Today’s Scrip-Bit 30 March 2012 Leviticus 19:18

30 Mar 2012 Leave a comment

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

Leviticus 19:18.     Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt LOVE thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord.

Oh Friends, it’s the big day, Friday! And all God’s people breathed a grateful sigh of relief and mouthed in true gratitude; ‘Oh, thank God it’s Friday!’ I know some of us have had a rougher week than others, but the beauty of having Jesus as our Saviour is that we can all lay down our burdens and rest in Him, in His peaceful, calm and caring personality. So let’s throw off that tiredness by now putting it in His hands, and also chanting our Friday Chant, to give us a better perspective on the upcoming weekend. As one loud and prayerful voice now: ‘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 with that perspective Friends, let’s see if we can’t do what our Bit commands us nuh: ‘Thou shalt not avenge (take vengeance), nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt LOVE thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord.’ Some of you are displeased because we’re still focused on this Bit, but that’s just a spoiled brat attitude. And furthermore, how can we move on when we haven’t learned all the lessons it teaches? It’s like repeating a year or semester of school because we have failed our exams. And believe you me people, we are definitely failing this lesson of LOVING our neighbours as ourselves, else our world would not be in such a troubled state. The truth is that we will never be calm, peaceful and filled with true joy until we truly begin LOVING others as ourselves. But perhaps I’m being a bit presumptuous here, because if we’re not carrying out the first and greatest command of our God; to LOVE Him wholeheartedly, how can we be expected to carry out the second one; to LOVE our neighbours as ourselves? As the scriptures ask, how can you LOVE a God you can’t see, and not a neighbour that you can see? It is somewhat confusing, but believe me, it’s often much easier to LOVE the God you can’t see than the neighbour whose behaviour rankles our very being. But as believers, that’s what we’re called to do, and we’ll continue with some scriptures on the topic that I never got to yesterday. And we can only be blessed by hearing Jesus’ words once more. When asked about the most important commandments, He declared that LOVING the Father was the first and most important: ‘And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt LOVE thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.’ (Mark 12:31) Friends, those are words we ought to write indelibly in and on all parts of our beings to continually remind us of them. Then we ought to put them into sincere practice if we want to be seen as true Christians, and not the hypocrites that many, with good reason, take us to be. My brethren it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to tell us that we’re definitely not obeying the two most important commands of the ONE and ONLY TRUE God, Jehovah, and that if we continue this disobedience we’ll only end up in more hot water and greater calamity than we’re already facing. In Romans, Bruh Paul wisely advises us thus: ‘Let LOVE be without dissimulation (hypocrisy). abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.’ (Rom.12:9) That should be simple common sense, not only for believers, but for all those who wish to live calm and peaceful lives, since evil only brings strife and stress. Later on, to the same Roman church, Bruh Paul, in talking about our LOVE walk, tells them: ‘Owe no man anything, but to LOVE one another: for he that LOVETH another hath fulfilled the law….LOVE worketh no ill to his neighbour; therefore LOVE is the fulfilling of the law.’ (Rom.13:8,10) James also weighs in on the problem with these words of wisdom: ‘If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt LOVE thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well.’ (James 2:8) Oh Friends, isn’t it very encouraging to know that we’re doing well if we LOVE our neighbours as ourselves? It should be, but unfortunately it isn’t to too many of us. However, let’s go home with a biting bit of scripture from Bruh Paul to the Galatians: ‘For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt LOVE thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.’ (Gal.5:14-15) Oh my people, truer words were never spoken, because we can now see it taking place in our crazy world, where there’s little or no LOVE, and we’re consuming each other like gluttons. How sad! But that’s the current nature of the beast. I implore us though to make positive changes as soon as possible, or else with all the strife and anger, resentment and call for vengeance, the greed and jealousy, plus the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, we’ll eventually wipe ourselves off of Mother Earth. All that’s now left to say is let’s wake up and smell the fresh bread that Jesus is so LOVINGLY baking for us, if we only do as He asks. It would surely be a sin if we allow it to go to waste, just because we didn’t LOVE each other. Much LOVE!…he who has ears to hear…let him hear…the consequences of disobedience is calamity…and ultimately death…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 12 March 2012 Obadiah 1:4‏

12 Mar 2012 Leave a comment

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

  Obadiah 1:4  Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord.

