Today’s Scrip-Bit 19 January 2021 John 17:17.

19 Jan 2021 Leave a comment

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

John 17:17.     ​Sanctify them (set them apart) through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Yes mih bredrin, riddle I this, riddle I that nuh! (smile) How can a body go to bed, early to boot, feeling fine, then wake up coughing and being miserable eh? And all the foolish cough doing is to irritate the dormant asthma and getting me more ignorant than usual. Yeh, coughing is the easiest way for the enemy to make me lose my cool. 

But yuh know what? Ah lick him this morning by getting into worship mode and listening to some praise songs. Glory Hallelujah! Still listening to them as I’m writing. Thank you for Jesus and His songs of praise and worship! They are indeed healing medicine to the angry spirit. And although the chest is still tight and wheezy, the spirit is fine friends! 

Thanks be to the refreshing and comforting words and promises of Jesus in song! And that’s my testimony for this Tuesday morning, this snowy Tuesday morning in January of this new and unknown year of 2021, when so many unordinary things have seemingly become ordinary. 

Oh my people, we are in the middle of some extraordinary times, and on the brink of even more extraordinary ones, if life plays out the way it’s shaping up. And no reason why it should not. But there’s one thing all we believers ought to know and believe; that is, come what may, we will all make it through, and safely too, because that’s the glorious promise of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! 

Be concerned yes, but don’t be worried, for Jesus has all those who believe in Him in the palms of His mighty hands. And I just want to point out some wonderful scripture where Jesus prays for His own, that’s us! Glory be! 

‘And now, O Father, glorify thou me, with (alongside) thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. (Clear indication of His pre-existence (cf. 1:1) I have manifested (revealed) thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them (to) me; and they have kept thy word. 

Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou hast given me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.’ (John 17:5-10) 

Yeh friends, even Jesus, the Son of God, knew the power and purpose of prayer! In his final hours down here on earth He beseeched the Father on our behalf. That’s how important we were, and are, and always will be to Him! That’s why we need to keep our faith strong, keep on believing in Him just like He believed and still believes in us. That’s why He made us His earthly ambassadors! 

Now hear Him further nuh: ‘And now I am no more (longer) in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee, Holy father; keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.’ (John 17:11) 

Yuh hear that people, Jesus prayed that we would be ONE, just like He and the Father were ONE! How come we so divided and disunited eh? Could that be one of the problems why our world and lives are in such a disgusting state? Oh yes! It surely contributes to the ungodly and inhuman way we living. 

But let’s keep on listening to Jesus: ‘While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost (destroyed), but the son of perdition (Judas Iscariot); that the scripture might be fulfilled.’ (John 17:12) Yes friends, Jesus did not lose any of those whom God gave Him to propagate His word on earth after Him: none except Judas. But that had to be so that the written scripture might be fulfilled. 

‘And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.’ (John 17:13) Wow! Yuh hear that friends, Jesus desired that we might have His joy fulfilled in us! So why we are we so blooming miserable and unhappy eh, when we have the joy of Christ Himself dwelling in us? Because we fear the world and what it brings. 

But listen to Jesus again: ‘I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world. Even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil (one). They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.’ (John 17:14-16) 

Oh my people can we understand that we are not of this world, but we have to be in it if we want to spread Christ’s message. And that’s why Jesus asked the Father: ‘Sanctify them (set them apart) through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.’ (John 17:17-19) 

Oh believers in Christ, the truth of God’s Word is what’s supposed to set us apart from the world, but is it doing that right now? Not to the extent it ought to. But hear this oh so important part of Jesus’ prayer nuh. ‘Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;’ (John 17:20) 

That means us friends! Jesus had the foresight to pray for those who came to believe in Him all down through the ages, until His second coming. So what’s going on with us eh? Why are we living like the rest of the world and not sanctified, justified, reconciled, righteous saints of Christ eh? 

And hear this last part of Jesus’ prayer. ‘That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast LOVED them, as thou hast LOVED me.’ (John 17:21-23) 

What’s in all of that we don’t understand eh people? We were set apart, to be ONE, so we could show the world the truth of God’s Word! But we definitely could not be call unified, or even close to being ONE! No wonder the world doesn’t take us seriously. And until we become more unified and not more divided, as we seem to be getting, we’ll have little or no power to change the world in Jesus’ name! Nuff said! 

But for those of us who are sincerely trying to do what Christ desires of us, let’s go home now declaring (oh yeah!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting the world know who and whose we are. 

As ONE now:‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world. Amen!’  

So let’s go out and do just that nuh! Much LOVE!

…only as Christ’s people are unified…will they truly have changing power… 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 28 October 2020 Matthew 9:37.

