Today’s Script-Bit 13 March 2016 2 Timothy 3:17.

13 Mar 2016 Leave a comment

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

2 Timothy 3:17.    That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished (equipped) unto all good works.

Aye friends, how goes it this Sunday morning at the beginning of the March break, where so many people try to get away to the sunshine for a week or so? 

But yuh know what? There might not be much sense in doing that this year, because the weather up here is more spring-like than winter. And it is fluctuating crazily; yesterday morning there was frost on the ground and on the cars parked outside, but by mid-afternoon the temperature was in the low to mid-teens. 

And to add to all the weather fluctuations and craziness, this morning at 2 o’clock, the clocks went forward by an hour, initiating Daylight Savings Time, meaning that some people will lose an hour’s sleep, while those who are working will work an hour less. Now who all of that benefits I don’t know, but I do know that a lot of people, including me, don’t like it. 

But then again, in the grand scheme of things, none of that really matters once we are walking hand in hand with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 

And since it’s Sunday, it means heading for the Lord’s sanctuary to praise and worship and give thanks as one harmonious body, and receiving His awesome blessings of spiritual strength, encouragement, compassion and LOVE, so that we can keep on fighting the good fight, and also help and comfort others in their time of need. It’s all about the circle of life and LOVE friends! 

And since I haven’t shared a quote in some time from our friend Anselm, who aspires to inspire us today for a better tomorrow, I’ll now share two. (smile) The first one says that ‘A habit cannot be tossed out the window; it must be coaxed down the stairs a step at a time.’ 

Now I do agree with that under certain circumstances, but there are some people who can only break their bad habits by throwing them out the window all at once, in other words going cold-turkey. I guess in the long run it all depends on the character of the person and the habit involved. 

And the second quote from our friend Anselm declares: ‘There are two primary choices in life: to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them.’ 

And that is the basic truth. We must either shut up and accept what we have, or step up to plate and do what is required to better the situation. Unfortunately though, too many of us just want to sit on the fence and complain and do nothing to solve the attendant problems, while hoping that someone else will fix them. 

Now our current penchant for complaining and epidemic of inertia are two big reasons why our society is so messed up. We all want to live high on the hog but don’t want to do what it takes to accomplish that. And that’s rather unfortunate, because as children of God we have all the tools available at our disposal to function at a high level; namely God’s Word, the Holy Bible. 

And as we recently saw, the verse before our Bit tells us that ‘All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.’ (2 Tim.3:16) Now why is that eh? 

So ‘That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished (equipped) unto all good works.’  

So my people, we have all the tools for improving the world at our disposal, why aren’t we using them eh? We are obviously not following Bruh Paul’s advice earlier on his letter. 

‘Study (be diligent) to show (present) thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (properly interpreting the Word of God). But shun profane and vain babblings (worthless talk): for they will increase unto more ungodliness.’ (2 Tim.2:15-16)  

And that is exactly what’s happening in our society! This explosion of social media and its attendant technology have us involved in more useless talk and bickering than ever before. 

And Bruh Paul continues: ‘But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth (clay); and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge (cleanse) himself from these (the latter), he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified (set apart), and meet (useful) for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. 

Flee also youthful lusts: but follow (pursue) righteousness, faith, charity (LOVE), peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions (ignorant disputes) avoid, knowing that they do gender (generate) strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive (quarrel); but be gentle unto all men, apt (able) to teach, patient. 

In meekness instructing (correcting) those that oppose themselves (who are in opposition); if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of (so that they may know) the truth; And that they may recover themselves (come to their senses) out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at (to do) his will).’ (2 Tim.2:20-26) 

Oh my fellow believers, our duty is spelled out in black and white right there for us. And it’s not an easy duty, but with some diligence, some steadfastness, sincere faith and trust in God, we can all do much better than we’re currently doing. Remember the forging and growing of Jesus’ church, His LOVE Revolution is in our hands. As we go, so do His body, His influence and His saving of the world go. 

