Today’s Scrip-Bit 19 March 2017 Matthew 6:19.

19 Mar 2017 Leave a comment

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

Matthew 6:19.   Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt (ruin), and where thieves break through and steal.

Sunday O Sunday: The day of the Lord, when we gather together to worship and fellowship and praise and give thanks to our magnificent and magnanimous God!  One who is omnipotent, all- powerful; omniscient, all-seeing and knowing; and omni-present, everywhere at the same time! 

What a thrill it is my people to be gathered in the Lord’s sanctuary, or anywhere at all, to hear His wondrous word and exalt and glorify His holy name! For all that He’s done, is currently doing, and has promised to do for us, let’s now raise our voices in joyful song, extolling not only His might and power, but also His mercy, compassion, grace and LOVING-kindness! 

And the song of praise for today is the old hymn of assurance and the joy of salvation, ‘Christ the Solid Rock.’ So as one harmonious choir, let’s raise our voices in the sacrifice of praise in heartfelt sincerity and truth. 

‘My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand. 

When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace; In every high and stormy gale My anchor holds within the veil. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand. 

His oath, His covenant, and blood Support me in the whelming flood; When every earthly prop gives way, He then is all my Hope and Stay. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand. 

When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh, may I then in Him be found, Clothed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne! On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.’ 

And that’s the indisputable, gospel truth my fellow believers! Any other ground beside the foundation of Rock that’s our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is simply sinking sand! On Him and Him ALONE, are we assured of standing strong and walking tall in this misguided universe! 

But you know what friends? That last verse of the hymn is also very important: that we should be found clothed in His righteousness on His Second Coming, to stand faultless before Him. If we’re not found in that state then crapaud smoke we pipe! As simple as that. 

And the only way we can have some assurance of that situation is by living out His words of warning in our Bit. ‘Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt (ruin), and where thieves break through and steal.’ 

Yes friends, the treasures of the earth are basically worthless when your physical body is returned to the dust from which it was made. Then what is going to happen to your spiritual body that will be left, that will live on eh? You’ll endure ‘sufferation’ and eternal death with that ole fool Lucifer in Hades, or wherever God decides to discard him. 

Now to me, that doesn’t look like such a good idea, although a lot of us are unwisely clinging to it. In my humble opinion, Jesus’ suggestion seems much more profitable and amenable. ‘But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.’ (Matt.6:20)  

Ah mih people, I don’t understand why we fight so hard to accumulate the world’s riches nuh, when we know that we can’t carry any of it with us, especially when doing so just produces so much stress and strain and we don’t get to enjoy them. And it’s not like you can’t get rich in earthly wealth following Christ. There are numerous rich Christians around the world; it’s just that they don’t display it as a badge of honour and use it in a more godly way. 

Hear how James addresses the wealthy, unsaved Jews of his day. ‘Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted (have rotted), and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered (corroded); and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. 

Behold the hire (wages) of the labourers who have reaped down (mowed) your fields, which is of you kept back (you have kept back) by fraud, crieth (cry out): and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton (indulgence); ye have nourished (fattened) your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just, and he doth not resist you.’ (James 5:1-6) 

Now hear some explanations from the scholars. ‘5:1-6. Ye rich men: James’ common address “brethren,” is not found once in this section. By contrast, it occurs four times in verses 7-12. James is now addressing wealthy, unsaved Jews who have poor Jews working for them. They have mistreated the poor, so God’s judgement will fall on them.’ 

‘5:3. Ironically, they have stored up treasure for their last days (retirement), which God will use against them in the last days.’ ‘5:4. The Lord of Sabaoth, meaning the Lord of Hosts (i.e. of Armies), describes the omnipotent, avenging character of God who sees and hears this injustice.’  

Ah mih breddren, the same injustice is being meted out to the poor and needy today by the wealthy, unsaved heathen. But just as those earlier Jews were promised God’s judgement, likewise the current crop of robber barons will receive their comeuppance in God’s time. Please, let’s not be found counted amongst them. Much LOVE!

…heavenly rewards…must be accumulated from earth…

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 26 October 2016 Romans 8:37.

26 Oct 2016 Leave a comment

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

Romans 8:37.    Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that LOVED us.