28 Oct 2020 Leave a comment

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

Matthew 9:37.     ​Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

So it’s Wednesday eh? What’s new eh? Not a blooming thing! The increasing aches and pains of an ageing body are still here (smile) …and so is the pandemic…and all the other strife and hatred that’s currently filling our world…and which portends to get even worse as the U.S elections draw nearer. Every day more angry rhetoric is been spewed out and more injustice meted out to the innocent by the purveyors of evil. 

As Bob Marley so wisely predicted some years ago: ‘And everywhere will be war…ah say war…’ And it seems to be coming true as we get more disunited, distrustful, disgruntled and begin showing our real evil and sinful selves. Obviously what we need is more Jesus, but too many of us are not seeing it that way. We insist in living in the carnality of the flesh, doing it our way, although our way doesn’t seem to be working. 

Oh, the stubbornness of mankind always amazes me. If one thing isn’t working, why not try something else eh? Satan’s way certainly isn’t working, so why not try Jesus’ way eh? Those are the only two options we have. But we so blooming hard-headed and prideful and anti-God, that we refuse to try the Almighty despite our lives falling apart, being steadily washed away, like sand on the seashore. 

Oh mih people, I don’t know what to say nuh. I need wisdom and guidance, words from Almighty God that I can share with you, that will convince and encourage you to turn to Him in these desperate and troubled times. And as I was just leafing through the Good Book, I came upon these words of Jesus, back when He was talking to the disciples about few labourers for the task of discipleship. And isn’t that the living truth today too! 

Hear the Good Book: ‘But when he (Jesus) saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted (were weary), and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 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. 9:36-38) 

And that my fellow saints in Christ is the indisputable truth! If there were more of us serious saints out in the evil, killing fields, doing our best to harvest the crop of unbelievers, diligently spreading the gospel of Christ, and truly showing it by the exemplary example of our lives, our world would certainly not be as bad as it is. The prince of darkness would definitely not have such a strangle hold on it. And the scholars agree, as they add their two cents worth. ‘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.’ 

And believe me, right now, Jesus is sitting down in heaven, with an awesome amount of compassion in His heart, remembering those immortal words and thinking the same thing: there just aren’t enough labourers, enough of His saints, to harvest the multitude of unbelievers in this crazy and evil world. Oh friends, the multitudes of this current world are certainly scattered abroad, weary and tired and without hope, like sheep that have no shepherd. 

But we know the Good Shepherd, Jesus is His name, and remember He gave us that Great Commission to go out and make disciples of all the world, teaching them everything that He had taught us, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost and promising that He would always be with us, right down to the very wire of life? But we’re not doing it to the best of our ability, that’s why the devil is holding most of the cards right now. The saints of Christ have forsaken their bounden duty, through fear, compromise, and simple apathy. 

And if we the labourers aren’t out there sincerely harvesting and teaching, and making disciples, who are going to do it eh? It seems that we’ve forgotten the great promise of God delivered through His prophet Isaiah. ‘No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper (succeed); and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of (from) me, saith the Lord.’ (Is. 54:17) 

So are we servants of the Lord or not? And if so, why are we so fearful of what the world has to say or does eh? Remember the two words Jesus used so often hear on earth: ‘FEAR NOT!’ It would certainly do us good to powerfully reinstate them in our hearts, souls, bellies and backbones at this most critical juncture in the history of mankind. And like we’ve also forgotten these very important words of Bruh Paul, re the power of the gospel. ‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek (Gentile).’ (Rom. 1:16) 

And the living truth my people is that too many of us, supposed saints are actually ashamed of Christ’s gospel, that’s why we don’t share it, and instead live these fearful lives of compromise and shame. But please remember that the gospel of Christ is the ONLY thing that will bring mankind to salvation, to reconciliation with God, and a spot in heaven for eternity! The only other option is hellfire and brimstone with Satan in the depths of hell! Is that what we desire for ourselves and those near and dear to us? I doubt it. So let’s get rid of the fear and anxiety nuh. With the backing power of Jesus we can do all things. 

Yuh know how we LOVE to quote that scripture. (smile) Well let’s put it into action instead nuh. Yeh talk is cheap but LOVE and compassion demand action and sacrifice, and Jesus gave us that example in living colour. So let’s get up off our lazy, fearful fannies and follow it nuh. The kingdom desperately needs us right now! And for those of us who are trying to make a difference, let’s go home now declaring (awrighttt!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all a

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

And we need to be reminded that if we endure until the end, as good labourers and harvesters, our future will be even more glorious than we can ask or imagine! Much LOVE!

…it’s time for the soldiers of Christ to come together…form ONE coherent army…and fight…fight the good fight…it’s the ONLY way…to obtain victory…  

Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 October 2020 Isaiah 40:11.

