Today’s Scrip-Bit 28 October 2020 Matthew 9:37.

28 Oct 2020 Leave a comment

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

Matthew 9:37.     ​Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

So it’s Wednesday eh? What’s new eh? Not a blooming thing! The increasing aches and pains of an ageing body are still here (smile) …and so is the pandemic…and all the other strife and hatred that’s currently filling our world…and which portends to get even worse as the U.S elections draw nearer. Every day more angry rhetoric is been spewed out and more injustice meted out to the innocent by the purveyors of evil. 

As Bob Marley so wisely predicted some years ago: ‘And everywhere will be war…ah say war…’ And it seems to be coming true as we get more disunited, distrustful, disgruntled and begin showing our real evil and sinful selves. Obviously what we need is more Jesus, but too many of us are not seeing it that way. We insist in living in the carnality of the flesh, doing it our way, although our way doesn’t seem to be working. 

Oh, the stubbornness of mankind always amazes me. If one thing isn’t working, why not try something else eh? Satan’s way certainly isn’t working, so why not try Jesus’ way eh? Those are the only two options we have. But we so blooming hard-headed and prideful and anti-God, that we refuse to try the Almighty despite our lives falling apart, being steadily washed away, like sand on the seashore. 

Oh mih people, I don’t know what to say nuh. I need wisdom and guidance, words from Almighty God that I can share with you, that will convince and encourage you to turn to Him in these desperate and troubled times. And as I was just leafing through the Good Book, I came upon these words of Jesus, back when He was talking to the disciples about few labourers for the task of discipleship. And isn’t that the living truth today too! 

Hear the Good Book: ‘But when he (Jesus) saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted (were weary), and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.’ (Matt. 9:36-38) 

And that my fellow saints in Christ is the indisputable truth! If there were more of us serious saints out in the evil, killing fields, doing our best to harvest the crop of unbelievers, diligently spreading the gospel of Christ, and truly showing it by the exemplary example of our lives, our world would certainly not be as bad as it is. The prince of darkness would definitely not have such a strangle hold on it. And the scholars agree, as they add their two cents worth. ‘Verses 37 and 38 constitute one of the great missionary passages of the New Testament. Jesus pictures the world as a great spiritual harvest in need of labourers to gather it into the storehouse.’ 

And believe me, right now, Jesus is sitting down in heaven, with an awesome amount of compassion in His heart, remembering those immortal words and thinking the same thing: there just aren’t enough labourers, enough of His saints, to harvest the multitude of unbelievers in this crazy and evil world. Oh friends, the multitudes of this current world are certainly scattered abroad, weary and tired and without hope, like sheep that have no shepherd. 

But we know the Good Shepherd, Jesus is His name, and remember He gave us that Great Commission to go out and make disciples of all the world, teaching them everything that He had taught us, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost and promising that He would always be with us, right down to the very wire of life? But we’re not doing it to the best of our ability, that’s why the devil is holding most of the cards right now. The saints of Christ have forsaken their bounden duty, through fear, compromise, and simple apathy. 

And if we the labourers aren’t out there sincerely harvesting and teaching, and making disciples, who are going to do it eh? It seems that we’ve forgotten the great promise of God delivered through His prophet Isaiah. ‘No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper (succeed); and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of (from) me, saith the Lord.’ (Is. 54:17) 

So are we servants of the Lord or not? And if so, why are we so fearful of what the world has to say or does eh? Remember the two words Jesus used so often hear on earth: ‘FEAR NOT!’ It would certainly do us good to powerfully reinstate them in our hearts, souls, bellies and backbones at this most critical juncture in the history of mankind. And like we’ve also forgotten these very important words of Bruh Paul, re the power of the gospel. ‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek (Gentile).’ (Rom. 1:16) 

And the living truth my people is that too many of us, supposed saints are actually ashamed of Christ’s gospel, that’s why we don’t share it, and instead live these fearful lives of compromise and shame. But please remember that the gospel of Christ is the ONLY thing that will bring mankind to salvation, to reconciliation with God, and a spot in heaven for eternity! The only other option is hellfire and brimstone with Satan in the depths of hell! Is that what we desire for ourselves and those near and dear to us? I doubt it. So let’s get rid of the fear and anxiety nuh. With the backing power of Jesus we can do all things. 

Yuh know how we LOVE to quote that scripture. (smile) Well let’s put it into action instead nuh. Yeh talk is cheap but LOVE and compassion demand action and sacrifice, and Jesus gave us that example in living colour. So let’s get up off our lazy, fearful fannies and follow it nuh. The kingdom desperately needs us right now! And for those of us who are trying to make a difference, let’s go home now declaring (awrighttt!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all a

nd sundry know of our strong and sincere position in Christ Jesus. All together now: ‘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 we need to be reminded that if we endure until the end, as good labourers and harvesters, our future will be even more glorious than we can ask or imagine! Much LOVE!

