Today’s Scrip-Bit 3 November 2013 Matthew 5:12

03 Nov 2013 Leave a comment

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

Matthew 5:12.   Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Oh Friends, the church bells are tolling this beautiful Sunday morning! They’re tolling to invite us to fellowship and worship as the body of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ down here on earth! Wow! What a special benefit and honour to be numbered in that most august society!

Many of you may remember growing up with the church bells pealing every Sunday morning and evening, calling all the faithful to the house that Christ built. I remember them quite vividly, because I lived only a couple minutes walk away from St. Andrews Anglican in Scarborough, Tobago, and I’d use them as a time piece, listening for when the last bell begin to toll, then I’d hustle off to get there just in time.

There were either two or three tollings, I don’t remember, but back then, when the bells pealed, you knew that almost the whole community was getting ready to go to church, regardless of their denomination. Unfortunately though, church bells tolling as a means of inviting the faithful to worship is now a thing of the past, like prehistoric dinosaurs.

The youth of today don’t even know that church bells existed, for there are very few around now, and even fewer toll, and likewise, even fewer attend church regularly. But my brethren, going to church and fellowshipping with others of like faith, is exactly one of the things Jesus had in mind when He commanded us to ‘Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.’

That’s because it’s much easier for believers to rejoice and be exceedingly happy, in spite of persecution, when they are gathered together worshipping and praising Almighty God, whether it be in a church, a house, a thatched hut, a cave or in the open air. Togetherness is the bedrock, the foundation of Christ’s body! No wonder we’re not making the progress we should, since that body is so fragmented, divisive, quarrelsome and resentful of each other.

But Friends, it’s virtually impossible for us to stand strong in the face of persecution when we’re not in sync with each other. That only gives the forces of evil an excellent opportunity to further divide and conquer us. For as logic declares, a group can usually stand stronger together against a common enemy, than a single individual.

And my people, coming together is one of the things we desperately need to concentrate on, if we’re to ever survive the challenges and persecution that the evil world powers are plotting against us. And even as a group, we can’t do it without the omnipotence of Jesus working in and amongst us. So please, let’s seriously concentrate on coming together, rather than drifting further apart nuh. That’s the only hope we have of strengthening and growing Jesus’ LOVE Revolution.

And I have the perfect quote for that from an article I read earlier on in the Anglican Newspaper, November 2013 edition. I copied it for use at some future time, but in God’s mysterious workings, (smile) that time seems to be now. It’s written by Bishop Patrick Yu, on the subject of inviting people to church.

He writes that ‘Growth is actually the sign of all living things, including a living faith and a living church!’ Now that’s gospel truth my people! If we’re not growing in faith and fellowship, then to all intents and purposes, we’re spiritually dead.

Anyway, enough sermonizing from me for today. (smile) Let’s get to the scriptures I faithfully promised you yesterday. And the first one deals with the first part of our Bit: ‘Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven:’

Peter puts it this way: ‘Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as (to the extent that) ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.’ (1 Pet.4:12-13)

Yeh Friends, it’s definitely not an easy concept to grasp and then hold on tightly to, but we do need to believe that when we suffer for Jesus’ sake, we’re part of His suffering. Therefore, when He comes back in all His majestic glory, then we too shall participate in the overwhelming joy during those momentous times!

And James say it thus: ‘My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations (various trials). Knowing this, that the trying (testing) of your faith, worketh (produces) patience.’  (James 1:2-3)

Short and sweet eh Friends! (smile) What a way we doing a lotta smiling today mih breddren! But that’s just the way it ought to be, if we’re exceedingly glad.

Now here’s what the scholars have to say: ‘1:2-3. In this epistle on Christian living, James opens with a most crucial topic: the trials of life. These verses describe the various testings – whether from the world and Satan, or from God – into which godly Christians fall (Gr. peripipto). These “negative” experiences are to be accepted with great joy, not for the sake of the trial itself but because of the positive work God can accomplish through the testing.

The words in verses 2 and 3 (temptations and trying) are often regarded as virtually synonymous. If this were true, then the trials themselves would produce spiritual maturity. But they do not. Often, testings make Christians bitter instead of better, with no spiritual growth occurring. The Greek word for “trying” (dokimion) might be better translated as “approving.”