Oh my fellow brethren in Christ, it’s Monday! The call to arms has already sounded, and our brilliant Field Marshall, Jesus, is already out surveying the battlefield, planning his strategy. You know He gets up early every morning to commune with the Father before tackling the day’s tasks. We can’t afford to be resting on our laurels, for while we’re doing that, the enemy is out there making hay in the sunshine. (smile) So let’s get up and get a move on. But first, let’s take a moment ourselves to commune with the Father by singing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. As one, heaven-reaching voice 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!’ And now Friends, with the Holy Spirit boldly coursing through us, and being safely ensconced in our spiritual armour, let’s hit the battlefield and show the evil enemy the might and power of Jesus and His righteous, upstanding soldiers, fearlessly singing: ‘Onward Christian soldiers, marching unto war, with the Cross of Jesus, going on before!’ And when we meet the brazen and bumptious enemy, please let them know that: ‘The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?’ (Obad.1:3) But they boldface eh! Who shall bring them down? Well the answer is in our Bit: ‘Though thou exalt thyself as (high as) the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord.’ And to that, all God’s people shouted a deafening ‘Amen!’ Yes my people, our God will eventually humble all those who arrogantly and proudly exalt themselves, without taking His majesty into consideration! Obadiah’s prophecy was against Edom, the Edomites, descendants of Esau, who, according to the scholars, lived in a mountainous desert area of the Promised Land, and who felt they were safe and secure because of their mountain stronghold. They became prosperous by taxing caravans that passed through their territory. Apparently they helped Nebuchadrezzar invade Judah (Lam.4:21-22) and also expanded their own land into Judah, (Jacob’s descendants) forming the land of Idumea, and were then mostly known as Idumeans, but between wars, political machinations, and the coming of the Roman Empire, they eventually disappeared from history. Thus was the prophecy of Obadiah fulfilled on them, and also that of Jeremiah: ‘For, lo, I will make thee small among the heathen (nations), and despised among men. Thy terribleness (fierceness) hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, that holdest the height of the hill: though thou shouldest make they nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the Lord. Also Edom shall be a desolation (an astonishment): everyone that goeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss at all the plagues thereof. As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighbour cities thereof, saith the Lord, no man shall abide there, neither shall a son of man dwell in it.’ (Jer.49:15-18) Oh Friends, when the Lord’s out to get you, it’s impossible to escape! That’s why our current ungodliness and sinful behaviour is a very vexing and truly foolish show of pride, idolatry and earthly lusts, the things which the Lord God Jehovah most detests, because they don’t give Him His proper reverence and respect.  Remember His first commandments were to not have any other gods but Him, also not to make graven images of anything on earth, in heaven or the sea, nor bow down to them. But sadly, that’s what we’re doing right now; worshipping earthly treasures, placing them before Him. In fact we’re doing our best to get rid of Him altogether from our society. And do we expect to really live happily ever after by doing that? Oh Friends, that’s just Lucifer and his evil associates poisoning our minds against the Most High God, creator and ruler of the universe. It’s a most unwise decision, for if we read the Good Book we’ll see that every society which tried to get rid of Him or didn’t hold Him in proper reverence was eventually punished. What’s it going to take for us to wake up to that reality eh? We’re already being bombarded by all kinds of unusual calamities; wars and strife all over the world, financial and economic disasters, climate irregularities, poverty, sickness, oppression, homelessness, like we haven’t seen in ages, and with our world at the height of its evolution too. What explains it all? Only one thing Friends: disobedience to God’s Word. Please my people, we’ve tried all the man made solutions, and none have worked, they’ve only made matters worse. So let’s smarten up nuh, let’s turn back to the God of our fathers, it’s the only thing left for us to try. As I keep pleading, for our children’s sake let’s repent of our misdeeds and ask the Lord for forgiveness. You know He’ll be only too glad to comply, if we come to Him with truly repentant hearts, for He is indeed a God of compassion and mercy. That’s the only true wisdom of the ages my people! Let’s not go down in history as the generation that lost it all. Much LOVE!…though all seems lost…give God a chance…and He will surely save the day…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 13 February 2012 Daniel 4:3‏

13 Feb 2012 Leave a comment

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

Daniel 4:3.    How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is and everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from  generation to generation.

