Today’s Scrip-Bit 12 December 2012 Psalm 118:8

12 Dec 2012 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 118:8.     It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
 
Oh Friends, like so many of our other pseudo sciences, our weather forecasting is taking a turn for the worse. That’s possibly because of the abnormal, the changing weather patterns we’re currently experiencing. And I bring this up because yesterday’s forecast for my area was supposed to be sunny and bright. However, shortly after 8 a.m, I went outside to put out the garbage, and lo and behold wasn’t greeted by bright sunshine, but by wet snow! Hn! And though the wet snow didn’t last long, the day was never sunny and bright, but remained cloudy throughout. Unfortunately, so it is with many of our other man made devices and proclamations; they’ve become untrustworthy despite the surge in technological innovation and human intelligence. What a bam-bam! So what do we do now? What choices do we have besides man and the machines he’s created? Only ONE option is left to us Friends, and interestingly enough, the most sensible option at that. Like our Bit advises: ‘It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.’ And all God’s children declared a loud and hearty, ‘Amen!’ Yes my people, the ONLY thing, being, machine or otherwise that we can wholeheartedly trust is the ONE who created us, still cares for us a whole bunch, and also LOVES us unconditionally; that’s Jehovah God! Hear how Bruh David proclaims it in his song of deliverance from the hand of all his enemies, especially his nemesis, King Saul. ‘And he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn (strength) of my salvation, my high tower (stronghold), and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.’ (2 Sam.2:2-4) He declares basically the same thing in Psalm 18, but begins it differently: ‘I will LOVE thee, O Lord, my strength.’ (Ps.18:1) Oh my brethren, where else can we get that supernatural strength, trust and wisdom we so desperately need in this ungodly, evil world, but from our Creator? Nowhere else my brethren! The prophet Micah declares our problem today so accurately, that it’s as though he is actually living in these, rough and cruel end times. In his insightful wisdom, he says: ‘Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide (companion), keep (guard) the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house.’ (Mic.7:5-6) And isn’t that the gospel truth Friends? It sure is, because the trust and LOVE that was originally found in families, has now deteriorated to its lowest level ever. The family is no longer the backbone of society. In fact our society no longer has a backbone, that’s why it’s so wishy washy, so unreliable, swinging from one end of the pendulum to the other, without any sense of balance or stability, and thus is not worthy to be trusted like it used to be. And just as Micah declared our problem from way back when, he also gave us the solution, from way back then. It’s so simple and obvious Friends, that the complicated minds of men can’t seem to fathom it. ‘Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.’ (Mic.7:7-8) Yes my fellow believers, in these cruel, tough and thankless times, that’s where we should all be putting our trust and confidence; in Almighty God and not in man and his worldly idols. Isaiah said the same thing when talking about deliverance foreshadowed: ‘And I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.’ (Is.8:17) What’s wrong with our brains today eh Friends? Why are we so against Jehovah God, the only positive and stalwart Being in the universe, the ONE whose blessings we’ve enjoyed from ages past when we’ve walked in the light of His salvation? And on the other side of the ledger, in times of disobedience, like now, when we’ve suffered His stinging correction, which eventually brought us back to our senses, and back to His wonderful, safe and LOVING fold. Oh my people, what else can I say to make us understand that this is one of the most critical and crucial times in the history of man. It’s a time when we desperately need to turn away from our own devices, as well as the evil, lustful, worldly idols and ways of Lucifer, and return to serving and worshipping, in reverence and faith, the ONE TRUE GOD, He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. That’s the only solution to preventing our world from both imploding and exploding in the near future, which it will surely do, if we keep following our own devices and the evil ways that Lucifer seeks to put in our hearts. Let’s therefore be wise and stand faithful and strong in Jesus against the physical and spiritual wickedness of the world nuh Friends. As Bruh David unashamedly and confidently declares in Psalm 34, the Lord hears the righteous: ‘O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. O fear (revere) the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want (lack, need) to them that fear (revere) him.’ (Ps.18:8-9) That’s undeniable truth and wisdom Friends! So please, let’s take it to heart TODAY, RIGHT NOW, and leave all our evil, selfish ways behind, putting all our hope, trust, faith and belief in Jesus, who selflessly saved us from eternal death; the Holy Spirit, which leads and guides in all wisdom and truth; and the Father, who dearly LOVES and cares for us, because He is indeed our FATHER, our Creator. Much LOVE!…why foolishly hold on to something that’s not working…that’s constantly dragging you down… when there’s something else that’s been proven to work…and is continually uplifting and encouraging…  P.S. Sorry the Bit’s been a tad late the last couple days Friends, but it seems like I’ve contacted the Duchess’ cold, or one of my own, and it’s been playing havoc with my schedule. But don’t worry, it’s not going to stop the Lord’s Word from being noised abroad though. (smile) Much LOVE!
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 24 June 2012 Psalm 141:3