It is not merely one’s presence in such trials but one’s victory over them that brings spiritual growth and maturity. Those Christians whom God can use the most are those whom God has bruised the most.’

And all God’s people said a low, unenthusiastic ‘Amen,’ because they know that’s the living truth, and it’s hard for the flesh to handle!

But enough for today Friends, I don’t want to stretch your intelligence and busy lives by running on too long. (smile) So let’s ponder all that we’ve said and heard, then make some good and godly decisions, in as many areas as we can, obviously with the help of Jesus. Much LOVE!

…for whom the bells toll…for all mankind…why…so that they can come to Christ…to acknowledge Him as Lord and Saviour…and receive the free…but oh so wonderful gifts of salvation and everlasting life…


 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 5 October 2013 Psalm 109:5

05 Oct 2013 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 109:5.    And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my LOVE.
 
Well Friends, once again we’ve been blessed to see another wonderful day on God’s great earth! Thank You Lord! And I have another piece of good news (smile) for those with an I-phone. I was talking to a reader earlier on, and he says he has his phone read the Bit to him. He just finds it in his e-mail, highlights it, clicks speak, and a friendly female voice reads it to him, while he’s driving, or even lying in bed.
 
One word of caution; she does have some problems with the West Indian slang and patois, so you might have to read those parts for yourself. He also wasn’t sure if that operation was available on a Samsung phone, but it surely works on the Apple brand. So for all you too busy or too lazy readers, there’s another easy way out for you. (smile)
 
Now let’s move on to our Bit: ‘And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my LOVE.’ And in deference to it, I want to share a rather apt poem from the September/October 2013 edition of Enjoying Everyday Life Magazine, published by the Joyce Meyer Ministries.
 
It talks about ‘ANGER VS LOVE:  ANGER is a powerful emotion, but LOVE is much stronger.  In anger we might criticize, but in LOVE we encourage. In anger we might turn away, but in LOVE we reach out. In anger we might withhold, but in LOVE we are generous. In anger we might use out fists to strike out, but in LOVE we use our arms to hug. In anger we might glare, but in LOVE we smile. In anger we might blame, but in LOVE we forgive.’
 
And at the end it quotes the Good Book: ‘…Just as I have LOVED you, so too you should LOVE one another.’ (John 13:34)
 
And that’s all indisputable, gospel truth, my people! Also, as believers, we ought to be living the LOVE aspect of that poem! Granted, it’s much easier to say than to do, but we’d never grow or mature in Christ if everything was easy, or we were just handed everything on a silver platter.
 
Note that Jesus’ life here on earth wasn’t the least bit easy, but with the help and encouragement from His heavenly Father, He bore the trials and tribulations with great distinction and came out victorious. And so too can we, my brethren. If we just take everything to God in prayer, He will surely enable us to handle the unfortunate and difficult situations we all encounter in this wicked and ungodly world.
 
And if by chance you think that because Jesus was also God, it was much easier for Him, then let’s check out some scriptures from Bruh David’s personal experiences. Like us, he was a mortal man, so there can be no excuses with his suffering. In Psalm 35, a prayer for rescue from enemies, of which he had a lot, he cries out with great emotion to the God of his fathers.
 
‘For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit (hidden their net in a pit for me), which without cause they have digged for my soul (life). Let destruction come upon him at unawares (unexpectedly); and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall. And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord: it shall rejoice in his salvation.
 
All my bones shall say, Lord, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth (plunders) him? False (fierce) witness did rise up; they laid to my charge (asked me) things that I knew not. They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling (sorrow) of my soul.
 
But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned unto my own bosom (heart). I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily (in mourning), as one that mourneth for his mother. But in mine adversity (stumbling) they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together; yea, the abjects (attackers) gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not: With hypocritical (ungodly) mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.’ (Ps.35:7-16)
 
Oh Friends, if one of the mightiest warrior kings, great poet, musician and righteous men who ever lived could cry to God with such heartfelt emotion, why can’t we eh? And I’m sure none of us have as many enemies as Bruh David had, or the animosity with which they sought to destroy him. That’s why he was so favoured of God. In spite of his human frailties and wrongdoing, he never failed to admit his sins when he realized them and wasn’t afraid either to cry out to God with an anguished soul, whenever he found himself between a rock and a hard place. 
 
