Today’s Scrip-Bit 2 August 2014 Psalm 56:1

02 Aug 2014 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 56:1.     Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me. 

Ah Friends, the Big Day, Caribana Saturday is finally here! And I don’t know why, but in the past week or so, there’s been a persistent bug in my ear, urging me to go down to the parade this year. I haven’t been for the last couple of years due to the condition of my ole knees and my lost enthusiasm for what the parade has morphed into.
 
And I was seriously considering it, but after the traffic problems I experienced going into the city last evening to check out the Pan Alive Steelband competition, I very much doubt that I’m going. With the major highway shut down to just two lanes right around the site of the parade, can you imagine the traffic jam that’s going to be out there this morning? 
 

People are already having problems getting into area with the closure of a major bridge, the Burlington Skyway, due to an accident on Thursday evening. Anyway, I’m suffering from Caribana Friday-itis…Hn!
 
And NO, I’m not referring to the after effects of inebriation – I’m too old and wise for that (smile) – I’m just talking about tiredness from a busy day and not getting to bed until after three this morning, hence the lateness of the Bit.
 
And I’m not even going to say much about the Pan competition either, because this year I found it to be rather mediocre. The attendance wasn’t as great as it usually is, and only ONE band out of the 13 that played really moved me – Pan Fantasy.
 
And to make matters worse, just as the last band, Pan Masters came on stage, they put out the main stadium lights, the ones focused directly on the band. Steups! What utter nonsense eh! So it was eleven o’clock, the byelaw wasn’t going to be in jeopardy for another five or ten minutes! Chuh!
 
So the poor band had to play in the darkness, with only the backlights of the stadium on. The fans couldn’t even see them. That just soured the whole situation for me, and I got up and left before they were finished. Subsequently I don’t know the results of the competition.
 
However, the organizers have to accept a large share of the blame, because they know about the eleven o’clock byelaw, though I can’t ever remember seeing it so rigidly enforced, but a show that was billed to start at six p.m. didn’t get underway till about 7.45, almost two hours after the announced starting time. Unfortunately I was one of those who rushed down there for six o’clock.
 
Anyway that’s all over and done with now, time to move on. Let’s get some ‘I CAN’ affirmations to counteract the prevailing sense of tiredness and lethargy nuh.
 
So please say with me: ‘I CAN do ALL things through Christ. God has new opportunities for me. I’m not settling for where I am now, I’m stretching myself and pursuing what He has put in my heart! God’s plan for my life is greater than I could imagine, and I’m determined to be who He wants me to be. This is my declaration of what I CAN do through Christ.’
 
And now that we’ve declared it, my fellow believers, let’s go out and make it reality nuh. For it doesn’t make sense to declare something, then not do it.
 
And that affirmative declaration of what I CAN do through Christ, fits nicely in with our Bit; a cry of Bruh David when the Philistines took him in Gath. (1 Sam.21:11)
 
‘Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me. Mine enemies would daily swallow me up (hound me): for they be that fight against me, O thou Most High.’ (Ps.56:1-2)
 
Yeh Friends, daily, without fail, Lucifer and his evil cohorts come against us, trying to devour our spirits, to make us feel frail, feeble and inferior. But with our omnipotent God, we know that all things are possible!
 
Therefore, when the enemy comes against us, we can say a confident prayer for help, as Bruh David did: ‘What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.’ (Ps.56:3-4)
 
Oh my brethren, my brethren, what simple but powerful words of faith and trust! Bruh David certainly knew on which side his bread was buttered! That’s why the Lord blessed him so much, despite his nefarious activities.
 
Can we truthfully say those words? We ought to. When the enemy comes against us, do we with hungry hope and expectant faith turn confidently to Almighty God for help, guidance and/or succour? I certainly hope so Friends, because it is ONLY in our heavenly Father that there is rest and freedom from the manipulations of the evil one.
 
Listen to Bruh David’s great faith at work: ‘When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.’ (Ps.56:9)
 
Oh my people, that is a declaration of faith that ought to be written in the depths of our souls, and then given voice through our mouths, as well as action through our behaviour, EVERYDAY that we’re alive on planet earth, since it’s gospel truth for ALL believers!
 
We need to be sure and confident enough in our God to be able to stand on His promises. For as the Good Book says: ‘What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?’ (Rom.8:31)
 
And the glorious answer to that my fellow believers is NOBODY!
 
And now with that affirmation boldly declared, let’s go home with some more faith building words from Bruh David: ‘In God will I praise his word: in the Lord will I praise his word. In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
 
Thy vows are upon me (are binding upon me), O God: I will render praise unto thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?’ (Ps.56:10-13)
 
Yes Friends, our great and wonderful God will surely deliver us in times of trouble, so that we can walk faithfully with Him, to continue praising and glorifying His Holy Name here on earth!
 