Ah mih people, it’s that time again; Monday, when we have to get out and do the ‘cursed’ work of fallen man alongside the heathen, so that we can show them the right way and eventually bring them humbly to the footstool of Christ. So with that in mind, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn and thus activate our less than active faith and spirituality. As one loud, praising and thankful voice 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!’ Yes Friends, regardless of how we feel, we need to get out and make a living, and it’s always easier with Jesus in and beside us. Hopefully this will be the last day of this Bit. Now don’t go thanking God, because if more of us would seek out His signs and wonders in His Word, in the world around us and in our own lives, we’d be more faithful and much happier. ‘How great are his signs! And how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation’ And we going to stick with Daniel because some significant signs and wonders went on his life, under several heathen kings. We know how Darius wanted to elevate him above all his courtiers ‘because an excellent spirit was in him.’ (Dan.6:3)  But as usual, greed and jealousy reared their ugly heads and the lesser lights plotted against Daniel. They knew though that the only place they would ever find occasion to bring him down was through his God. So they deceitfully talked Darius into signing a law, ‘that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save (except) of thee O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.’ (Dan.6:7) Now Daniel knew what was happening, but nonetheless, ‘he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a (that) day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did afore time (he usually did). Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.’ (Dan.6:10-11) That my Friends is how all believers ought to behave in this evil, ungodly day and age! Regardless of what comes against us, we should continue to praise and worship the ONE TRUE God, Jehovah! Obviously the plotters were in their glee and ran to Darius with the news. Poor Darius then realized the trap that he’d been inveigled to set for Daniel and was mad at himself, ‘and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him; (Dan.6:14) But because of the non-rescindable law, Darius had no choice but to put Daniel in the lion’s den. Here again though my brethren, our incomparable and unpredictable Lord, moving in one of His many mysterious ways, put some of the most prophetic words in the Good Book in the mouth of a heathen king. After Daniel was cast in to the den: ‘Now the king spake and said unto Daniel. Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.’ (Dan.6:16) Oh Friends, it would be so wonderful if many of us believers today could have as much faith in our God, as that heathen king had back then. Note, though he didn’t believe, he saw the fruits of righteousness in Daniel. And we’ll end here for today, hoping that this will in some form and fashion excite us and grow our faith in action, so that others will see the good fruits that we are bearing and so come to believe. More on this tomorrow, if we’re not pushing up daisies. I tried to finish it today, but it was just too long, and I didn’t want to exasperate our short attention span. (smile) Much LOVE!…how can one be called a believer…if one doesn’t act faithfully on one’s belief…and the operational word there is ACT…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 3 February 2012 Psalm 29:11‏

03 Feb 2012 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 29:11.    The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.
 
Oh Friends, it’s Friday, it’s Friday! Thank God it’s Friday! At last the weekend’s come and the week of drudgery and slaving for massa for two measly pennies is almost done. Thank the Lord! Yes Friends, it often feels like the week will never finish, what with fighting the traffic two ways everyday, and fighting with all sorts of people otherwise. Then comes Friday, and our spirits soar like a rocket on it’s fiery way to Mars or some extra terrestrial destination. (smile) But a word of caution is necessary here, for the weekend is not supposed to be only for fun and games, some serious stuff still has to go on if the kingdom is to be kept alert and safe. And to remind us of that, let’s chant our Friday Chant, with as much, if not more verve than we did ‘Thank God, it’s Friday!’ As one voice now: ‘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.’ That brings us to our Bit: ‘The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.’ Oh my brethren, those are words of undeniable and infallible truth! The Lord God Jehovah does indeed strengthen His people and also blesses them with peace. Why do you think our world is in such turmoil eh? Because the majority of its inhabitants are not in partnership with God, they’re not His people. They are Beelzebub’s people, for they worship, idolize and greedily seek after the things of this world, rather than the things of heaven. Remember Jesus’ warning on that topic? ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt.6:33) It’s only logical Friends, that if we’re in partnership with the Creator of the universe, the great Provider, Protector and the most powerful Being there is, that strength, LOVE, peace and prosperity will govern our lives. If we’re in cahoots with some lesser light, like Lucifer, then what do you expect but strife and turmoil, hatred and anger, greed and envy, and all sorts of backbiting, with feeding frenzies like piranhas let loose. Obviously those involved with the Most High God Jehovah do not behave in such negative fashion. That’s the beauty of harnessing your wagon to God’s powerful and peaceful engine! Now let’s hear some scriptures that corroborate our Bit, beginning of course with words of Bruh David, (smile) from Psalm 28; a prayer for God’s help: ‘The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. The Lord is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed (Messiah, commissioned one.’ (Ps.28:7-8) If anybody knew about God’s strengths and mercies, it was certainly Bruh David. Meanwhile, the teary eyed prophet, Jeremiah, in spite of his tears, was able to confidently declare in the Lord’s name: ‘For I have satiated (satisfied) the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul. Upon this I awaked, and beheld; and my sleep was sweet unto me.’ (Jer.31:25-26) Both Bruh David and Jeremiah knew without a doubt that their bread was buttered on the Lord’s side, so they had no problems in serving and worshipping Him. I only wish that the majority of earth’s inhabitants were as sure my Friends. And we’ll end fittingly with the words of the greatest of men, Jesus, who though He was God incarnate, still bowed and was obedient to His heavenly Father in all things while He sojourned here on earth. And these words are taken from His most famous sermon, that on the Mount: ‘Blessed are they which do thirst and hunger after righteousness: for they shall be filled.’ (Matt.5:6) What more can we ask of our God eh Friends? If we seek after Him and His kingdom, we will want for nothing. So let’s be wise and sincerely, actively and diligently do that nuh. More on this tomorrow, if we’re still alive and kicking. Much LOVE!…to seek…to strive…but never to faint or give up…in Jesus name…Amen!