…it’s time for the soldiers of Christ to come together…form ONE coherent army…and fight…fight the good fight…it’s the ONLY way…to obtain victory…  

Today’s Scrip-Bit 10 April 2016 Exodus 33:14

10 Apr 2016 Leave a comment

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

Exodus 33:14.   And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.

Awright my fellow believers, it’s the first day of the week; Sunday, the Lord’s Day, that means we need to be making our way to church at some stage of the day, to praise and worship and rejoice and fellowship with other believers. Now that’s not my directive, but our God’s.  (Ex.20:8-11) 

So if we want to be truly obedient then we will gladly do His will and don’t behave like it’s pulling teeth, like we’re being forced to go, and if we don’t, hellfire and brimstone might fall down on us. Now it just might… (smile)  

But please remember friends, this is for our good, not for God’s. He already has all He wants, and whether we praise and worship Him or not, will not change His situation, but it will surely change ours. 

So let’s stop being, stubborn, hardhearted and foolish and get ourselves to the Lord’s sanctuary, so that we can receive His blessings, mercy, encouragement, LOVE and revitalization to face tomorrow and the rest of the week strong and steadfast. 

And all God’s children declared a loud and proud shout of ‘Praise the Lord! Bless His Holy Name! All power and glory be unto Him!’ 

Ah mih people, what’s happening to our faith today eh? There seems to be more churches of different denominations, or no denomination, than ever before, but overall the total number of worshippers doesn’t seem to be increasing that much. What seems to be happening is that believers are leaving one church for another, so while some churches are packed to capacity, others are almost empty, especially of the youth of our society. 

It also seems that the youth of today can’t handle the staid, dirge-like, old fashioned worship of the established churches, and when they do go to church are opting for the more modern, new-fangled style of worship. Now that is something the established churches will have to figure out if they intend to survive this boomer generation. They’ll definitely have to invoke God’s wisdom and discernment to fix that problem. 

But enough preamble, let’s turn to our Bit. ‘And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.’ 

Oh friends, whenever we sincerely seek the Lord and diligently try to be obedient to His will, His presence surrounds us like a warm, protective blanket in the heart of winter. Hn! Many of us could use one of those blankets right about now, as the cold weather refuses to depart in peace from the northern climes. (smile) 

Now let’s turn to some scripture to corroborate the words of our Bit. Hear Bruh David from Psalm 51 – A prayer for cleansing – after Nathan the prophet had draped him up for his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah. 

He cries out to God for mercy and cleansing, admitting his sin: ‘Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right (steadfast) spirit within me. 

Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free (generous) spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.’ (Ps.51:7-13) 

Oh precious people, can you imagine the state Bruh David must have been in when he realized that God had marked his selfish and foolish abominations, after He had been so good and generous to him. Note his words in verse 11: ‘Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me.’ He knew how essential it was to be in God’s presence, with His Holy Spirit leading him. Without those two things, he might as well be dead.  

And on a more current and sadder note, I recently read in the newspapers about Glen Campbell’s losing fight with Alzheimer’s disease. We all remember him from his hit making days, with songs like ‘Rhinestone Cowboy, By the time I get to Phoenix,’ and my personal favourite ‘Gentle on my mind.’ 

Now, at age 79, he’s living in a memory care community in Nashville, apparently not even able to play the guitar anymore. How sad. But his wife Kim had this to say: ‘Faith has always been the central part of our relationship. I’m so pleased that as Glen has entered the later stages of this illness, it’s evident that he has retained his awareness of God. 

There have been times when he’d walk over to the window and look at the beautiful trees outside, and he’d just raise his hands and say, “Thank you, heavenly father.” He could barely speak at all, but he could come up with “We’re so blessed,” or “Thank you heavenly father.” 

That really comforts me to know that he has that sense of God’s presence in his life, that he’s not alone, even if I’m not right next to him.’ 

And all God’s people said, ‘Amen.’ 

Let’s hope and pray friends, that any of us who head down that sad and lonely road, will also feel the comforting presence of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, even though we can’t put it into words. 

Now let’s end with these immortal words of Bruh David from Psalm 139 – The everlasting presence and power of God. And every time I read the words or hear it spoken, I remember the most memorable reading of it I’ve ever heard, that by Gramps Schuller (Robert H. Schuller) one day from the Crystal Cathedral. The way he acted it out, it got stuck in my mind forever. 

Listen to these most appropriate words. ‘Whither shall (can) I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall (can) I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. 

If I say, surely the darkness shall cover (fall on, hide) me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee, but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.’ (Ps.139:7-12) 

And all of that is gospel truth friends! We can’t run nor hide from God, even if we are foolish enough to try. So please, today, let’s go about obediently doing His will nuh, for it’s in our best interest to do so. Much LOVE!

…to be eternally in God’s awesome presence…is why we were created…