Today’s Scrip-Bit 20 March 2015 Psalm 89:1‏‏‏

20 Mar 2015 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 89:1.  I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.

Oh Friends, it’s Friday, but it’s also the first day of spring. And lots of people, especially those in the northern climes are going to be shouting ‘TGIS! Thank God it’s spring at last!’ As well as ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’
 
After the exceedingly rough winter we’ve had, the words will come naturally: ‘Glory Hallelujah, spring at last, spring at last! Lord please don’t let winter return. Just let it keep getting warmer and greener.’
 
And although I wasn’t here for the real bad parts, I certainly can understand those sentiments, for what I experienced was bad enough to have me crying out for mercy. (smile)
 
Anyway Friends, let’s just hope and pray that the days do keep getting warmer, the trees start budding, and more birds join the early morning choir of joyful praise to their Creator, for that will mean that it’s truly spring.
 
But meanwhile, to try and alleviate all the confusion and anxiety over Friday and Spring, let’s chant out Friday Chant with plenty feeling. ‘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.’
 
Yes my people, let’s relax and turn to our wonderful and sovereign God to show us the way and give us the wherewithal to face whatever comes our way. So with all of that in mind, let’s move on to our Bit: ‘I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.’
 
And my brethren, as true believers in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, that is exactly what we are called upon to do! For we cannot appreciate the Lord’s goodness and LOVING-kindness without expressing it in words, actions and songs, and more importantly, letting the young generation know about the wonderful God we serve and worship. That’s the only way that our faith will keep on being a treasured part of this earthly life.
 
Now yesterday we heard the first half of Bruh David’s psalm of thanksgiving when the Ark of the Covenant was brought up to Jerusalem. Today we’ll listen to the other half. ‘For all the gods of the people are idols (worthless things): but the Lord made the heavens. Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.
 
Give unto the Lord, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Fear (tremble) before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved.
 
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The Lord reigneth. Let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein. Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the Lord, because he cometh to judge the earth.
 
O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory (triumph) in thy praise. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the Lord.’ (1 Chr.16:26-35)
 
Ah Friends, what beautiful sentiments from Bruh David! Even nature, the inanimate objects, like the trees and fields are expected to sing praises unto God, so why wouldn’t we eh, His most marvellous creation?
 
Now here are some interesting explanations from the scholars. ’16:7. This psalm (with slight variations) is woven into several of the psalms in the Hebrew Psalter (cf. vv.8-22 with Ps.105:1; vv.23-33 with Ps.96; vv.34-36 with Ps.106:1, 47-48). It is learned here that those later liturgical adaptations originated with David. The psalm was especially suited for this auspicious occasion, (moving the ark to Jerusalem).
 
This particular psalm exhorts the people to praise Israel’s wonder-working God (vv.8-11), and encourages its hearers to remember God’s deeds (vv.12-14) and His unfailing covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (vv.15-22). David then directs all nations to join Israel in its praise of the holy God to whom all the universe is subservient (vv.23-33), and closes the song with a section of thanks, petition, and praise (vv.34-36).’
 
Oh Friends, likewise, in these exceedingly rough and trying times, we are also being exhorted to praise our wonder-working God, the same One that Israel worshipped!
 
And we are also being encouraged to remember God’s great deeds on our behalf, as well as His unfailing covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, for that too, is all a part of our heritage and our promise!
 
If we don’t make those things our priority, then we’re being hypocritical, and failing in service and worship to the God we claim to treasure and appreciate so much.
 
Therefore my brethren, let’s try and sincerely make the Lord God THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY in all aspects of our lives nuh, by living a life that glorifies Him, which means singing His praises, and telling others of His marvellous works, for then an only then will we become true believers. That’s the zenith of wisdom! Much LOVE!
 
…to sing the Lord’s praises….and to speak of His greatness…should be no-brainers to His true people…should come automatically to them…

 

 

 
 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 26 October 2014 Psalm 47:1-2‏

26 Oct 2014 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 47:1-2.    O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. for the Lord most high is terrible (awesome); he is a great King over all the earth.