24 Jun 2012 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 141:3.    Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
 
Oh Friends, it’s a new day, and we’re still alive and kicking, full of God’s breath, vim and vigour! Praise the Lord for His goodness to the undeserving children of men! And thankfully, I don’t have any negative testimony to report re the use of my mouth, at least as far as I know. The Lord didn’t pull me up on anything either. So, so far, so good! (smile) But seriously though Friends, these days we talk far more than is necessary, and logic dictates that the more we do something, the more opportunities we have to make mistakes. Just listen to all the angry, resentful, evil words that are being spoken all over our rapidly declining world nuh! Many of them are leading to wars and strife between nations, between different levels of society, and unfortunately way too much in the foundation unit of our society, the family. Too often I’m hearing appalling stories about strife between parents and children, or between siblings that just boggles my imagination. At those times I thank my dear departed mother that I was an only child yes! That’s because in most of the cases there’s absolutely no need for the anger and resentment that’s tossed around, nor the dissension and divisions that are created, for they usually stem from greed and petty jealousies. I’ve been telling my children from they were old enough to understand, that if I see or hear them carrying on with such nonsense, I will come back from my grave to haunt them. And that still stands mih children! Now to help us understand how powerful our words are, listen to this quote from Rudyard Kipling, (1865-1936) the renowned British author of novels like ‘The Jungle Book,’ and ‘The Man Who Would Be King.’ He declared, even way back then: ‘Words are, of course, the most powerful drug, used by mankind.’ That’s the living truth my people! And can you imagine if it was that way almost a century ago, what it’s like today? There’s nothing else that has the awesome power to effectively change our minds, moods, feelings and attitudes, either for evil or good, like the words that trip off our tongues. That’s why so many of us are taken in by the many scam and fraud artists so prevalent today, plus politicians, preachers, teachers, friends, family and even virtual strangers. Oh yes Friends, there is mighty power in our words! But it’s vital, of the utmost importance that we learn to use words to bless and not curse, to bring about good, positive, godly results, not evil, negative ones, if we’re going to stop the decline of our civilization. Look at all the animosity between the world’s main religions,  with Father Abraham the source of them all, and also the many divisions and distinctions within each of them. The acrimony, resentment and outright hatred that exists all stem from inappropriate words, and can be traced back to inappropriate thoughts. But fortunately we don’t have to continue down that ungodly path, because as Norman Vincent Peale, the father of the Power of Positive Thinking, so rightly says: ‘Change your thoughts and you change your world.’  Gospel truth mih people, gospel truth! But how do we do that eh? Well, like every change we desire to make, by first invoking God’s help, one individual at a time.  By raising up serious prayers to heaven, along the lines of our Bit: ‘Set a watch (guard), O Lord, before my mouth; keep (watch over) the door of my lips.’ But then we have to consistently and diligently do our part; find and study the scriptures that pertain to the particular problem, and there are many that pertain to the mouth, then practice and persevere to bring about the necessary change(s). It won’t be easy Friends, especially in these evil, troubled, ungodly times, with so many distractions vying for our attention. But if we stand strong in our beliefs and keep in constant contact with our God, always asking for His guidance, there’s no doubt we’ll eventually rise to a height of excellence that’s pleasing to Him. Remember that we can do all things through and in association with Christ, who strengthens us. (Phil.4:13) Then we’ll be able to say like Bruh David, in his prayer for protection against oppressors: ‘Thou hast proved (tested) mine heart; thou hast visited (searched me out) in the night; thou hast tried (examined) me, and shalt find nothing (evil): I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. ‘ (Ps.17:3) Oh my brethren, when we can truthfully say something like that, then we’re on our way to glory, we’re using the awesome power in our words aright; in the service of God, not of Beelzebub! Much LOVE!…the power of our words…will only be used aright…when they’re guided by…the all-encompassing Power of the WORD…
 