Well hello there my fellow travellers on the glory train that’s bound for heaven! I do hope that this short (smile) missive finds you in good health and hope and that you are enjoying the journey towards the greatest destination ever – HEAVEN! 

Oh yes, we are meant to enjoy the journey too, that’s why our Lord and Saviour sacrificed his sinless life for us. 

Now, no long journey is ever easy, but we’ve been given the wherewithal to also enjoy this one; things like hope and faith, LOVE and peace, blessings and mercies, care and compassion, as well as the Holy Spirit of God that dwells within us to lead and guide us along the right path. 

Why do you think our Creator and heavenly Father ensured that we had all that good stuff eh? So that we could enjoy life here on earth! We don’t have to wait until we reach heaven to enjoy life, heaven begins right here on earth. 

He knew that earthly life wouldn’t always be easy and fun, but He’s given us enough tools to make the overall journey enjoyable. 

So please let’s start using those tools and begin enjoying our little bit of heaven right here on earth, else we’d just be disappointing our Father, Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit that’s working so hard to encourage and fill us with joy. 

Please remember that the joy of the Lord is our strength. (Neh. 8:10) So if we lose our joy, as the enemy desires, then we’ll also lose our strength in Almighty God. Sermon done! (smile)  

And since today is Wednesday, let’s declare our Wednesday Wail with the appropriate enthusiasm, passion and JOY! 

Wailing: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. 

My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’ 

Yes friends, therein lies the joy that we’re supposed to have and show to this evil and ungodly world! We’re alive, and as true believers ought to be steady in our ploughing, concentrating on the wonderful future that Jesus has planned for us in the mansions in heaven, not our rough and cruddy past. 

Remember what Jesus said: ‘No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:62) 

As the scholars explain. ‘9:62. Fit, occurring elsewhere only in 14:35 and Hebrews 6:7, means “suitable” or “usable.” One who makes life’s lesser matters of greater priority than God’s work is of little use to Him.’ 

And remember too what happened to Lot’s wife when she looked back, as fire and brimstone were pelting down on Sodom and Gomorrah, she turned into a pillar of salt. (Gen.19:26) Nuff said. 

Let’s get into our Bit, perhaps for the last time. ‘Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that LOVED us.’ 

Oh friends, that is such a wonderful scripture! It ensures of us the power we’ve been granted through God’s everlasting and unconditional LOVE for us! Wow! Are we ever blessed! 

And we’ll continue today with John’s treatise on LOVE. ‘There is no fear in LOVE; but perfect LOVE casteth out fear: because fear hath (involves) torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in LOVE.’ (1 John 4:18) 

Now, before we go any further, please listen to this explanation of that verse by the scholars. ‘4:18. Fear hath torment: Abject fear of God is based on dread of punishment. But God’s LOVE for us renders such dread obsolete. 

Fear is still part of the Christian walk in the sense of profound reverence, the unwillingness to violate God’s trust in us (see Acts 10:35; 13:26; 2 Cor.7:1; Eph. 5:21; Phil.2:12; 1 Pet.1:17). 

Believers need not fear eternal rejection as a result of God’s judgement (John 5:24), but this does not mean a Christian’s approach to God is to be casual and flippant.’ 

Please pay serious attention to that explanation my people, because it can make or break our Christian walk. 

And John continues: ‘We LOVE him, because he first LOVED us. If a man say, I LOVE God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that LOVETH not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he LOVE God whom he hath not seen? 

And this commandment have we from him, That he who LOVETH God LOVE his brother also.’ (1 John 4:19-21) End of story my people! 

And the scholars have this to offer. ‘4:19-21. Our LOVE, if it exists and mirrors God’s LOVE at all, is not our own but God’s doing. The epitome of hypocrisy is the claim to LOVE God while withholding LOVE from others. For Jesus Himself commanded that he who LOVES God is to demonstrate this through LOVING others.’ 

So my fellow believers, when we’re bandying around the word ‘LOVE,’ as is our wont today, please let’s remember its true meaning and give it its rightful due, for that is wisdom of untold proportions. Much LOVE!