And we’ll close with these immortal words of Bruh Paul from Hebrews. ‘Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect (complete) in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.’ (Heb.13:20-21) 

And that’s my sincere wish for all of us today my brethren. Now let’s get ourselves together, come to our senses, and do what is necessary to bring the rest of the world back to its senses, back to God where they belong. Much LOVE!

…only as believers live godly lives…be good examples…will the world ever respond to the clarion call of Jesus…

 
 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 1 November 2015 Ephesians 3:20.

01 Nov 2015 Leave a comment

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

Ephesians 3:20.     Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

Well Friends, it’s Sunday the 1st of November! That means Halloween is over, October is done and Daylight Savings Time is also over. Now on that last one, the benefits or drawbacks are still being argued over. 

What we do know is that some people lose an hour’s sleep while others gain an hour, and now some people will be going to work in the dark and also coming home in the dark. 

No wonder there is so much depression and its cohorts come the winter time where people don’t see the sun enough. But that’s the decision of the ruling, the moneyed class, so we poor serfs just have to grin and bear it. (smile) But I’m here to tell us my fellow believers that all of that doesn’t truly matter once we are walking obediently with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 

And having read this poem from our One Year Book of Bible Promises yesterday, with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin, it struck such a powerful chord in my thinking, that I just had to share it. It’s titled ‘Enormous Rewards.’ 

And it says: ‘O dear God  Thank You for teaching me The enormous rewards  Of walking obediently with You. There is joy without guilt  Freedom without fear  Satisfaction without sordidness  Purpose without confusion  Friendship without compromise  Forgiveness without penance  Fulfillment without disappointment.’  

Yes my brethren, that is indeed the description of what a true believer enjoys when He walks in close relationship with Almighty God, his Creator and Provider! And consequently, he does not have to worry about all the nonsense that is happening in our wicked, godless world. Oh glory to God! 

How wonderful it is to be able to ignore so much of the world’s foolishness because of a strong faith and eternal trust in Jesus! There is no need to worry, hurry or fear anything, because our Saviour has faithfully promised that He will be always with us through the indwelling of His Holy Spirit, which will lead and guide us successfully through this hellish world. 

And our Bit today comes from Bruh Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. ‘Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.’ 

But before we delve into it, I think it’s best that we know what comes before, so we can better understand the context of what he’s talking about. But that puts me in a bit of a quandary, because almost every verse has some useful information from the scholars, and I’m not sure whether I should do the explanation after each verse, or lump them all together. I’m not sure which method will bring easier and greater understanding. But let’s mosey along (smile) and see where the Holy Spirit leads us. 

Now in this section of his letter, Bruh Paul is offering a prayer for the inner growth of the Ephesians. And he tells them: ‘Wherefore I desire (ask) that ye faint not (not lose heart) at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.’ (Eph.3:13-15)  

And the scholars offer these explanations on those verses. ‘3:13. Which is your glory: God will use Paul’s tribulations and sufferings in the ministry to spiritually benefit his recipients. Such edification will then bring about glory on their part in that they praise and honour God.’ 

‘3:14. For this cause: This expression resumes the apostle’s prayer begun in verse 1 but delayed by the discussion of verses 2-13.’ 

‘3:15. Is named means “is derived.” The whole Christian family, including those saints now departed and in heaven, and those saints still living on earth – all of them “derive” their spiritual life from God.’ 

And Bruh Paul continues: ‘That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that ye, being rooted  and grounded in LOVE, May be able to comprehend (understand) with all the saints what is the breadth (width), and length , and depth, and height; And to know the LOVE of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.’ (Eph.3:16-9) 

And yuh know what my people? That prayer is still completely viable to our situation today, for we are suffering the same doubt, frustration and lack of confidence that the Ephesians suffered back then, and we need desperately to grow in Christ if we intend to make a positive and meaningful difference in this strife filled world. 