Todays Scrip-Bit 22 June 2012 Psalm141:3

22 Jun 2012 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 141:3.    Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
 
Oh Friends, it’s Friday! The weekend’s here, bringing us a l’il rest from our weekly labour. Praise the Lord! Because if the enemy had his way, we’d all be working seven days a week, from sun-up to sundown, for a mere pittance. Thankfully though, the majority of us have gotten away from that, but there are still some folks – even one is too many – who have it worse than slaves. Please, let’s pray for them; pray that their situation improves, and quickly too, and also let’s do something to help remedy the untenable situation in whatever way we can; with our time, time, talents or financial resources, for the human being was not made in Almighty God’s image to suffer such horrible oppression and degradation. Oh my people, we really don’t know how good we have it nuh. And I’m not talking about some undeveloped, third world country where these atrocities are happening, but right here in our supposed first world societies. Oh Friends, if we only knew some of the brutal, inhumane stuff that goes on, not only on the underside of our society, but also within the hallowed halls of our wealthy and powerful, we’d be totally flabbergasted. So while many of us can gleefully shout ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ a sizeable portion of our society unfortunately can’t declare those glad tidings. So please, let’s remember them when we’re joyous over the two days off that we have, and do whatever we can to alleviate their sad and oh so wrong situation. Now let’s chant our Friday Chant that will give us the right perspective on how to use these valuable weekends. 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.’ And having read and digested all that, (smile) it’s time to look at our Bit: ‘Set a watch (guard), O Lord, before my mouth; keep (watch over) the door of my lips.’ Ah Friends, this mouth business is so important in a believer’s life, and sadly too many of us flunk it! And I suppose the first scripture we ought to contend with, is found in the immortal and true words of James, re the dangers of the tongue. He solemnly declares: ‘My brethren, be not many masters (let not many of you be teachers), knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation (stricter judgement). For in many things we offend all (stumble). If any man offend (stumble) not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm (rudder), whithersoever the governor listeth (pilot wants). Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold how great a matter (forest) a little fire kindleth (sets on fire)! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity; so is the tongue (the tongue is so set) among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature (existence); and is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind. But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude (likeness) of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.’ (James 3:1-12) Oh Friends, I didn’t intend to write all of that, but after looking it over, the Spirit nudged me, and I realized that I would be doing us all a serious injustice if I tried to beak it up, because there are few other places in the Good Book where such an important topic is so extensively and well reasoned in such a short space. And I figured that though many of us have heard the particular part about the tongue, some might not have heard it in its proper context. I also highlighted that part because it’s so true and even more meaningful today than it was back in James’ time. What with the explosion of communication technology, talking and now texting have become such huge aspects in our society and are also beginning to cause huge problems. More and more people are getting in trouble for their words everyday! Now this passage was originally written to the early teachers in the church, whose primary tool was their tongue, and the source of their teaching, their wisdom. He’s warning them of the pitfalls of teaching. First, ‘the teacher will receive greater scrutiny from God, because the teacher often passes judgement upon his hearers, and secondly, the primary teaching tool is the tongue, which no one can control sufficiently.’ Now that’s an undeniable truth my Friends! However, as James reasons, we can’t use it to bless God and curse mankind, who’s made in His image. But such is the widespread use today. My people, we have to definitely control our tongues more carefully than we’re currently doing, or else we’ll find ourselves in serious trouble, both with man and God. So from today, let’s take these memorable words of Bruh David to heart and try and make them our individual goal. ‘Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength (my rock), and my redeemer.’ (Ps.19:14) Oh Friends, if we all made that a habit, what a wonderful place our world would be! More on this tomorrow God willing. Till then, let’s go and practice taming our tongues nuh. Good luck with that! (smile) Much LOVE!…this generation needs to learn…that oftimes…silence is truly golden…