…only the true LOVE of Jesus…can truly make the world go round…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 7 November 2015 1 John 4:18

07 Nov 2015 Leave a comment

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

1 John 4:18.   There is no fear in LOVE; but perfect LOVE casteth out fear: because fear hath (involves) torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in LOVE!

Well my brethren, our little summer fling is over! Chuh! And I was just beginning to enjoy it; going out the street in shirtsleeves, sitting out on my porch in the early morning hours, quietly communing with my heavenly Father and releasing all the day’s anxieties and stress. 

Yes, Friends, this past week where we experienced temps in the mid to high teens all week was certainly a wonderful blessing. Glory to God! But it’s all over now, we’re reverting back to normal temps like ten and lower. Anyway, as long as that cold, white stuff is not flying around, I am happy.

 Once it starts making a mess on the roads, then I get miserable. I don’t even mind if it’s packed up on the banks and shoulders of the road, but not on the road itself which makes driving even more treacherous than it already is, with so many cars and bad drivers out there nowadays. Sometimes it can be really fearful to drive on the dry roads, much less the snow filled ones. 

However, since you all are such wonderful patrons, and I’m in such a generous frame of mind, (smile) I will offer two of our Friend Anselm’s quotes from this past week, which speak rather appropriately to our topic. 

The first one says: ‘If you want to conquer fear, don’t sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.’ And that’s very true. The only way to conquer fear is to rise up over it; to do the thing(s) of which you are afraid, with God’s faith and trust in your heart, standing on His promise that He won’t let us go through more than we can handle. 

And the second quote declares that ‘Most of us have far more courage than we ever dreamed we possessed.’ And that’s no lie either my people! I am sure all of us have come upon situations at some stage of our lives where we thought we did not have the wherewithal to handle them, but once we decided to step out in faith, we realized that we actually had the parts to deal with the situations. 

Sometimes we need God to pour down some extra courage on us, but at other times we discover that what we already have is quite sufficient. And once we consider the assuring words Bruh Paul spoke to young Timothy, our fears should subside. ‘For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of LOVE, and of a sound mind.’ (2 Tim.7) 

So technically speaking, we’re not suppose be afraid of anything. But we all know that is easier said than done. And I like how Sister Joyce (Joyce Meyer) puts it: just do it afraid. (smile) But she does have a point, we can’t allow fear to ruin our lives. And the only way to conquer fear is rearing up over it with faith! 

And our Bit today hits the nail right on the head of the subject. ‘There is no fear in LOVE; but perfect LOVE casteth out fear: because fear hath (involves) torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in LOVE!’ What a powerful verse of scripture my fellow believers! 

Now here is how the scholars explain that verse. ‘4:18. Fear hath torment: Abject fear of God is based on dread of punishment. But God’s LOVE for us renders such dread obsolete. Fear is still part of the Christian walk-in the sense of profound reverence, the unwillingness to violate God’s trust in us (see Acts 10:35; 13:26; 2 Cor.7:1; Eph.5:21; Phil.2:12; 1 Pet.1:17) 

Believers need not fear eternal rejection as a result of God’s judgement. (John 5:24), but this does not mean a Christian’s approach to God is to be flippant and casual.’ 

Of course not! Our attitude towards our heavenly Father should be one of reverence, respect, awe and joy that we have such a wonderful God! 

Now, since I know that very few of us will bother to check the scriptures noted in the scholars explanations, I will quote a few of them for our benefit. Aren’t I nice? (smile) We will begin with Acts 13:26, where Paul and Barnabas are talking to the people of Antioch. 

Bruh Paul says to them: ‘Men and brethren, children (sons) of the stock (family) of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.’ (Acts 13:26) 

And in 2 Corinthians, Bruh Paul opens Chapter 7 thus: ‘Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.’ (2 Cor.7:1) 

And to the Ephesians, Bruh Paul writes: ‘Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.’ (Eph.5:20-21) 

Oh Friends, you see it’s all about the reverential awe of God, about putting Him first in our lives, not being afraid to talk to Him. We have that right to confidently approach Him on the basis of Jesus’ work at the cross. That work reconciled us to Him, and we are once more His beloved children. So there is absolutely nothing to fear if we are children of the Most High God! 