It’s Sunday Friends, Sunday…the day of ‘gatheration!’ (smile) It’s that first day of the week when we gather to praise and worship our most wonderful God and fellowship with each other, offering encouragement, friendship, peace and LOVE!
 
Wow! What a great time will be had by all! Why is that you ask? Chuh!  Because there’s nothing, no celebration in this world that compares to true believers getting together to sing and praise and worship the ONE TRUE LIVING GOD of the Universe!
 
And that’s because the occasion is filled with that wonderful, adorable and heartwarming emotion of LOVE, which stems directly from Almighty God, and in turn, is His most marvellous and important attribute!
 
And all God’s children boldly proclaimed: ‘Thank You Lord for Your LOVE! Without it we couldn’t even begin to function in this ungodly and troubled world! Please keep on LOVING us, and help us to LOVE You too, as we ought to. We pray this in Jesus’ Name. Amen!’
 
That brings me to an interesting quote I want to share again, on the subject of LOVE and LIFE. This comes from Jürgen Moltman, a German Theologian and Emeritus Professor, born in 1926, and noted as a proponent of his ‘Theology of Hope.’
 
And Jürgen wisely tells us that: ‘The more passionately we LOVE Life, the more intensely we experience the joy of Life!’
 
What wisdom my people! And to explain that, the One More Day Devotional for those with Chronic Illness says: ‘We can’t hide from the real-life drama around us, though we’d like to sometimes. We need to live the drama, LOVE it, cry with it, and at times even hate it. Choosing to live life on its terms brings enthusiasm and passion into our experience.’
 
And that’s no lie my Friends! For trying to avoid, to run from the pain and hurt inherent in life, only ‘blinds us to the joys and wonderment of living fully!’
 
Truer words were never spoken my people! That’s why the most joyful people are the ones who face life head on, who deal with the situations as they come up, without trying to avoid everything that’s painful, because life at its best is a combination of joy and sorrow.
 
Job recognized that most salient fact when he admonished his wife. ‘What? shall we receive (accept) good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil (accept calamity)?’ (Job 2:10)
 
 Likewise Friends, until we also realize and accept that most salient fact, and stop trying to have no painful moments, we’ll never fully understand, appreciate and enjoy life! That’s why I want us to proclaim and acclaim today: ‘I choose to be enthusiastic about my life!’
 
Yes Friends, life was made for living, and you can’t live life fully unless you’re enthusiastic about it. And the  psalmist, writing Psalm 47, from which our Bit is taken, understood this principle.
 
Though life is sometimes difficult, he still oh so wisely advises: ‘O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. For the Lord most high is terrible (awesome); he is a great King over all the earth.’
 
And make no mistake my brethren, that is indeed gospel truth!
 
And as the psalmist continues later on in full confidence: ‘God reigneth over the heathen (nations, Gentiles): God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness. The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shield of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.’ (Ps.47:8-9)
 
And that my fellow believers is exactly what we need to do today and every day; exalt our great God, because He reigns supreme, as King of Glory!
 
Yes my people, as we come together to praise and worship the omnipotent God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, let’s remember these true and moving words of Bruh David from Psalm 68, superscripted – God has gone before His people.
 
‘Ascribe ye strength unto God: his excellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds. O God, thou art terrible (awesome) out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.’ (Ps.68:34-35)
 
And most important of all my brethren, let’s remember that when we leave God’s sanctuary today, be it a multi-million dollar building, or under a mango tree, we need to take the joy, the glory, the enthusiasm, encouragement, fellowship and LOVE that we receive there, out into the evil and ungodly world that surrounds us and share it with others who unfortunately don’t know Jesus.
 
Don’t hoard it, don’t try to save it all for yourself, because God blesses us so that we can also bless others. Jesus expects nothing less from us, that’s why He gave us the Great Commission before He ascended back to heaven.
 
‘Go ye therefore, and teach (make disciples of) all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’ (Matt.28:19-20)
 
And all God’s children declared a loud, grateful and enthusiastic: ‘Praise the Lord! Amen!’
 