And the scholars’ offer these explanations. ‘3:16-19. In these verses Paul makes three prayer requests for the addressees: (1) That they would be strengthened with might by his Spirit (v.16), that is, that they be divinely enabled to successfully live the Christian life. 

(2) That the readers be able to comprehend …the LOVE of Christ, that is, to better understand the enormous LOVE Christ has for them. And (3) that they might be filled with all the fullness of God, that is, that the life, character, and virtues of God Himself may be fully developed in them.’ 

And finally, we’ll turn to the scholars’ explanation of our Bit. ‘3:20. In making the three above petitions (vv.16-19), Paul has not asked for too much. For he prays unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that he can ask or think.’ 

And that’s it in a nutshell my people! Our God is so great, so powerful, so omnipotent, that He can do way way more than our finite minds can even begin to think, imagine, ask for, or comprehend. That’s why He is GOD! And I do hope that the way I structured the verses and explanations enabled you to better understand the Word. 

Now remember today is Sunday and we need to go to the sanctuary and fellowship with other believers; to  sing, pray, give thanks and glorify our heavenly Father and receive His strength, confidence, mercy, compassion and forgiveness, so that we can truly live the Christian life. Much LOVE!

…there is only ONE Power…and ONE Presence here…God the Good…God the Omnipotent…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 9 March 2014 Psalm 103:1

09 Mar 2014 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 103:1.    Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
 
Well Friends, it’s a mild Sunday morning, compared to those of the recent past. Yuh better believe that! The clock has also been set forward one hour, to begin the confusing strategy of Daylight Savings Time. Hn!
 
To tell the truth, I really don’t know who it benefits from it, if anybody. And it’s been recently proven that there are some negative aspects to the time change. But somebody, or bodies in power, must believe that whatever positive aspects contained therein, do outweigh the negative ones. So us menial folk just have to go along with the idea, whether we like it or not.
 
And it both amuses and disconcerts me in one respect; when we go forward, like today, we end up on T&T time, but when we go backwards at year’s end, we end up on Jamaican time. So before calling friends and family in those locations, I have to first consider what time schedule we are on, so that I don’t call down there too early, or too late.
 
Ah Lord eh! But them’s really small potatoes, mih people – wish that was our biggest problem – and there’s no need for us to worry, because we strong, steadfast and true believers can handle anything that comes against us, for ‘we are more than conquerors through him that LOVED us.’ (Rom.8:37)
 
And furthermore, as Bruh Paul so emphatically states to the Philippians: ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’ (Phil.4:13) Never forget those two scriptures Friends, because they embody total truth for all the ages.
 
And I’m chuckling while I’m adlibbing here, because I don’t have a Bit as yet, and no clue how to continue this rambling preamble. (smile) But I am assured, because of those two statements above that the Lord will eventually strengthen and guide me, and cause me to write a most wonderful Bit. (smile)
 
Well it’s certainly in His best interest to do so, since it’s His Word that I’m writing about, and I’m sure, like me, He doesn’t want me to write nonsense.
 
And lo and behold, to prove His faithfulness and wisdom, He just guided me to a rather appropriate Bit for this Sunday morning: ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.’
 
Yes my brethren, we can never find a better thing to do than to bless the Lord and His Holy Name! And that surely was Bruh David’s forte, as we can see from all the stuff he’s written, especially from this Psalm of praise and thanksgiving for God’s great and abundant mercies.
 
Now hear how he continues after that first verse. ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with LOVING-kindness and tender mercies;
 
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord executeth righteousness and judgement for all that are oppressed. He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.’ (Ps.103:2-7)
 
And nothing my people, nothing whatsoever in those verses can be disputed, for down through the ages, they have been proven to be factual, many times over! Any problems we have with those words stem from us, from our lack of faith, our lack of true belief in the great I AM.
 
