13 Oct 2012
by randyobrien50
in Inspirational Living
Tags: blessing, bridle your tongue, calamity, cursing, desires of the heart, evil, God's calling, good, humble heart, integrity, righteousness., sincere motive, social media, viral, wisdom
Psalm 39:1. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
Well Friends, it’s another day in the life… And all God’s people shouted a joyful, ‘Thank You Lord!’ Yes my brethren, we must be very thankful for the breath of life the Lord has seen fit to continue in our mortal bodies today, because it means that He still has a purpose for us to carry out here on earth. Some of us may not know what it is He desires of us, but if we ask Him with a humble heart and sincere motive, He will guide us to it. I can say that with authority because writing the Scrip-Bit wasn’t what I had imagined as my calling, though writing has always been a dream of mine. I have all sorts of worldly stuff I had planned on publishing, but then the Lord stepped in with the Scrip-Bit idea. And take it from me Friends, when the Lord says jump, or move, it’s best to just say ‘How high or how far Lord?’ Because if we try to fight His calling, we’ll only make things more difficult for ourselves. Now I haven’t given up on the dreams He’s put in my heart, but He’s made it very obvious that the Scrip-Bit is the priority right now. Oh my brethren, when I think back on how the Lord astutely manoeuvred me out of the other things in which I was involved, till I made the Bit my priority, I just have to chuckle. But putting myself in His hands was possibly the best decision I’ve ever made, for with His awesome help, I’ve come a long way from where I started. That’s why I can say with strong conviction that if the Lord asks you to do something in His Name, then He WILL enable you to do it. It won’t always be easy, but remember with Him, NOTHING is impossible! That brings us to our Bit: ‘ I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep (restrain) my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.’ Now most of us have a problem with bridling our tongues, and yesterday we saw how the new social media apparatus was making it even worse, by becoming too important in our mundane lives, with too many people suffering negative feed back through their lax and continually being lowered standards of talking and texting. That reminds me of a cartoon called Family Circus, I saw in the newspaper yesterday. In it, the four or five young children with musical instruments in their hands are beseeching their father to get his video-cam to shoot them, so that they can go viral. Ah Lord eh! That is the stated aim of most people in the social media framework; to go viral. The more hits you get, that supposedly makes you and whatever you uploaded important. Chuh! Our world has become so dumb and disgusting now that many of the things that supposedly go viral just boggle the imagination, at least mine. Unfortunately my Scrip-Bit Blog hasn’t gone viral, so I guess that means we’re not important in the greater scheme of things. But to some people it is important, and that suffices. If it makes a good difference to only one person everyday, then I’m happy, although I’d sure like to make a difference to many more – and even go viral. (smile) But enough of that now, let’s get some scripture that will help us in bridling our tongues. And we have a very good example of how to behave in Job’s conversation with his wife, when the Lord allowed calamity to be rained down on him by Lucifer. ‘Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive (accept) good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil (accept calamity)? In all of this did Job not sin with his lips.’ (Job 2:9-10) Ah mih people, how many of us would have been so smart eh? Not too many I believe, especially in suddenly moving from great wealth, and good family to abject poverty, no family and sickness for no apparent reason. Most of us would have been making a big fuss, cursing everybody and everything, including God, thinking Him unfaithful to His promises and our righteousness. Hear how the scholars explain those verses. ‘Job’s wife suggested that Job do what Satan had predicted: curse God. After all she had been through, it is no wonder she was ready to give up all hope. But Job recognized that both good and evil come from God’s hand, though one by His active will and the other by His permissive will. God can permit evil things to happen for good ends (cf. Gen.50:19-20). In all this did Job not sin is proof enough that Satan was wrong and was sorely defeated. Satan does not appear again in the book.’ Yes Friends, that’s the way to defeat Lucifer and stay in God’s good books. And just to remind us of the importance of controlling our tongues and our texting, let’s hear from James, as he continues his lecture on that small but very powerful and disruptive organ. ‘For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude (likeness) of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.’ (James 3:7-10) And all God’s people declared a loud and prayerful ‘Amen!’ Oh my people, we need to operate with a sense of wisdom and righteousness that teaches us first to listen and understand before we run off at the mouth, as too many of us are wont to do. And until we learn to better control our tongues and consequently our writing fingers, by first seeking God’s wisdom, we’ll be forever held in Lucifer’s evil grasp, which is certainly something we don’t want to happen. So let’s rise to this difficult challenge like true believers nuh, and in the process, make Jesus proud of us. Much LOVE!…and now Lord, what wait I for…my hope is in thee… (Ps.39:7)
30 Sep 2012
by randyobrien50
in Inspirational Living
Tags: calamity, conviction, death, deceit, disaster, disobedience, drought, evil, false prophecy, foolish people, God's punishment, life, persecution, rebellion, repentance, repercussions, respect, reverence
Jeremiah 7:28. But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the Lord their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.