Now Friends, let’s go out and do as Jesus asks, or as our Bishop recently quoted another clergy member: ‘Get up; get out, and get lost!’ That means, take our Christianity into the world and let it shine, with Jesus as our guide, mentor, Lord and Saviour. Much LOVE!
 
…to be really true believers…we must be truly seen…as the salt of the earth…and the light of the world…

 

 


 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 5 October 2014 John 15:13

05 Oct 2014 Leave a comment

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

John 15:13.    Greater LOVE hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
 
And then Friends, it was Sunday, the first day of the week!
 
That means it is supposed to be a restful kind of day, including a trip to the Lord’s sanctuary to worship and fellowship with other believers, give God His praise and thanks that’s so well deserved, and get encouragement and strengthened faith from the gathering to keep on keeping on in Jesus’ name.
 
It also should encompass some quality family and/or friend time; all the while keeping our souls open to Jesus. As I keep reminding us, the way we spend the first day of the week, is usually a harbinger of how the rest of the week will unfold.
 
So if we have a busy, stressful /Sunday, then Monday will no doubt open with stress and fatigue, complaining and whining, as we have to get up and go out to labour, and the week will probably go all downhill from there.
 
However, if we spend Sunday in prayerful peace, we at least wake up rested and renewed on Monday. Then, at least we’re starting from the top and going downhill, which is always easier than starting from the bottom and having to trudge up hill.
 
And with those words of wisdom (smile) – hope you adopt them – let’s get to our Bit, the same as yesterday. ‘Greater LOVE hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’
 
And again, I will remind us, that not as servants, but as valued Friends, Jesus then went out and died for us on Calvary’s cross!
 
I therefore can’t emphasize enough, how important it is that we recognize and truly appreciate His selfless sacrifice at Calvary, for it was indeed the beginning of all our good fortune, which stemmed exclusively from the great LOVE of our heavenly Father, who desperately wanted us to be brought back in to right standing with Him.
 
It’s just like we bend over backwards sometimes with our wayward children whom we LOVE dearly and want to see get back to the right path and right standing with us.
 
Now today we’ll deal with some scriptures that highlight friendship; what it is supposed to be, and as time permits, also look at some friendships, both good and bad, from the Good Book.
 
And first off is the wisdom of Cousin Sol, telling us from Proverbs, what a friend, and friendship ought to be. Listen up closely my brethren. (smile) ‘A friend LOVETH at all times, and a brother is born of adversity.’ (Prov.17:17)
 
And that’s exactly how it’s supposed to be my people! As the scholars declare: ’17:17. A true friend has unquenchable LOVE that is not diminished by adversity.’
 
But today, unfortunately, as we all know, that kind of true friendship doesn’t exist as much as it used to. Now friends are only friends when times are good. When they are rough and you need support, you’ll usually find yourself alone, because all you really had were good times friends.
 
However my people, let’s look at what a true friendship ought to be like. It begins with Jehovah God’s covenant with Abraham in chapter 17 of Genesis, where He establishes Abraham as the father of His Chosen People.
 
And we all know the story of Abraham’s tumultuous but interesting pilgrimage throughout the land, and how throughout it all, he stayed faithful and true to God, and God also remained faithful and true to him.
 
It was such a great friendship that centuries later, king Jehoshaphat of Judah, when besieged by foreign armies, could cry out to God: ‘Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend forever?’ (2 Chr.20:7)
 
Then Isaiah, in talking of the final restoration of Israel, declares: ‘But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham, my friend.’ (Is.41:8)
 
And later on, James, the half-brother of Jesus, who only believed at the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry, in talking about faith without works, boldly proclaims: ‘But wilt thou know (but do you want to know), O vain (foolish) man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
 
Seest thou how faith wrought with his works (was working), and by works was faith made perfect (complete)? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed (accounted) unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.’ (James 2:20-23)
 
Yes my brethren, that is what a true friendship ought to be like. Abraham is so revered, that even when we speak of God, and we qualify it by saying, the God of Abraham, everyone knows whom we’re talking about.
 