As John states after our Bit: ‘We LOVE him, because he first LOVED us. If a man say, I LOVE God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that LOVETH not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he LOVE God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who LOVETH God LOVE his brother also.’ (1John 4:19-21) 

There we have it Friends; a sermon… sorry, (smile) a teaching on fear, LOVE and reverence. Please, let’s carve it into the depths of our souls, so that we can always have it for our timely reference. That’s wisdom at its zenith! Much LOVE!

…the only antidote for fear…is faith…backed by the unconditional LOVE of Almighty God…

 

.

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 7 April 2014 Psalm 66:19

07 Apr 2014 Leave a comment

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

 Psalm 66:19.     But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.
 
Awright mih people, the inevitable Monday has rolled around once more! So let’s get a move on nuh. You should be well rested and ready after the weekend.
 
There’s no time to dilly dally, for the battle lines have already been drawn and Jesus is there waiting for us, astride that magnificent white stallion, who is impatiently tossing his head, pawing the ground, snorting and exhaling big gusts of hot, smoky air.
 
So to get us ready for battle, let’s move right into our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. As one great choir now, let’s raise our heads, hands, hearts and voices heavenward, as we burst out in song this bright spring morning. 
 
‘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!’
 
Marvellous, mih breddren! That was absolutely marvellous! Once again we had the heavenly hosts all standing and rocking – that includes Jesus and the Father. (smile) So with our engines all revved up, let’s get out into the wicked world that anxiously awaits our coming, and with our great leader Jesus Christ in the forefront, let’s battle the enemy to a standstill!
 
Wow! As the old hymn directs and encourages: ‘Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus, going on before!’
 
Ah Friends, the enthusiasm is catching! It’s certainly caught me, as I’m smiling and chucking, trying to suppress a cough that doesn’t want to be suppressed.
 
Now here is our Bit, which gives justification to our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. ‘But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.’
 
Yeh Friends, the Lord has certainly heard our prayer for strength and guidance this first day of the new work week. And please remember that prayer is of the utmost importance in a believer’s life, for it is our best and fastest method of communicating with our wonderful Creator!
 
And today we’ll check out a few scriptures where our Creator purposely advised us to seek Him out in prayer. So here goes. And we’ll begin with the words of Bruh David from Psalm 27; the Lord is my light and my salvation.
 
And no Friends, that is not a contrived situation. (smile) This time it has nothing to do with my favouritism of Bruh David. I’m putting the scriptures in sequence, and Bruh David just happens to come first.
 
And in Psalm 27, he solemnly declares: ‘Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.’ (Ps.27:7-8)
 
And that’s the proper response my people! But sadly, many of us say it, but don’t put it into action, and thus miss out, foolishly deprive ourselves of many of the blessings the Lord has stored up for us.
 
Then in Jeremiah, our awesome God, LOVINGLY promises: ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil (calamity), to give you an expected end (a future and a hope). Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto (listen to) you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.’ (Jer.29:11-13)
 
Yes Friends, prayer is necessary to find God! And most importantly, we need to do it diligently, sincerely, with all our heart, soul and mind.
 
Now listen to Amos, in his call to Israel for repentance. He uncompromisingly proclaims: ‘For thus saith the Lord unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live: But seek not Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beer-sheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Bethel shall come to nought (nothing).
 
Seek the Lord, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel. Ye who turn judgement (justice) to wormwood, and leave off (abandon) righteousness in the earth, seek him that maketh the seven stars (the Pleiades) and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with (as) night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The Lord is his name.’ (Amos 5:4-8)
 
Oh my fellow believers, the Lord’s message could not be any clearer and simpler than that! It is essential that we seek Him, especially through prayer!
 
Now here are a few comments from the scholars: ‘5:4-7: Three times the invitation, Seek ye me, and ye shall live, is given (vv.4,6,14). Though God’s judgement is imminent, it can be avoided, or at least postponed, by seeking the Lord. The only hope is to seek the Lord in true repentance and thus avoid the judgement of God.’ 
 
Oh my people, that speaks right to our current situation. We definitely need to seek the Lord God Jehovah in true repentance, if we want our society to improve in righteousness. 
 