Today’s Scrip-Bit 27 January 2012 Psalm 18:3

27 Jan 2012 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 18:3.    I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

Oh Friends, oh Friends, it’s Friday! The weekend is here at last! And all God’s hard working people boldly declared: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday!’ Yes my brethren, we know you’re tired and all that, but the weekend is not simply a time to laze around and vegetate, we still need to keep in touch with Jehovah God and do His will, keep His earthly kingdom functioning properly. And to help us do that, to give us the motivation to keep on keeping on, let’s chant our Friday Chant in loud voice, with much enthusiasm. On three; one, two, three: ‘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.’ Yeh mih people, though there’s a time for rest and relaxation, we can never afford to shut down God’s kingdom work, it has to be kept going 24/7, because the enemy never sleeps, never let’s up. As Peter so rightly declares: ‘Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist steadfast in the faith…’ (1 Pet.5:8-9) And that’s the gospel truth Friends, for Beelzebub is always on the prowl, looking for innocent prey. And the best way to resist and/ or defeat the evil one is doing like Bruh David says in our Bit: ‘I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.’ That’s because our God is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. He sees everything, is everywhere and can do anything. What a mighty God! So why do we refuse to sincerely call on Him in time of trouble eh? In Psalm 18, a prayer of thanksgiving and deliverance from all his enemies, especially the wicked, jealous Saul, Bruh David boldly and truthfully declares: ‘It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect…It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.’ (Ps.18:32,47) The writer of Psalm 91 also staunchly proclaimed: “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.’ (Ps.91:2) Yes Friends, we need to remember that without Jehovah God in our corner, we can do nothing much for ourselves. And right here, let’s note Jesus’ words to His disciples: ‘I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him,the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.’ (John 15:5) Also Bruh Paul’s statement to the Philippians, where he humbly, but confidently proclaims: ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’ (Phil.4:13) Yes my people, it is our great, wonderful. LOVING, and merciful God who gives us the wherewithal to do anything and everything. The sad fact though is that too many of us, believers included, pass it over, don’t take it seriously enough, thus the high state of fear, tension, worry and anxiety that exists in our world. Oh Friends, we have seen how fickle and faithless the souls and promises of our fellow man can be, so why do we still in many cases, turn to him first, rather than the most powerful and faithful Being in existence, Almighty God? I really don’t understand it. Theoretically it should be a no-brainer. Logic should dictate that we always go to the mightiest and most helpful when we need or seek help. The problem though is that we can’t just go to Almighty God for help without believing and trusting in Him, in His Son Jesus, and His Holy Spirit. and we have to believe with strong faith too, not just a wishy-washy attitude, with no real heart motive, for remember that’s where the Lord looks before considering our pleas. So Friends, as of today, let’s promise ourselves to faithfully work on increasing our faith in God, so that there’ll be absolutely no doubt in our hearts and minds as to our real Provider and Protector, and no hesitation to approach Him first, always, for help. And to end, let’s hear what the angels and elders, thousands of thousands, are saying in heaven with loud voices: ‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory and blessing.’ (Rev.5:12) Oh Friends, we couldn’t find a better person to build a personal relationship with than Jesus. Please, I implore us to write that deep in our hearts, minds and souls, for it’s wisdom at its highest. Much LOVE!…in both good times and bad…my strong faith will keep my attention focused on Jesus…from who my life and my strength come…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 23 January 2012 Romans 5:19