And if you don’t believe me, then listen to some more of this wonderful psalm. ‘The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous (abounding) in mercy (LOVING-kindness). He will not always chide (strive): neither will he keep his anger forever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
 
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy (LOVING-kindness) toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame (He understands our constitution); he remembereth that we are dust.’ (Ps.103:8-14)
 
Now Friends, anyone who tries to dispute any of those declarations is either a liar or a fool, or both, because without the Lord’s abundant mercies and forgiveness, we would have been all condemned long ago to death, for our numerous sins, and exiled to Hades to dwell with the evil one.
 
‘But the mercy (LOVING-kindness) of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children. To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.’ (Ps.103:17-18) 
 
More gospel truth my fellow believers! The Lord has made special preparations for those who walk obedient to His dictates. And Jesus, in telling the disciples that He was THE WAY to the Father, promised it thus: ‘Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
 
In my Father’s house are many mansions (Lit. dwellings): if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.’ (John 14:1-3)
 
Oh mih people, mih people, what a most marvellous promise! And we all know that lies and untruths, by His very holy nature, CANNOT proceed from Jesus’ mouth and Spirit. Thus, when we walk in sync with our Creator and heavenly Father, our eternal destiny is set in stone!
 
Therefore we all have great cause to exclaim, proclaim and declare like Bruh David: ‘Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers (servants) of his, that do his pleasure. Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.’ (Ps.103:20-22)
 
And all God’s people gave a loud and grateful shout of ‘Praise the Lord God Jehovah! Praise Him for His goodness to the undeserving children of sinful men! Praise Him for ever and ever! Amen.’
 
Yeh mih people, we certainly can’t go wrong in praising and giving thanks to our ever-LOVING, merciful, forgiving and most gracious God! Please put that in your pipe today and smoke it! (smile) Much LOVE!
 
…praise and thanks are two of the most important elements in worshipping Almighty God… 
 
P.S. Yuh see Friends, as I told you, through faith in God’s mercy and unswerving help, the Bit didn’t turn out too bad at all, now did it. (smile) Much LOVE!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 10 March 2013 Hebrews 12:1