Oh Friends, one more day is dawning in our lives and in the annals of History. When this day is reviewed in our lives, what will it look like eh? And when it’s written in the historical records, what will be the overriding story? Right now only the Lord God Jehovah knows the answer to either question, which means that He is wiser and more knowledgeable that us. We can only make all sorts of guesses, but there is no guarantee that we will even come close to the truth. Meanwhile, the Most High God, He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has already planned what will happen all over His creation today. But yet still too many of us refuse to acknowledge His awesome power and wisdom. And Just like He told Jeremiah to warn Judah, re the punishment for their rebellion, I believe He’s telling us the very same thing now, as embodied in our Bit. ‘But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the Lord their God, nor receiveth correction (instruction): truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.’ Oh my people, I don’t know if at any time in the last few hundred years there’s been a generation that has ever repudiated and rebelled against our heavenly Father like this one. Our sinfulness and lust for earthly pleasure is overwhelming. In fact it knows no bounds. We are doing everything that the Good Book tells us not to do and not even considering the repercussions. The evildoers are trying every tack and trick to get rid of God completely from our society, and unfortunately are being comparatively successful. That means unless the Christian element reverses itself and stands up strong for what we’re supposed to believe in, God will eventually be removed or shunted off to some small, remote part of our society, with the possibility of persecution very likely. Oh Friends, when are we going to learn that rebellion against God, and disobedience to His Will and Word don’t pay, but always bring disastrous consequences eventually? Listen to the Lord’s directive to Jeremiah, re the spiritual and civil corruption amongst the Lord’s people. ‘Declare this in the house of Jacob, and publish (proclaim) it in Judah, saying, Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not, which have ears and hear not: Fear ye not me? saith the Lord: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves (to and fro) yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?’ (Jer.5:20-22) Obviously this generation doesn’t fear the Lord, otherwise evil would not be as prevalent and pervasive. And if we continue with that telling passage from Jeremiah 5, the Lord continues: ‘But this people hath a revolting and rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone (departed). Neither say they in their heart, let us now fear the Lord our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.’ (Jer.5:23-24) And isn’t that the living truth Friends! Remember the extensive drought filled summer we’ve just recently experienced, and the poor harvest that we’re going to reap this year? Obviously not, because as far as most of us are concerned that has nothing to do with God. But are we ever so wrong my brethren. It has everything to do with God! And sadly, I’ve yet to see a time in my three decades of life, when there’s such little respect or fear of God, even with all the untimely and unnatural calamities that are currently and constantly befalling us. But listen to these next verses, as the Lord detailed Judah’s problems, and in this age, our own. ‘Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait (lie in wait), as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen (grown) rich. They are waxen (grown) fat, they shine (are sleek): yea, they overpass (surpass) the deeds of the wicked: they judge (plead) not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge (defend). Shall I not visit (punish) for these things? saith the Lord: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? A wonderful (an astonishing) and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means (own power); and my people LOVE to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?’ (Jer.5:25-31) Yes my people, that’s the billion dollar question; what will we do in the end? I don’t know, but my advice is for our society to turn back as quickly as possible to truly worshipping and serving the ONE TRUE GOD, who created and still controls this universe and everything in it. And I have to note the scholars’ explanation on the second to last verse above. ‘Judah’s sin is so exceedingly evil that it is described as being appallingly horrible and staggeringly wonderful (wondered at in shocked disbelief).’ Now doesn’t that sound just like our society? It sure does? And Friends if we don’t quickly clean up our act then in the Lord’s own words, here’s what’s liable to happen. ‘Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them. Hear, O earth: behold I will bring evil (calamity) upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.’ (Jer.6:18-19) Oh my people, it’s extremely urgent that we return to God’s path asap, because from Jesus’ description the end times are in the offing. Exactly when, only the Father knows. But there is certainly too much calamity in the world for it to just go away. Our world is like a smouldering volcano, just waiting for the right moment to erupt. So what will it be Friends; self-destruction, God’s punishment, or conviction and repentance? For our children’s sake, I urge us to choose the latter two options, and quickly too. That’s the true zenith of wisdom. Much LOVE!…I have set before you…life and death…blessing and cursing…therefore choose life…that both thou and thy seed may live… (Deut.30:19)
17 Sep 2012
by randyobrien50
in Inspirational Living
Tags: enthusiasm, evil, genuine faith, glorious kingdom, Jesus Christ, joy, Lucifer, Monday blues, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, positives, spiritual armour, spread the gospel, vitality, walk in truth, working for a living
3 John 4. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
Oh Friends, let’s rise and shine this glorious Monday morning like the brilliant sun that’s peeping over the horizon. That’s with a strong sense of purpose; a sense of purpose that dictates we’ll live as best we can for Christ today! Let’s quickly dispel the grumbling, grouchiness, dismay, anxiety and blues that come rolling around every Monday morning when we have to get up and face the boring, exasperating music of work again. Most of us have no choice but to labour for a living, so let’s ditch the negatives that rise up against us every Monday, and instead grab hold of the positives, like we’ll be able to pay the mortgage and car loans, plus clothe and feed our children, and hopefully pay the million and one other bills that need to be paid. So with all that in mind, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. And though some of you are just getting up, and your voices are still croaky with sleep, (smile) let’s give it our best shot. As one harmonious choir now: ‘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!’ Now that’s my people! The angels were jealous, and Jesus was real proud! So please keep the enthusiasm going, even when the adrenalin returns to normal. And our Bit blends in quite nicely with all that’s gone before: ‘I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.’ Here in his third epistle, John’s writing to a close friend, Gaius, whom he truly cherishes, and wishes to prosper both in physical and spiritual health. He continues by telling of his great joy on hearing the news of Gaius’ steadfastness – he both talked the talk and walked the walk. (3 John 1-3) And having that wonderful news sink into his soul, John declares the glorious words of our Bit, which are so heart-warming that we shall repeat them. ‘I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.’ John isn’t speaking of his own children, (don’t know if he had any) but generally of those whom he helped to come to Christ. To him, nothing could be more beautiful and fulfilling than to hear that they were still walking the straight and narrow path. And no doubt all of us will feel the same about any persons whom we helped in their walk with Christ. But Friends, now I want to go even one step further and solemnly declare that for a believer, there’s no joy comparable to that of hearing that our children, our own flesh and blood are walking steadfastly in and with Christ, the way we taught them! Wow! Nothing can be more rewarding than that my brethren! Yuh hear that mih children? (smile) There’s no greater joy you can bring to the ole fella’s heart than to know that you are walking and talking in true faith as your mother and I endeavoured to teach you, but which first began with your Grandmother Molly. It brings to mind, Bruh Paul’s reminder to Timothy. ‘When I call to remembrance the unfeigned (genuine) faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.’ (2 Tim.1:5) So please don’t make me a liar children. (smile) Oh Friends, I’m sure you all will agree that there’s no greater blessing a Christian parent can take to his or her grave, than that of knowing their offspring is walking faithfully in the light and truth of Jesus, for that means the gospel will continue to be carried to the whole world, as Jesus commanded, and that the hope for our world to improve will remain strong. Unfortunately though Friends, too many parents of this generation will return to the dust from whence they came without that satisfaction. That is because we have not done such a good job with our children in their early formative years, by teaching them the Word and how to resist temptation when it comes along. So now, too many of them are sadly caught up in the false, glitz, glitter and glamour of the world, on the road to a sad ending, writhing in its vice-like tentacles. That’s why our world is fast slipping into the mire of quicksand that the evil one has laid out for those who foolishly choose to accept his ungodly lifestyle, rather than Jesus’ repentance and salvation based way. But Friends, there’s still hope, because the breath of life still flows through our mortal bodies. But we have to act fast, like RIGHT NOW, working first on those close to us, then on others like our co-workers, to extricate them from the evil tentacles of Lucifer and bring them to the kind, ever-LOVING, peaceful rest, with salvation and everlasting life that’s found under the yoke of Jesus. More on this tomorrow, if life and limb allow. Till then, may the good Lord bless and keep us safely as we go out into this wicked world to work on His behalf. Much LOVE!…saving souls from eternal perdition…that’s why Jesus came to earth…the same is required of His followers…
14 Sep 2012
by randyobrien50
in Inspirational Living
Tags: bless, blessed, curse, enthusiasm, evil, exuberance, faith, Friday chant, good, heritage, injustice, legacy, modicum of circumspection, perspective, revenge, righteous kingdom, suffering, TGIF!, trials, tribulations, weekend
Proverbs 17:13. Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Oh Friends, our wonderful God again blessed my area yesterday with a perfect summer’s day! Wow! All praise and thanks be to You O Lord! But I don’t think today is going to be so nice, because they’re calling for cooler temps and rain. But when has a little rain and some cool weather ever stopped God’s children from joyously shouting on a Friday: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday?’ Never! That’s because we’re so wrapped up in our Fridays; first because it’s the end of the work week and then it’s also the start of our labour free weekend. However Friends, before we allow our exuberance to aimlessly carry us away, let’s chant our Friday Chant, so that we can keep everything in its right perspective. So with the same enthusiasm that we just shouted, ‘TGIF!’ and ‘Thank God it’s Friday!’ let’s all chant as one. Blow the roof off heaven mih people! (smile) ‘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.’ And now that we’ve curbed our aimless enthusiasm with ‘a modicum of circumspection,’ as Jeeves the butler in the P.G. Wodehouse books was wont to say, let’s turn to our Bit. ‘Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.’ Those are certainly words of invaluable truth my people, for that’s how our most just and righteous God has set up His everlasting kingdom. Evil has no place in it; especially for those who return evil for good. Being evil is bad enough, but returning a good favour with evil consequences, is the lowest of the low. Now yesterday we ended with Peter telling us that we should be joyful when we suffer for righteousness sake. (1 Pet.3:13-14) However Friends, we all know it’s rough to suffer injustice and don’t long for some kind of revenge. That’s just our natural human nature. But James tells us this: ‘Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried (has been proved), he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that LOVE him.’ (James 1:12) Accepting evil for good and not making any noise, comes with the territory my brethren. Jesus suffered immeasurable evil for our sakes, but He never complained. Granted we don’t have all the parts that Jesus had, but we can still stand strong in His Holy Name. For you see what’s the end of returning evil for good? Evil will remain forever in the house, the family of that person(s). Now is that a legacy we want to leave our descendants? Absolutely not! And it’s not only Jesus who endured evil for good, but many other faithful followers did too. Hear Jeremiah tell his story: ‘Give heed to me, O Lord, and hearken (listen) to the voice of them that contend with me. Shall evil be recompensed (repaid) for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul (life). Remember that I stood before thee to speak good for (concerning) them, and to turn away thy wrath from them.’ (Jer.18:19-20) Poor Jerry ended up in jail for warning his people about the coming calamity from God if they did not repent of their evil ways. Now listen to Bruh David, who knew a thing or two about suffering evil at the hands of those he treated well, like Saul and his own son Absalom. He declares thus in Psalm 35, a prayer for rescue from enemies: ‘Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the Lord persecute (pursue) them. For without cause have they hid (hidden) for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul (life) – shades of Jeremiah – …False (fierce) witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge (asked me) things that I knew not. They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling (sorrow) of my soul.’ (Ps.35:6-7,11-12) Oh Friends, I know that many of us are still suffering the heartfelt pangs of receiving evil in return for good. But as I tried to show, it’s a part of our heritage, our faith, to suffer, especially on Jesus’ behalf. And though it’s never easy, we have to try and rise above the situation of returning evil for good, and when it happens to us, we have to look at it as a test from God, who has promised to strengthen us in all our misfortunes and also reward us if we stand strong and steadfast in His Word and His Will. And we’ll end with some poignant words from Jesus on the subject. After he told the Jews: ‘I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones to stone him. Jesus answered them. Many good works have I showed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?’ (John 10:30-32) And we think we have it hard! Oh my people, let’s ponder today on the trials and tribulations that Jesus unfairly bore on our behalf, so that we could be reconciled with the Father. Then let’s allow His Holy Spirit to rise up in us and strengthen us, as we make our own difficult pilgrimage through this earthly life. Much LOVE!…but I say unto you which hear…LOVE your enemies…do good to them which hate you…bless them that curse you…and pray for them which despitefully (spitefully) use you… (Luke 6:27-28)
13 Sep 2012
by randyobrien50
in Inspirational Living
Tags: blessings, evil, good, greed, indifference, kindness, moral consciousness, Most High God, puppets, summer's day, thankful, unstable weather, wickedness, winter
Proverbs 17:13. Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Oh my wonderful Friends in Christ, yesterday turned out to be a beautiful summer’s day in my area, with a warm but not too hot sun, a cool, refreshing breeze and cloudless blue skies. Wow! A perfect summer’s day in any language! And today promises to be a day of the same high calibre. All praise and thanks be to our Most High God Jehovah! Some of you might not understand my enthusiasm for what you consider a normal, ordinary day. But up here in the northern climes we have to cherish and relish those days like gold, since the winter weather will be soon upon us, and the days will become so short and oftimes so dark that you can’t even see the sun, much less feel its warmth. And with the weather being so precarious and unstable these days, you can’t predict with any real surety, what it will be like from one day to the next. So those of you, who have constant sunshine and warmth all year round, please be very thankful for it eh! Don’t add yourselves to the already teeming ranks of those who disregard our Bit. ‘Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.’ I meant there, that God’s giving you good days, but you’re treating His blessings with callous indifference, simply taking it for granted. Ah mih people, evil has become so ingrained and prevalent in our society in the last thirty or so years that it’s mind-boggling. So much so that we take a lot of evil stuff for granted and just do them without thinking. Simply put, the moral fabric of the entire world has just plumb gone to hell in a bucket! When there’s no proper evaluation or even consensus over right and wrong, good and evil, what else can we really expect eh? Some of the things we do now without any pricks of conscience, thirty years ago we wouldn’t even have contemplated them, much less put them into action. Friendship, or what passes for friendship, is not as strong as it once was. We make all sorts of promises just because they are convenient, without ever intending to keep them. We boldly and blatantly curse our parents, leaving them to suffer avoidable pain and sorrow in their old age, being less warm and kind to them than in any other generation in history. We use today’s fast and busy society as an excuse to just dump our parents in an old people’s home and basically forget about them, visiting them once in a blue moon. As our Bit says: How can we not suffer the burning pangs of evil, when we repay kindness with wickedness? That’s our God’s universal and everlasting prescription for such unjust, unrighteous behaviour! In Psalm 109, A prayer for the punishment of the wicked, Bruh David says it thus: ‘For (in return for) my LOVE they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer. And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my LOVE.’ (Ps.109:4-5) Yes Friends, just look at all the fraudulent acts that have recently been unearthed, where thousands of people have lost their life savings and retirement money to evil schemers, many of whom were relatives and/or close friends. Consider the failure of the big banks, through greed and excessive remuneration to the top echelons. People put their money in the banks and these other schemes in good faith, and what do they get in return? NADA, NOTHING! The same goes for our greedy and untrustworthy politicians and civic officials. They can’t seem to do anything that’s right and good because they have little or no backbone and are thus been played like the proverbial puppet on a string by the evil ringmasters. But Friends, they will all get their comeuppance eventually, and I can assure you it won’t be good, because our God is keeping score and will repay them when the time’s right! Many have already succumbed to ill health, suicide and jail, their families humbled and shamed, while many are still living in dire fear of being caught. Evil has no place to run and hide Friends, please remember that. Whatever is done in darkness will eventually come to light and the perpetrators, or their families WILL pay. Many of us have suffered evil at the hands of those we trusted or treated with a good and righteous heart, only to be cast adrift later on with an unholy ‘see you later alligator’ attitude and wave off. I can tell from personal experience that those things do hurt very much my people, but sometimes we just have to grin and bear them. I like how Bruh David says it in Psalm 38; the prayer of a penitent heart: ‘But mine enemies are lively (vigorous), and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied. They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is (that is good).’ (Ps.38:19-20) Yes Friends, it hurts the most when we have gone out of our way to do the good and right thing, then get suckered for it. But as Peter so rightly advises: ‘And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness sake, happy (blessed) are ye: And be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled.’ (1 Pet.3:14-15) I know that’s hard to do Friends, but it’s the way Jesus wants His followers to be. Remember He suffered immeasurable unfairness and evil for our sakes, and never complained. We are called to do likewise, and with His help, through His Holy Spirit, we can indeed leave the evil hurts we suffer to God to rectify. That’s wisdom at its zenith. Much LOVE!…the pilgrim’s journey is long and arduous…but with Jesus stoking the fires of his heart…he is able to withstand…and eventually overcome…