So today my people, as we fellowship and worship, peacefully rest in prayerful meditation, let’s consider the words ‘friend and friendship.’ Let’s ponder what they mean to us, then on that basis, ponder who our true friends might be in this earthly life, as well as who we might be true friends to.
 
And lastly, let’s ask the Lord for his help, so that at the end of our earthly pilgrimage, our faith and works will be of such excellence and integrity, that we too will be called the Friend of God! That’s the zenith of wisdom! Much LOVE!
 
…oh…to be considered…a Friend of the Lord…and a Man after His own heart…that is my greatest desire…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 20 October 2013 Isaiah 42:5

20 Oct 2013 Leave a comment

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

Isaiah 42:5.    Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein.
 
Oh Friends, I must be hallucinating yes, because it couldn’t be Sunday already. (smile) It was just Sunday a few days ago. True. But I guess that’s what they mean by time flies when you’re having fun, and also time waits for no one. 
 
However, regardless of what day it is, we’re grateful to be alive and kicking due to the mercy and LOVING-kindness of our omnipotent God! And under any circumstances whatsoever, that calls for a mighty shout of ‘Praise the Lord!’
 
And what better way to praise Him than by getting together with other believers and worshipping Him; singing songs of praise and thanksgiving this Sunday morning to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the ONE AND ONLY TRUE GOD in this entire universe, who created it and all therein.
 
And if you don’t believe me, then listen to our Bit: ‘Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein.’
 
Yes Friends, our wonderful and mighty God is responsible for creating the heavens and the earth; for giving life and spirit to all who walk thereon. Now let’s look at some scripture that heartily agrees with our Bit. Listen first to the prophet Zechariah, as he prophetically ruminates (smile) on the future deliverance of Jerusalem. 
 
‘The burden (oracle or prophecy) of the word of the Lord for (against) Israel, saith the Lord, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.’ (Zech.12:1)
 
Now hear Isaiah as he talks about the Redeemer of Israel. ‘Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth (out) the heavens (all) alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself.’ (Is.44:24) 
 
Please note people, how the Lord makes sure and specifies that He does all that stuff ‘alone, by myself.’ He does it all in His own omnipotence! He needs no help whatsoever to run His universe. So anyone who tries to lay claim to any part of His work is a total liar.
 
And as per the Lord’s claim to the breath of life and spirit given to mankind, hear these most beautiful and poignant scriptures.
 
Job in acknowledging God’s omnipotence, wisely declares: ‘But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee; and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this? In whose hand is the soul (life) of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind (flesh of man).’ (Job 12:7-10)
 
Yes Friends, everything that has life, owes that life to the Most High God Jehovah, our Creator, Controller and Provider!
 
Meanwhile, later on, when Elihu, Job’s friend, reasons with him, he too proclaims: ‘My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly (purely). The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.’ (Job 33:3-4)
 
There’s nothing to dispute there my people, since it’s the ultimate in truth! Then ever-faithful Daniel, in interpreting a dream for the Babylonian king Belshazzar, first tells him about his forefather, Nebuchadnezzar’s problems.
 
‘But when his heart was lifted up (made proud), and his mind (spirit) hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses (donkeys): they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew (recognized) that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointed over it whomsoever he will.
 
And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; But hast lifted up (exalted) thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought thee the vessels of his house (the temple) before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass (bronze), iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified.’ (Dan.5:20-23)
 
Yes my brethren, all that we are and have depend entirely on the Lord God Almighty, and when we don’t acknowledge Him, we pay a serious price. Yuh see what happened to Nebuchadnezzar; he ended up crazy and living like a wild animal until he recognised Almighty God. And then Belshazzar, the same night that Daniel scolded him and interpreted his dream, he was killed and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom. (Dan.5:30-31)
 
And last, but by no means least, hear Bruh Paul as he stood on Mars Hill and declared to the people of Athens: ‘For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions (objects of worship) I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship (worship without knowing), him declare I unto you.
 
God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is the Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.’ (Acts.17:23-25)
 
Ah Friends, yuh see even if we don’t actually know God, like the Athenians, there’s a part of us that subconsciously knows of Him, and has us naturally gravitating towards Him. Therefore Friends, please let’s all join together and worship the ONLY TRUE GOD in existence nuh. It’s the only thing that makes sense, that smacks of true heavenly wisdom! Much LOVE!
 