And please remember that prayer doesn’t always have to be a formal, bowing and scraping ceremony. It can be just a friendly chat with our Creator as we mosey on through our day.
 
So please don’t be afraid to engage the Lord in conversation, at any time and place, for He takes great delight when His children come to Him in any kind of prayer, once it is sincere. Much LOVE!
 
…But without faith…it is impossible to please God…for he that cometh to God…must believe that he is…and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him… (Heb.11:6) 
 
P.S. My humble apologies Friends, but between Outlook’s messing with my writing and my unhealthy self, we’re way behind. But better late then never though. (smile) Much LOVE!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 20 December 2013 Ecclesiastes 12:14

20 Dec 2013 Leave a comment

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

Ecclesiastes 12:14.   For God shall bring every work into judgement with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
 
And then it was Friday – a wintry Friday! There’s already some precipitation on the ground in my area – not much, but precipitation nonetheless. And who knows what’s going to follow eh; snow or freezing rain, or a combination of both? Anyhow we cut it, if the weather people are right, today’s going to be a dangerous day.
 
So please people, let’s all take very good care as we go about our business outside, for the weather conditions will not be ideal… Hn! And we don’t want any accidents or misfortunes just before Christmas. So if you don’t HAVE to go out, then DON’T GO OUT! Words of true wisdom Friends. (smile)
 
I also noticed that the weather warning somewhat dampened our usually glorious shout of ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ But with prayer and care, we ought to make it safely through another winter’s day.
 
And to top it all off, let’s chant out Friday chant, with joy and gladness, simply because we’re alive and kicking, have jobs to go to, and live under the umbrella of a mighty, magnificent and magnanimous God!
 
So my brethren, let’s chant: ‘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.’
 
Now let’s get that perspective firmly grounded in our beings, so that we can live it out over the weekend. And do we ever need stuff like that to keep us on the straight and narrow, especially when we have a Bit like today’s: ‘For God shall bring every work into judgement with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.’
 
Yeh mih people, all our words and actions WILL indeed be judged on the big day! But as the saying goes; to be forewarned is to be forearmed. So now that we know what’s going to eventually happen, we have no excuses for making bad, or wrong, or evil decisions and choices.
 
Yesterday we saw the Preacher telling us to sow diligently in the mornings, then in the evenings, hold out our hands expectantly, in faith, because we don’t know which seed that we planted will prosper. But then again, in our rejoicing, we also have to pay attention to the many dark days of trial and struggle that will surely come during our lifetimes. It’s a fine balancing act my brethren! That’s what life is.
 
Now hear this wise advice from the preacher to the young. Oh if many of us had heard it when we were young!
 
‘Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways (impulses) of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes (as you see to be best): but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgement. Therefore remove sorrow (vexation) from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth (prime of life) are vanity.’ (Eccl.11:9-10)
 
And isn’t that the awesome truth my people! When we are young, we feel the world’s our oyster, and we can do whatever we want to, without fear of repercussions or consequences. But that’s a deceitful conception, propagated by evildoers, for as we are seeing, God will one day judge all that we ever did here on planet earth.
 
And please note the scholars’ take on the situation. ‘Once again the exhortation to enjoyment is put in the imperative mood. Here the appeal is particularly addressed to the youth to admonish him to enjoy life before the onset of the feeble years described in 12:1-7.
 
Verse 9 can hardly be taken in a hedonistic sense, because the controlling factor in the youth’s enjoyment is said to be God’s judgement. Rather, it is a warning against a life misspent in self-indulgence.’
 
Oh Friends, the sooner we learn these lessons, the better off we’ll all be! For yesterday we saw Jesus declare the truth of the judgement day. (Matt.12:35-37) Now listen to Bruh Paul in his first missive to the church at Corinth, talking about real judgement.
 
‘For I know nothing by (against) myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest (reveal) the counsels (motives) of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.’ (1 Cor.4:4-5)
 
Ah mih people, more words of divine truth, which will do us a lot of good to hear and inwardly digest! 
 
And here’s an interesting note from the scholars’. ‘4:4. I know nothing by myself (lit. “I know nothing against myself”). This sort of total commitment gave Paul the authority to make such a statement as “be ye followers of me” (cf. 1 Cor.4:16; 11:1).’
 