Oh my people, when evil comes against us, we need to cry out more to God, rather than our fellow man. And we’re not talking about simple whining and complaining about selfish, petty stuff – God won’t answer us anyway – but for truly serious stuff. If it was good enough for Bruh David, a mighty man of God, then it should also be good enough for us.
 
So please don’t allow things like foolish pride, anger and revenge, to keep us from being all that we can be, and achieving all that we can, by not seriously hooking up with Jehovah God, and staying constantly tuned in to Him, just like you all stay constantly tuned in to your friends through the social media. (smile)
 
You’d be surprised to see how much your life would improve if you gave God just one iota of the time you spend on the social networks. Now I’ll leave us to ponder our individual attachment to God today, expecting that with true and sincere repentance, we’ll call on Him to help us make the relationship right. That’s wisdom that only heaven can impart! Much LOVE!
 
…oh what senseless grief and pain we bear…when we refuse to take our troubles…ALL to God in prayer…
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 13 September 2013 Habakkuk 2:4

13 Sep 2013 Leave a comment

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

Habakkuk 2:4.    Behold, his soul which is lifted up (proud) is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
 
Oh Friends, it’s Friday! Friday the 13th to boot! ‘So what?’ shout the believers in Jesus. ‘We don’t care because we don’t believe in that Friday the 13th nonsense. That’s just demon worship!’
 
Wow! Mih people hot to trot today sir! And that’s the way it should be Friends. As far as we are concerned, everyday is the same generally speaking, a special gift from Almighty God with new blessings, mercies, our daily bread and His unconditional LOVE! 
 
We don’t need any satanic stuff to ‘confuffle’ our already ‘confuffled’ minds.’ We’re just glad that it’s Friday and we can shout out loud ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday! The weekend’s here at last. Slaving for massa done for two days! Praise the Lord!’
 
And I’m also praising the Lord for getting me in to see my dentist yesterday evening to begin some work on a root canal, because the tooth was just paining everlasting over the last few days. Now it’s just sore, and every time my tongue or jaw touches it, or I try to blow my nose, I feel a jolt of pain. But it’s surely much better than the constant pain I was feeling before. I guess I’m also eating soft food for the next couple days, since I can’t chew on that side.
 
Ah Lord eh! When is not one thing, it’s always something else! Just hope I don’t do any further damage to it, before I go back to finish the work next Thursday. But whatever happens, I know I can count on the Lord to look after me. Steups! My bottom teeth just touched the top ones and a lovely pain was immediately generated. Let’s hope this ends by tomorrow yes.
 
And having said all of that, let’s chant our Friday Chant with much gusto, so that we can remember and understand how to use the weekend.
 
Altogether 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 now that we have the right perspective in grasp, where we go out bright and fresh on Mondays, instead of tired and miserable, let’s turn to our Bit. ‘Behold, his soul which is lifted up (proud) is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.’
 
Ah mih breddren, that’s such an encouraging and heart-warming scripture! And as we’ve seen, it’s been used quite a lot in the New Testament to prove the theory of justification by faith. Now yesterday I wasn’t able to wrap up the series as I’d planned because of some scholarly explanations that I thought important. Hope they help us to better understand the scripture, because that’s why I include them.
 
Now let’s continue with the scriptures that we didn’t get in yesterday. And we’re going to begin with some of Bruh Paul’s wise words to the Galatians. ‘For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
 
But that no man is justified (declared righteous) by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, the man that doeth them shall live in (by) them.’ (Gal.3:10-12)
 
Oh Friends, you can count on Bruh Paul to use the Old Testament to promote the New! In the above verses he first quotes, Deuteronomy 27:26. Then in the second, our Bit from Habakkuk. And in the third, Leviticus 18:5. 
 
Now here are some explanations from the scholars. 3:10. As many as are of the works of the law refers to all who rely upon obedience to the Mosaic Law as the means of winning divine approval (salvation). To be under the curse is to be subject to God’s wrath and condemnation. Continueth is explained by to do, which means “to obey.”
 
The recipient of divine wrath is every one, who, believing salvation can be obtained by meritorious works, fails to obey the law perfectly. Complete obedience to the law is impossible for sinful man (Acts 15:10; James 2:10). All then, who attempt to secure salvation by this route are doomed.
 