…every fibre of our being has been made by…and is controlled by God…so why are we all foolishly acting like…trying to be God eh…
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 September 2013 Psalm 42:2

04 Sep 2013 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 42:2.    My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
 
Greetings and salutations my fellow believers in Christ! Our daily pilgrimage has begun, so let’s take a few moments and thank our wonderful God for so ably providing and equipping us with all we need to successfully traverse the long, dusty and winding road that we face today. 
 
Please pray with me. ‘Oh Lord, we thank You for so graciously allowing us to see another glorious day on this beautiful earth. We know that there will be bumps, potholes and an assortment of obstacles along the way, but we’re not worried, for You’ve promised to safely lead and guide all who bow to Your will and accept Your Son Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
 
We ask You now to fulfill that promise through the Holy Spirit working in our lives, so that we can be worthwhile messengers and ambassadors of Your Word. We LOVE You Lord, and will do our best to magnify Your Holy Name. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.’
 
Yeh mih people, without the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob involved in our affairs, our lives would be completely meaningless and without true purpose. No wonder in this Maschil, this contemplation of the sons of Korah, Psalm 42, a longing for, or rather an intense longing for God is prevalent in their hearts and souls.
 
Our Bit says it nicely: ‘My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?’
 
And as we said yesterday Friends, that’s a very good question, one I guess that each believer has to work through and answer for him or herself, according to their individual relationship with Almighty God.
 
The psalmist is so distraught over his situation that he sadly continues: ‘My tears have been my meat (food) day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday (a pilgrim feast) (Ps.42:3-4)
 
Oh Friends, are we undergoing such soul-troubled problems today? Are we like the psalmist asking: ‘Why art thou cast (bowed) down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me?’ (Ps.42:5a)
 
Now if we are, then we can assuredly answer that question with the psalmist’s response. ‘Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance (presence).’ (Ps.42:5b)
 
And that my brethren is the living truth, because we’re dealing with a LIVING God, who knows all, sees all, and can do all! He knows our strengths and weaknesses, our faults and frailties even better than we do. That’s why it pays to worship Him, and not some pagan god or idol created by man’s hands, supposed gods, but which are all dead and immobile; can’t hear, can’t talk, or even move.
 
Meanwhile, the ONE TRUE GOD, JEHOVAH, is living and breathing, active and empowering in the lives of His believers, and will continue to do so until eternity!
 
Now let’s check out some scriptures that prove our point. Listen to Jeremiah as he weighs in on the subject of God and idols.
 
‘But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation. Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.’ (Jer.10:10-11) 
 
Absolute truth Friends, absolute truth!
 
Meanwhile, in speaking to the Roman church, re the Jew and the Gospel, Bruh Paul confidently declares: ‘And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children (sons) of the living God.’ (Rom.9:26)
 
There Bruh Paul is quoting the Old Testament prophet Hosea 1:10. Yes Friends, even way back then, all the true signs pointed directly towards the ONE and ONLY LIVING GOD!
 
Now hear bruh Paul in his greeting and commendation to the Thessalonians. ‘And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:  so that ye were examples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak anything.
 
For they themselves show of us (declare) what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.’ (1 Thess.1:6-10)
 
Yes my brethren, the Thessalonians accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour despite persecution, and they found it so true and meaningful that their faith rang out loudly, resounded everywhere! They were worthwhile examples of joyfully receiving the faith in spite of persecution, then sharing their faith with others.
 
Oh that we could be such great examples my people!
 
But what more do we need to keep us sincerely following Almighty God eh? It is very clear from His Word, that since day one, He was the only real Deity in the universe, and he had only the best interest of His people, His children, His creation at heart. For despite our constant disobedience, He’s always made and/or shown us a way to come to Him when we’re serious and ready.
 