23 Jan 2012 Leave a comment

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

Romans 5:19.  For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

Oh Friends, it’s Monday! Yes you heard me right; it is Monday, so cut out the plaintive moaning, there’s no getting away from your duties. You chose to take up your cross and follow Christ, therefore rise and shine and prepare yourself for battle.  Jesus has already issued His marching orders, so please shake off the sleep, tiredness, laziness, fear or whatever is holding you back, and get a move on. And to help us get in warrior mode, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with great gusto. All together 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!’ Oh Friends, what a wonderful opportunity it is to serve Jesus, the One who’s done so much for mankind, what no one else in all of creation could do! That’s being a worthy sacrifice for all of our sins from day one, right throughout eternity. As Bruh Paul so appropriately puts it to the Romans in our Bit: ‘For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.’ Yes mih people, from the day our forefather Adam disobeyed God and brought sin into the world, all of his descendants thereafter were tainted by sin; were born, lived in and died under the evil aura of sin. However, our wonderful God, in all His might, wisdom, LOVE, mercy and forgiveness, devised an ingenious plan to repatriate us to His side; the sending of His only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross, to shed his precious, sinless blood as a one time sacrifice for the sins of the entire world. And all God’s people raised their hands, hearts, eyes and minds to heaven and gratefully declared: ‘Oh thank you Father for sending Jesus to reconcile us to You. We praise You and bless Your Holy Name, now and forever! Amen.’ Ah mih breddren, that reconciliation, with the consequent salvation and promise of eternal life are the greatest gifts ever bestowed on man. And Jesus was definitely obedient, as we can see from the gospels, where He constantly made obeisance to His heavenly Father, and gave Him all the glory for all the wondrous acts He, Jesus, did here on earth. Bruh Paul says it well to the Philippians, re Christ: ‘Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in the fashion (appearance) as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.’ (Phil.2:6-8) That is the epitome of obedience Friends! I’m sure that a mere handful of us, if so many, would even contemplate such obedience, much less follow through with it. So why are we so reluctant to be obedient to Jesus eh? And it’s not like He’s asking us to do anything even close to what His Father asked of Him. But yet we hem and haw over living a decent life in His name and telling people about Him, in fact denying them the opportunity to be saved and receive salvation and eternal life like us. Foolish fear about what the world will say and think about us makes us keep quiet or even like Peter, deny that we know Him. Oh Friends, how shameful that is; to claim that you’re a follower of the greatest person who ever lived, but then be ashamed or afraid to stand up for Him! Jesus didn’t want His living and dying to be kept a secret. He wanted it to be noised abroad to the whole world. People of other religions, none of which can hold a candle to ours, because it’s the living truth, are much more vocal and proud of theirs than we are of ours. Oh Friends, it’s time we stopped hiding our lights under bushel. Jesus said: ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ (Matt.5:16) And that is exactly what He did while here on earth. So Friends, if Jesus could be obedient to His Father, and we claim to be His followers, then shouldn’t we be obedient to Jesus too? I’ll leave that for each of us to ponder today, and pray that we all come to the right conclusion. This scripture should help us: ‘Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called of God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.’ (Heb.5:8-10) Yes Friends, obedience brings great rewards. Much LOVE!…oh how could believers not be wildly enthusiastic and excited about Jesus…after all He’s done for us…and not want to shout out the good news to the entire world as He asked us to do…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 16 January 2012 Nehemiah 1:7

16 Jan 2012 Leave a comment

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

Nehemiah 1:7.     We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgements, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses.