So let’s continue to stand strong and be numbered amongst His most awesome soldiers of faith nuh, for it’s the wisest action a human being can ever take! Much LOVE!
 
…faith in God is great…but it doesn’t come cheaply…it is paid for with the exacting price of experience…

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 5 May 2014 Psalm 56:9

05 May 2014 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 56:9.    When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.

Oh Friends, it’s a brand new day – Monday! And much to my surprise, there wasn’t as much hissing and sour invective thrown my way. And I gratefully thanked God that His people were finally getting the idea that Monday was a day to be celebrated, not cursed. (smile)

And Friends, do I ever have a good quote for us today – one that’s so appropriate that it will knock your proverbial socks off! When I read it, I couldn’t help but chuckle, and immediately knew that I had to share it.
 
It comes from my old Devotional for People with Chronic Illness, and is attributed to one Elise Maclay. From the info available, I believe the Elise Maclay we’re talking about was an author of successful books like ‘Green Winter, and the Art of Bev Doolittle’ published in the 1970’s.
 
Anyway, she reputedly said, ‘…I was the breadwinner. Only I didn’t WIN the bread, I worked hard and earned it.’
 
And isn’t that the gospel truth my people! We don’t win the bread, we get up off our rear ends and work hard for it! And that’s exactly what this first Monday morning in May 2014 is calling for! So let’s get up and get a move on nuh, let’s get out into the evil and ungodly world that awaits us and do our damndest, our best for Jesus! Remember Jesus desires and expects excellence from His followers!
 
And to help us do that, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with plenty moxie. As one great 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!’
 
Aw shucks Friends, that rendition was the greatest nuh, it only raised polite clapping from the heavenly hosts! Anyway, I’ll chalk it up to our still being somewhat sleepy, and assume that by the time we get ready to hit the road, the Holy Spirit will have caused us to be in full Christian bloom. (smile)
 
Now let’s look at our Bit for this beautiful spring morning. ‘When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.’
 
Words of indisputable truth my brethren! Faithfully proven after they were sent heavenward, by Bruh David’s eventual escape from the Philistines at Gath and his mortal enemy, Saul!
 
That’s why Friends, it both amazes and disappoints me that Christians don’t use prayer more often, despite claiming to be so in touch and in tune with God. If we look at the lives of all the great people of faith, one common thread stands out above all else; their great dependence on and use of prayer.
 
Even Jesus, God incarnate, didn’t make a move without talking to His heavenly Father. So why are we so ashamed, afraid, and reluctant to pray eh? Is it that we don’t truly believe in the efficacy and effectiveness of prayer?
 
James spells it out in spades for us: ‘Confess your faults (trespasses) one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual (effective) fervent prayer (supplication) of a righteous man availeth much.’ (James 5:16)
 
Oh my people, it’s time for us to wake up to the true and very awesome power of prayer! When we cry out to God in sincere prayer, He hears us and answers. Listen to how Bruh David puts it in Psalm 118; Thanksgiving for the Lord’s salvation.
 
‘I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large (broad) place. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. (Per the scholars, that’s the middle verse of the Bible) It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.’ (Ps.118:5-9)
 
More words of indisputable truth Friends! And we know it. So why don’t we adhere to them eh? Ah Lord eh! I guess only the Lord in His high heaven really knows why we are the stubborn and unwise way we are yes!
 
And we’ll go home with some immortal words of advice, of heavenly wisdom from Bruh Paul to the Roman Church, words which we all know, but don’t follow as closely or rely on as we should.
 
‘What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?’ (Rom. 8:31-32)
 
Yes Friends, if the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God, Creator and Controller of the universe and all therein is in our corner, then who can successfully challenge us eh? NOBODY!
 
So please let’s not only plant that true, wonderful seed deep in our souls, but let’s also act on it today, by stepping up our prayer lives and calling out to our heavenly father, at ALL times, and for ALL things! That’s what he sincerely desires, and it’s also the epitome of wisdom, my people! Much LOVE!
 
…it’s foolish, unwise, and a downright lie…to claim to be a Christian…and not be thoroughly immersed in the Word of God and sincere prayer…

 

 

 
 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 May 2014 Psalm 56:9

04 May 2014 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 56:9. When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.

Well Friends, possibly the most renowned of Tobago’s sons has been laid to rest in its rich and fertile soil. We’re talking of Arthur Napoleon Raymond (A.N.R.) Robinson (1926-2014).

Amongst his many achievements was first and foremost being the third Prime Minster of Trinidad and Tobago (1986-1991), during a crucial period in the country’s life. A.N.R. also served as the country’s third President from 1997-2003.