So why don’t we get truly serious and ready to day eh, right now, mih breddren! Let’s cast aside all doubt, fear and disquiet, and instead be confident and positive like the psalmist, and loudly declare: ‘Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health (help, lit. salvation) of my countenance, and my God.’ (Ps.42:11b) 
 
That’s indisputable wisdom Friends, since there is no other living God to turn to! Much LOVE!
 
…it’s so foolish and illogical to worship and pray to dead, inanimate objects…when a truly living, omnipotent and ever-LOVING Deity exists…
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    

Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 April 2013 Psalm 46:10

11 Apr 2013 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 46:12.     Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Oh Friends, another day is dawning beautifully in many parts of God’s wonderful universe, and many new blessings and mercies are being made ready for distribution to God’s people down here on planet Earth! Wow! And just the thought of all that wonderful, divine, heavenly help drives God’s children to boldly declare: ‘Thank You Lord, thank You! You are so LOVING and generous to the undeserving children of men. We praise You and bless Your Holy Name, and promise to serve and worship You forever. Amen.’ Yes my people, this is indeed the day that our Lord God has made for us to enjoy, therefore let us rejoice and be exceedingly glad in it, for there’s no deity like the one we bow down to! That’s why the psalmist could confidently proclaim in our Bit: ‘Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.’ And that’s no lie Friends! The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob whom we worship, is the ONE AND ONLY TRUE GOD IN ALL THE UNIVERSE! As the first few verses of the psalm declare: ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present (abundantly available) help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst (heart) of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.   Selah.’ (Ps,46:1-3) Oh my fellow believers in Christ, those are very strong, reassuring words, based on God’s actual help to the Israelites, not simply the unrealized hopes and dreams of a troubled, enslaved people. Therefore, they are words that we should also hold on to, write indelibly in our hearts, minds and souls to give us the strength, faith and courage to live this difficult, but oh so interesting pilgrim’s life down here on Mother Earth. And even more importantly, through the Lord’s mysterious machinations, His Holy Name will eventually be exalted amongst the unbelievers. We obviously have a major part to play in that exaltation, but without God’s help we’re basically powerless to do much of anything. For as Jesus said: ‘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) Words of undeniable truth my Friends! And though the heathen seems to be in control of the earth right now, there’s no doubt that in the Lord’s time, that evil and unworthy scenario will change. Listen as the psalmist continues: ‘There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles (dwelling places) of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved (shaken): God shall help her, and that right early (at the break of dawn). The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.  Selah.’ (Ps.46:4-7) And that’s the gospel truth my brethren! And it encouraged all God’s people to declare a loud and grateful; ‘Glory Hallelujah!’ Oh Friends, it’s so sad that so many of God’s human creation don’t know and don’t worship Him, for He is truly a most magnificent Deity! And the psalmist continues raving about his God: ‘Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in fire.’ (Ps.46:8-9) Yes my people, all of that is indeed possible with our God! And in His time, it will surely come to pass. As Isaiah prophesied, re the day of the Lord: ‘The lofty (proud) looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon everyone that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low.’ (Is.2:11-12) So please don’t join the ranks of the heathen, the unbeliever, the evil enemy, for as Isaiah continues: ‘And the loftiness (pride) of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. And the idols he shall utterly abolish. And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear (from the terror) of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth (to make the earth tremble).’ (Is.2:17-19) Oh my brethren, on that fateful day, when the Lord decides to pronounce judgement on the sinful earth, there will be no escape for the heathen! And the scholars provide an interesting note. ‘The unshakeable confidence with which the psalm leaves the believer prompted Martin Luther, (the Protestant leader) to pen one of the great hymns of all time, ‘A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.’ Ah mih breddren, that bit of info should just boost our strength, faith, hope, trust, esteem, reverence and LOVE for our most worthy God! If the psalm was powerful enough to move the fiery Martin Luther a few centuries ago, when things were much rougher than now, then it certainly ought to move us too. And we’ll end with some wise words of Cousin Sol on the subject. ‘The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil (doom). Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged (atonement is provided for iniquity): and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.’ (Prov.16:4-6) Oh Friends, those verses cover it all; from the beginning to the end, so please take serious note of them, so that in that fateful day, you will not be numbered amongst the proud, haughty, evil heathen. That’s the ultimate in wisdom! Much LOVE!…it starts with a promise from Jehovah God…that leads to hope, faith, trust and surrender…then ends in the promise being fulfilled…becoming reality…for the Lord God is faithful…

 

     

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 29 April 2012 Psalm 146:5

29 Apr 2012 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 146:5.      Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God.

