Today’s Scrip-Bit 21 February 2016 Psalm 103:11

21 Feb 2016 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 103:11.   For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy (LOVING-kindness) toward them that fear him.

Once again friends and neighbours, on this bright and beautiful Sunday morning, I’m coming to you from my little cottage by the sea in sweet Tobago, aptly called ‘Sea Breeze.’ (smile) 

Got back here late last night. And is it ever so good to be back home in Tobago again! As they say, there’s no place like home. And this is my home away from home right now. 

Anyway, this morning I’m bringing words of LOVE, compassion, mercy, forgiveness, understanding, grace, and blessings from our heavenly Father; all the attributes of which He is the Supreme Possessor and Giver. 

And all God’s people declared loudly: ‘Thanks be to God, who gives us generously of all His attributes!’ And we all know that as gospel truth friends! 

Now I’ve got a lot to share today, so let’s begin right away with this quote from our friend Anselm, who delights in inspiring us to live a better tomorrow. And this rather appropriate quote tells us that: ‘Believing is seeing. You gotta believe something will happen for you before you see it. Have faith in the process of getting there.’ 

And that’s ever so true my people! In Christ’s realm, you have to believe it before you see it. With Christ, believing is seeing, not like the world thinks, that seeing is believing. That’s where those two great attributes, hope and faith come in; for without them we can’t believe without seeing. 

And to help us along in that regard, Gramps Schuller (Robert H. Schuller) from his Hours of Power Devotional tells us about our EQ as opposed to our IQ. 

Now our IQ or Intelligence Quotient is naturally related to our intelligence. However, our EQ or Emotional Quotient is related to our hope and faith. Gramps defines a high EQ as ‘a heart that has strong faith, unquenchable hope, and passionate LOVE.’ 

Glory Hallelujah! Oh how I wish that all God’s children were blessed with such a high EQ! Unfortunately though, we’re not, but fortunately it is indeed possible and very necessary that we build up that high EQ. And that is all a part of what out Bit is about; trying to keep us focused on God, His Word and His plan for our lives. 

Now remember though, that the Bit IS NOT sufficient reading and studying material for a child of God. It is a useful catalyst, but we all need to get deeply involved in the Word and fellowship with other believers on our own. That’s the only way we’ll ever truly grow to a likeness of Christ, achieve a high EQ, which is our basic objective. 

Now I haven’t kept you all up to date on my recent activities, sorry about that, (smile) but I can only write what the Lord directs me to write. And thankfully He’s given me some room for that today. 

Well you all know that I was in Trinidad for the last few days. You also know I went to the Southland by water taxi and had a great time. 

On Friday evening we also had a rollicking time as some friends and family gathered with me in the lobby bar area of the Radisson Hotel where I was staying. The hotel has a happy hour every Friday evening from 5 to 7, but our happy hour lasted from about six to eleven. Hn, Hn! 

We laughed and talked and drank and munched some chicken wings the hotel provided, shared old memories and made some new ones that we can share at a later date. Glory to God! 

I saw a couple of friends whom I hadn’t seen since I left the UWI Mona campus in Jamaica in 1969. Brother! That’s something like 45 years. But what I like about these old friendships is that though we don’t see each other often, when we meet, it’s just like we saw each other yesterday, we pick up from right where we left off. That is what true friendships and relationships are all about! 

Enough about my activities though. I’ll leave yesterday’s activities for tomorrow though, because it was truly an eye opener for me, and will take up too much time and space. 

So let’s get to our oh so wonderful, encouraging and edifying Bit. ‘For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy (LOVING-kindness) toward them that fear him.’ 

Yes Friends what a wonderful analogy to show how great God’s mercy is towards those of us who revere and worship Him – as high as the heaven is above the earth! Wow! That’s pretty high! So just imagine how much LOVING-kindness He has stored up and pours down on us nuh. 

And all I can say in response is: ‘All glory and honour be to our magnificent and magnanimous God who is so interested in our welfare, in every aspect of our lives!’ 

The problem here though is that many of us have a problem in truly believing that Almighty God, that great entity on high, can be interested in our plain and simple, lowly and mundane lives. But my people, He truly does. He made us and has a big stake in everything that happens in our earthly sojourn. 

Listen to how Bruh David continues in Psalm 103, from which our Bit is taken. ‘As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it (remember it) no more. 

But the mercy (LOVING-kindness) of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear (revere) him, and his righteousness unto children’s children.’ (Ps.103:15-17) 

Ah mih breddren, our God’s mercy spans time from whenever it began to whenever it ends, if ever, and is available to all generations during that time. What more can we ask eh? Not a whole lot, except His guidance and strength to keep on LOVING Him and being obedient to His holy will, so that we can keep on enjoying His (LOVING-kindness.) 

