Today’s Scrip-Bit   15 November 2022 Hebrews 4:15.

15 Nov 2022 Leave a comment

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

Hebrews 4:15.          For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched (sympathize) with the feeling of our infirmities (our weaknesses); but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Oh my people it’s Tuesday! Yes, we’ve successfully kicked Monday, our old nemesis into the dustbin of history, and are beginning on a new journey with our great God, which promises exciting things and wonderful adventures. Wow! What an interesting God we serve, for we never know what a new day will bring, except for His new mercies and compassions of that day. That’s all we are ever sure of. However, because He’s faithfully promised in Hebrews 13:5, to never leave nor forsake us, we are confident that though He takes us through the wildest and most dangerous scenarios of life, He will bring us safely through them. 

Sometimes we’ll be anxious and scared to the point of trembling, but never will we doubt or give up on this most mighty and wonderful promise. ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.’ (Rom. 8:28) And all God’s people gave a grateful shout of: ‘Thank You Jesus for promising never to leave nor forsake us and to eventually work everything out for our good! We LOVE You and gloriously praise Your Holy Name! Amen!’ 

Ah mih faithful bredrin, it’s so awesome to know that when you awaken on a morning, alive and kicking, or even just barely alive (smile) that you have an amazing Deity looking out for you, regardless of what comes against you. It just fills you with an unimaginable joy and sense of purpose, knowing that you can go out and accomplish anything that’s in the Lord’s will. Listen to this promise of empowerment nuh, so graciously offered since the time of the prophet Isaiah. ‘No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; 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) 

Oh my my, what a glorious promise! But friends, there is a caveat to that promise and most of God’s other promises; that we act in His will, in righteousness and be true servants of God. We can’t just behave willy nilly, irresponsible and evil, like so many supposed believers are doing nowadays and expect to receive the benefits of His promises. No! Our God is indeed a good God, but He’s not a dithering, faltering grandfather, who just does whatever we wish, regardless of our behaviour. Certainly not! We are in a partnership with Him, and He does expect a certain standard of behaviour from His believers, and a high standard at that. One of diligence and excellence, like Jesus showed during His earthly sojourn. 

No, the Lord doesn’t expect us to do everything right like Jesus, because He did not make us perfect, but He does expect us to walk as closely as possible in Jesus’ footsteps, with LOVE, and compassion being first and foremost in our lives, regardless of our personal difficulties, for that’s what Jesus did! And please remember that though Jesus was God, He was also human, so He experienced and felt the exact same things we do, but He just never sinned or gave into the temptations of the enemy. As the author of Hebrews tells us: ‘For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched (sympathize) with the feeling of our infirmities (our weaknesses); but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.’ (Heb. 4:15) 

There again, our wonderful God has made provision for our falling into diverse temptations because of our sinful nature. Through the blood of Jesus shed on the cross of Calvary that brought reconciliation between man and God, we are also entitled to come to Him for forgiveness through sincere repentance. Now, which other faith has such wonderful provisions for a bunch of ungrateful sinners eh? None! And yes, the Lord’s given us free will to choose whatever we want to do, but it doesn’t mean we can just sin and be disobedient as we like and get away with it. No siree, for there are consequences, ofttimes major, life-changing ones to every sin that we commit. 

Please don’t forget what Bruh Paul said in his letter to the Romans about that soul-defeating, challenging, enemy hurled thing called sin. He clearly outlined. ‘For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ our Lord.’ (Rom. 6:23) Yes friends, that tells us what we deserve, as opposed to what we get through God’s unmerited favour! If we insist on being sinful and not embracing Christ as Lord and Saviour, then our eventual disposition will be unequivocal death, just like the sinful and disgusting enemy Satan. 

However, if we sincerely embrace Christ, and do our best to live for him, though we may sin, but not live a life of knowing and continual sin, we will end up with Him in a miraculous place called heaven, where eternal life is guaranteed. Now, I can’t think or conceive of a better place to spend eternity. But if you can, please share it with me, like I’m sharing my best idea with you. (smile) Oh my people, God’s Word found in His Holy Library, the Bible, is so chocked full of promises that if we don’t read, study and meditate on it, we’ll never find success in this crazy and evil world. 