Ah Friends, it’s our weekly fellowship time again with other believers! And all God’s people said a loud and hearty ‘Amen!’ Now getting together with others to praise and worship our omnipotent Creator is a very important part of our Christian journey.  It’s a decree from our God that we set aside one day a week to spend time with Him as a holy family. And as all His other decrees, it should not be taken lightly since it brings all parts of the body of Christ’s church together to make a powerful whole. This is one of those times when the whole is indeed greater than the mere sum of the parts. Not to mention the fact that there’s power in numbers. And remember Jesus specifically said: ‘For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them.’ (Matt.18:20) So you can imagine the power of the Holy Spirit moving and working in a bigger congregation; the joy, praise, thanksgiving, faith, trust and LOVE that emanates from a crowd of Christians in true worship mode! Wow! No wonder Psalm 146, from which our Bit comes, is called, The blessedness of trusting God. And after the psalmist has opened by praising the Lord, and committing that praise for his lifetime, and also warning us not to put our trust in man whose breath, body and thoughts perish, he blesses us with our Bit: ‘Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God.’ Oh my people, that’s a wonderful bit of advice, as well as an undeniable fact! So why can’t others, especially those who so badly need some peace and joy in their lives discover that fact too eh? Maybe it’s because we who have found joy and happiness in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob aren’t doing a good enough job of passing on the message? Maybe we’re not living it out in our everyday lives, so that others can see how Christ affects us as we walk with Him? We obviously are doing something wrong, or simply not doing enough, because there are too many lost souls out there, who either never heard of Jesus, or did and refuse to embrace His glorious LOVE because of our inability or lack of showing a true sense of joy in living for Him. Yes mih people, there’s nobody to blame but us, if others don’t see the joy we claim to have, because we don’t show it. We can’t be selfish and just keep Jesus to ourselves. We have to share the good news with all the world as He requested, that’s our bounden duty.’ (Matt.28:19-20) Another problem is whether we truly believe the words of our Bit. Yuh know we say plenty stuff, but a lot of it is merely talk for talk sake, and it really doesn’t come from the depths of our soul. However Friends, the facts that our Bit state should be indelibly imprinted in our whole being, if we’re true believers and expect to enjoy the fruits of a relationship with Christ. That means we obviously have to do a better job of portraying real Christian living in our daily walk, as well as telling Christ’s story to more people, spreading the wonderful news of what He’s so selflessly and sacrificially done for us undeserving sinners.  Remember too Friends, that live examples work better than mere spoken words. And now that I’ve harangued and tongue lashed us (smile) for not doing enough to spread Jesus’ LOVE Revolution, let’s look at some scriptures that corroborate the gospel truth of our Bit. First off is a wise word of warning from the psalmist: ‘Kiss the Son (an act of homage and submission), lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.’ (Ps.2:12) Yes brethren, we need to be in tight with the Son, if we want to lie in pastures green with Him. Now hear Cousin Sol’s take on the matter. ‘He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.’ (Prov.16:20) And we’ll give Jeremiah the last word: ‘Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see (fear) when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful (anxious) in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.’ (Jer.17:7-8) That my Friends, is the total, unalterable, living truth of the Word of God, which doesn’t change or lie! Therefore, let’s take it to heart and then put it into action nuh, for the times they are a troubled. Our world is seriously hurting and in need of the peace, joy, calm and LOVE that only living with, in and for Jesus can bring. Nuff said mih breddren! More on this tomorrow if we see the blessed light of day. Much LOVE!…only by truly LOVING our God…LIVING our Faith…and SPREADING God’s Word…can believers positively influence non-believers…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 25 February 2012 Luke 1:46‏

25 Feb 2012 Leave a comment

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

 Luke 1:46.    And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord.

