatic joy, evil minions, factions, faith, faithfully worship God, food for thought, fragrant scent, fulfill Jesus' mandate, generosity, giving thanks, glorifying God, God's sanctuary, God's word and will, grateful, Herculean task, holding my breath, hope, I do know, in cahoots with the world, inscribed me. in the palms of your hands, insular, investment, Jesus' church is one body, joy, Jude, keep keeping on, keep us apart, kindness, LOVE, lustful things, majesty, mercy, motives, Now unto God our Father, odour, our Saviour, petty, Philippians, pleasant fragrance, power, purpose, reaping, Ruth Harms Calkin, sad commentary, satisfaction, Scrip-Bit family, selfish, sheer delight, similaritites, sing and shout, soar, sob, sowing, spreading the gospel all over the world, strength, Sunlit morning, thankful, the church at Philippi, the God of the universe, the life of the Son, the Lord loves a generous giver, the love of the Father, the One Day Book of Bible Promises, the power of the Holy spirit, the prince of darkness, the things of the world, the work and treasures of heaven, thoughts, trust, ungodly world, united, uniting Christ's church, unlimited resources, uplifting, well pleasing to God, what a wonderful God we serve and worship, wise God, words, work together
Philippians 4:20. Now unto God our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
A warm and welcome, gracious and LOVING Sunday morning to you my Scrip-Bit Family! (smile) I do hope that you are in the process, or will soon be in the process of getting ready to go to God’s sanctuary to celebrate and faithfully worship Him with other believers, as He desires of His followers.
For as I say every week, Jesus’ church is ONE body, made up of many believers, and in fellowship together we find strength, courage, hope and faith to keep keeping on in this ungodly world. And being ONE body, it means that all the parts, though graced with different functions, NEED to work TOGETHER if we’re to fulfill Jesus’ mandate of spreading the gospel to all and sundry, throughout the entire world. (Matt. 28:19-20)
Unfortunately though, there are too many divisions, cliques, religions, factions, denominations and what have you that divide us. That’s why the prince of darkness and his evil minions have such a strangle hold on the world.
Ah Friends, what a serious splash Christians would make in this world if we were truly joined together, united as ONE! Now I’m sincerely hoping for that, but I’m not holding my breath, because it doesn’t seem like it’s going to happen any time soon.
Why? Because we tend to let our differences – many of which are petty, insular and selfish – keep us apart, rather than let our similarities – like our basic faith, trust and belief in Jesus – bring us together. What a sad commentary on our actions and behavior as Christians, my brethren!
But I guess it doesn’t bother our church leaders sufficiently for them to seriously work at uniting Christ’s church. And even if they truly tried coming together, it would be still a Herculean task, because too many of Christ’s supposed flock are in cahoots with the world and the lustful things thereof. Anyway Friends, let that provide ample food for thought today as we go about our too busy lives.
Now here is something much more uplifting, that I couldn’t resist sharing from the One Day Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. It’s titled ‘The Beautiful Sunlit Morning.’
And these are the wonderful sentiments it declares. ‘Dear God On this beautiful sunlit Morning in May You’ve drenched me With ecstatic joy. I want to sing and shout I want to soar with sheer delight. At the same time I want to sob – So utterly overwhelmed I am With the magnitude of You. O God, I know I do know With serene satisfaction And confident certainty That I belong to the God of the universe – To the Creator of all that exists.
I do know That I, a mere mortal Am forever linked to divine destiny – That my life has purpose and dignity. I do know That You have chosen me As the object of Your lavish LOVE That Your thoughts toward me Are thoughts of kindness and mercy That You have inscribed me In the palms of Your hands.
I do know That all the LOVE of the Father And the Life of the Son And the Power of the Holy Spirit Are freely, inseparably mine – Now and through all eternity. O God On this beautiful sunlit Morning in May I do know.’
Oh what a beautiful declaration of faith that is my people! But how many of us, if we declare it, will then have God sadly shake His head when He looks at motives of our hearts eh? Too many, my people, too many. And that is why Christianity isn’t as strong as it used to be; too many people are not truly motivated by the Word of God, we allow the things of the world to have more sway over us than God’s Word and Will.
We’ll leave that alone for today though. (smile) Let’s concentrate on the promise that the beautiful poem was based on, and is our Bit for today. ‘Now unto God our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.’
Now that’s what we’re supposed to be about my brethren; giving thanks to and glorifying our heavenly Father with our words, deeds and actions!
The church at Philippi did that concerning Bruh Paul, because that was the only one that consistently sent him gifts, although he never asked them to. And though he was grateful and thankful for their interest in his well-being, as he told them: ‘Not because I desire (seek) a gift: but I desire (seek) fruit that may abound to your account.’ (Phil.4:17)
He didn’t want them to think that he was just after their money, but rather that their gift was, as the scholars explain: ‘a sure investment in the work and treasures of heaven, each one yielding rich dividends.’
Yes Friends, likewise, when we make sincere investments in the lives of others, those investments will bring forth good fruit on earth, and rich rewards for us in heaven. That’s the basic law of God, re sowing and reaping.
And Bruh Paul continues: ‘But I have all (have received all), and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell (a pleasant aroma), a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Jesus Christ.’ (Phil. 4:18-19)
And the scholars explain those two verses thus. ‘4:18. I have all means that Paul has received their gifts. And abound signifies that he has plenty, since all needs are now met through their generosity. God looks on their gift to Paul as an odour of a sweet smell (a fragrant scent) and a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing.’
‘4:19. Because the Lord is aware of the sacrifice (v.18) the Philippians made in meeting Paul’s need, God will surely supply all their need. God will meet their “need” (1) according to his riches, that is in proportion to His unlimited resources; (2) in glory, that is He will meet their need “gloriously” or “in a splendid manner”, and (3) by Christ Jesus.’
Ah Friends, what a wonderful God we serve and worship! And we’ll end with a benediction that resembles our Bit, but from Jude, Jesus’ half-brother.
‘Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling (stumbling), and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.’ (Jude 24-25)
Much LOVE, my brethren!
…if one wants to receive bountifully…then one must learn to give generously… for the Lord LOVES a generous giver…