Today’s Scrip-Bit 14 August 2018 Psalm 127:1.

14 Aug 2018 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 127:1.    Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep (guards) the city, the watchman waketh but in vain (stays awake in vain).

‘Oh what a beautiful morning! Oh what a beautiful day! Oh what a beautiful morning! Everything’s going my way!’ Ah friends, I know that life is not always like a bunch of sweet smelling roses or sweet tasting cherries, but the important thing to realize is that we’re alive, and once we’re alive, there is hope that things can improve, especially if we’re true believers in Jesus Christ! Glory be mih people! 

There’s no better or greater avenue to live this earthly life than as followers of Jesus! Jesus has been so good to us, I don’t see how we can even think of not believing in Him, or rebelling against him. That’s utter madness! How else would we get atonement for our sins and a chance to spend eternal life with the Father in heaven eh, for there’s no other way to do that than through Him? 

And our Bit spells that out in spades. ‘Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep (guards) the city, the watchman waketh but in vain (stays awake in vain).’ And whether you believe it or not, that’s gospel truth! 

Hear how the psalmist continues as he strongly advises the need of relying on God. ‘It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late. To eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.’ (Ps.127:2) Yeh friends, when your life is aligned with God’s you don’t have to stress and strain to make a living, and the Lord gives you restful sleep. 

And not only that, as the psalmist further details: ‘Lo, children are a heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is their reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man (warrior); so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.’ (Ps.127:3-5) 

Wow mih breddren! Yuh see how the Lord looks after us when we’re obedient to Him? Amongst other things, He gives us, or better yet, blesses us with lovely children, who stand up for us against our enemies and keeps our house going strong and prosperous! 

And the scholars offer this wonderful explanation of the psalm. ‘Psalm 127. The principle of this psalm is that all human efforts are in vain unless they have God’s blessing. This principle is applied to four areas: building a house (v.1a), guarding a city (v.1b), working long hours (v.2), and having children (vs.3-5). 

It is possible to accomplish all of these things without God’s blessing, but it is not possible to accomplish them purposefully and with eternal value without God’s blessing. The psalm includes, incidentally, two practical reasons for having children: they bring you joy, and they protect you. (v.5).’ 

Now what more can I say eh, except to shout out to my children: ‘Aye mih children, you certainly bring the ole fella joy! That’s for sure! But are you all going to protect me in the gate from the enemy? I’m sure you all will!’ (smile) And thus I can give out a big ‘Thank You and Praise Your Holy Name and Glory Hallelujah to Almighty God because my children will look after me in my old age!’ 

Ah friends, we are indeed blessed when we have children who will honour and protect us in times of need, and I have to acknowledge that my children do so. They’re not perfect, but if I want for anything, they do their best to help me. That’s all I can ask. 

Unfortunately, a lot of parents aren’t so blessed. Why? I don’t know. But as they say, you make the children, but you don’t make their minds. And Cousin Sol proffers a very important lesson: ‘Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old (mature) he will not depart from it.’ (Prov.22:6). 

Now that’s generally the case, but I’ve seen children raised in the fear of the Lord, who turn right around and follow Beelzebub. So what’s a parent do eh? Not much but pray and do their earthly best. The important thing though my faithful brethren is that we make room for God in ALL of our daily doings, for without Him in our lives we will not be as successful as we can be with Him in them. 

That’s simply indisputable truth! So please, let’s take that same wisdom we try to put into our children’s heads and use it for our benefit. It’s the only thing that makes sense. 

Now let’s go home declaring that wisdom for all and sundry to hear, in our Tuesday Mantra, letting the world know in no uncertain terms, who and whose we are. All together now: ‘I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world.  Amen!’ 

And if we were truly sincere in that prayer, then we now have to go out and action it, like Jesus desires of us. Much LOVE!

…examples speak louder than words…so to make a real difference…our lives have to speak very loudly…

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 May 2018 John 17:16.

22 May 2018 Leave a comment

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

John 17:16.   They are not OF the world, even as I am not OF the world.

