Today’s Scrip-Bit 10 July 2014 Matthew 24:13

10 Jul 2014 Leave a comment

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

Matthew 24:13.  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.


O Friends, you all have to excuse the ole fella yes, because it’s ‘Summertime, And the livin’ is easy. Fish are jumping, And the cotton is high. Your daddy’s rich, and your mama’s good lookin’, So hush little baby, Don’t you cry.’
 
Yes my people, those memorable lyrics of the George Gershwin song, ‘Summertime,’ were particularly apt last night. Oh, and just so you know, my daddy wasn’t rich, but my Mama Molly was sure good lookin’! (smile)
 
And it’s not like I did anything special last night. I just hung out some with the duchess, then when she went to bed, I listened to some music and watched the first half of the Argentina – Netherlands soccer game.  But it certainly kept me up until the wee hours of the morning – two o’clock, I believe.
 
And though I know that Willie Shakespeare said something in one of his plays about going to bed late means being up early, I didn’t arise until six o’clock this glorious summer’s morn!
 
Let me warn us right now, I’ve never been an early to bed, early to rise kind of guy, more of a night owl, so if the summer weather stays as beautiful as it is, don’t expect to see the Bit early every day. For when the summer magic and craziness hits me, I am liable to get involved in stuff that doesn’t include, or rather, precludes going to bed early. (smile)
 
And there, now that I’ve warned us, let’s see what else I have to say for myself? Nothing really nuh, for the sleep is still enveloping my mind, the caffeine hasn’t taken effect as yet, the allergies are acting up, and I’m simply asking the good Lord to help me endure. What a way to practice what you preach! (smile)
 
And my brethren, asking the Lord to help you endure is never a bad thing; in fact it’s always a wonderful way to go, especially since in our Bit, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ so seriously warns us: ‘But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.’
 
So as true believers, we are ALL expected to hang in until the very end! And you don’t need to tell me that that’s not always easy, because I’m experiencing one of those hang in there, enduring times right now. (smile)
 
But Friends, please remember that with our serious buckling down, and with Jesus’ generous help, we can endure any and every thing! And it’s so important that we do, since almost everything in this wide world calls for some kind of endurance or another.
 
So, like the last couple of days, let’s continue looking at some interesting and important scripture passages on endurance and enduring. Listen to Bruh Paul natter at poor Timothy. ‘Thou therefore endure hardness (hardship), as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.’ (2 Tim.2:3-4)
 
Yeh mih breddren, a good soldier endures all that comes against him! And like Bruh Paul and Timothy, we’ve been chosen to be soldiers by Jesus Christ in His wonderful army. That means we need to endure hardship, with a smile, if possible. Hn!
 
Meanwhile, James, in talking of patience in affliction, says: ‘Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman (farmer) waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish (establish) your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh (has come near).
 
Grudge (grumble) not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
 
Behold, we count them happy (blessed) which endure. Ye have heard of the patience (perseverance) of Job, and have seen the end of (intended by) the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful (compassionate), and of tender mercy.’ (James 5:7-11)
 
What a hard row to hoe my people, but vitally necessary amongst believers!
 
Now hear Jesus to those who had followed Him after He miraculously fed them. They weren’t really interested in the miracles, just looking for more physical food. ‘Labour not for the meat (food) which perisheth, but for that meat (food) which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.’ (John 6:27)
 
Yes Friends, in real life we throw away lots of physical food because it cannot endure, but as believers, we need to seek spiritual food that lasts, that’s not here today and gone tomorrow. And only through close association with Jesus Christ can we find that kind of everlasting food.
 
And we’ll end as we began, with memorable words from Bruh Paul to Timothy. ‘But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure (death) is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course (race),
 
I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that LOVE his appearing.’ (2 Tim.4:5-8)
 
Oh my people, my people, it is imperative that when our last days on earth are drawing nigh, that we are able to say words similar to those of Bruh Paul, because we have, obviously with God’s help, endured everything that’s been thrown at us!
 
If we can say that in all truth, then we’ve done our best, and there’s nothing to worry about, because that’s all our wonderful God expects of us; our very best.
 
So today, and every day hence, let’s ensure that even if we do nothing else, we endure for Jesus’ sake. That’s wisdom from above! Much LOVE!
 