Yes friends, it is somewhat of a conundrum; we have to LOVE and obey God, but at the same time we do need His strength, wisdom and guidance to do it. Yuh see how we’re inextricably tied up with our Creator! 

And we’ll end with these wise words from Bruh David. ‘Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers (servants) of his, that do his pleasure. Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.’ (Ps.103:21-22) 

Now that’s wisdom for all the ages! Much LOVE!

…yes…we do have free choice…but to wander away from God…means we’re not using that free choice wisely…

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 6 December 2013 Matthew 6:25

06 Dec 2013 Leave a comment

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

Matthew 6:25.   Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for (do not worry about) your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat (food), and the body than raiment (clothing)?

 
Oh Friends, it’s Friday… a normal Friday, one without some foolish nickname that invites us to become a part of the evil, lustful world. Praise the Lord! Instead it’s a normal Friday, where I can’t hear my ears, (smile) for your joyous shouting of ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday, and this week of slave labour soon over!’ 
 
But mih people, though it’s a regular Friday, it still falls within the Christmas Season, which means more shopping and partying and things that Jesus might look askance at. So to try and keep us on the straight and narrow, let’s chant our Friday Chant with total concentration and sincere feeling.
 
As one voice now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
 
Now that should guide us in the right direction. And on top of that, I guess the Lord chose this Bit for this most appropriate time, when we’re all in a tizzy about food, money and gifts to celebrate Christmas. But please remember my fellow believers that the worldly celebrations are not the reason for Christmas, but the incredible, God-LOVING, incarnate birth of Jesus Christ!
 
So even if we don’t have all the stuff we want, we have to learn to be contented with whatever we have. As Bruh Paul so rightly says to the Philippians, in appreciation of their gifts: ‘Not that I speak in respect of want (in regard of need): for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.’ (Phil.4:11)
 
And that is something we have to consciously cultivate my brethren, for it doesn’t come automatically. And we need it even more nowadays in the face of the world continuously egging us on to want more, more, more…
 
That’s why Jesus warned us in our Bit: ‘Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for (do not worry about) your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat (food), and the body than raiment (clothing)?’ 
 
But I know it’s a daily fight my Friends to live up to Jesus’ warning, especially with all the wars and strife in our world and the economic situation getting worse for the majority of the population. The greedy, evil powers that be, are trying to get us caught up in the world system of materialism and want. 
 
But my people we have to staunchly and jealously guard our hearts, minds and souls against that. For once we get caught up in that evil mess, we’ll never know peace again, because we’ll never be contented, even with great wealth and power, but we’ll keep on wanting more and more, just as the rich, evil and greedy are now doing.
 
Now let’s listen to Jesus, as He continues His discourse on the topic. ‘Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought (worrying) can add one cubit unto his stature (height)?
 
And why take ye thought (do you worry) for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow, they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed (clothed) like one of these. Wherefore if God so clothe (clothes) the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?’ (Matt.6:26-30)
 
Oh mih breddren, more plain and simple language from our Lord and Saviour! What does it take to convince us eh? The birds don’t sow and reap and store away, neither do the flowers in the fields, but even Cousin Sol in his Sunday best couldn’t outshine them.
 
And since we’re a thousand, thousand times more important than them, we ought to show that importance by being appreciative and thoroughly dependent on our God and His gracious, abundant will for our lives. For remember that our Lord only has good thoughts towards us, and a brilliant future in store for those who submit to His will. (Jer.29:11)
 
Now here are some interesting comments from the scholars’: ‘6:26-32. Jesus illustrates His point by referring to objects in nature that were immediately at hand, the birds of the air and the flowers of the field. The key point of this passage is found in the phrases Are ye not much better than they? (v.26) and shall he not much more clothe you? (v.30).
 
The Bible clearly teaches that God is the Creator and sustainer of nature. Worry and anxiety are related to the length of one’s life in the phrase add one cubit unto his stature. A cubit is a measurement of 18 inches. However, this reference is probably not to one’s actual height but to length of his life.
 
The term stature (Gr. helikia) may mean “age.” Thus the idea seems to be that a man cannot add the smallest measure to the span of his life by worrying. This state of anxiety is related to having little faith (v.30) Faith is total confidence in the provision of God.’
 
And that my fellow believers is the ultimate in truth and wisdom!
 
So let’s try and attain to it nuh. Let’s stop running after the inferior, soon to be destroyed things of the world nuh, and instead focus on the superior, everlasting things of heaven and of our omnipotent God. For it’s there our greatest benefits lie. Much LOVE!
 