11 Sep 2012
by randyobrien50
in Inspirational Living
Tags: 9/11, anxiety, conqueror, evil, fear God, holy spirit, ignorance, just rulers, out of sync, Rock, rough, slippery, ungodly schemes, withdrawal, World Trade Centre, worry
2 Samuel 23:3. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
Oh Friends, the ole fella’s shaking it a bit rough this morning. In fact he’s been shaking it rough all weekend. Hn! Ignorance really is a hell of a thing yes! Why do I say that? Because last week I saw that I was running out of my arthritic medication, but thinking that I had some in the bag I carry around, I didn’t contact my doctor for a refill. And as the Lord would have it, I ran out over the weekend. However, when I checked the bag, lo and behold, there were no arthritic pills. And though I took some other stuff, it just didn’t feel the same. Don’t know if I was suffering withdrawal symptoms or what, but my whole body just seemed more achy and out of sync than normal. And to make matters worse, my allergies are acting up this morning. Brother! The ole body is surely crying out for constant sunshine and warm seawater yes! (smile) Anyway, enough of my woes, they’re inconsequential to those of many others. Here’s a quote though, from American author Clarence Day (1874-1935) that we can all attest to. ‘The real world is not easy to live in. It is rough; it is slippery.’ And isn’t that the living truth Friends! In fact our world is getting rougher and more slippery everyday. That’s why we have to assume full responsibility for our health and strength with continuous positive action, and not wait until a crisis forces us to act. But as Christians, true followers of Jesus, we don’t have to get all flustered, anxious and worried over the world’s rough and slippery nature, for Jesus reassured us that He had already conquered the world, so we should be of good spirit, and do our best while abiding in Him. (John 16:33) Today is also the eleventh anniversary of the World Trade Centre bombing in New York City. You can imagine the emotions that will be fired up over that today. But you know what, our Bit today encapsulates what was wrong with that whole scenario. ‘The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.’ Obviously the rulers, or those who controlled the people who committed that heinous crime, weren’t just, or didn’t fear God. And sadly that’s a fact that’s happening all over the current world; rulers neither are afraid physically or emotionally of God, nor do they reverence Him. They just do as they please, or follow the evil, ungodly schemes laid down by their evil, ungodly masters. And it’s worthy to note that today we’re dealing with some of Bruh David’s last words. Before our Bit, he proudly proclaims: ‘The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue… Bit… And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.’ (2 Sam.23:2,4) As we said earlier, there are surely very few, if any rulers of that calibre existing today. Now here’s a brief explanation from the scholars. “David attests the divine inspiration of his psalm. Verses 2-7 contain a lovely testimony in song of David’s abiding trust in God and the unconditional covenant of God with the house of David.” Yes Friends, although Bruh David was far from perfect, he staunchly abided in the LOVE, power and trust of God, so that the Lord made an unconditional covenant with him. His name and his house would always be revered in the annals of Jewish history. It’s also interesting to see that the terminology used by Bruh David to describe his God was also used by a couple of other famous faithful followers in their songs of praise. In his song, Moses declares: ‘Because I will publish (proclaim) the name of the Lord: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgement: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.’ (Deut.32:3-4) And all God’s people declared a loud and grateful; ‘Praise the Lord, for He is indeed our Rock and our salvation!’ And Samuel’s mother, Hannah, after she had cried out to the Lord and He had filled her barren womb with the prophet, she also joyfully declared: ‘There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none besides thee: neither is there any rock like our God.’ (1 Sam.2:2) Ah mih people, the word ‘Rock’ emphasizes the stability, permanence and unchanging nature of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, as a place of security, safety and rest, of hope and salvation! Where else can we find a God who truly possesses all those qualities eh? NOWHERE, my Friends, NOWHERE! And yuh know what? The Holy Spirit just advised me to stop here for today, because the rest of my message would be much too long for our busy, short attention spans. (smile) And since I try to be as obedient as possible, I’ll certainly bow to His greater wisdom. So Friends, please let’s ponder today’s message and allow it help us in our walk of faith through this rough and slippery world. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen. Much LOVE my brethren!…without the true rock…Almighty God…to lean upon…the human animal will flounder and die…
04 Sep 2012
by randyobrien50
in Inspirational Living
Tags: anguish, blasphemy, confidence, cry out to God, destruction, evil, forgiveness, Glory Halleujah, god, God is good, hear, LOVE, loving kindness, mercy, prayer, prophecy, punishment, save, surrender, violence, wisdom
Habakkuk 1:2. O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!
Oh Friends, oh Friends, our God just proved to me once again what a wonderful and faithful God He is! Just now, when I came to write the Bit, my confidence seemed to be at a rather low ebb. I can’t say what really caused it, because when I came downstairs earlier on it was fine, but somewhere in between it faltered. And all I did was read a few e-mails, most of them to do with God too, including yesterday’s Bit, then played a set of games that purport to enhance my mental prowess (smile). And even though I didn’t do as well in some of the individual games as I usually do, my overall score was higher than yesterday. So I really can’t say what triggered this lack of confidence. But somehow or the other Lucifer got into my mind – yes that’s where it all begins, in the mind – and knocked me for an unhealthy six. (smile) But what he obviously didn’t consider Friends, is that I would cry out to my God in anguish and sincere surrender, and that being the True, Faithful and LOVING Father that He is, He would renew that confidence, through the gentle touch of His Holy Spirit, and my looking up some scriptures on confidence in His Word, in particular Proverbs 3:25-26; Proverbs 14:26; and 1 John 5:13-15. And now my brethren, I can truly say a very big and bold ‘THANK YOU FATHER FOR RENEWING MY CONFIDENCE!’ Wow Friends, what a great and mighty God, endowed with much mercy, forgiveness and LOVING-kindness we serve and worship! And all God’s people let forth a mighty shout of joy, boldly declaring: ‘Glory Hallelujah to the ONE and ONLY TRUE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE! Oh Friends, I’m chuckling here now as I consider God’s mysterious movement in my life this morning. Apparently He felt that I needed a testimony; I’ve been doing enough talking, and needed to walk some of that talk. So Friends, I can boldly testify now, that if your spirit is somewhat downcast and on the low side, you can successfully cry out to God, get in His Word and feel His Sprit work in you, to bring you back up to a decent level. And on another good note of God’s faithfulness, I read where an Imam was arrested in the last couple days for framing the young Christian girl being held in a Pakistani jail on blasphemy charges. Somebody apparently squealed on him. But what’s even more surprising and important is that they actually arrested him and took him away in chains and a white blindfold. That decree must have come from some real powerful person, cause when have you ever heard of an Imam’s word being doubted in a fanatical Muslim society, especially when it comes to the burning of a holy work by a Christian believer? God truly is good my people! Now let’s see if we can get some action on our Bit. (smile) ‘O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!’ Ah mih breddren, Habakkuk’s words on the state of his country Judah so long ago, so closely mirrors the state of our own society now that it’s not funny! Rather, it’s heartbreaking and unsettling. For it seems that severe punishment is also going to be meted out to us for our proud and obnoxious disobedience and rebellion towards Almighty God, Creator and Everlasting Ruler of our Universe. Habakkuk’s cry of unanswered prayer sounds like Jeremiah’s in his Lamentations for Judah’s fall. ‘He hath set me in dark places, as they that be dead of old. He hath hedged me about (walled me in), that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy. Also when I cry out and shout, he shutteth out my prayer.’ (Lam.3:6-8) But what else did Jeremiah expect eh, when he himself had prophesied to Judah about their coming destruction, and they refused to listen to him? Oh my people, we are always declaring that our God doesn’t change; He’s the same yesterday, today and forever. So in light of that, let me ask a seemingly foolish question here. If God severely punished Israel so often, plus all those others who were supposed to believe in and worship Him faithfully, what do you think is going to happen to us, especially since we LOVE to claim that our society was founded on Christian principles? Oh my fellow believers, it doesn’t take the brains of a rocket scientist to understand God’s rules because they are quite simple: obey, or you pay! It’s the same thing our earthly parents taught us from a tender age, and we obeyed them lots of the time because of fear, fear of the punishment that would be meted out to us mostly in a physical manner. But Friends, our God doesn’t want us to obey Him because we’re afraid of His eventual punishment, but because we LOVE Him the way He LOVES us, and thus want to do His will. But we’ve gotten so big for out ‘britches’ these days that we only do what we think is right. Anyway mih people, the long and short of the story is that our world is in a despicable state, partly because of our wilful, blatant and stubborn disobedience to ALL the commandments of our Creator. And we’re already paying dearly for that disobedience. So let’s end with some wise words from the prophet Micah, re the terrible end of the oppressors of the poor. ‘Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work (plan) evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practice it, because it is in the power of their hand. And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take (seize) them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage (inheritance). Therefore thus saith the Lord; Behold, against this family do I devise an evil (I am devising disaster), from which ye shall not remove your necks; neither shall ye go haughtily: for this time is evil.’ (Mic.2:1-3) And this time is surely evil my people, so please let’s wake up and hear what God is saying to us nuh: repent, and come back to my fold, else it won’t be well with you. Friends and fellow believers, I implore us to listen and heed God’s advice. That’s wisdom at its zenith. Much LOVE!…there’s none so deaf…as he who refuses to hear…
28 Aug 2012
by randyobrien50
in Inspirational Living
Tags: anger, anxiety, bitterness, charity, covers, earthquake, evil, flooding, good stewards, gossipmongers, Haiti, holy spirit, hurricane, Isaac, Jesus, LOVE, manifold grace of God, prayers, rejoice, relationships, resentment, sins, stress, tension
1 Peter 4:8. And above all things have fervent charity (LOVE) among yourselves: for charity (LOVE) shall cover the multitude of sins.
Oh Friends, we at last had a touch of rain in my area yesterday morning; first time in over a week. And I guess most people were pleased to receive it, but Friends, think about those rather unfortunate people in Haiti, where Hurricane Isaac brought an abnormal amount of rain, wind, flooding and destruction to their already bruised, battered and impoverished lives. The poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, and they’ve now undergone what; two hurricanes and a massive earthquake in the last few years? Ah Lord eh! It’s one calamity after the other. Before they can recover from one, another strikes them! Please my people, let’s pray some serious and heart-rending prayers for them, and also help in whatever other way we can. Please ask the Lord to guide our thoughts and prayers too to those unfortunates in the Dominican Republic and Cuba who felt some of Isaac’s wrath, but certainly not as much as Haiti. And let’s also remember in our words to heaven the people in the Southern U.S. where Isaac is scheduled to do some serious damage. Let’s pray that it will extinguish itself out at sea, and leave the land and people unscathed, cause they already have enough calamity to deal with. And if that’s not in the Lord’s plan, then pray that it will do minimal damage. Can you imagine the suffering that will cause with the serious job and home losses, plus social upheaval, drought and economic decline that’s already plaguing the nation? All I can say my brethren, is that we look to our Bit for guidance in these really troubled times. ‘And above all things have fervent charity (LOVE) among yourselves: for charity (LOVE) shall cover the multitude of sins.’ And that’s an undisputable fact Friends! LOVE does cover an amazing amount of troubles and wrongdoings. Hear how Cousin Sol says it in Proverbs 10. ‘Hatred stirreth up strifes: but LOVE covereth ALL sins.’ (Prov.10:12) That’s why they say LOVE makes the world go round. It can surely handle all kinds of misfortune and negative circumstances. Peter further advises us: ‘Use hospitality one to another without grudging (grumbling) As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.’ (1 Pet.4:9-10) And you know what happens when we don’t take that advice? Listen to Cousin Sol tell it. ‘He that covereth a transgression seeketh LOVE: but he that repeateth a matter separateth very (the best of) friends.’ (Prov.17:9) Gospel truth my brethren, to which many of us can personally attest! For we have all seen and experienced situations where friends keep their peace on certain things, relationships endure and often prosper because of that held tongue. But when the gossip-mongers spread their evil offering, it inevitably breaks up relationships, leaving in their wake, trails of bitterness, anger, resentment and strife. However, as Bruh Paul so wisely and truthfully tells the Corinthians: ‘Charity (LOVE) suffereth long, and is kind; charity (LOVE) envieth not; charity (LOVE) vaunteth not (does not brag) on itself, is not puffed up (arrogant). Doth not behave itself unseemly (rudely), seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no (keeps no accounts of) evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity (LOVE) never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail (cease); whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away (cease).’ (1 Cor.13:4-8) Yes my people; LOVE NEVER FAILS! It is the great reliever of stress, tension, anxiety and all misfortune. Even in the most difficult of times, just a little show or act of LOVE can bring a smile and/or a sense of relief to the unfortunate person’s face and spirit. That’s because it’s the essential essence of our all-knowing, all-seeing and all-powerful God! And it’s why Bruh Paul thus admonished the Galatians. ‘And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections (its passions) and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory (conceited), provoking one another, envying one another.’ (Gal.5:24-26) My fellow believers, it’s only LOVE that’s given through the Holy Spirit that can cause unity among humans. No wonder Bruh Paul advised the Ephesians. ‘And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 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 you.’ (Eph.4:30-32) And therein lies the rub my brethren. That forgiveness of God came to us through His LOVE, otherwise we’d still be tightly enmeshed, wrapped up in sin and discarded unto death. But note, the LOVE of God, through the sacrifice of Jesus, covered not only a multitude of sins, but ALL of the sins of those who believe on His Son. And if you’re one of those fortunate people to have your sins covered by God’s LOVE through Jesus’ death, then please go out and tell and live it, so that the rest of the world can see the great benefits it provides, and come to know and LOVE Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, just like you. As James says: ‘Let him know, that he which converteth (turns) the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide (cover) a multitude of sins.’ (James 5:20) And all God’s people said a loud and sincere ‘Amen!’ Oh Friends, it’s our time to go out and spread some LOVE, if we want things to improve in our world. Let’s do it for Jesus nuh! Much LOVE!…LOVE…it’s the panacea for what ails our world…
20 Aug 2012
by randyobrien50
in Inspirational Living
Tags: advice, anger, awe, conquerors, dreams, enthusiasm, evil, eyes of faith, fear, humble servant, imagination, invincible, joy, pride, prosperity, righteous, sin, songs of praise, vitality, wisdom, wrath
Psalm 37:8. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
It’s Monday morning Friends! And all God’s people jumped out of bed with abundant joy in their hearts, a sweet song of praise on their lips, and the sincere intention to go out into the new work week and diligently work in Jesus’ Holy Name! Wow! Now wouldn’t that be something mih people! The evil doers wouldn’t be able to stop us. They’d drop like flies in honey, and once we had their undivided attention, we could teach and show them all about our wonderful Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Oh what marvellous gifts of dreams and imagination that our Creator built into us eh! And He gave them to us so that we could imagine sensational scenarios like the whole world coming to know and accept Christ as their Lord and Saviour, and to dream those big, beautiful dreams of Him not losing even one single, human soul to Beelzebub. Now those are not impossible happenings Friends, since nothing is impossible if we work with Jesus. However, we believers have to first believe them, see them through our eyes of faith, then go out and diligently work towards them. However, until we all reach that high point of maturity, where we look forward to Mondays, (smile) we’ll just have to continue singing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn to get our faith and our adrenalin in motion. So all together now, in loud, enthusiastic, sincere voice, 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!’ Now didn’t that get the motor running? On a Monday morning, many of us are like a cold car engine on a winter’s morn, where the oil is heavy and unwieldy, and won’t flow smoothly until the engine runs for a few minutes and warms it up. Well consider ourselves warmed up now, with minds, bodies and hearts all beating in an even tempo, in tune with Christ’s song, and His orchestral direction. In other words my brethren, we’re ready to face the evil world, and fight to the death for Jesus! And our Bit provides some wisdom essential for us to do just that. ‘Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil (it only causes harm).’ Oh Friends, that’s some of the best advice we can ever get! It’s very appropriate for every aspect of our earthly journey; home, school, work, and even play. Bruh Paul rephrased our Bit thus to the Ephesians: ‘Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place (an opportunity) to the devil.’ (Eph.4:26-27) Meanwhile, Bruh David, in Psalm 4; and evening prayer of trust in God, puts it this way. ‘Stand in awe (tremble), and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.’ (Ps.4:4) And the author of Psalm 119, had this to say on the subject. ‘Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.’ (Ps.119:11) Oh Friends, those are all strong truths for believers to establish in their faith walk. Now here’s Cousin Sol’s advice on the topic. ‘Let not thine heart envy sinners; but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long. For surely there is an end (a hereafter); and thine expectations (hope) shall not be cut off.’ (Prov.23:17-18) Oh my people, if we follow that wise advice, then we’ll surely cut down on our anger, and consequently give Lucifer less opportunity to invade our lives. And if you think that’s not so, then listen to the psalmist Asaph when he didn’t follow it in Psalm 73, the mystery of prosperous wickedness. ‘Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean (pure) heart. But as for me, my feet were almost gone (I had almost stumbled); my steps had well-nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish (boastful), when I saw the prosperity of the wicked…Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.’ (Ps.73:1-3, 17) Yuh see mih breddren, Asaph didn’t understand the end of the wicked, until he got in serious touch with his godly side. So it’s very possible for even the most righteous to slip and fall if we’re not careful, for the enemy is always on the prowl, and he’s also very smart and versatile in his trickery. And there’s no better way to end than with the opening verse of Psalm 37, the true state of the wicked, from which our Bit is taken. ‘Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. 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.37:1-3) Wise words indeed from Bruh David! Please Friends, let’s inwardly digest them, then put them into diligent action nuh, so that our earthly lives will be much improved. That’s wisdom for all the ages! Much LOVE!…abide in me…and I in you…as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself…except it abide in the vine…no more can ye…except ye abide in me… (John 15:4)