And it’s not me saying that, but it’s what the Lord himself said to Joshua many moons ago, when He made him leader of the Israelites after the death of Moses. Please listen very closely to this oh so important scripture. ‘This book of the law shall not depart out of (be constantly in) thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written there: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.’ (Josh. 1:8) 

Oh my fellow saints that’s possibly the most important scripture in the Bible! Why? Because when you constantly meditate on God’s word and keep it continually in your mouth, note it is to be kept continually in your speech, then you will know what the Word says, and you will be able to practice it and live a successful life! In summation, I sincerely offer that there’s nothing better than that in this earthly sojourn! (smile) But the only way you’ll ever find out if I’m telling the truth or not, is by doing what the Lord says, and what I’m passing on. (smile) 

Anyway, for those of us who have accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour and are doing our best to live for him, let’s go home now declaring (steups!!!) our Tuesday mantra, letting the whole world know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. As one strong and sincere voice. ‘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 my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’ 

Now, let’s go out and do just that nuh; share our amazing LOVE and friendship with Christ, so that others can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!

…choosing to follow the enemy brings certain death… choosing to follow Christ means living forever…please use your free will wisely…

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Today’s Scrip-Bit 19 June 2014 Acts 5:20

19 Jun 2014 Leave a comment

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

Acts 5:20.    Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
 
Oh Friends, oh Friends, I have a most wonderful way for us to begin our day today! I was driving out in my car yesterday evening when this song came up on the C.D player and immediately awakened me to some of the simple ills of the world that we can all fix without any problems.
 
I was also guided to share it again with you. It’s a song from Johnny Reid, a wonderful song of acclamation. So let’s acclaim together this Thursday morning nuh. ‘Today I’m going to try and change the world. I’m gonna take it one day at a time. I made my resolution, opened up my eyes.
 
Today I’m going to try and change the world. I’m going to say hello to my neighbour, gonna greet him with a smile, and shake the hand of a stranger; sit and talk to him for a while. I’m gonna tell someone I LOVE them from the bottom of my heart.
 
Today I’m going to try and change the world. I’m gonna make sure my children know right from wrong. Never turn my back on those who need someone. Always going to see my self through another’s eyes. Today I’m going to try and change the world. Gonna take it one day at a time. Yes, I’ve made my resolutions. I’ve opened up my eyes. Today I’m going to try and change the world.’ 
 
And Jesus, looking down from His high heaven, pumped His right hand with a clenched fist and said, ‘Yessss! That’s how I want my people to live, each and every day!’
 
Wow mih breddren, Wow! What a statement that would make in Jesus’ name eh, if we could just go out and do those simple things everyday! Because yuh know, that is exactly what Jesus did during His sojourn here on planet earth. He just went out and did good everyday. And that’s all we need to do to follow in His footsteps.
 
Oh yes my people, it’s time for the Holy Spirit of Jesus to be moving mightily in our hearts, minds, bodies and souls, like it did with the apostles and the other believers back then in the incredible aftermath of that memorable Pentecost day!
 
And following on from yesterday, where the multitudes were believing and coming to Jerusalem to be healed, we see the anxiety of the Jewish leaders.
 
Listen to the good Book tell it: ‘Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation (jealousy). And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.’ (Acts 5:17-20)
 
Oh Friends, it never ceases to amaze and amuse me, the way our God moves in such mysterious and devious ways to accomplish His purpose!
 
Now, in this current day and age, if the same scenario took place, how many of us would do what the angel said eh? I dare say, not too many, for fear of what the authorities would say and do. But the apostles back then were filled with the power of the Holy Ghost, which by the way we too are, and they immediately obeyed.
 
‘And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel (council of elders), and sent to the prison to have them (the apostles) brought.
 
But when the officers came and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told (reported), Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety (security), and the keepers standing without (outside) before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
 
Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them (wondered) whereunto this would grow. Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.’ (Acts 5:21-25)
 
Now my people, generally speaking, the Lord isn’t asking us to go and stand up on the street corners or in the church and preach, although that might be the calling of some. All He’s asking is that we live a decent and upright life, like in our acclamation above.
 
We only live one day at a time, so it’s obvious we can only make changes one day at a time too. But if everyday, each one of us does a little, makes some little improvement in our lives and somebody else’s, eventually we’ll turn our troubled world around.
 
But it has to begin with us; the true believers, the serious followers of Christ. Each of us has to take it upon ourselves to fix what we can in our small sphere of influence. We have to adopt Jesus’ great optimism. For yes, He was, and still is the eternal optimist!
 
Why else would He choose 12 men, yes my brethren, 12, low of status, uneducated men to proselytize the entire world eh? 12 men simply filled with Holy Spirit of Christ!
 
And my people, you’ll notice that they did it! 12 men filled with only the Holy Spirit of Christ changed the entire world! Glory Hallelujah! Two thousand years later we’re still talking about them.
 
Please, I implore us; let them be talking about us that same way nuh, with pride and wonder, if our troubled world lasts another two thousand years.
 