Aye friends, it’s a wet one in my area today. And the rain can be so beguiling… Earlier on, for over half an hour, I lay in my bed tossing and turning from side to side, knowing that I was not going back to sleep, especially since my nostrils were all blocked up and my mouth was dry as chip, but yuh think I could get up, as I listened to the gentle rain falling outside? 

No way! There’s just something about the rain that makes you want to stay in bed and curl up under the covers next to your special someone. And don’t forget its potent aphrodisiac properties! (smile) 

And today the Lord pointed me to some stuff I have written here on a piece of paper. I don’t know who or where I got them from, possibly from Uncle Charles (Charles Stanley), but I’m sure we’re not going to like them. They have to do with our behaviour as true and faithful believers in Jesus Christ. 

And they advise: 1. Don’t leap to judgement. 2. Take blame and give credit. 3. Don’t one up people, encourage them. 4. If it hurts say so, but don’t hit back. 5. Pray for your competitors. 

Mamacita! All of that goes against the very grain of our human nature! But that’s the way our Leader and Lord and Saviour wants us to operate in this crazy, selfish and greedy world. That’s how others will know that we’re different from the madding crowd and hopefully come to realize that we have what they’re missing and oh so badly need; the eternal and unconditional LOVE and saving grace of Jesus. 

And as we look back on those five things above, if we’re true to ourselves we will admit that they all play a major part in our lives. We all leap to judgement too quickly, with absolutely no relevant facts at hand. We just see or hear someone and we can spout a litany of things that are wrong with them. 

And when coming to taking blame…Hn! That does not exist in our current society. We’re all about pointing fingers at others and hogging whatever credit there is for ourselves. Oh, and one-upmanship is the name of today’s game. Yuh ever listen to group of people talking about their possessions? 

Each one comes up with something better than the other. And that’s one of the reasons why so many of us are so stressed out and miserable; foolishly, we’re trying too hard to keep up with the Joneses. 

And when it comes to being hurt, we’ll certainly let you know, but the trouble is that we also look for vengeance. But remember the Lord says that vengeance is His, and He will repay. Well I won’t even touch praying for our competitors, because that is definitely out of our behavioural sphere. Oh yes, we’ll pray for them, but for them to go under, not to succeed. 

Oh friends, please remember that we’re supposed to be IN the world but not OF the world; meaning we should not behave as the world does. No wonder Jesus prayed to the Father on our behalf: ‘And now I come to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 

I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil (evil one). They are not OF the world, even as I am not OF the world.’ (John 17:13-16) 

Ah mih people, what more can I say eh? Not a whole lot. Jesus prayed that we would not get involved with the world order even though we lived amongst it. That was necessary so that we could tell others about and show by example the good news He ushered into this world. 

And Bruh Paul reiterated the same sentiments to the church at Rome. ‘And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.’ (Rom.12:2) 

Oh my people, we can’t be IN the world, but not OF it, unless we completely renew our minds and bring it into line with the will of God. And the scholars offer this explanation on that subject: Dedication to the will of God. 

‘12:1-2. God’s will refers to His purpose for the life of the believer. It implies His guidance or direction in ALL of life’s decisions. Dedication is an act of surrender or submission to His will for our lives whereby we become a “living sacrifice.” Daily dependence on God results in our transformation into the image of Christ. 

Illustration: When we seek to discern the will of God we must also be committed to doing the will of God as it is revealed in the Word of God. (John 7:17) Application: The believer should evaluate every decision on the basis of biblical principles, knowing that obedience brings God’s blessing. (First Ref. Gen. 22:12; Primary Ref. Rom.12:1).’ 

The long and short of the story my brethren, is that we’re to live the will of God as found in His Word. And the only way we’re going to find out that will is by reading and studying His Word. So let’s get on with it nuh, so that we can all become the ‘living sacrifices’ that our Lord desires. 

Now it’s time to go home letting the world know who and whose we are by declaring our Tuesday Mantra. All together now, in full voice and complete sincerity: ‘I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world.  Amen!’ 

And the corollary to that: let’s go out and generously share what Jesus has given us. Much LOVE!

…God’s basic wish for us all…to become Christ-like clones…