Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 March 2020 Hebrews 13:8.

04 Mar 2020 Leave a comment

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

Hebrews 13:8.    ​Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever. 
 
So then it was Wednesday, and we moving very quickly through the work week. It just seems like time is moving faster than before, faster than ever. And yuh know what? The faster our technological communication becomes, the faster time seems to move. Those who have lived through the days of the snail mail, to these days of instant messaging will surely feel that way. But friends, it’s all relative; nothing but virtual reality. (smile) 

The reality of the movement of time hasn’t changed since our magnificent and magnanimous God introduced it eons ago. It’s just our perspective that’s changed. However, it’s ever so important that we do not change our perspective on Almighty God, because just like the speed of time hasn’t changed, He hasn’t changed either. 

As the psalmist so rightly says: ‘Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure (continue): yea, all of them shall wax (grow) old like a garment; as a vesture (cloak) shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed. But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end. The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed (descendants) shall be established before thee.’ (Ps.102: 25-28) 

Oh friends, all of that is oh so true! And for our descendants to continue and remain in the fold of the Lord, it means we have to be very careful of what we change in our lives, and not change just for change sake, change just because others in our immediate circle, or the world, or our society are changing. We need to remain the same in God forever and ever! 

The talk about this is the 21st century and you’ve got to change because of that is utter rot. This going with the flow is invariably nonsense and does nothing but lead us astray, especially since the current world order is moving farther and farther away from God. And with stuff changing so rapidly nowadays, we need to stop and parse and dissect each and every new thing and see if it or they align with God’s Word and Will. And if they don’t, then automatically cast them in rubbish bin of your life and continue in what you know to be the truth and the will of God! 

Please remember these warning words of the Lord spoken through the prophet Malachi: ‘For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob have not been consumed.’ (Mal.3:6) This brings us back to the Lamentations of Jeremiah, where he declares: ‘It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.’ (Lam.3:22-23) 

Yes my people, it’s only because the Lord hasn’t and doesn’t change that we are alive to tell the story. Otherwise we’d be long gone, consumed and removed from the face of the earth! So there is much to be said for not changing, except for very good reason, for change that aligns with God’s will. Yes, that’s the raison d’etre for any change at all in our lives. 

That’s why the author of Hebrews reminds us: ‘Remember them which have the rule (lead) over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God; whose faith follow, considering the end (outcome) of their conversation (conduct). Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever. Be not carried about with divers (various) and strange doctrines (teachings). For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats (foods), which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.’ (Heb.13:7-9) 

Oh my people, our Lord and Saviour doesn’t change, neither does His doctrine change, so why are we been led about by all the strange and ungodly stuff that’s currently in the world eh? The good news of the gospel, of the kingdom of heaven hasn’t change since Jesus preached it some two thousand years ago, and it will not change even if He doesn’t come back for another two thousand years. 

So please be careful of all the busy bodies and the workers of iniquity, and those aligned with the antichrist, for that sort greatly abounds in the current world, and they can be very tempting to our human nature. Thus the timely warning from James, the brother of Christ. 

‘But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust (desires), and enticed. Then when lust (desire) hath conceived, it bringeth forth (gives birth to) sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err (be deceived), my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness (variation) neither shadow of turning.’ (James 1:14-17) 

And the scholars tell us this, re the Immutability of God. ‘1:17. Since all changes are either for the better or for the worse, God is unchanging because He is perfect and cannot get any better or become worse. The Scriptures describe God’s nature, will, and character as immutable or unchanging. 

Illustration: To be immutable, however, does not mean to be immobile. God also has the qualities of personality and can act, think, create, and make decisions. Application: God is unchanging; therefore, Christians can depend on His LOVE and power, because God has not changed since biblical times. (First Ref. Ps. 9:7; Primary Ref. James 1:17; cf. Lev.19:2).’ 

Ah mih people, I do hope that this refresher course in the unchanging nature of God will henceforth give us pause when we encounter stuff that requires us to change, and we will give it great thought and make sure it aligns with God’s Word and Will before we embrace any of it. Now let’s go home declaring (yeh!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know our enviable position in Christ, so that they will choose to come and join us. 

