Today’s Scrip-Bit 24 March 2016 Philippians 1:29‏‏‏

24 Mar 2016 Leave a comment

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

Philippians 1:29.   For unto you it is given in behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.

Aye mih breddren, it’s a white winter’s morn in my neck of the woods this Holy Thursday of 2016. Yes, it’s beautiful to the eyes, but ever so dangerous to the body. A late winter, early spring storm dumped some of the white stuff on us; thankfully not as much as the East Coast and parts to the north of us. 

The problem though is it’s not straight snow but more a combination with freezing rain, which means there’s a high ice content making things very slippery and dangerous. So those of you who have to go out there, please make sure you are very careful because it doesn’t take much under those conditions for accidents to happen. 

Thankfully I don’t have to go out there today. And besides, the last two days have been rather busy, and what with the unusually late nights too, the ole fella needs a bit of a rest. He’s not as young as he was or as mobile and agile as he thinks he is. (smile) 

And we’re going to begin today with a serious and sincere prayer from Gramps Schuller’s (Robert H. Schuller) Hours of Power Devotional. We’re going to give ourselves to God, either for the first time, or if we’ve done so before, rededicate our lives to Him. 

So please pray with me: ‘Almighty God, it is a beautiful way to live to know that you are there with a plan for my life, and through prayer I can draw my life into harmony with your plan. I know, God, that your plan for my life calls for me to follow Christ. 

Jesus Christ, I give my life to you. I’ve never done it before. That has been my problem. That has been my hang up. O God, I give my life to you now. Take my life Jesus Christ, and make it yours. Forgive my sins. Fill me with your LOVE. You are doing it now and I thank you. Amen.’  

Yeh friends, what better time to dedicate or rededicate our lives to Christ than just before He sacrifices His life for us tomorrow on Good Friday! 

We all know it wasn’t an easy time for Him, how He went into the Garden of Gethsemane in the evening and with an anguished spirit, pleaded with the Father, that if it were at all possible, He would be spared the difficult and dehumanizing ordeal. (Matt.26:36-46) 

But it was not, and Jesus knew that, but it just shows that in His humanity He was as vulnerable and anxious as any man would be. 

However, finally accepting that His ordeal could not be put aside, He eventually said: ‘O my Father, if this cup may not pass from me except (unless) I drink it, thy will be done.’ (Matt.26:42) 

Ah mih people, that is how we have to react sometimes too. Even though we know that the going will be pretty rough and painful, if it’s the Lord’s will, we just have to grin and bear it. Remember too, that He will not give us more than we can bear, and will always help us through whatever painful and sorrowful situations we go through. 

Those are the thoughts of faith we must use to get us through the rough times. For as our Bit declares: ‘For unto you it is given in behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.’ 

Oh my fellow believers, unfortunately, living for Jesus is a two way street. It’s not easy, but the rewards do outweigh the pain and heartache. And as we promised yesterday, here is the rather appropriate passage from 2 Corinthians. 

‘For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.’ (2 Cor.4:17-18) 

Yeh friends, we can’t afford to merely look at and concentrate on the things that are happening to us in this life, because they are temporary, only for a short while, but through our eyes of faith must keep focused on the things of heaven which we cannot see, but which are so much more valuable and worthwhile than the destructible things of the world. 

My brethren, it’s a serious decision we have to make to follow Christ. We cannot have a wishy-washy, half-baked, fence-sitting attitude, if we really want to be a true Christian. It’s true that Christ died that we may have an abundant life, but he also said that it would be filled with persecution, just because we believed on Him. 

However, He also said that we should not be afraid, because he had already conquered the world, and there was nothing the world could do to us. And we’ll finish with another appropriate scripture passage for this Holy Thursday. 

This one from Hebrews: ‘Looking unto Jesus the author (originator) and finisher (perfector) of our faith: who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.’ (Heb.12:2) 

And what was that joy, you ask? ‘Wherefore God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name; That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of (those) things in heaven, and (those) things in earth, and (those) things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ (Phil.2:9-11) 

Yes precious people, that’s how the Father rewarded Jesus for sacrificing His sinless life for us. Will He not amply reward us too if we are obedient to His will? Of  course! 

So please let’s go into Good Friday with a sense of suffering for and with Christ, so that when He is exalted, we also will be exalted with Him. There’s no better wisdom than that! Much LOVE!

…any ‘sufferation’ that comes from doing God’s will…will be amply rewarded….in God’s way…and in God’s time…that’s a proven fact… 

P.S. It’s late and long, but oh so good! (smile) Much LOVE!

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 8 March 2016 Psalm 77:13‏‏‏‏‏‏‏‏

08 Mar 2016 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 77:13.    Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary (holiness): who is so great a God as our God?

Oh friends, I do hope we all had strong beginnings to our new work week yesterday, and that those strong beginnings will continue into today, Tuesday, as we do the Lord’s bidding and grow in strength and maturity in Christ Jesus. 

I had a good day yesterday as I was out and about in the city having lunch with some friends whom I hadn’t seen before and visiting some older folks at home. But boy, was the sun ever hot, and I was doing this stuff between noon and early afternoon. 

The duchess believes that this is the hottest the sun has ever been since we began visiting Tobago some four years ago. Who knows though? The sun is supposed to be hot in these parts, and that’s why I came, isn’t it; for sunshine and saltwater? (smile) 

Anyway, today I want to share something called ‘No Strings Attached,’ from Gramps Schuller’s (Robert H. Schuller) Hours of Power Devotional. 

Listen up closely. ‘Christianity is a religion based on mercy. It is rooted in forgiveness. Of all the religions in the world, Christianity is the only belief system that accepts grace as the source of salvation. Every other religion is based on good works – work hard enough or be good enough and you will earn your salvation, your heaven, your Nirvana. 

Christianity alone says, ‘You can’t do it. No one is perfect. We all make mistakes. We all suffer from guilt and shame. We are all victims. But Jesus has died on the cross with these final words: ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.’ (Luke 23:34). He has risen again. He has paid for my sins. He has paid for yours. The gift of salvation is free – no strings attached.’ 

Glory Hallelujah my fellow believers! And isn’t that the awesome and glorious truth. That’s why we can always loudly, proudly and truthfully say that OUR GOD IS THE GREATEST! 

And that provides the answer to our Bit: ‘Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary (holiness): who is so great a God as our God?’ 