Let’s go down in the annals of history, of Christianity, as having left a legacy of true faith and good works, so that all can declare: ‘They truly believed!’ That’s all Jesus is asking of us. Much LOVE!
 
…Jesus would never have given the apostles the task of proselytizing the world…if He thought it was impossible…and that goes for us too in this modern age…

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 20 May 2014 Luke 21:19

20 May 2014 Leave a comment

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

Luke 21:19.    In your patience possess ye your souls.

 

Oh Friends, the party’s over! Yeh, like the man said, it’s time to call it a day and get back to labouring. (smile) So all you people who were fortunate enough to have yesterday off in honour of Queen Victoria, please get it together and get out there today and work hard for Jesus, like the rest of us, provided you didn’t overdo the partying yesterday.

And even if you did overdo it, then just suck it up and do what needs to be done, regardless of your physical feelings. I’m sure you didn’t have any qualms about anything when you were living it up yesterday, so please don’t have any today when Jesus is counting on you to be His ears, arms, eyes and heart in an ungodly world which badly needs His LOVE and encouragement.

And now that you’ve been suitably admonished, (smile) let’s get down to brass tacks here ourselves, and with the guidance of our great God, write something that’s inspiring and encouraging.

And in seeking something inspiring to begin, I found these words of encouragement from one of my favourite writers and preachers, Dr. Robert H. Schuller.

Listen closely Friends and fellow believers. Dr. Schuller tells us that ‘The joy of being at the top of the mountain is the joy of reaching down to help others see and develop their (own) possibilities.’

And what a riot of wisdom and truth that is my brethren! For what other purpose can their be at the top of the mountain if you’re a true and faithful follower of Jesus eh?

None really my people! Because that’s what Jesus did every day of His life; go about doing good, helping and healing people, and if we want to truly follow in his footsteps then we need to do the same. Yes my fellow believers that is our mandate; to help the needy, in all walks of life, in whatever way we are able!

But just as our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, didn’t have it easy, we won’t have it easy either. There will always be trials and tribulations to face as our God tests us, and the heathen, the unbeliever and evil powers of this world try to break down our faith.

But as Jesus so wisely says in our Bit: ‘In your patience posses ye your souls.’

And that’s more awesome truth Friends! For it’s only if we settle down without fear and anxiety and accept the promises of Jesus and stand fast and strong on them that we will grow and mature in out faith walk and thus further His glorious kingdom.

And today again I want to fill our minds, hearts, souls, bodies and wherever else (smile) with more encouraging and uplifting scriptures on patience, perseverance and endurance, while walking steadfastly in faith with Jesus.

Now let’s start with some beautiful heartfelt words from Bruh David. Yeh, you can call me biased because I LOVE to begin with Bruh David and end with Jesus. (smile)

Anyway listen to Bruh David as he declares praise for answered prayer from Psalm 40. ‘I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings (steps).

And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. Blessed is the man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.’ (Ps.40:1-4)

Oh my brethren, yuh see what can happen when we wait patiently on the Lord? Meanwhile Bruh Paul told it to the Romans this way when talking about the results of justification.

‘Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience (produces perseverance);

And patience, experience (character); and experience hope: And hope maketh not ashamed (does not disappoint); because the LOVE of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.’ (Rom.5:1-5)

Ah Friends what a moving and touching scripture; one that we all know, but resist following because we’re afraid of trials and tribulations. But if we don’t experience some misfortune and suffering, then we won’t grow in the LOVE and reflection of Jesus.

And to show that it’s all gospel truth, James, in his epistle, tells it to us this way. ‘My brethren, count it all joy when we fall into divers temptations (various trials); Knowing this, that the trying (testing) of your faith worketh (produces) patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire (complete), wanting (lacking) nothing.’ (James 1:2-4)

And as the scholars so wisely remind us: ‘1:4. The natural response to adversity is to escape it. But God uses trouble to mature His people.’

And as we all know, but fear and refuse to accept, that’s undeniable truth! For it’s only when we’re under fire, that the real us comes forth, we find out what we’re truly made of, and how much we truly LOVE and desire to work for Jesus.

Anyway Friends, I think we’ll end there because I don’t want to give us too much scripture to ponder at anyone sitting. See how I consider your busy lives! (smile)

So in light of all that’s been said above, let’s go out today and do as Jesus did everyday of His earthly sojourn: help the hurting and the needy, despite our hurts and needs, thus reflecting the true character of Jesus. That’s wisdom from on high! Much LOVE!

…sympathy comes from the mind…but empathy comes from the heart…through personal experience…