…true contentment…can only ever come…from true confidence in Jesus Christ…
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  

Today’s Scrip-Bit 26 March 2013 Isaiah 51:12

26 Mar 2013 Leave a comment

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

Isaiah 51:12.     I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass.

Ah Friends, it’s another day in the life, in the spring of 2013. Only thing is we haven’t seen any of that spring rain yet, a whole week after its official declaration. And though the temps are above freezing during the day, the nights are still fairly chilly, and there are still mounds of snow all over. One would have thought that all the snow would have melted away by now. But unfortunately that hasn’t happened. The only true indication of spring so far, is the joyful singing of the birds as they offer up their thanks and praise to the Creator in the early morning hours. Hope we supposed sensible humans are doing the same. Anyway, as true believers, we just have to press on and have the faith that sooner or later, hopefully sooner, we’ll see all the lovely attributes of spring; no snow, some blessed rain, that will cause green grass and beautiful flowers to pop up from the refreshed and regenerated ground, with the trees excitedly showing their rejuvenation through budding leaves on their now naked branches. Oh Friends, spring is such an awakening in these parts, that only a real hardhearted fool doesn’t appreciate it. Oh by the way, I want to make a point here, re believers and followers of Jesus Christ. I believe I read it in the In Touch Devotional yesterday. According to Uncle Charles, Charles Stanley, there is a huge difference between mere believers and awesome followers. Believers, believe in Jesus, are saved and will go to heaven. But followers are believers who in addition to believing, follow, or do, or obey God’s commands. The difference my people could really be substantial. So please let’s all aim to be steadfast followers rather than mere believers. Let’s get the action going in Christianity, let’s move the mountains on behalf of Christ and His church! And now we’ll turn to our Bit: ‘I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a (mortal) man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass.’ Yesterday, we began dissecting it by looking at the first of the three parts, ‘I, even I, am he that comforteth you:’ that’s the comfort that our God both promises and faithfully delivers. Today we’ll continue the dissection by looking at the other two parts; fear of man and his lifespan. As pertaining to the fear of mortal man, ‘who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a (mortal) man that shall die…’ let’s look at some reassuring scriptures from the Psalms. The first one comes from Psalm 118; Thanksgiving for the Lord’s salvation. The psalmist boldly writes: ‘The Lord is on my side, I will not fear: what can man do unto me? The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. (Re the scholars, that’s the middle verse of the Bible). It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.’ (Ps.118:6-9) And all of that is the living truth my people! There’s no better place to put our trust and faith than in Almighty God! And Bruh David concurs with that in Psalm 56, a confident prayer for help, when he ran to his enemies, the Philistines in Gath, away from his own people, who wanted to do him in. He confidently declares: ‘When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back this I know; for God is for me. In God will I praise his word: in the Lord will I praise his word. In God I have put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.’ (Ps.56:9-11) Oh my brethren, those words certainly convey the gospel truth! For what can mortal man do to us if we are truly ensconced in the powerful arms of Jehovah God eh? Absolutely nothing! And the final scripture on the fear of man is a biggie, one we all know and like to spout, but from our actions, don’t seem to as strongly believe in our hearts. Bruh David boldly and proudly proclaims: ‘The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?’ (Ps.27:1) And as always my people, the answer to that question is a big and bold, ‘NO ONE!’ And Bruh David goes on to further state: ‘When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up (devour) my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though a host (an army) should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.’ (Ps.27:2-3) Oh Friends, that’s the kind of awesome confidence we should have in our mighty, ever-LOVING and ever-faithful God! So please, let’s stop allowing the mortal man like ourselves to make us afraid, even though he be evil. For just like us, he’ll one day return to the dust from which we all were formed. And though some may have a bit more power than us here on earth, eventually we all have to answer to Jehovah God. That brings us to the last part of our Bit: ‘and of the son of man which shall be made as grass.’  Isaiah describes this in spades when talking about comfort through trust in God. ‘The voice said, Cry (out). And he said, What shall I cry (out)? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness (loveliness) thereof is as the flower of the field: The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit (breath) of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.’ (Is.40:6-8) Oh Friends, what words of godly assurance! And there’s no better way to end than on them. So please remember all that we’ve learned; namely, God is our comfort and strength, therefore we shouldn’t be afraid of mere mortals like ourselves, even the evil ones with earthly power, because they too shall wither and die like the grass and the flowers, taking nothing with them. ONLY the WORD of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will last forever. Much LOVE!…true logic declares…fear not the creation…but rather…fear the Creator of the creation…  P.S. You can blame some of the lateness of the Bit on my daughters who skyped me a while ago and had me talking, while yet complaining that the Bit was late. Ah Lord eh! You can’t please people nuh. (smile) Much LOVE my fellow followers of Christ!