Oh friends, I know I promised that yesterday would be the last day for that particular Bit, but if you were paying close attention, you’d have noticed that we only spoke about Christ’s birth, not his death, resurrection and ascension, as we had intended to. So obviously we couldn’t be finished. (smile) 

And in a few weeks’ time we’ll be coming up to those days of painful grief and then of joyous celebration, as we commemorate the Easter Season. And isn’t that a glorious season? 

It certainly it is, for though Jesus’ birth celebrated at Christmas time is huge. Easter is the fulfillment of God’s great promises, to provide a Messiah, to reconcile us to Himself and provide eternal salvation through His free offering of grace to all those who belief in His Son, Jesus Christ! Oh Glory to God my people! 

How can anyone be greater than Him when out of the goodness and LOVING-kindness of His heart, He sacrificed His One and Only Son so that we, His most precious, but also very disobedient and sinful creation could be righteously welcomed back into His holy fold? No other supposed deity can, or has ever done anything like that! 

As Gramps Schuller says above; salvation is a free gift of God, with no strings attached! All the sinner has to do is to believe in and on Jesus Christ! What could be simpler that that eh? NOTHING really! 

So when Good Friday rolls around, though it is filled with the pain and suffering and heartache endured by Jesus, we can still call it ‘Good’ because that is when our sins were paid for. 

It wasn’t good for Jesus, though He bore it with a stiff upper lip and all that, but it was surely good for us, because without Good Friday, we could not have had Easter Sunday, when He miraculously rose from the dead and with it offered the promise that all who die in Him, will again rise in Him! 

Oh what a great and LOVING God we serve and worship my people! THERE IS NONE OTHER LIKE HIM! That’s for sure. 

And what amazes me about the other faiths out there is that they either serve dead gods, or idols created by man’s hand. Now how can something I create be my god and do all sorts of stuff for me eh? It just doesn’t sound very logical. 

And please note too, has there ever been any other of the supposed gods who died and rose again from the dead? No way! Only our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ has ever done that! So why would I choose to worship any other God eh? 

And on another point of interest, has anybody else ever brought anybody back from the dead after they had been in the grave for four days? NO! 

But our Lord and Saviour Jesus did! Read the full account in John 11. He raised His friend Lazarus from the dead after he had been entombed for four days. All praise and glory to our great God! 

After praying to His heavenly Father, ‘he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin (wrapped with a cloth). Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.’ (John 11:43-44) 

Now tell me, who else has ever raised a human body buried for four days, and then raised Himself from the dead after being entombed for three days eh? 

NOBODY BUT THE LORD JESUS CHRIST! 

And we’ll definitely close this Bit (smile) with these true and immortal words of Jesus re resurrection and life. ‘Jesus said unto her (Lazarus’ sister Martha), I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead (may die), yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? (John 11:25-26) 

Now friends, that’s a question we must all ask ourselves, and hopefully, for all of us, the answer is a resounding YES! 

And finally, hear this verifying statement from the scholars. ’11:25. I am the resurrection is one of Jesus’ greatest “I am” statements, signifying His power to give eternal life.’ 

What more can I say eh? Nothing but I do hope that during these last few days the evidence I’ve provided has convinced us that the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is indeed the GREATEST and the ONE and ONLY TRUE and LIVING GOD!  Much LOVE!

…in the beginning…God created the heaven and the earth… (Gen.1:1) …that says it all…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 3 April 2015 Matthew 27:35

03 Apr 2015 Leave a comment

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

Matthew 27:35. And they crucified him, and parted (divided) his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted (divided) my garments among them, and upon my vesture (clothing) did they cast lots.

Oh Friends, it’s Friday! And one we call Good Friday to boot. How can that be though, when such a dastardly deed, such a great injustice, a crucifixion, was perpetrated on a holy and sinless man two thousand years ago? How can it be that we call such a day good eh, especially when it was no ordinary crucifixion, but a horrific and cruel one, filled with all sorts of unimaginable brutality and inhumanity?
 
That’s the epitome of our saying that man’s inhumanity to man makes countless thousands suffer and mourn!  But I guess we call it good because it was the beginning, the initializing of some thing good. Without that sacrifice on Good Friday, there would have been no resurrection on Easter Sunday, no victory over hell, death and the grave.
 
And it’s also good in the sense that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ gave His life so that we could be free from the bondage of sin once and for all. We have to look at it that way Friends, otherwise it was just a brutal injustice.
 
And believe you me, Jesus paid a heavy, heavy price for our disgusting sins, for as we said above, it was no ordinary crucifixion, but a most cruel and heartless one, fuelled by fear and greed and the lust for power, the same things that are still controlling our world today.
 
Oh my people, please take a moment and consider the inhumanity that Jesus suffered before He even reached Calvary; the scourging, the spitting, the ridicule, the mocking, the slapping, the crown of thorns, the tearing of His flesh by the cruel whips with all sorts of sharp things attached meant exactly for that purpose.
 
In this modern day and age, although we’re still cruel, I don’t think we can truly capture the thoroughly disfigured and tattered picture of Jesus when He came out of Pilate’s place, then was given His cross to carry, though He could barely walk and His wounds were by then terminal. It was only a matter of time.
 
It’s a good thing that somebody had the bright idea to get Simon the Cyrene to help Him bear the cross, otherwise I doubt He would have made it to Golgotha that evil place of the skull, which we Christians now term Calvary, a much nicer name. Then being made to lie outstretched on two planks of wood and nailed to them with huge metal nails, in such a way that death would be painful and prolonged. Steups!
 
Can you imagine that gruesome scene Friends, of Jesus being put to lie down on the cross and nailed to it, then have it raised upright and what little lifeblood He had left, being set to drain slowly and painfully out of Him? And to make matters worse, they crucified Him between two common criminals. Chuh!
 
Ah mih people, can you look through your eyes of faith and see Jesus, all torn and tattered, just languishing up there on that cross in the hot noonday sun? Believe me Friends, it was definitely no little price that Jesus paid for the banishment of our sins nuh! That’s what you call real ‘sufferation.’ The Father really put it to Him.
 
In my humble opinion it did not have to be so cruel, but I guess it just goes to show how disgusting and diabolical sin is and was, and that the only way to truly get rid of it was by a serious sacrificial death of a sinless person. And unfortunately Jesus was the ONLY ONE who fit that description.
 