3:11. The last part of this verse means, “He who is just because of his faith shall live,” that is, forever.
 
3:12. This verse declares that the law is a matter of performance, not of faith; it is a principle of doing, not believing.’
 
That’s a fact Friends, for we all know that mere doing, though good, without faith and belief in Jesus Christ, it is of no use in terms of salvation and escape from divine wrath.
 
And we’ll end with these wise and encouraging verses from Hebrews. ‘Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience (endurance), that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
 
For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry (delay). Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition (destruction); but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.’ (Heb.10:35-39)
 
Yes my people, it’s all about steadfast faith, enduring patience, unswerving belief in Jesus, and overwhelming confidence in Almighty God! Those are the basics for saving our sinful souls. And in sincerely seeking them, there’s wisdom here on earth, and eternal rewards in heaven.
 
Now who wouldn’t want those things eh? Only a fool! Much LOVE!
 
…the fool say’s there’s no God…but when life strikes him down…his first words are…Oh God…

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 16 January 2013 Proverbs 1:10

16 Jan 2013 Leave a comment

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

Proverbs 1:10.     My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

Aye mih Friends, have you seen or encountered any of the new mercies and blessings that our great and wonderful God has showered down on earth for this Wednesday? Well I have! And I want to tell you that they are terrific! Wow! I don’t know where our God finds those marvellous mercies and blessings to shower down on us everyday nuh, because everyday they just keep getting better and better. But I suppose that since He is God -omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent – then He can do anything. That means that the many earthlings who don’t believe in Him are not too bright, they don’t know what they’re missing. But fortunately, yes Friends, praise the Lord that we believers do! That’s why we sing and dance and praise and worship our Creator, the Lord God Jehovah, with such passion, such intensity. We know without a doubt, on which side our bread is buttered. That’s why Cousin Sol warns us in our Bit, right at the outset of his proverbial words of wisdom. ‘My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.’ Ah Friends, those words are few, but they pack a mighty wallop! They contain more wisdom than all the words and works of the evil world, for if we follow them, they will keep us from making very grave and serious mistakes, many of them irreparable and even life threatening. Hear how Cousin Sol continues and cements his argument for not walking knowingly with sinners. ‘If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for (to shed) blood, let us lurk privily (secretly) for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: We shall find all precious substance (wealth), we shall fill our houses with spoil (plunder): Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain (keep) thy foot from their path: For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. Surely in vain (futility) the net is spread in the sight of any bird. And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily (secretly) for their own lives. So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.’ (Prov.1:11-19) Oh my brethren, truer words have never been spoken! For once we get involved with sinners and evildoers, we’ll eventually end up selling our souls to Beelzebub instead of Jesus. And believe me, the evil one has nothing really good or worthwhile to offer. His enticements may look bright and shiny in the sunlight, but in the dark of night their true cheapness and unworthiness comes out. It’s all a facade Friends, to catch us in his evil web, then confine us to eternal death with him. Now that’s certainly not a nice picture to imagine ourselves in. Jesus paints a much better and more realistic picture of heaven. And at least we’ve seen and heard what Jesus can do. Lucifer definitely can’t match His talents, so why walk with him eh? Anyway, hear how Bruh Paul puts it to the Ephesians, when talking about the ways of the believer. ‘And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove (expose) them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done in secret. But all things that are reproved (exposed) are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.’ (Eph.5:11-13) The scholars explain it this way. ‘Reprove is better translated “expose.” The believer’s duty is expressed here in two ways. Negatively, he is not to have any fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, that is, not to indulge in the sins of the unsaved. Positively, he is to “expose” (reprove) these sins, that is, bring them to light and show them for what they really are, so that the unbeliever may see their hideous nature and their terrible consequences. For tells why the Christian must expose the sins of the lost. If it is shameful even to discuss their iniquities in decent company (cf. v 3) how much worse is the committing of these sins. Hence we need to bring them to light.’ Ah mih people, a good and simple measuring stick for all that is, if the thoughts and actions before us can’t stand the light of day, but must remain secret, we should not be involved in them. Now listen to the psalmist Asaph’s take on the subject from Psalm 50, God is the judge – and is He ever! ‘But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? See thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee. When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers. Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son. These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one as thyself: but I will reprove (rebuke) thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation (conduct) aright will I show the salvation of God.’ (Ps.50:16-23) Oh Friends, that says it all! If we kow-tow with the wicked, then, like them, we’ll be eventually destroyed. However, if we live to praise and glorify our heavenly Father, then we will see His wonderful salvation that culminates in eternal life with Him. Now I ask you, which of those two options will you choose? Please ponder it seriously today, because we don’t know when Jesus will return, could even be today, and your eternal destiny depends on your individual choice, BEFORE He returns. Now may the good Lord shower you with wisdom, so that you’ll make the right choice. Much LOVE!…choose you this day…whom ye will serve…but as for me and my house…we will serve the Lord…  (Josh.24:15)
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 12 May 2012 Psalm 71:22