19 Aug 2012
by randyobrien50
in Inspirational Living
Tags: anger, controversy, downtrodden, eternal life, evil, evildoers, greed, humble, humility, Jesus, joy, Lake Ontario, LOVE, meek, needy, party, peace, poor, pride, resentment, salvation, selfishness, sick, Toronto, worry, wrath
Psalm 37:8. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
Oh Friends, yesterday was one of the many perfect summer days we’ve recently experienced in the Greater Toronto Area; bright sunshine, a cool breeze and a multiplicity of (plenty, plenty) LOVE and JOY floating all around! (smile) And speaking of LOVE and JOY, I also discovered an amazing truth: nobody can party like Christians when they truly let their hair down and decide to party. In actual fact, logic dictates that by reason of our overwhelming LOVE for each other and the abundant JOY that dwells in our souls, both so freely granted by Christ, the Master of LOVE and JOY, we ought to be the heartiest partiers around, since partying is a direct derivative of those two outstanding emotions. ‘Elementary, my dear Watson!’ as the renowned British sleuth, Sherlock Holmes would say to his sidekick. (smile) And I proved it yesterday, when my local church had a boat cruise out on Lake Ontario. Oh Friends, a day cruise on a lovely summer’s day around Toronto’s harbour is a joy to experience. To the waterfront side, you have the daily increasing concrete jungle cluster of high-rise buildings lining it as far back as you can see, with the C.N. Tower, towering majestically above it all. Meanwhile, out on the water, the many sailboats and different kinds of watercraft dance all around on the beautiful but deceitful and treacherous waters of Lake Ontario, weaving in and around the outlying islands which all have their own activity. I even saw one lone, brave sailor paddling his little canoe over the swells, way outside. Better him than me yes! The only thing that possibly beats that sight is a night time cruise, which shows up the sparkling lights of the buildings and the outlying islands. And believe me, yesterday between 12 and 4 p.m. the St. Francis congregation, our friends and families, we mash up the T.O. harbour on the Riverboat Gambler, an old paddle wheel cruiser! Chuh mih people! I didn’t see any of the many other boats out there, big or small, with a party as hearty as ours! Even the broken and lame, like myself, were hopping and rocking! Ditto for several people who were in wheelchairs! To tell you how good it was, I sat next to a grandmother soon to be ninety seven years old. Yes Friends, 97 large ones, and she was as aware and sprightly as a young doe! (smile) Well just a little exaggeration really. She reminded me of my ole mother Mols, who’s partying somewhere up in heaven now. Anyway mih brethren, the food was good, the beverages wet and refreshing, and the music was most excellent! It was strictly ‘big people music,’ as Dr. Jay, a local D.J. calls it. None of the chupidness that the young people nowadays call music. Call it ole school, or whatever, but when the rockers, the soca and the funk cascaded across the deep, dark green waters of Lake Ontario there wasn’t a foot not tapping or a finger not drumming to the scintillating riddims! I never knew that some of those people who look so serious and sedate in church could step that well. And the best part is that it was all led by our partying leader, our very own Pastor Jeff. He definitely set the tone for the afternoon’s proceedings right from the very start. And it’s amusing that as we were leaving the boat, one of my faithful readers told me that he was sure to read about it in Today’s Bit. At the time though I wasn’t even thinking about the Bit, but concentrating on my aching knees and what the later hours would bring. But it seems like you were right Scottie. And James, you missed an excellent gathering of God’s people, dancing, singing and giving praise to their Creator. So yuh see Friends, that’s why people ought to come to know Jesus. Not so much for. the partying, which is surely interesting, but for the abundant LOVE and JOY He instils in the hearts, minds, bodies and spirits of His followers. And that’s exactly why Bruh David so strenuously and sincerely warns us about the true state of the wicked in our Bit: ‘Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil (for it only causes harm).’ Now that’s undoubtedly gospel truth mih breddren! And here’s why: ‘For evildoers shall be cut off (destroyed): but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider (look diligently for) his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.’ (Ps.37:9-11) Oh Friends what better life can you desire, and above all, also get on earth, than that which Jesus promises… no, not only promises, but also faithfully delivers to all those who wisely choose to put their belief, faith and trust in Him eh? NONE WHATSOEVER! So why are so many of us so reluctant to accept the abundance of LOVE, JOY and PEACE He offers here on earth, then SALVATION and ETERNAL LIFE with Him when we depart this evil and troubled earth? It surely boggles my mind. Many even become angry and violent, at the very mention of His Name. There must be something awfully powerful about Jesus yes, if He could bring out such contrasts in humans. No other name in history has ever caused, or will ever cause so much controversy. Oh Friends, just reading the gospel stories about Jesus, His humility, His LOVE for mankind, especially the poor, the downtrodden, sick and needy, His constant willingness to help, the way He bore His burdens, including the physical cross and the sacrifice of His sinless life on it without a whimper, how can you not feel close to Him, not LOVE him eh? Only if your heart, mind and spirit are wrapped up in evil, false pride, selfishness and greed could you fail to understand and comprehend His great gift and selflessness to mankind. And as we like to do whenever possible, we’ll end with some definitive words on the subject from Jesus. ‘The thief cometh not but for (except) to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.’ (John 10:10-11) Nuff said my people! More on this tomorrow if God favours us with the breath of life. Till then, please let’s seriously consider the true state of our lives nuh, ensuring that we embrace Jesus, so that it will be well with us. That is certainly wisdom at its zenith! Much LOVE!…as for me and mine…we’ll most definitely follow Jesus…hope you and yours…come to the same wise conclusion too…
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