It also shows how serious the Father is and was about His dislike for sin, if He could allow such terrible atrocities to be performed on His only Son. If you think it hurts us, just imagine the heartache He must have felt nuh, seeing His Son go through so much agony, and knowing that He could stop it with a simple word, but also knowing that if He did, sin would then forever run rampant throughout His universe, with no end in sight, and the evil Lucifer would have won the war.
 
Being a holy and just God, He just could not allow that, so like we say, He just had to grin and bear it. And yet we still doubt His wonderful and unconditional LOVE for us!
 
What hurts too Friends, is that after that most expensive price Jesus paid for our forgiveness, for our reconciliation and atonement, for our salvation and eternal life, so many of us simply ignore Him, or don’t take him as seriously as we should.
 
That’s not only unfortunate my brethren, but rather foolish, for if we don’t embrace Jesus and all that He stands for then we’ll still end up in the pool of fire come the judgement day with the wicked Beelzebub and all his other minions, and His sacrifice would have been worthless.
 
Oh Friends, the Father sent His son to pay the price for our abominable sins because He did not want to lose even one of His most wonderful creations, mankind, to Lucifer. So why aren’t we being wise and truly accepting Jesus as our Lord and Saviour eh? That’s the multi-million dollar question?
 
Instead, we’re sadly moving away from Him in droves, embracing the worthless and sinful stuff of the world, foisted on us by the prince of darkness and his evil lackeys. That’s only going to bring us more sin and suffering, and it’s oh so foolish, when Jesus has already paid the price for us to be free from the bondage and torment of sin.
 
But yuh know what my brethren, Jesus was such a mighty and majestic man, that throughout it all He didn’t complain. He knew that that was the reason for which He was made man, and though He pleaded some with the Father to change the plans, deep down He knew that it was not going to happen, so again, like we all have to do at times, He just grinned and bore it.
 
He withstood the mockery and jeers and otherwise that were hurled at him while He hung there limp and helpless on the cross. The only sad words that reached His lips on the cross were as the Good Book says: ‘And about the ninth hour (noon) Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is to say, My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?’ (Matt.27:46)
 
Yes Friends, in that moment, as the scholars explain; ‘Here we have the high cost to Christ of His atonement for our sins, who was accursed of God as our sin-bearer, (cf.2 Cor.5:21; Gal.3:13) and suffered the agony of spiritual death for us.’ 
 
Ah mih breddren, as our Bit so sadly says too: ‘And they crucified him, and parted (divided) his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted (divided) my garments among them, and upon my vesture (clothing) did they cast lots.’ That prophecy comes from Psalm 22:18, words of Bruh David.
 
But you know what Friends, Jesus is so beautiful, that even on the cross He still reached out to us. He pleaded with the Lord; ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’ (Luke 23:34) Then to one of the criminals who were crucified with Him and who embraced His sanctity as they hung there together, He sincerely promised: ‘Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise.’ (Luke 23:43)
 
And to show how much He cared for His mother, the Good Book tells us: ‘When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by whom he LOVED (John), he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.’ (John 19:26-27)
 
What’s left to be said eh, my people? Only this: ‘And when Jesus had cried with aloud voice, he said, ‘Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost (breathed his last).’ (Luke 23:46)
 
Oh Friends, on this solemn Friday which we call good, and on which we didn’t even shout for joy, ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ since most people are already off work, for it’s a public holiday in most places, let’s Chant our Friday Chant nonetheless as we spend the day in worship and ponder what the day means to us as a congregation, as well as individuals.
 
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.’
 
Oh my people, it’s long and somewhat involved. (smile) But that’s what I was guided to write. I just hope it brings home to us the real hefty price that Jesus paid for our sins to be forgiven, and brings us ever closer to Him. Much LOVE!
 
…to all serious believers…today…let’s take up our crosses and follow Jesus…for that’s what he desires of us…

 

 

 

 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 19 December 2014 Romans 12:6

19 Dec 2014 Leave a comment

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

Romans 12:6.  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy, according to the proportion of faith. 

The day is Friday, the season is Christmas… And all God’s people joyfully shouted: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday! TGFJ! Thank God for Jesus!’

Yes Friends, we do have cause to be thankful for both situations! We’re thankful for Friday because it means we have a brief respite from our labours. And we’re thankful for Jesus because He saved our spiritual lives and reconciled us to the Father.

Now what we need to do is to truly show that gratitude in our actions too, not only in our talk. We Christians are well known for our talk, but not as much for our actions. And that’s where we fall down; we don’t practice what we preach, as much as we ought to.

So this Christmas season, let’s promise ourselves to do better in the sharing and spreading of true Christian LOVE in action, as Jesus would have us do.

It’s the best way to tell others about our wonderful Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was born of the Virgin Mary on Christmas Day, died on the cross at Calvary on Good Friday, redeeming us of our abominable sins.

He then  rose from the dead on Easter Sunday, ascended into heaven some fifty days later, and has since been sitting at the Father’s right hand, waiting patiently and eagerly until the Father decides the time is right for the next installment of His great world drama; the Second Coming of His wonderful Son, in all might and power, splendour, glory and triumphant victory!

Wow! What a story! Nothing man can conceive can ever come up to its tear-jerking, heart-warming, soul-satisfying, spirit-filled, joy giving, LOVE endowing nature!

Therefore Friends, it is imperative that we go out and make it known to all the world, as Jesus requested in His last instructions, the Great Command to the disciples: ‘Go ye therefore and teach 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(s), even unto the end of the world.’ (Matt.28:19-20)

Unfortunately my people, it is a world full of evil, hatred and ungodliness. Consequently, we desperately, and as quickly as possible, need to spread the gospel, the good news of His story and of His teachings around the world, so that every living human being can have a chance to come to Him in humility, sincerity and truth, to receive His wonderful free gifts of salvation and eternal life.

And with the worldwide communication revolution now in progress, this is the best opportunity we have ever had to obey that Great Command. That means we have to get busy and help spread the Word in whatever fashion is convenient and expedient to us.

But spread it we must! Otherwise, on that fateful day of Judgement, when the Lord asks us why we didn’t do better with the talents and resources He’d given us, what answer will we give eh? Sadly my brethren, there will be no plausible answer available, and we’ll just have to pay whatever price is decreed.

Now we obviously don’t want to find ourselves in that untenable situation, and the best and only way to prevent it is by going into action RIGHT NOW, sincerely and diligently doing our part to educate the world, or even our small corner of it, on the wonderful benefits of knowing and following Jesus.