His credentials were impeccable: attendance at Bishops High School in Tobago with excellent grades – Hurrah for Bishop’s High! (smile) Obviously my Alma Mater too – followed by a Law Degree from London University, then one in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from one of the twin ivory towers of learning in the U.K; Oxford University.

And you know that high level of education and excellence doesn’t surprise me, because although I didn’t know A.N.R personally – he had already left Tobago to study abroad when I was growing up – I did know most of his family who lived close to me, just at the junction of Main and Fort Streets, right below the Scarborough Methodist School.

And the one member I knew best of all was his father, an ornery, old-school headmaster, from whom I took private lessons on evenings after school. I believe it was to help me pass the then College Exhibition Exams to get into High School. And you better believe the old man was a hard task master and disciplinarian!

That urge and drive for education and accomplishments must thus have been cultivated in A.N.R. from an early age. I believe the old man’s discipline was legendary in Castara, where he was an Elementary School Headmaster.  

A.N.R was also instrumental in the founding of the People’s National Movement Political Party (PNM), which brought T&T to Independence in 1963, under the Prime Ministership of another of the Caribbean’s brightest and best, Dr. Eric Eustace Williams.

From early on, A.N.R was seen as the heir anointed to Dr. Williams, but a falling out seems to have occurred, serious enough to make him quit the PNM and found his own political movement the Democratic Action Congress (DAC), which, after several affiliations with other movements morphed into the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR), which led to him finally becoming Prime Minister in 1986.

I was always a bit miffed with him though for quitting the PNM when he did, believing that despite the falling out, he would have become P.M much quicker and make a better leader than those then in the party. And I was proven right, because after Dr. Williams passed on, both the party and the country began falling apart under lesser leadership and talk of much corruption in high places. But what else is new eh? For that’s certainly the in-thing these days!

Anyway A.N.R’s most famous moment must have been during the 1990 attempted coup by a Muslim group, who held him and several of his Cabinet members hostage in the Red House, the Parliamentary Building, for some six days, where he was beaten and shot in the leg for reputedly telling the army to attack the building in full force, instead of stopping the attack as desired by his captors.

It’s interesting and amusing that though A.N.R. always had that cherubic, innocent-looking, boyish face, it seems he could be very controversial and autocratic under that pacific appearance. Internationally, he appears to be recognized for the proposal that eventually led to the founding of the International Criminal Court.  

Ah Friends, there’s neither time nor space to list A.N.R’s many accomplishments. Like all of us, he was an imperfect and thus fallible human being, but the important thing is that he was not afraid to stand up for what he believed was right. That’s about all we can ask from any of us.

But let it be said that he did Trinidad and Tobago proud with both his personal achievements and his many years involved in public service. A.N.R, I’m sure your father would have been proud of you, as all we Tobagonians are. May you rest in peace in the land of your birth.  

And now that we have laid A.N.R to rest with the pomp and splendour he deserved, let’s see what our Bit has to offer. ‘When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.’

Ah mih people, what a cry of assurance from Bruh David! He wrote Psalm 56, a confident prayer for help, when he was under tremendous pressure, when the Philistines took him in Gath (1 Sam. 21) after having fled from his chief enemy Saul. Can you imagine his distress? Then to write those words, along with these, his faith in the God of his fathers must have been immense.

‘In God will I praise his word: in the Lord will I praise his word. In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. Thy vows are upon (binding upon) me, O God: I will render praises unto thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?’ (Ps.56:10-13)

And my fellow believers, we all know that the Lord delivered Bruh David from the hands of both the Philistine king and Saul! Now the question is whether we are so immersed and mature in our faith that when circumstances come against us, we can cry out without fear, with such surety to Almighty God?

Ah mih people, that is the status of faith to which we need to work towards, and eventually achieve, if we truly want to see God work in our lives, and the lives of those around us. I’m sure Bruh David’s men took courage from his lead. They all knew the dreadful situation he was in, but when they saw his strong and steadfast reaction, they too were encouraged to stand strong and steadfast.

And my brethren, as true believers in Jesus, that’s something we desperately need to do in these modern times; show our strong faith when things aren’t looking so good, so that others can draw inspiration, strength, faith, courage and sustenance from our actions.

Remember, it’s not only what we say, but even more importantly, what we do, that inspires others. So please, let’s keep on keeping on, like good ambassadors of Christ in this ungodly world, so that we can bring lasting change to it – destroy the evil powers with the LOVE Revolution of Jesus! That’s eternal wisdom Friends! Much LOVE!

…when problems arise…a true believer…in true wisdom… runs first to God…not to man…for help and succour…