Oh Friends, it’s Monday! Time to get up and get a move on, the workweek battle is about to begin. We can’t afford to rest on our laurels any longer because the enemy is already out in full force, and Jesus is at the front line waiting on us. So as the trumpet sounds the call to battle, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn in loud, united voice. ‘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 let’s go into battle fresh and fiery, determined to bring the enemy to heel! But sadly people, we also need to pay attention to our Bit: ‘We have dealt (acted) very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgements (ordinances), which thou commandedst thy servant Moses.’ And that’s no lie Friends! We have behaved abominably towards the Lord who created us but still LOVES and cares for us. Now yesterday we read of two instances where that basic prayer was used by other men of faith, and also the warning that Moses gave the Israelites re turning away from God. Today we’ll look at two more instances where men of faith invoked the same prayer. The first one is from Jeremiah, re confession of Israel’s sins: ‘For shame hath devoured the labour of our fathers from our youth; their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters. We lie down in our shame, and our confusion (disgrace) covereth us: for we have sinned against the Lord our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God.’ (Jer.3:24-25) Then there’s Daniel, also praying for his people: ‘O Lord, the great and dreadful (awesome) God, keeping the covenant and mercy (LOVING kindness) to them that LOVE him, and to them that keep his commandments; We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgements: Neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.’ (Dan.9:4-6) Oh my brethren, unfortunately those same words apply to us today, and possibly even more so, because we’ve reached a state of depravity previously unknown to mankind. And though I don’t have the calibre of faith and holiness that those men of olden times possessed, I still pray the prayer of Nehemiah everyday for our society and our world. I sure hope that men of greater faith and righteousness than me are also praying it, because we desperately need the help, mercy and forgiveness that only Almighty God can provide, if we’re going to right our evil, ungodly, confused, topsy-turvy world. And getting the Lord’s attention is not very hard to do my people. We just need to renew our faith and turn back to Him in conviction and repentance, remove the idols and fleshly lusts that now consume us, and begin serving and worshipping Him sincerely again, the way our fathers did. Now listen to some of Cousin Sol’s prayer when he dedicated the temple to the Lord. He’s just finished saying that if the people are disobedient and suffer the consequences: ‘Yet if they shall bethink (come to) themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely (wrong), we have committed wickedness; And so return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers…Then hear thou their prayer and their supplication in heaven thy dwelling place, and maintain their cause (justice), And forgive thy people that have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, and give them compassion before them who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them: for they be thy people, and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest forth out of Egypt, from the midst of the furnace of iron.’ (1 Kin.8:47-51) Yes Friends, right there is the answer to all our problems. As I said before, all it takes is sincere repentance and a willingness to follow the Lord’s will. Anything less is of no use. Oh my people, time’s running out, we have to step up to the plate sooner rather than later, so let’s start today nuh, by going out and pondering and praying on these things. It’s in our best interest. And hopefully, we’ll come to the conclusion that we definitely want a better life than what we now have, and are absolutely willing to make the sacrifices necessary to do so. I pray this in Jesus Name. Amen. Much LOVE!…there’s no better way to live this earthly life…than to LOVE and serve the Lord God Jehovah.