And let’s not say that we can’t, because our Creator, in His everlasting wisdom, has given each of us certain talents and resources to enable us to do His work. We just have to figure out, with His help of course, in what area(s) those talents lie, and then go to work in those areas.

For example, I seem to have been given the gift of using words, of writing, therefore I’m using those writing skills to spread the Word as best I can through this Scrip-Bit.

And in Romans 12, Bruh Paul spells it our for us, starting with our Bit: ‘Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity (liberality); he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let LOVE be without dissimulation (hypocrisy). Abhor that which is evil; cleave (cling) to that which is good.’ (Rom.12:6-9)

Yes my brethren, those are the kinds of things I’m talking about! We each have gifts given to us by Almighty God, so let’s use them nuh. What’s the purpose of having them, if we don’t use them eh? None whatsoever!

And as Cousin Sol so wisely tells us in Proverbs 17: ‘A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: withersoever it (he) turneth, it (he) prospereth.’ (Prov.17:8)

So my people, let’s rise up and use our God-given gifts nuh, so that we can prosper wherever we go. That’s not only simple common sense, but also heavenly wisdom! Much LOVE!

…a cardinal rule in life and living is…if you don’t use it…you will lose it…and that’s gospel truth… 

P.S. Oh Friends, I didn’t forget our Friday Chant, I just couldn’t find anywhere to seamlessly put it in, so that it wouldn’t disrupt the flow of the narrative. However, we can chant it now. So let’s chant with all sincerity and truth.

‘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.’

Till we meet again tomorrow, God willing! Much LOVE!

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 19 Aprl 2014 Proverbs 16:16

19 Apr 2014 Leave a comment

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

Proverbs 16:16.       How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

Oh Friends, it is finished! The deed has been done! Jesus Christ has been crucified! Death has prevailed!
 
How unfortunate you say. However, please remember that for a mighty oak to sprout from a comparatively tiny acorn, or any tree to sprout from its seed, it must be planted in the deep, dark recesses of the earth; it must die first. The same goes for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. For Him to rise again, He had to undergo death first, and spend time in the shadows of Hades. 
 
But fortunately, unlike a seed that sometimes has to spend a long time being dead, being buried in the earth, our Saviour only spent two days. Glory Hallelujah! He died and was buried yesterday, Good Friday, and He will rise on the third day; that’s tomorrow, Easter Sunday; a new man, a mighty conqueror, victorious over death and its evil counterparts!
 
And all God’s children boldly and loudly declared: ‘All power to Jesus, the eternal son of Jehovah God! He was dead, and was buried, but on the third day He rose again, victorious from the grave, to proclaim salvation and eternal life for the lost souls who believe in Him! Praise the Name of Jesus, our conquering hero!’
 
Ah mih people, what a paragon we have in Jesus! That’s why it surprises, and also disappoints me when others cry Him down, try to demean and belittle Him. I guess I shouldn’t be too hard on them because they are suffering from a terrible deficiency; meaning that they can only see as far as their physical eyes can shine, there are no eyes of faith in their souls, the only thing that allows us to believe in Jesus. 
 
Let us pray for those unfortunate persons, that sometime before their earthly demise, they will wake up to the true reality of the situation and accept Christ as their Lord and Saviour before it’s too late.
 
And what shall we ponder on today eh? Oh yes, my people, there’s a faithful happening that’s worth the telling! (smile)
 
Two nights ago, I was watching and praying with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. The church was semi-dark, only lit by a few candles. At one stage I was there all by my lonesome, and as always, that situation brings to my mind the saying that an empty church has more room for God. And at those times I tend to believe it, because when there’s a crowd in the church, the bodies seem to take up all the physical space.
 
But there’s a kind of eerie feeling, being all alone in a semi-dark church late at night, as though the rest of it is filled with God’s Spirit! He just has more room to wander, not obstructed by human bodies. Anyway, the last couple of times I watched and prayed with Christ in the Garden, the Lord whispered a word to my spirit, in an area in which I guess He figured I needed improvement.
 
One year it was simply ‘LISTEN!’ Now that I’m still working on. (smile) I don’t remember what the other year was, how sad, but this year it was ‘GET WISDOM, GET UNDERSTANDING! Hn, Hn!
 
Oh my people, what an imaginative and wonderful God we serve! Hence our Bit for today: ‘How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!’ And those are words of everlasting truth my people!
 
And that jewel from Cousin Sol can be proven quite easily by these other words of his: ‘The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths (deeps) are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.‘ (Prov.3:19-20)
 
Oh Friends, it says there that the Lord used wisdom and understanding to create the universe. Now if those two things were so important in God’s work, why shouldn’t they be just as important in ours eh?
 
No wonder in his exhortations to obedience, Cousin Sol solemnly warns: ‘My son, let them not depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: so shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace (favour) to thy neck. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
 
When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. Be not afraid of sudden fear (terror), neither of the desolation of (trouble from) the wicked, when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken (caught).‘ (Prov.3:21-26)
 
Oh my people, my people, I would indeed be extremely foolish if I didn’t follow that recipe for favour and safety, especially after the Lord specifically put it in my spirit.
 
And please note my brethren that that was not meant for me alone, but for all of us; all of His people. He’s obviously seen the foolish, unwise, ignorant and evil things that are now preeminent in our world and is sending us a message to smarten up, to get with Jesus’ programme, so we don’t end up in the same God-forsaken place like the evildoers.
 
So Friends, let’s wake up and get with it nuh. We’re supposed to be Jesus’ people, that means we’re supposed to be wise, though we surely aren’t showing that in our everyday lives. 
 
Therefore, let’s ponder our individual situations this Easter weekend, cause it’s a most appropriate time, and do something constructive about the negative and unwise things in our lives, for we certainly don’t want to be caught napping and wanting when the trumpets call up yonder. That’s heavenly wisdom my fellow believers. Please, let’s embrace it wholeheartedly nuh! Much LOVE!
 
…as my old mammy use to tell me…son, when you don’t hear…yuh going to feel…and feel hard too…and was she ever right… 
 
P.S  Please accept my apologies for a typo at the very top of yesterday’s Bit, (not for the Blog) where I wrote Luke 23:24a instead of Luke 23:34a. That’s if many of you noticed. (smile) Remember the ole fella’s only human, thus not perfect. Much LOVE!

Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 April 2014 Luke 23:34a

18 Apr 2014 Leave a comment

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

Luke 23:34a.Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. 

 GOOD  FRIDAY !

Oh Friends, that fateful day called Friday has rolled around once again! However, today is not only a Friday, but an extraordinary one that we term GOOD FRIDAY! Today we remember and celebrate the most auspicious and memorable Friday that has ever occurred in man’s history! 
 
And though the event that occurred two thousand years ago today was a horrific tragedy; the stuff that took place on the surface was certainly bad, but its outcome was the greatest gift ever bestowed on mankind, that’s why it can be called good! 
 
So today instead of just singing ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ We need to sing ‘TGIGF! Thank God it’s Good Friday!’ 
 
And you know that we’re referring to that memorable day when our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ sacrificed His sinless life, went like an unblemished lamb to the slaughter, to pay for our ghastly sins, so that we could once again have right fellowship with our heavenly Father. 
 
And all of God’s people, feeling the trembling and gratitude boiling in their hearts, spontaneously sang out: ‘All praise, honour and glory be to our Lord Jesus Christ, Son of Jehovah God! Bless His Holy Name! Worship and praise Him and give Him everlasting thanks, for He is indeed worthy of it all!’ 
 
Yes my people, Jesus Christ is certainly worthy of more praise and thanks and honour and glory than we can ever give Him! For there is nothing or no one else who could have satisfied the Father’s high price of justice to pay our sin debt in full. 
 
And that’s payment for ALL of mankind’s sins, from day one in the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit, right down to the day of judgement, and that promised time when sin shall be no more. When there shall be no more tears, no more pain and sorrow, but we shall all dwell in harmony and unity under the everlasting light of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (Rev.21:3-4) 
 
Oh what a wonderful person is our Jesus! Let’s give Him some more thanks and praise nuh mih breddren. ‘Oh Lord Jesus Christ, there are not enough powerful and thankful words in our vocabulary to truly praise and thank You for Your selfless, sacrificial deed on our behalf. But with whatever we have, we’re pouring out our most sincere gratitude and thanks this Good Friday morn, hoping that You accept it with Your usual graciousness. 
 
We know that it was a terrible ordeal You underwent for us worthless sinners, though You and the Father thought us worthy enough to pay such an exorbitant price to save us. We know You didn’t have to do it, but Your obedience to the Father knew no bounds, so you bore with great patience, perseverance and magnanimity the trials and tribulations the Father decreed as the price of our freedom. 
 
In Your most horrible moments of agony, You were even gracious enough to cry out the words of our Bit: ‘Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.’ Only a truly LOVING and forgiving Deity could do such an extraordinary thing! Thank You Lord Jesus, thank You, thank You, thank You! 
 
Unfortunately, that’s the best we can say. But for that awesome sacrifice, we promise to bow our heads, bend our knees and acknowledge You as Lord of Lords and King of Kings. We will give You all the praise and thanks we can muster, and walk obediently in Your footsteps of LOVE, peace, joy, goodness, human rights and justice, from this day forth and forever more! 
 
Please accept our heartfelt prayer, and let Your Holy Spirit lead and guide us into all truth, so that we can magnify Your Holy Name and spread the good news of Your Story, all over planet Earth! This we pray in Your Holy Name, on the rivers of blood that flowed from the stripes inflicted on Your broken and abused body on that horrible day, two thousand years ago! Amen! And again we say, Amen!’  
 
Thank You Lord Jesus Christ for coming to our rescue! Just the thought of where we would have been, where we would have ended up, without your faithful and LOVING intercession, makes us cringe with fear and loathing! 
 
But thankfully, through the amazing and unconditional LOVE of the Father, we now have nothing to fear, and instead are now gloriously declared righteous, reconciled, justified, adopted children of God, heirs to His kingdom with You, and so many other wonderful things that it would take us all day to name them! 
 
Father in heaven… Lord Jesus… all we can say again is THANKS! Thanks from the innermost recesses of our hearts, and the very depths of our souls! We LOVE You, and will try our very best to walk obedient to Your dictates. In Jesus Name we pray all of this. Amen!’ 
 
Oh Friends, this is what I was guided to write this Good Friday morning. I do hope that the sentiments expressed therein will touch your hearts, minds, bodies and souls like it touched mine. 
 
Over the last couple of years I’ve been guided to a greater appreciation of the suffering that Jesus underwent on our behalf, and now the Easter season has truly become the best part of the Christian calendar for me, for that’s where Jesus wrought His most marvellous works. 
 
Please let us mourn the death of our Saviour today, while remembering the awesome good that came out of it. And as we close, let’s chant our Friday Chant with much enthusiasm! Thought I’d forgotten eh? (smile) 
 
‘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 Friends, and fellow believers, let’s just remember that after the death, comes the glorious RESURRECTION! Much LOVE!
 
…the price of reconciliation can never be repaid…because it was born out of such unbelievable LOVE… 
 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 30 March 2013 John 1:29

30 Mar 2013 Leave a comment

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

John 1:29.     The next day John (the Baptist) seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
 