In strong voice with sincere hearts: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’ 

And if you truly believe, you’ll know that the future will be even more glorious than we can ask or imagine! Much LOVE!

…if God doesn’t change…why should we…true children of God…made in His immutable image…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 6 October 2017 Matthew 24:35.

06 Oct 2017 Leave a comment

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

Matthew 24:35.   Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Well friends, the day has dawned somewhat cloudily in my area, but fear not, for our Redeemer lives! Glory to God! Yes my fellow believers, the light of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is still shining as brightly as ever! 

Wow! Of one thing we can be sure; His light never dims or diminishes, its divine brilliance is steadfast and strong, always illuminating our lives and our paths. So as we face a new day in an ungodly world, we too need to stand steadfast and strong, gloriously basking in the light of our Saviour. 

And the workingman has already reminded us that it’s Friday by loudly voicing his anthem. ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday! That means the weekend is here! Glory be! Time to live, to party, to have a good time, to forget about the chupid work and all the stress that come with it…and for so li’l pay too! Steups! Thank God for Fridays and these weekends yes!’ 

And truthfully friends, we can’t deny what he’s saying; work these days, if you can get it, is truly stressful and in the majority of cases, lacking appropriate rewards. But where the workingman falters is his extreme worldly celebration of the weekend. 

Celebrations without boundaries only cause the enemy to get strongholds in our lives, and as Christians, we definitely don’t want, or can’t afford to do such a foolish thing. Therefore we must put up some boundaries, some limits to our celebration. 

And our Friday Chant offers a much better declaration. So let’s chant it as though we really mean it nuh. ‘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!’ 

Ah mih breddren, that’s a much more sensible plea; as we enjoy our time off, but also prepare to get back into the fray in excellent shape, so we don’t miss a beat in doing Jesus’ work; that’s raising up, furthering His LOVE Revolution! 

And that brings us to our Bit…yeh, the same one of the last couple of days. (smile) Oh I know that some of you like to have a new Bit every day, but sometimes it’s necessary to repeat them when there is a lot of information to be shared. 

I know we’ve become accustomed to the short sound bite in this communication mad world, but we’re not doing sound bites here in the Bit, we’re trying to get as full a picture and understanding as possible, which means sometimes hearing some things over and over. Consequently, you have to be totally on board with Jesus to appreciate it. 

Anyway, enough palavering, (smile) here is our Bit: ‘Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.’ 

What an awesome declaration by our amazing Lord and Saviour! And the great thing about it, is it’s indisputable truth! The Word of God existed even before mankind did. In fact it was the Word, read Jesus, who created the world with words. 

And even after this world no longer exists, the Word, and the word of God will exist into eternity. That just goes to show how powerful it all is. And unless we accept and hold on to all aspects of it, we’ll be lost, eventually destroyed, just like the earth. 

Now hear the psalmist on the topic from Psalm 102 – A cry in distress, a prayer of the afflicted. ‘Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure (continue): yea, all of them shall wax (grow) old like a garment: as a vesture (cloak) shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.’ (Ps.102:25-27) 

Yeh friends, our amazing God, the ONLY TRUE AND LIVING DEITY is the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, who was, is and always shall be! What wonderful news for us believers! 

On this earth, we have a solid anchor to keep us steadfast in time of storm, a comforting and healing embrace in time of affliction, a strong arm to lean on when we’re weary, and a divine guide when we’re lost and confused. But the greatest gift is that our spiritual beings have a heavenly place to go to when God’s breath of life is extinguished from our mortal bodies. 

And all God’s people cried out in gratitude: ‘Thank You Lord, for Your Word, in the form of Jesus Christ, as well as a guidebook for earthly living, overseered by Your Holy Spirit! We LOVE you and praise Your Holy Name! Amen!’ 

Oh my people, please allow the joy of our God to rise up in our souls and spirits today, so that we can enjoy our lives and do His work with a good attitude. Much LOVE!

…in the joy of the Lord…lies the believer’s strength…