Today’s Scrip-Bit 13 January 2012 Proverbs 20:27‏

13 Jan 2012 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living Tags: , , , ,

Proverbs 20:27.    The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
 
Oh people, oh people, I’m here to tell you all that it’s Friday; the start of the weekend! ‘Wow!’ one listener replies in disbelief. ‘Yuh really mean to say is Friday ahready? Ah been so busy this week, ah don’t even know what day it is.’ Meanwhile, another listener replies with a sense of grateful relief. ‘Thank God is Friday yes! Ah work so hard this week, that ah tired everlasting!’ Then a third response comes rolling in, this one in an exuberant voice: ‘Thank God is Friday! Thank God is party time!’ But a fourth voice steups’ loudly and declares in a dark tone: ‘Ah don’t know what you so happy about nuh. Yuh doh know today is Friday the thirteenth, Black Friday? Bad things going to happen today.’ Yes Friends, those are some of the varying responses possible on this last day of the work week, the one we all die to see from the time we step out to battle on a Monday morning. Isn’t it strange though, the different reactions we can get? How our response differs in regards to our activities, circumstances and perceptions? Well to set us all on the right path, let’s chant our Friday Chant. That will give us the true response and right perception for it. All as one now: ‘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 been set straight, (smile) let’s check out the wisdom of our Bit: ‘The spirit of man is the candle (lamp) of the Lord, searching all the inward parts (chambers) of the belly.’ And that my Friends is gospel truth! The spirit of man here is the Holy Spirit of God that dwells in us and acts like a housekeeper, a nanny, a chief cook and bottle washer. It gets into every nook and cranny of our being, because it’s there to lead and guide us, clean us up when we get dirty, pick us up when we fall and bring us to heel when we stray. It’s the workhorse of the Trinity. Here’s how Job describes it: ‘But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration (breath) of the Almighty giveth them understanding.’ (Job 32:8) That’s so true Friends. Without the breath of God, His Spirit in our souls, we’d even more ignorant, sinful and ungodly than we already are. Now listen to Bruh Paul’s take on the subject. Talking to the Corinthians re wisdom being God’s gift, quoting Is. 64:4, he boldly declares: ‘But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that LOVE Him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of man, save (except) the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.’ (1 Cor.2:9-11) And we’ll end with an explanation from the scholars on those verses. ‘The apostle Paul deals with three vital doctrines. In verse 10 he touches on the doctrine of revelation. The truth Paul is talking about is contained in the record God has given to us – the Bible. This is the eternal and unchanging truth of God. Verse 11 deals with the doctrine of illumination, which has to do with human understanding of divine truth. The subject of verses 12 and 13 is the doctrine of inspiration. In verse 12 Paul talks about the content of inspiration. In verse 13 his concern is with the communication of inspiration. Paul’s message was not of human contrivance. He was a channel, simply communicating God’s truth.’ See Gal.1:11-12, for that pronouncement. Ah mih people, I hope that clarifies any problems we might have had on the subject. Obviously we did not get into verses 12 and 13, but I trust that you’ll read it for yourselves and thus get understanding on the whole topic of the way God reveals Himself to us and lets us know what He desires of us. Please follow this up with your own investigations of the Good Book, for remember the Bit is only a tool to keep us focused on the Almighty and can only deal with so much given the space and time allotments. We each must still read, meditate, pray, praise and question on our own. Now may the good Lord bless us and keep us safe this day, as we try to live a life of faith. Much LOVE!…without the amazing Spirit of God working in us…we’d be lost and tossed…like a rudderless ship on a stormy sea…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 9 January 2012 John 16:1‏

09 Jan 2012 Leave a comment

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

John 16:1.    These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended (made to stumble).

Oh Friends, it’s Monday, time to rise and shine and be about your Father’s business! The holiday season is ended, the extended partying is done now! Time to return to the rough and tumble world of reality, which means getting up and going out to labour. It’s a rough life, but it’s the only one we have, therefore let’s make the best of it. And to help us do that, to put some passion in our souls and fire in our bellies, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with great gusto. As one 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!’ Yes my people, that ought to get us moving, ready to battle the evil out there!  Now please note carefully Jesus’ words in our Bit. ‘These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended (made to stumble).’ It was a warning to His disciples of the persecution to come for those who believed in Him. Having just told them of the hatred of the world: ‘If ye were of the world, the world would LOVE his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.’ (John 15:19) And it still hates us even till today Friends, and will continue to do so until we convert it all to Christ. And all God’s people said a loud and expectant ‘Hallelujah! Amen!’ Then after our Bit, Jesus continues His warning: ‘They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.’ (John 16:2-3) And that prophecy was fulfilled by Bruh Paul’s initial cruelty towards believers, beginning with the martyrdom of Stephen. (Acts 8:54-60) Ah mih people, the Christian life is not an easy one, especially living in such an evil world as this current incarnation. But lived right, with the Spirit of God leading and guiding us, following Jesus can be a wonderful, exciting and incredible journey! And that’s the crux of the whole situation Friends; the way we approach the Christian life. We first have to see it as an ongoing process, with many ruts and bumps along the way, mere annoyances, (smile) while remembering that we already have all the tools and promises through the Holy Spirit and the Word, to do a good job.  It’s just left for us to take them to heart and act on them diligently, enthusiastically, and urgently, all the time seeking excellence in Jesus’ Name. Now let’s hearken back to Jesus words when the disciples of John the Baptist came to ask if he was the Messiah. He ends with: ‘And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me (made to stumble because of me).’ (Matt.11:6) Yes my brethren, if we stand faithful and strong through our trials and tribulations caused by believing in Jesus, we will definitely be richly blessed. Not always in this earthly life, but for sure in the one to come. And what better way to end than with those promises from Jesus’ own lips. We know them as the Beatitudes: ‘Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.’ (Matt.5:10-12) The definitive words on the subject Friends! So let’s grab a hold of them, and doh leggo, no, doh ever leggo, come what may! That’s wisdom at its zenith! Much LOVE!…the only way for believers to live successful lives…is by steadfastly holding on to the promises of God, found in His Word…and the guidance of His Spirit, found in their souls…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 6 January 2012 Psalm 149:6‏