Oh Friends, it’s Holy Saturday, and Jesus is resting quietly in the tomb of the rich man, after being crucified between the two thieves to fulfill the scripture: ‘And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death…’ (Is.53:9a) He’s storing up His energy, so that bright and early tomorrow morning, Easter Sunday, He can rise up in full force and defeat those wicked and cruel, but oh so inferior enemies; Lucifer, death and the grave. And all of God’s people gave a mighty shout of ‘Glory Hallelujah!’ Now Friends, I believe some of you might have taken umbrage (smile) at my wishing us all yesterday a happy Good Friday, wondering what could be so happy about a day of such cruelty and injustice. Granted it was a real sad day for those early Christians who didn’t understand what was happening. But for us, who luckily have the understanding from two thousand years of church history, it is somewhat different. For though we don’t, or didn’t want Jesus to die, please understand that without His death on Good Friday, there would have been no Easter morning for you to celebrate and be happy. When only happy circumstances make us emotionally happy, then we’re thinking like the world. But my brethren, for a true believer it’s not only our worldly circumstances that can make us happy. And the happiness – possibly happiness is the wrong word, since it denotes more of a reaction to outward circumstances. A more appropriate word might be joy, that constant levity in our souls, regardless of our outward circumstances. Even gratefulness or thankfulness might be more appropriate to the situation, for we’re not talking about a jumping up and down type of moment, but a deeper, more controlled emotion, whereby Jesus died to set us free from our ghastly sins. And if that isn’t something to be enormously grateful, thankful and joyful for, then I certainly don’t know what is! Why? Because it’s the most significant event in man’s history after God created us, but then was forced to kick our foolish, gullible and rebellious fore parents out of paradise in the Garden of Eden. And unfortunately, since then, that bequeathed foolish, gullible and rebellious streak in us has been uppermost in our history. And until Jesus came, there was very little opportunity to turn it around, even if we felt so inclined. And our Bit perfectly describes the whole enchilada. ‘The next day John (the Baptist) seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.’ The reference to the lamb there, brings into play the sacrificial lambs slaughtered for Passover and other Jewish feasts. The scholars add that ‘Some suggest that this may allude to the scapegoat (Lev.16), or to the suffering servant (Is.53:7) We dealt with that yesterday. I guess it could actually refer to all of them, for remember the Lord required blood sacrifices of His chosen people, Israel, as some form of payment, atonement for their sins. But here now, comes Jesus, the Son of God, the sinless one, to pay the rather steep price of sin for the entire world. Now isn’t that a genuine reason to be much more than saddened at His death? Why do you think it’s called Good Friday? Because it’s the day on which the best thing since creation ever happened to man! All his evil deeds have been paid for; from the beginning of time, right through to eternity. It was certainly done in a most cruel manner, but the reason behind it was the greatest token of true LOVE ever expressed! And in our 3 hour service yesterday afternoon, what do you think the youth group sang? ‘Oh Happy Day! When Jesus washed…When Jesus washed… He washed all my sins away.’ Remember also what Jesus told His disciples in the last days: ‘In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33b) So where is that good cheer eh Friends? It’s supposed to be our constant companion, like the Holy Spirit. And remember too that Bruh Paul instructs us to ‘Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.’ (Phil.4:4-5) Not only is Jesus’ return imminent, but also His Spirit is always close by, thus we shouldn’t be afraid and anxious abut anything. Anyway Friends, I’m getting away from my original intention, to get into some scriptures that highlight Jesus’ basic purpose here on earth; to atone for the sins of the world. It begins with Isaiah’s prophecy of the suffering servant in chapter 53:11, that we quoted yesterday, which ends: ‘for he shall bear their iniquities.’ Then it advances to our Bit, and the actual act of sin payment, when Jesus declares on the cross: ‘It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.’ (John 19:30) Bruh Paul then takes up the baton and runs with it full speed, first telling the Corinthians: ‘For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.’ (1 Cor.15:3) Then he informs the Galatians: ‘Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ. Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world (age), according to the will of God and our Father. To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.’ (Gal.1:3-5) Next up is Peter, who declares: ‘Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we being dead to sins should live unto righteousness: By whose stripes ye were healed.’ (1 Pet.2:24) John then announces in his first epistle: ‘My little children, these things I write unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.’ (1 John 2:1-2) And finally, John ends the race on a winning note in Revelation, when he greets the seven churches in Asia. ‘And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten (born) of the dead; and the prince of (ruler over) the kings of the earth. Unto him that LOVED us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.’ (Rev.1:5) And all God’s people gave out a mighty and joyful shout up to heaven: ‘Oh Thank You sweet Jesus! We LOVE and adore You!’ Oh Friends, with all that scripture shoring up the strong foundation of the purpose of Christ’s death, how could we ever argue with it eh? No way Jose! And again I want to remind us in Bruh David’s famous and fateful words, that though ‘weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.’ (Ps.30:5b) And believe me my brethren, tomorrow morning will indeed be a most joyous morning! Just wait and see. Much LOVE!…though reality may cloud our sight with sadness…looking through the eyes of faith…gives us a 20/20 vision of joy…
 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 29 March 2013 Isaiah 53:10

29 Mar 2013 Leave a comment

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

Isaiah 53:10.     Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.                           

HAPPY GOOD FRIDAY!

Oh Friends, it’s Friday, Good Friday to boot! So here’s wishing us all a Happy Good Friday! And the usual response of ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ are few and far between. Perhaps because it’s a holiday for most of us? Or more likely because this is the saddest day in the Christian calendar, when our Leader, our Messiah was horribly dehumanized, shamefully crucified on a wooden cross on that barren hill called Golgotha, or more nicely put, Calvary. And there are also those who wonder how could there ever be a happy Good Friday? To them it’s an oxymoron, composed of contradictory words. How could there be any happiness in the cruel, innocent death of a gentle, peaceful, LOVING man? The answer to that dear Friends, is that without that death, there would be no resurrection come Easter morn, no salvation, no eternal life with the heavenly Father for lost, hopeless sinners like you and I. That’s where the happiness lies my brethren. Like many things in life, especially seeds, we have to oftimes die, die to self, before we can sprout fully alive and victorious. And yes, today is indeed a very sad day; wherever death is, it’s usually sad. But this day of death is the saddest of them all! For in response to the one who came to help and save, look at the terrible treatment He was destined to face. Isaiah nails it in his prophecy of ‘The suffering Servant.’ ‘Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm (power) of the Lord revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no (stately) form nor comeliness (splendour); and when we shall see him, there is no beauty (physical appearance) that we should desire him. He is despised (disdained, scorned) and rejected of (forsaken by) men; a man of sorrows (severe pains), and acquainted with grief (injuries): and (because of his severe personal suffering) we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs (spiritual sickness), and carried our sorrows: yet we (mankind) did esteem (reckon) him stricken, smitten of (struck down by) God, and afflicted. But he was wounded (pierced through) for our transgressions (sins), he was bruised (utterly crushed) for our iniquities (moral evils): the chastisement of our peace was upon him (correction or discipline which procured our peace with God); and with his stripes (wounds) we (our spiritual condition) are healed (cured). All we like sheep have gone astray (desperately lost); we have turned everyone to his own way (totality of sinful humanity); and the Lord hath laid on (violently struck) him (with) the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought (was led) as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison (out of oppression) and from judgement (illegitimate trials): and who shall declare his generation (consider it among his generation, his potential life)? for he was cut off out of the land of the living (by a violent death) for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked (crucified between two thieves), and with the rich in his death (buried in the tomb of the wealthy Joseph of Arimathea); because he hath done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.’ (Is.53:1-9) Yes Friends, Jesus endured such inhumane ‘sufferation’ though he did no violence, nor any evil or deceit was ever found in Him. But as our Bit says: ‘Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise (crush) him; he hath put him to grief (pierced Him): when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin (guilt offering), he shall see his seed (future believers), he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.’ Oh my brethren, I know it sounds awfully cruel and unjust, especially when our God is supposed to be such a LOVING God. But the fact is that He’s first and foremost a just and righteous Deity. And without a sinless sacrifice, no reconciliation with the Almighty would be possible. For we had all fallen short of the glory of God in our sinful behaviour, and the wages of sin is ultimate death. And since Jesus was the only other sinless soul besides the Father, only His sacrifice would cleanse the slate. Anyway, the Good Book continues after our Bit: ‘He shall see of the travail (distress) of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil (plunder) with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered amongst the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.’ (Is.53:11-12) Ah mih people, there’s certainly method to our God’s supposed madness! Let’s see how the scholars describe it. ‘In these verses we see the personal Messiah, the Son of God, who alone can atone for sin. His message is rejected (v.1); His person is refused (v.2); and His mission is misunderstood (v.3). Nevertheless, His vicarious suffering, (delegated, done for another) provides atonement for our sins (vv.4-6), and though He suffers (v.7) death (v.8) and burial (v.9), He will ultimately be exalted (vv.10-12) To miss the fact that Jesus Christ is the central figure in this passage is to stumble in unbelief over the cornerstone and foundation of all the gospel.’ Now per our Bit in particular, they say: ‘The phrase he shall prolong his days indicates that the Servant’s ministry will not end with His violent death, and certainly implies His resurrection. The pleasure of the Lord refers to God’s ultimate purposes which will be accomplished by the atoning death and resurrection of the Servant. The chapter ends with the glorification and exaltation of the Servant of the Lord. His intercession refers to His priestly ministry, by which He makes intercession on the basis of His own substitutionary death.’ So Friends, though it all seems complicated, cruel and unjust, it was the only way out for God to reconcile us back to Himself, which He desperately wanted to do because of His great and unconditional LOVE for us, His most accomplished though most ungrateful creation. And though our hearts are sad today my brethren, we’ll end on an upbeat note, for we know that as Bruh David so rightly says: ‘weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.’ (Ps.30:5b) Now let’s go home chanting our Friday Chant, to give us the right perspective on the day and this fabulous weekend. In one loud voice: ‘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.’ Much LOVE!…before a plant can sprout…a seed must die…likewise…before a great work can be accomplished…suffering must be endured…