…I have fought a good fight…I have finished my course (race)…I have kept the faith…oh how beautiful those words sound at the end of every believer’s life…  
 
P.S.  And who says I’m not truly enduring this morning eh, since the ole computer decided to freeze on me just as I was about to send out the Bit. Ah Lord eh! The Lord surely tests us on what we preach! And I’m not even done yet! (smile) But with the Lord’s help, the ole fella is enduring! Glory Hallelujah! Much LOVE!

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 9 February 2014 Isaiah 9:16

09 Feb 2014 Leave a comment

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

Isaiah 9:16.    For the leaders of this people cause them to err: and they that are led of them are destroyed.

Oh Friends, it’s Sunday morning, time for some serious fellowship with other believers in God’s house, that is if you consider Sunday to be the Sabbath Day. But on whatever day you consider the Sabbath, I surely hope that you had wonderful fellowship with other like-minded Christians.
 
That’s because it is very important for believers to come together, at least once a week, to praise and worship God for His LOVING-kindness, to encourage each other in the faith, to make plans for outreach, and share our Christian testimony, for that’s the only way Christ’s church is going to prosper and be of some earthly benefit.
 
On a point of interest, we’re now 9 days into February, how is your New Year’s resolution of having a closer walk with Jesus holding up? I hope you haven’t fallen back into your old ways and habits, now that all the celebrations have ended, because it’s so easy to do. We all start out with good intentions, but good intentions alone don’t cut it; the action’s the thing!
 
So please let’s make this our first monthly check on how we’re doing, re that closer walk with the Saviour. Then, let’s do whatever it takes to either bring, or keep it in line with our most worthy objective. Remember, once you’re walking with Jesus, everything else will automatically fall into place. And it’s definitely too early for us to fall off the wagon! (smile)
 
Ah mih people, this weather is for the birds yes! Well not even for them, because most of them fly south as soon as it begins to get cold. I’ll have to find a way to do the same thing too yes, for while I was down south, I felt like a million dollars; hale and hearty, strong like an ox, no set of aches and pains, wheezing or allergies.
 
Hn! But I’ve only been back a couple days and already the old aches and pains are acting up, so are my allergies and the wheezing, plus I feel old, weak and tired. Ah Lord eh! The things we have to suffer on this earthly pilgrimage!
 
And though I have no doubts about being able to handle it with the Lord’s help, I still believe the weather down south suits me much better than this northern one, especially when we’re expecting more of that cold, white stuff today. (smile)
 
But unfortunately my brethren, that is not the main concern of our earthly lives – only wish that it was. What our Bit has to say is much more important. ‘For the leaders of this people cause them to err: and they that are led of them are destroyed.’
 
Ah Friends, the truth of that statement applies to this current society, or rather current world, possibly more than it did to the people of long ago Israel. For there is such blatant corruption, abuse, insensitivity, greed, evil intentions and dirty ‘politrics’  on display worldwide by our leaders, that it makes Israel’s behaviour seem like kindergarten!
 
And Isaiah had the right perspective and description for our despicable behaviour. ‘For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up like the lifting up (rising) of smoke.’ (Is.9:18)
 
Yes my fellow believers, if we allow the wickedness that’s currently permeating our society to continue, eventually it will consume us like an angry fire. Now is that what we want to happen to God’s beautiful planet Earth? I don’t think so. That means we believers have a mighty task ahead of us, to clean up the all-pervasive evil that is becoming entrenched around the world, in our society, and therefore in our lives and those of our families.
 
As I said yesterday, it’s not an easy task, or one for the fainthearted, but please remember, that with Jesus’ backing, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE! That’s why a closer walk with Jesus is imperative; to strengthen our faith and have us taking serious action against the infidels of this evil, ungodly world. 
 
Now listen to what the prophet Micah had to say about judgement on Israel’s leaders. ‘And I said, Hear, I pray you, O heads of Jacob, and ye princes (rulers) of the house of Israel; Is it not for you to know judgement (justice)? Who hate the good, and LOVE the evil; who pluck (strip) off their skin from off them (My people), and their flesh from off their bones;
 
Who also eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them; and they break their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and as flesh within the cauldron. Then shall they cry unto the Lord, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they behaved themselves ill (been evil) in their doings (deeds).’ (Mic.3:1-4)
 
Yes Friends, that’s exactly how it will be with our evil leaders! Exactly what they’ve done to the Lord’s people, will be done to them.
 