12 May 2012 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 71:22.  I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.

Oh Friends, once again I’m writing to you in Jesus’ name from the little mansion in Mo Bay, after a successful and exhilarating trip to Kingston yesterday, where I renewed old acquaintances and reminisced on times gone by. And yuh know it’s strange, but I can feel a significant difference between the two mansions. Although it was nice and peaceful in Jack’s Hill, I could still feel the throbbing, the hustle and bustle vibe of the big city, while in Mo Bay, there’s a greater sense of peace and calm, a more countrified, easy going atmosphere. And as I sit on the balcony here, looking out over the lush garden below, sipping some coffee, a sense of what it must have been like in that first garden, Eden, comes over me. The birds are singing sweet, comely praises to their Maker, the leaves are rustling quietly in the cool, gentle breeze that washes over both them and me… Oh Friends, it’s just a quiet tranquil scene; one that eminently lends itself to thanks and praise! So let’s bring in our totally appropriate Bit nuh. ‘I will also praise thee with the psaltery (lute, lyre) even thy truth (faithfulness), O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.’ For sure mih people, for sure! Thanks and praise to Almighty God is a continual must, for He created us to glorify Him! Hear the psalmist corroborate that: ‘Praise ye the Lord (sing Hallelujah): for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely (beautiful).’ (Ps.147:1) That’s undoubtedly the living truth Friends! For the Lord faithfully looks after the sheep of His pasture. And all God’s children gave a joyful, mighty shout: ‘Oh thank you Father God!’ Now let’s turn for a spell to the last part of our Bit; ‘O thou Holy One of Israel.’ The psalmist knows exactly to whom He’s offering pleas and praise, the God of His fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Unfortunately though, most of today’s world don’t have a clue about Him, or even if they do, they ungraciously shunt Him aside for the fleshly lusts and pleasure of this sinful, ungodly world. As Isaiah said to Judah: ‘Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel.’ (2 Kin.19:22) Oh Friends, sadly, that’s ever so true! Beelzebub is in control today, just like he was back in Isaiah’s time. ‘Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib (manger or feed trough): but Israel doth not know (understand), my people doth not consider. Ah sinful nation, a people laden (weighed down) with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away (turned) backward.’ (Is.1:2-4) Ah mih breddren, how sad it is to see what our once wonderful world has now come to! And unless we stop this free fall in to sin and ungodliness, we going to fall all the way down to Hades to spend eternity with Lucifer. And believe me, the fleshly lusts and pleasures that we running down now, won’t be down there. There’ll be no pleasures, just eternal ‘sufferation’! All the fun and joy will be in heaven! Glory Hallelujah! So Friends, it’s up to each individual to make  a conscious choice for eternity; enjoy the pleasures of the world now, and eternal death and damnation in Hades after. Or suffer the pangs of evil now, overcoming them through the help of a faithful Lord and Saviour, Jesus, then living with Him in eternal splendour and glory afterwards! Wow! What a wonderful scene to look forward to! So my brethren, I’m imploring us to make the wise choice; Jesus. Please, please, don’t be penny wise and pound foolish, choose Jesus, the only sensible choice! Now let’s end as we began; on a joyous note of thanks and praise. ‘Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely (beautiful) for the upright. Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise (joyful shout). For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth,’ (Ps.33:1-4) And all God’s people said a loud, praiseworthy, ‘Amen!’ Much, Much LOVE mih people!…as for me and mine…there’s no doubt…we will follow Jesus…right to the ends of the earth…  