  

Today’s Scrip-Bit 27 March 2013 Daniel 11:32

27 Mar 2013 Leave a comment

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

Daniel 11:32.     And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits.

Oh Friends, at last, at long last, we had a day yesterday akin to, that bore some resemblance to spring! Now it was still a tad nippy with a noticeable wind blowing, but you could feel the difference in the atmosphere. I can’t think of a suitable analogy at the moment, but it’s like one of those things you can’t exactly put your hands or mind on, however you just know, you can feel the difference in your spirit. The sunshine was decent, people were walking around in shirtsleeves, and there was even water running in the drains from the thawing of the snow. Wow! And all God’s people in the northern climes gave out a joyous shout of, ‘Glory Hallelujah! Spring is here at last! Thank You Lord!’ Yeh mih people, rejuvenation of the earth up north is just around the corner; wet earth, green grass, blooming flowers, budding green leaves, singing birds, buzzing bees, lots of flora and fauna, all for real. And isn’t it wonderful that it’s all happening just when our souls and spirits are also being rejuvenated by a sacrificed Christ, who will winter in the grave for three days, from this Friday, Good Friday, then is going to rise majestically, like spring time, on this Sunday, Easter Sunday, to proclaim new life for the faithful for all eternity? It sure is! Oh Friends, I get so emotional when I think about it all, that I just have to keep reminding us of the wonderful and ever-LOVING God that we serve and worship. What other supposed deity has ever come close to the standards of our Holy Trinity eh? NONE my brethren, NONE! And NONE will ever come close, because our Godhead is the ONE AND ONLY TRUE GOD IN EXISTENCE! And all God’s children sang out loud and clear: ‘Praise the Lord, for He is indeed a wonderful God, worthy to be served and praised!’ And in this Holy Week of 2013 Friends, we need to buckle down, to get real serious about the work Christ has called us to do. As our Bit so rightly declares: ‘And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt (pollute) by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits (take action).’ That comes from Daniel’s prophecy, re the scholars: ‘an amazing summary of about two hundred years of the history of the wars between Egypt and Syria that took place during the fourth through the second centuries B.C, All of these prophecies, however, were written by Daniel in the sixth century B.C.’ That’s at least a couple hundred years before the wars actually begun, solidifying the Good Book and its contents as a vehicle, a testimony of awesome truth! However Friends, we are also experiencing hard and troubled times, Life’s not getting any easier, in fact it’s getting more difficult day by day as we trundle along in our evil, ungodly ways. And it’s getting even shorter for those of us moving up the ladder of age. That means, if we want to leave a mark in this world, to make a difference as is required of us, then my brethren, we have to get serious and get our action going NOW! Tomorrow will be too late! The believers in Christ have to transform themselves into followers, meaning DO as Christ desires, not merely talk about it. Oh Friends, I don’t know how to truly galvanize us Christians to action nuh, but I know that we do need to become much more action oriented than we currently are. We need to begin seriously fighting back against the evil powers, both physical and spiritual, that are currently controlling our world. I know that saying it and doing it are two different things, and the doing is much harder. But then we need to remember that we’re indwelt by the Holy Spirit of the Most High God Jehovah, Creator of the universe and all therein, which means that we have the most powerful force in the universe right in our own backyard, so to speak. And don’t forget the scripture that so rightly and reassuringly tells us that ‘greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.’ (1 John 4:4b) And that’s gospel truth Friends: Jesus is indeed greater than Beelzebub! So we have no real excuse for our tardiness or inaction in moving the LOVE Revolution along, because the scripture also tells us: ‘For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of LOVE, and of a sound mind.’ (2 Tim.1:7) So what are we waiting for to rise up and take back what rightfully belongs to our God eh my people? It only needs our willingness now to do it. Obviously it won’t be easy, because Lucifer and his evil cronies won’t give up their ill-gotten gains without a serious fight. But as I’ve just pointed out, we have all the tools to take it away, we just need to unite, be of the same mind, have one true purpose. And unfortunately, until we seriously make a move towards Christian unity, Lucifer and his buddies will remain enthroned, continuing the successful strategy of dividing and conquering us. Oh my brethren, today I’m calling on all true believers in Christ to become followers, to unite as He desires us to do, then to get some serious action going, so we can ignite a flame over the whole world and thus ensure the success of the LOVE Revolution that our God requires us to instigate and WIN! And what better time to do it than this Easter Season, the most important time in the history of our Church, when Christ defeated death, Lucifer and the grave, and rose to glory, taking us with Him. Oh my people, Jesus requires us now to step up to the plate and fight a strong, steadfast and faithful fight, like He did in His time here on earth, and is now doing on our behalf in heaven. Please, let’s not disappoint Him and allow all His sacrifice to go to waste. I pray that today we’ll all hear this message, ponder it sincerely in our hearts, minds and souls, then rise up as one and retake our Father’s inheritance. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Much LOVE!…true unity, real LOVE and much action…are the necessary ingredients…for the success of Jesus’ LOVE Revolution…
 