Oh Friends, morning has broken, just like that first morning many many moons ago! Likewise, blessings, mercies and manna are pouring forth from heaven, just like that first day back in Eden! Can we see and appreciate all that the Lord is doing for us? Do we with grateful heart appreciate it and give Him praise, thanks, honour and glory? I sure hope so for all our sakes. Unfortunately though, a large proportion of earth’s population don’t know, and/or don’t recognize and accept the Lord God Jehovah as the Creator of the universe. Consequently, He’s not intimately involved in their lives. That only makes them fretful and frustrated, jealous and envious, angry and resentful, bitter and filled with hatred towards mankind. All these negative emotions have led to the tangled and troubled mess that has befallen our world. Oh Friends, it’s only when the majority of the world knows and accepts the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as the ONE TRUE GOD, with His Son Jesus, as their Lord and Saviour, and His Holy Spirit as Guide, Comforter and Teacher, will our world ever know peace. And that’s the true believer’s calling, our great commission; to spread the Word to the whole world. (Matt.28:19-20) But sadly, too many a believer behaves like the heathen, though the Spirit is supposed to live in them. There is no passion, no excitement in their reading of the Word, or in their faith walk. That brings us to our Bit: ‘And Mary said, My soul doth magnify (exalt, glorify, big up) the Lord.’ Note I used some of the new fangled slang there (big up), although I don’t like it, but that’s because I want the younger folks to get the real meaning, the true gist of the word ‘magnify’ and most likely they might not understand ‘exalt’or ‘glorify’ either.  But Friends, those words play a very crucial and significant aspect in our faith and not enough of us really use them when connecting with our God. How many of us can truly stand up and boast about magnifying the Lord eh? Certainly not enough! And just consider the unnatural circumstances under which Mary made that awesome and immortal statement. She had recently been told by the Angel Gabriel that she would become a mother without knowing a man, and also that her cousin Elisabeth, hitherto barren, was now with child (John the Baptist): ‘For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid (maidservant) of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.’(Luke 1:37-38) Oh my people, how would we have reacted under those circumstances eh? Would we have had enough faith, like Mary, to say? ‘Okay Lord, whatever’s your will.’ Or would we be so scared and confused that we’d become emotionally distraught? That’s where faith, walking by it, really comes in Friends. Mary was just a simple, young, country girl, but the Lord saw  the strong seeds of faith that were growing in her soul.  Now, soon after hearing all this exciting but scary and unconventional news from Gabriel, Mary goes to visit her cousin Liz. And what happens? As soon as Liz hears Mary’s greeting, John the Baptist leaps in her womb ‘and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost.’ (Luke 1:41) Oh my brethren, our God is the original Master Dramatist!  Nobody can frame a scene like Him! Sometime before that He’d made John’s father, Zechariah dumb, because he didn’t believe that his wife would not only bear a son, but a prophet, the harbinger of the Messiah. Now when the two women come together, He ramps up the drama by having John jump for joy in Liz’s womb, and also opening her eyes to Mary’s significant role through the presence of the Holy Spirit. So much so that Liz waxes poetic and prophetic: ‘And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence (why) is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that (who) believed: for (that) there shall be a performance (fulfillment) of those things which were told her from the Lord.’ (Luke 1:42-45) And that’s when Mary declared those first words of the wonderful song of praise we know today as the Magnificat! ‘My soul doth magnify the Lord.’ Oh Friends, it seems like I also got so caught up in the drama and excitement of the Lord’s miraculous and mysterious workings that I completely lost count of time and space. That’s what happens when the Spirit stirs you up. (smile) I haven’t even used one of the scriptures that I’d planned to. So like we’ll have to continue this drama tomorrow, provided of course that God’s breath of life still flows through our bodies. Till then, please let’s stay steadfast and strong under the umbrella of God’s mighty protection, and ponder the true state of our faith, contemplating how we would react to a situation like Elisabeth’s and Mary’s. Much LOVE!…the Lord made us to glorify, magnify, exalt and big Him up…so let’s put some more effort into doing that nuh…  Selah.