10 Mar 2013 Leave a comment

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

Hebrews 12:1.    Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
 
Well Friends, the deed has been done! It’s now Daylight Savings time! By just moving the hands of the clock around, we have supposedly gained an hour of daylight. As I said yesterday, I don’t think this time change benefits the ordinary citizen. In fact I saw a blurb where it reportedly causes heart and sleep problems. Anyway, no use crying over spilt milk now. We just have to grin and make the most of it. However, being citizens of heaven, followers of Jesus Christ, the One who defeated death and the grave, the One who rose victorious the third day, then ascended into heaven and now sits at the right hand of our heavenly Father, as our Advocate, making positive intercession for us, that means a little thing like an hour here on earth won’t bother us, when we have the whole of eternity to look forward to with the Holy Trinity. (smile) But in spite of all that, I’m still going to share and strongly advise us to accept this wise bit of advice from Laura Palmer. Now there are several Laura Palmers’ listed on the Web. Some of you might know Laura Palmer as a character on the T.V. show, Twin Peaks, but I can assure you that this is not her advice, neither is it from the porn star by that name, because the Devotional I got that from was written long before Twin Peaks ever aired, or that lady engaged in her nefarious activities. (smile)  I believe it comes from a New York author and journalist by that name. Anyway, she rightly says: ‘Don’t waste today regretting yesterday instead of making a memory for tomorrow.’ And that’s heavenly wisdom Friends! Too many of us waste the day in front of us, pining after and beating up ourselves over our mistakes of the day before, when we should be using today to do better than we did yesterday. Remember my people, when we get to the winter of our years, all we’ll probably have are our memories to look back on, and who really wants to have miserable memories to rehash eh? Nobody really. For as the Johnny Bristol song warns: ‘Memories don’t leave, like people do. They always stay with you. Whether they’ve been good or bad. They’re all that you have.’ So please let’s use today fruitfully, and run the race that the Lord has planned for us. As the author of Hebrews advises in our Bit: ‘Wherefore seeing (since) we also are compassed about with (surrounded by) so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset (ensnare) us, and let us run with patience (perseverance, endurance) the race that is set before us.’ Now let’s get to what the scholars have to say about our Bit. And it sure is plenty. ‘The present exhortation to run finds its basis in the examples of the champions mentioned in chapter 11. These heroes of faith are like a cloud of witnesses. As “witnesses” (Gr. marturon) they are sometimes regarded as spectators (Gr. theatai) or as martyrs; yet this Greek word should be understood as referring simply to those who testify or witness. The emphasis is on the witness provided by their living by faith. This race of faith is provided by three modifying statements. First, it is to be run by laying aside every weight. This refers to the impediments that weigh one down, whether clothing or excessive body weight. These things are not inherently wrong, but for the diligent runner or the faithful Christian they must be removed. Second, it is to be run by putting off the entangling sin. This seems to refer to the one sin above all others that defeats a Christian. This may be a different sin for each individual. Third, it is to be run with patience (Gr. hypomones). Since patience is not an attribute commonly associated with running, this word would be better translated as endurance. Endurance and persistence have been on the author’s mind since the end of chapter 10. (cf. 10:32, 36-38, 11:13)’ Whew! I know some of you are going to complain about all that info, but that’s exactly what we’re talking about; stepping up to the plate and throwing off everything that prevents us from living the life the Lord wants us to live. And the Word plays a huge part in enabling us to do it. So if you don’t understand what the Word’s saying, then you obviously won’t be able to respond to it properly. Oh my brethren, to grow and mature in Christ, we have to grow and mature in understanding the Word, which isn’t always easy, and that’s what I’m trying to help us do here with the Bit. So please don’t get frustrated and give up if sometimes it seems to be a bit much and also somewhat difficult. That’s why we were told to look to those other witnesses who had it hard, but continued living by faith, not giving up. That’s also why Bruh Paul told the Corinthians: ‘Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.’ (1 Cor.9:24) And here too, the scholars’ have some good historical info. ‘Paul draws on a scene familiar to his Corinthian readers in order to drive home his point. The Isthmian Games were an athletic event known to all of his readers. They were held on alternate summers in the vicinity of Corinth. It was an event not to be missed by anyone of importance in all parts of Greece. As a national institution, it was as familiar to his readers as modern football to most Americans.’ So now my brethren, we know what race Bruh Paul was talking about in his famous monologue. But I think that’s enough for today. We’ve taken on a lot of info, so please let’s ponder it, let’s seriously consider today’s lesson. Read, mark and inwardly digest it, because we’ll be having a test on it tomorrow. And anyone who fails will have to write it over again. (smile) Don’t feel badly, because I have to write it too, and thus I have to do like Bruh Paul. ‘But I keep under (discipline) my body, and bring it into subjection; lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway (disqualified).’ (1Cor.9:27) Yeh Friends, I’ve got to and study too, lest after teaching you, I fail the test. (smile) That would certainly be disastrous. Much LOVE!…to run any race successfully…the runner must be well trained and well prepared…physically, mentally and emotionally…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 9 March 2013 Philippians 1:11