Yes Friends, let’s be followers of Bruh Paul nuh, as he was a follower of Jesus! We certainly can’t go wrong if we follow his example. Much LOVE!
 
…and the heavens shall declare his righteousness…for God is JUDGE himself…  Selah (Ps.50:6)
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 25 May 2013 Psalm 49:20.

25 May 2013 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 49:20.     Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.
 
Oh my people, blessed greetings to you and yours on this chilly May morn! Yes it’s somewhat chilly in my neck of the woods. The weather’s been playing games with us, moving from a high of twenty something degrees celsius a week ago, to the low and mid teens this past week. But I guess much of North America has recently been plagued by unseasonal snow, wind, rain and deadly tornados. 
 

But not to worry, for Almighty God is still on His heavenly throne, still in total control, and nothing happens in this world without His approval. So if you feel somewhat challenged today, please turn to Him and pour out all your heartfelt fears, frustrations and anxieties. He will hear your pleas and respond in the appropriate fashion at the right time.
 
And this seems to be a very good time to remind us of God’s Promise, the poem I shared a couple weeks back, for there’s nothing that lifts our sagging spirits as a timely reminder of the many wonderful promises our God has made us, and is ever so faithful to fulfill.
 
So read on dear Friends and let our spirits soar. ‘I will not fear; God is always with me. I will not doubt; God is always in control. I will not despair; God is always good. I will not falter; God is always watching. I will not fail; God is always victorious.’ 
 
Yes my Friends, our God is ALWAYS VICTORIOUS! 
 
Please remember that when the enemy comes a-calling, demeans and bad talks our wonderful and omnipotent God. It’s just pure jealousy, because he’s been spayed, neutered, declawed and defanged by Jesus’ victory over death and the grave, and all he can do now is bat his toothless gums together and try to scare us with his snide, nasty remarks, for he’s lost whatever little power he ever had over believers. He can’t harm us, unless we allow him to. Remember that.
 
Now let’s look at our Bit: ‘Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.’
 
Oh my brethren, that is the foolish man who listens to Lucifer and falls for his lies, wiles and innuendo. Though he has earthly wealth and power, he is without true understanding of the ways of Almighty God. Thus he perishes as the senseless beasts, without any hope of a positive life after his earthly death.
 
Yesterday we looked at some scripture pertaining to that topic, and today we’ll look at some more. To further help us make the most important decision of our earthly lives – following Christ – let’s hear from Cousin Sol in Ecclesiastes 3, where he talks about God judges both the righteous and the wicked. 
 
‘And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgement, that wickedness was there (in the place of justice there was wickedness); and (in) the place of righteousness, that iniquity (wickedness) was there. I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose (matter in which one delights) and for every work.
 
I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest (test) them, and that they might see that they themselves are (like) beasts. For that which befalleth (happens to) the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no pre-eminence (advantage) above a beast: for all is vanity.’ (Eccl.3:16-19)
 
So Friends, back then, Cousin Sol saw injustice in the courts where justice should have prevailed. Sadly, our court system today is similarly as unjust. Moreover, he was sure that God’s justice would be forthcoming, though the casual observer could not see it.
 
But though man and beast seem to simply return to the dust from whence they came, the spirit of man goes back to God for judgement, as he later declares. ‘Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.’ (Eccl.12:7) 
 
And the scholars proclaim that ‘God does not clearly reveal to man all the events that will occur after him, therefore, man should be happy with the lot assigned to him by God. (v.22)’
 
Now hear Cousin Sol tell it. ‘All go unto one place; all are of dust, and all turn to dust again. Who knoweth (knows whether) the spirit of man that goeth upward (goes upward), and (whether) the spirit of the beast that goeth (goes) downward to the earth?
 
Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion (heritage): for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?’ (Eccl.3:20-22) 
 
So Friends, the facts are before us. Jesus came later and clarified some stuff, but it’s still all a matter of personal belief. The choice is ours. Let’s hope though that we all make the right choice; JESUS, FOR THAT’S THE WISDOM OF THE AGES! Much LOVE!
 
…I choose JESUS…because HE’S THE TRUTH…THE LIGHT…THE LIFE…AND THE ONLY WAY…