22 Oct 2020 Leave a comment

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

Isaiah 40:11.     ​He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

What’s happening here eh friends? Is this a pattern developing? Yeh, I’m talking about the rain falling in the early morning in my area, waking up to a wet, gloomy dark morning, but then by midday, it’s become bright and sunshiny! It’s happened the past two days, today is also wet and gloomy, so who knows what will happen later eh. How did the ole people characterize stuff like that? If I remember it right; once is an accident, twice is a mistake, but three times is a blooming habit! 

Chuh! I like the rain, but I can’t take this topsy turvy weather, where we not sure whether we coming or going. I wish the weather could straighten out its act, make up its mind as what it really wants to do. That is what I wish! And that’s all I have to say. (smile) 

Now let’s see what Ruth Harms Calking has to say from our One Year Book of Bible Promises. And today she’s saying something I believe many of us ought to do; in fact our whole world ought to do it. The title of today’s poem is ‘I keep Running Back to You.’ Wow! How appropriate is that for our current tough times eh! 

Please pray with me. ‘You know how it is with me, Lord. So often I mess up my days. I judge harshly I am critical and obstinate I waste time and energy I blame others for my failure. There are people I try to avoid And tasks I try to evade And when I can’t have my own way I sulk in my own little corner. Lord, I even turn my back on You To escape Your penetrating gaze? 

Then finally I get fed up with myself. The intolerable loneliness frightens me And I can no longer endure my shame. It always happens, Lord – I keep running back to You! Where else can I go? Who else understands me so well Or forgives me so totally? Who else can save me from foolish pride? No one, Lord, but You. so thank You for accepting me For LOVING me For always welcoming me. I just can’t help it, Lord I keep running back to You!’ 

But that my brethren, is indeed the wise and sensible thing to do. When we get in our own way, and screw up our lives, so foolishly thinking that we know best and can do life on our own, there usually comes, or should come a prophetic moment when we realize that God, the Creator of the universe, is the ONLY ONE to whom we can turn to for trusting and faithful help. 

And oh my people, how I do wish, hope and pray, that our world would see, that right now we’re in one of those prophetic times when the serious trouble we’re facing, the onerous burdens we’re bearing, can only be lightened, be solved, by running back to Almighty God from whom we have recently turned away in droves, even to the rash and foolish effort to drive him out of our society. But friends, that’s the most foolish thing we could ever think of or try to do. God WILL NEVER allow Himself to be driven out of our society! 

And until we learn that immortal wisdom, we’ll just keep on spinning our wheels and going nowhere, living in abominable sin, burdened by calamity and disaster, just like we are right now. But yuh know what happens when we run back to Him, return to His fold? Hear Isaiah tell it like it truly is, in the promise from our poem: ‘He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.’ (Is. 40:11) 

Yes friends, that’s what happens when we turn to Almighty God for help and succour! So why don’t we eh? And it’s not like we don’t have true examples of it. The Israelites turned back to the God of their forefathers how many times after being disobedient and rebellious, then consequently finding themselves between a rock and a hard place. And He graciously took them back. So why can’t we be wise enough to do it eh, especially when nothing else seems to be working for us? 

Because we’re blooming stubborn and hard-headed, full of foolish pride, not willing to admit that we could be wrong. But remember what goeth before a fall, before destruction: pride! And right now our foolish pride is causing us to fall. Just look at how divisive and disunited our society has become nuh. We don’t agree on much of anything, so how can we expect to function successfully eh? 

Friends, it’s only when a society is more united than divided can it ever hope to prosper and succeed. And believe me, we seem to be disagreeing, fighting, hating, and living ungodly more and more everyday. It’s obvious we’re headed in the wrong direction. Anyway, since we’re already late (smile) and running out of space too, let’s check out a few important scriptures on the subject. 

First up are these immortal words from the prophet Ezekiel, talking about the Lord caring for His flock. ‘Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle (sheep and sheep). And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. And I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the Lord have spoken it.’ (Ezek. 34:22-24) 

And if you’re one of those who foolishly believe that the Old Testament writings are dead and buried, then listen to that prophecy fulfilled in the New Testament. The immortal words of Jesus. ‘I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep… I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so I know the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.’ (John 10:11, 14-15) Yes friends, Jesus Christ is our Good Shepherd; He laid down His life for us, and promised to protect us if we stay in His fold. But that’s a decision each individual has to make…and the sooner the better. Nuff said! 

But for those of us who have already made the wise decision – being in Jesus’ fold, let’s go home declaring (yeahhh!) our Thursday Blessings, which our Saviour has so generously blessed us with, so that we can do His earthly work. All together now: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! 

I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and everyday! Amen!’  

And having declared all those good blessings, it’s now our bounden duty to go out and share them just as generously with others who need what Christ has to offer. Much LOVE!

…the Lord is my shepherd…I shall not want…that’s the gospel truth…