09 Mar 2013 Leave a comment

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

Philippians 1:11.     Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
 
Oh Friends, on this spring-like morning in the northern climes, I sure hope that these words meet you all in good health and steadfast faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! I also hope that you’re enjoying the numerous new mercies and blessings He’s rained down from heaven this morning. Oh what a wonderful God we serve and worship! And all God’s people shouted a joyous: ‘Praise His Holy Name, for He is indeed worthy to be praised!’ And that’s an indisputable fact Friends! Just a reminder here to those who live under the Daylight Savings time obstacle or debacle. And I consider it both, because it disrupts lives. One minute you’re going to work or school in the dark and coming home in the dark. Then next, you’re doing both in the daylight. I really don’t know if it serves any useful purpose to the ordinary citizen, but the powers that be have declared we must have it, and so we do. Anyway, please remember that the clocks go forward one hour at 2 a.m, tonight or tomorrow morning, your choice. (smile) Now let me share an interesting quote from the famous British writer, Somerset Maugham (1874 -1965), who says: ‘The unfortunate thing about this world is that good habits are so much easier to give up than bad ones.’ And all of us can certainly attest to the truth of that statement, since all our lives we’ve been fighting to give up bad habits, but too often find it extremely difficult, if not impossible. However my brethren, when you’re indwelt by the Holy Spirit of Jesus, then nothing is impossible! That’s because you and Jesus are the perfect pair, together you can do anything, successfully fight any battle that comes along! Together you’re sure conquerors! Just look at how he conquered death and the grave! So the smartest move you can make, if you have a problem habit, or any problem at all, is to get truly connected to Jesus. What an eye opening experience that can be my people! And I’m saying this from personal experience, not simple hearsay. This brings us to our Bit: ‘Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.’ And as yesterday, we’ll use the scholars’ simpler translation. ‘Filled with the fruit that is righteousness, which comes through Jesus Christ for the purpose of glorifying and praising God.’ Now the last two days we’ve talked about the fruits of righteousness in our Bit, today we’ll talk about the last half, ‘unto the glory and praise of God.’ And we’ll begin with some choice words of Bruh David from Psalm 22; a cry of anguish and song of praise, where he astutely warns us: ‘Ye that fear the Lord, praise him; all ye the seed (descendants) of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him (hold Him in awesome reverence), all ye the seed of Israel. For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.’ (Ps.22:23-24) Oh my fellow believers, that’s as good a reason as any to praise and glorify our most awesome God! Now let’s turn to some words of Jesus on the subject. And yuh better believe mih breddren, that doing the Father’s will and glorifying Him was paramount in Jesus’ earthly sojourn. It was His raison d’être, He was totally consumed by it. That’s because He knew where all His strength and power to do His earthly job came from. Right from the start, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus preached that glorifying the Father was important. ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ (Matt.5:16) Oh Friends, are we doing that? Obviously not to the extent that we should. Next we can turn to just after Jesus told His disciples about His betrayal, and Judas left. (John 13:21-30) ‘Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway (immediately) glorify him.’ (John 13:31-32) To Jesus, the end result was always about the glorification of His heavenly Father! Remember too, as Bruh Paul reminded the Philippians: ‘Who (Jesus Christ), being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion (appearance) as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.’ (Phil.2:6-8) Yes my people, if only we could be half as obedient to Christ, as He was to the Father, Christ’s church here on earth would be sparkling and growing by leaps and bounds, instead of being more or less stagnant, possibly even shrinking, full of resentment, anger and strife, through too many petty divisions and dissensions. Jesus also drove home the point of obedience and glorification when telling the disciples the parable of the vine and the branches. ‘If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto (for) you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath LOVED me, so have I LOVED you: continue ye (abide) in my LOVE. If ye keep my commandments; ye shall abide in my LOVE; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in His LOVE.’ (John 15:7-10) Ah Friends, it’s all about obedience and LOVE! How are we shaping up in those departments eh? However we’re doing, I’m sure we can all do better. So let’s get a move on with it nuh, so that at the end of our earthly pilgrimage, we’ll be able to say, like Jesus: ‘Father, the hour is come, glorify thy Son, that thy Son may glorify thee…. I have glorified thee on the earth; I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.’ (John 17:1,4) Oh Friends, all I can say is that we go out into this evil, ungodly world and do the Father’s work as passionately and obediently as Jesus did, consequently glorifying Him. For us believers, that’s wisdom at its highest. Much LOVE!…the human being was sculpted by God…with unconditional LOVE…so that he could return that LOVE to God…unconditionally…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 November 2012 2 Peter 3:9