Today’s Scrip-Bit 5 March 2012 Matthew 20:16‏

05 Mar 2012 Leave a comment

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

Matthew 20:16.    So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

Oh Friends, another bright and beautiful Monday Morning is upon us, so let’s be up and at ‘em! Hn, hn! No, I haven’t been doing anything to distort my perspective of reality. (smile) The true reality is that all God’s days are bright and beautiful! Sometimes not physically, (only -14C now) but always spiritually, since He clothes them all in new mercies and blessings. Thus I’m luxuriating in the grace of God that has miraculously enabled me to see another day on this amazing planet earth, which sadly we are doing our level best to destroy – doing a very good job of it too. But fellow believers, please remember that it’s our God-given duty to stop the iniquity workers from destroying God’s handiwork, whether it be earth, sky, man or beast. To therefore boost our spirits and bring out the holy warrior in us, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with mucho gusto. On three now; one, two, three: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together. We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’ Hopefully Friends, that got your adrenalin a pumping and you’re now rearing to battle in Jesus’ Name. Now let’s check out our Bit: ‘So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many are called but few are chosen.’ And isn’t that the gospel truth! Not only in the spiritual realm which Jesus was referring to, but in so many walks of earthly life; namely cattle-calls (auditions), job interviews, sports teams etc, where many people show up for a handful of positions, and where being amongst the first doesn’t guarantee you anything. The same goes for the heavenly kingdom Friends. Jesus spoke those words after relating the parable of the vineyard workers, where the last ones hired got the same pay as the first, but the first figured that was wrong because they had put in more hours of work. This caused the vineyard owner to rebuke them, saying: ‘Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny (in wages)? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?’ (Matt.20:13-15) He reminded them that he’d paid them the amount agreed on, and it was his prerogative to do as he pleased with what was his. Then Jesus declared our Bit. It’s going to be the same way in heaven my brethren. Not because you were a believer first means you’re going to automatically be blessed more than the last ones on board, for the Lord offers us all equal blessings, the same way He LOVES us all equally. You might get more if you banked more heavenly rewards from here on earth. But by the same token a latecomer could also bank more rewards if you were simply sitting down here on your laurels, while he was busy doing God’s work. Friends, that was Jesus’ way of warning us against jealousy and impure motives in serving Him. Sadly though, His church is full of jealousy, petty rivalries and divisions. Obviously we didn’t get the message, thus allowing Lucifer to make a mockery of Christ’s church. And my people, Christ said those same words at least two other times. The first time was back in Matthew 19, where he told the rich young ruler to go and sell his possessions and come and follow Him, if wanted to receive salvation. The young man went away sad and despondent because he had much earthly possessions, which led Jesus to make the statement re it being easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eyes that for a rich man to enter heaven. Then in the last two verses He further clarifies the situation re when He comes again in glory: ‘And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.’ (Matt.19:29-30) Oh Friends, the sacrifices we make in Jesus’ name here on earth are ever so important, and then we’ve got to do them with a right heart and good motive, otherwise we’re liable to lose out on the blessings He’s stockpiled for us. Then in Matthew 22, Jesus talks about the parable of the marriage feast, where the invited guests disdain his invitation, so people off the street are invited. This one unfortunate however isn’t dressed in wedding attire, and when the king asks him why, he can’t answer. ‘Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, For many are called, but few are chosen.’ (Matt.22:13-14) Now we’ll let the scholars explain the parable. ‘The bidden guests are the people of Israel, whereas those in the highways are the Gentiles. Both bad and good (vs.10) refer to the moral and immoral sinners who alike need God’s gracious invitation. The man without the wedding garment came to the feast but disregarded the propriety of the king’s provision, since such garments were normally supplied by the host. The reference seems to be to the ‘robe of righteousness,’ which we must receive from the Lord in order to attend the marriage feast. Casting the unclad guest into outer darkness symbolizes the eternal judgement of the lost.’ With that explanation in mind Friends, I implore us to take hold of all that our gracious God has provided for us, and to do all that He asks, so that we don’t end up like the unprepared, improperly dressed guest and suffer the negative outcome. Much LOVE!…living amongst the damned in purgatory with Lucifer, is true hell…so be wise now…change your evil ways while there’s yet time…that you may live forever in heaven…with Jesus…

 

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