06 Jan 2012 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 149:6.    Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand.
 
Yes mih Friends, once again it’s Friday, the start of the weekend! And ah know that the remnants of the Christmas and New Years sprit still bubbling in many of you, though for some it’s simply morphing into a Carnival sprit (smile), so there’s still plenty of enthusiasm still around to shout ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday!’ But as always, we need to curtail some of those weekend activities, so we don’t go overboard and get embarrassed by falling into the enemy’s clutches. Therefore, to help us keep the weekend in proper perspective, let’s chant our Friday Chant. All together now, with the same enthusiasm and vocal might that we shouted ‘TGIF!’ ‘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 have the weekend on a tight rein – hn – let’s look a little further ahead; to the whole year of 2012. In so doing, let’s give plenty thanks that 2012 IS a year of accomplishment, healing and renewal for us individually, as well as for our violent, strife-torn, confused, ungodly, oppressive, greedy, sinful world. We’re seeing this through the eyes of faith my brethren, knowing that as a united group, God’s people will make a big and positive difference right here on earth this year. Oh Friends, if our world gets any worse than it is, then we’ll be in such dire straits that recovery may be impossible, for right now we’re just teetering on the brink of destruction. That’s why 2012 is the watershed year, a year of awakening, where old things become new, broken relationships are fixed, where commonsense and wisdom come to the fore and thus improve the selfish, antagonistic atmosphere currently prevailing. Oh Friends, 2012 just has to be a big year for us. I feel it in my bones that this year is special, and special in a good way too. And how could it not be eh, when believers are getting together instead of separating, renewing their faith and trust in Christ, fully surrendering their all to Him, and battling Beelzebub and his evil cronies with a renewed intensity, fanned by the blazing flames finally rekindled in our bellies. (smile) I might be smiling Friends, but this is serious business. Saving our world for our children, for posterity, is no laughing matter. In the last two decades we’ve allowed Jesus’ kingdom to go downhill, but unfortunately most of us only have one more decade here on earth in which to build it back up, and make it progress even further. That means we have to work extraordinarily hard to redo the twenty years damage in only ten. Consequently, from here on in, we all have our work cut out for us. But we know that with Jesus on our side, anything is possible. And to help us reinvigorate the kingdom, our Bit is invaluable. ‘Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand.’ Yes Friends, it’s a dual purpose job; uplifting the righteous and simultaneously fighting the wicked. And we definitely need the former if we’re to be successful at the latter. We can’t win any battles without the sounds of praise and worship in both our individual and collective lives. Oh my people, I don’t know if I’m successfully imparting the urgency that I feel, but believe me, our world is facing a very grave time. We’re at a significant crossroads, and the wrong move(s) can send us all plummeting into further strife and confusion, from which we may never recover. That’s why it’s so important that believers put on the full armour of God (Eph.6:11-20) and get out there and seriously fight the enemy, with the Sword of the Spirit, the mighty weapon that cuts deeply to bring about conviction and repentance. ‘For the word of God is quick (living), and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of (able to judge) the thoughts and intents (intentions) of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in (hidden from) his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do (must give account). (Heb.4:12-13) Oh my people, that’s how powerful the Word is, and as believers we have to use it in our earthly fight, for in the end we shall all be held accountable. And I’m sure that none of us wants to get a thumbs down sign from Jesus when we’re called to account. So mih breddren, let’s get up off our fat fannies and do the job we’ve signed up to do nuh, otherwise the consequences might be catastrophic!  Much LOVE!…to be told on the day of reckoning…well done good and faithful servant…we first have to stand strong and tall in Jesus’ name…down here on earth…

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