04 Nov 2012 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

2 Peter 3:9.      The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
 
Oh Friends, it’s that time again; Daylight Savings Time has ended. We’ve gotten back the hour we lost in March. I had to look that up, because I thought it was in June we switched over. Hn! Didn’t realize we’ve been on it so long now. And who knows if it really makes any positive difference to our lives, but the powers that be, the money men, seem to think so. To me, it only means that my old, but dear to my heart watch is now carrying the correct time. (smile) That’s because two or three years ago, the cap from the stem broke off, so I couldn’t adjust the time, and a watchmaker in his wisdom told me it wasn’t worth fixing since it would cost more than the watch was worth. So I just left it that way and mentally adjusted the time difference during Daylight Saving Time. And it’s been working pretty well. Consequently the two or three other watches I have sit and languish for long periods of time, because they’re (a) too fanciful for my taste, and (b) this one I’m wearing looks just as good in the fields as in the wedding party, and (c) I’ve grown accustomed to it. In any case I don’t use it that much to tell time since I can’t see it properly without my glasses, (smile) and there is usually a big clock in most places I go. And talking about time helps us to smoothly segue into our Bit: ‘The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.’ Ah Friends, Peter is here referring to Jesus’ Second Coming, and is encouraging us to basically keep on living in hope because our God isn’t slack or unreliable, as many of us are, regarding our promises. If the Lord makes an unconditional promise, as He has, re Jesus coming again, then He WILL fulfill it. The reason that Peter puts forth here, for it taking as long as it has, is that our ever-LOVING heavenly Father doesn’t want anyone to perish in the fire next time, cause He sincerely wishes for ALL His creation to come to salvation and thus escape the incendiary conflagration that’s going to end this age on earth. And why is Peter telling us this? ‘That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers (mockers), walking after (according to) their own lusts, And saying, where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep (died), all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of (forget), that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against (until) the day of judgement and perdition (destruction) of ungodly men.’ (2 Pet.3:2-7) Now hear the scholars with a more concise explanation than I can give. ‘Peter further warns that in the last days of the church age, scoffers will ridicule the promise of Christ’s second coming. He further states that arguments based on supposedly unchanging processes since creation fail to recall the severity of the flood of water upon the earth. Just as God once destroyed the world by water, so it is now reserved unto fire until the day of judgement. See the description of fiery judgements in Revelation 17-19.’ Peter then goes on to inform us in the verse before our Bit: ‘But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.’ (2 Pet/3:8) That means time to the Lord is almost immaterial; a thousand years to Him is like one day to us. The psalmist says it thus: ‘For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.’ (Ps.90:40) He makes it even shorter, like a night watch, about three or four hours. Now my beautiful Scrip-Bit Friends, let’s look at a scripture that tells us a whole lot about God’s promises and His timing concerning them. It’s from Habakkuk, talking about the just shall live by his faith, where the Lord summarily instructs him: ‘Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables (on tablets), that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.’ (Hab.2:2-3) Here’s how the scholars explain that: ‘Write the vision…upon tables refers to the common practice of writing public notices with such large characters on the clay tablets that someone running by could easily read them. If the notice was a warning it would also cause the reader to run quickly to prepare for what was coming. An appointed time indicates a specific future fulfillment of Habakkuk’s prophecy of the fall of Babylon. See Daniel 5:30-31.’ Yes mih people, though God’s promises may take a while to be fulfilled, they WILL come to pass. It took many centuries before God’s promise to make Abraham the father of many nations came true. It also took several centuries after Isaiah prophesied about the first coming of Jesus before it happened. So the two thousand years since Jesus left earth is only like two days in God’s time. But be assured my brethren, it WILL happen, when God judges the time to be right. So in the meanwhile, please let’s live by faith, and patiently wait for it to happen nuh. Much LOVE!…the Son will definitely come again…but as to when…only the Father knows….so be ever ready…
 

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