Today”s Scrip-Bit 6 April 2012 Luke 26:46

06 Apr 2012 Leave a comment

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

Luke 26:46.     And (Jesus) said unto them. Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day. 
                                                                 

 GOOD  FRIDAY!

 

Ah Friends, it’s Friday; Good Friday, time for your sacrificial demise! How does it feel now that the moment is truly at hand eh? Many of us are off work today because it’s a public holiday in Christian societies, so there’s no need to shout ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ implying a grateful release from our weekly labours. In fact, I doubt that any of us would really be thanking God for this particular Friday, if it truly meant our sacrificial demise on a wooden cross, because we’re all afraid, not so much of dying per se, but dying such a horrible, excruciating death. Fear of the terrible pain, the endless humiliation, the hot sun beating down on our bruised and battered bodies, would bring immense concern to any normal human being. And Jesus was a normal human being in one sense; He felt pain and sorrow like us all, thus the thought of His sacrificial demise did affect Him, although He knew that was the major purpose for His birth. Now that ability to experience pain and suffering, and so understand ours, is just one more thing that enamours us to Him. Consequently, on the night prior to His crucifixion, Jesus went up into a spacious but quiet Garden, Gethsemane, along with His disciples. He left the majority at one spot, telling them: ‘Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder (over there).’  (Matt.26:36) Then He took Peter, James and John and went deeper into the garden, ‘and began to be sorrowful (deeply grieved) and very heavy (deeply distressed).’ (Matt.26:37) The pressure was getting to Him. And His next words to the three with Him, clearly manifests this. ‘My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye (stay) here and watch with me. And he went a little further and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.’ (Matt.26:38-39) Note that Jesus desired His favourite trio to watch and pray with Him, but unfortunately they didn’t understand the true significance of His actions and fell asleep. None of them really believed that His crucifixion was imminent. Therefore, when Jesus came back and saw them sleeping, He scolded Peter: ‘What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ (Matt.26:49-41) Ah Friends, it’s the same way we often behave when others close to us are going through unfortunate situations, especially when we don’t truly know or understand what’s happening in their lives. What’s really important though, is Jesus asking the Father, if at all possible, to relieve Him of the upcoming adversity. However, He did acknowledge that the Father’s will was supreme. And so should we in times of adversity, if we’re faithful believers. Twice more did Jesus go and pray the same prayer: ‘O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except (unless) I drink it, thy will be done.’ (Matt.26:42) Though Jesus asked to be relieved of the obligation to save sinners by the painful shedding of His precious, innocent blood, like an obedient Son and Servant, He acquiesced to the Father’s will, knowing that it was the ONLY solution under God’s justice system. Now here’s an interesting observation from the scholars: ‘The prayer for the cup to pass is not due to Jesus fear of death. Jesus questions the will of the Father as to the necessity of drinking the cup. While this may refer to death (“he tasted death”) it is more likely that the cup represents the wrath of God against sin, the divine wrath Christ would incur on the cross as man’s sin-bearer. In the awful anguish of that moment, the sin of the world was poured on Christ and He became “sin for us” (2 Cor.5:21). Thus the Righteous One dies a substitutionary death for guilty mankind.’ Anyhow Friends, regardless of whether Jesus was afraid to die, or He just didn’t want the weight of all the world’s sins on His shoulders, yet He obediently sacrificed Himself on this Good Friday two thousand years ago to pay an extraordinary, exorbitant price with His sinless life, so that sinful souls like us could be rescued from the waiting depths of Hades. We call it Good Friday, but it was really a bitter-sweet day: bitter because Christ had to die such a cruel death, but sweet because it was only through His dying and rising again that we could ever receive the gracious promises of Salvation and Eternal Life. And All God’s people cried out in loud, unified voice: ‘Glory Hallelujah!’ Oh my brethren, we all know what happened after: Judas, comes to Gethsemane with a mob from the Jewish elders, betrays Jesus with an unholy kiss, and all His disciples run away and leave Him in the lurch. Then He is brought before the Jewish Council, the Sanhedrin, where He is cross examined and humiliated, with Peter denying Him three times. Then He’s taken before the Roman Governor Pilate, who finds Him innocent, but sends Him to Herod, because He’s under Herod’s jurisdiction. But Herod sends Him back, and Pilate finally washes his hands of the whole affair. Then, instead of releasing Jesus, as was expected, he bows to the demands of the crowd, stirred up by the elders, and releases Barabbas, a convicted murderer. Then comes the flogging and further humiliation, and finally the awful crucifixion. While hanging from the cross, Jesus is so concerned about us that He even asks for our forgiveness: ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’ (Luke 23:34) Then just before His final moment, Jesus utters the words that we believe shows His greatest hurt or disappointment. ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachtani? that is to say, My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?’ (Matt.27:46) Separation from His Father was the most acute hurt. There He uses the opening line of Psalm 22, Bruh David’s cry of anguish and song of praise. And after all that ‘sufferation’ He bore on our behalf, yet we don’t truly appreciate Him. How sad my people. This is not what I had planned to write, but it’s where the Holy Spirit led me, and trying to be obedient like Jesus, (smile) I complied. Tomorrow we’ll see my original plan. Till then my fellow believers, please spend some serious time contemplating what this day truly means to us, and hopefully we’ll all come to a greater appreciation of Jesus’ and LOVE Him even more than we now do. Much LOVE!…to know, know, know Him, is to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Him…

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