Oh my brethren, wickedness is so prevalent, perverse and pervasive across our modern world that it cannot be ignored. We believers have to rise up and fight it ‘mano a mano’ with God’s help, if we want to make it a better place for future generations. So let’s ponder on all we’ve read today, then ask God’s help to take the necessary action to help make right whatever is wrong in our world. That’s a believer’s bounden duty! Much LOVE!
 
…wickedness may prosper for a day…but righteousness will rule forever…

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 13 January 2014 Psalm 5:3

13 Jan 2014 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 5:3.    My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee.
 
And now Friends, it’s Monday… Easy now…easy does it… No cursing…no temper tantrums. So you overdid the weekend, and now your mental and physical states are not what they should be. As a believer you ought to know better, but it’s too late to worry about that now. Just take a deep breath and control yourself…
 
Now release it and thank the Lord for allowing you to see another day on His glorious planet earth, and ask for His guidance and blessings. Regardless of your mental or physical state, you know you have to get up and go to work, so why not do it the easy and smart way eh, by communicating with your heavenly Father?
 
Oh mih people, I’m still trying to get us to awaken joyfully, instead of right away  developing a crass and miserable demeanour when the alarm goes off, especially on a Monday morning. And we’ll keep doing it until victory is achieved! (smile) Until then…and even after that, we’ll continue to sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn to get our adrenalin flowing and our motors properly revved up.
 
So as one harmonious choir now, let’s sing: ‘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!’
 
Awright mih breddren, that wasn’t a bad rendition, though we’ve done better. It didn’t get us a standing ‘O’ in heaven, but the applause was polite enough. (smile) But seriously Friends, I can’t impress on us enough, the utmost importance of prayer in a believer’s life. Remember yesterday we saw Jesus tell His listeners a parable about how men ought to pray and not faint, not lose heart? (Luke 18:1) Now if He says so, then of a truth, it must be so!
 
Bruh David takes that a step further though. In Psalm 5, his prayer for protection, he solemnly declares these sentiments. ‘Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation (groaning). Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. ‘My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee.’ (Ps.5:1-3)
 
In our Bit there, Bruh David proclaims that in the midst of his suffering, he will make his supplication to the Lord early in the morning. And that’s excellent advice Friends, whether you’re in the midst of suffering or not!
 
As we said yesterday, and I advised right at the beginning today, it’s always best to start our day with prayer, because it starts us off in a positive frame of mind, gives us the necessary spiritual strength to face the day. And the good thing is that it doesn’t have to be an overly long session for the Lord knows how busy we are, but acknowledging Him as soon as we wake, certainly pleases Him.
 
And if you don’t believe me, then listen to these inspiring words from the Good Book. ‘And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary (quiet, deserted) place, and there prayed.’ (Mark 1:35)
 
Yuh know who Mark’s talking about there Friends? It’s our own beloved Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, while out on His first preaching tour!
 
So my people, fellow believers and otherwise, if our wonderful, wise, fearless and courageous Leader, the Son of God, could get up early to pray, why can’t we eh? Because we’re too lazy, or just don’t believe that early prayer is valuable, or just don’t believe in prayer at all, who knows? The truth of the matter though my brethren is that prayer is extremely important, and praying as soon as we awaken is best.
 
Anyway, here is an interesting note on that verse from the scholars. ‘Mark emphasizes that it was a great while before day. Showing that Jesus began each day of His earthly ministry with prayer is only the secondary intention of this verse. The primary aim is to show how Jesus made important decisions: by earnest, persistent prayer. Here Jesus stands at the crossroads of decision.
 
His first year of public preaching (vv. 9-20) has borne little visible fruit. But His miracles of healing are drawing huge crowds (vv.31-32) and bringing Him recognition (v. 28). So the question is whether He should continue to put the stress of His ministry on the preaching of the gospel for the healing of man’s diseased soul, or place the stress of His work on the more popular performing of miracles for the healing of man’s body. To make the proper choice, He seeks by prayer the Father’s wisdom.’
 
And that my people, is the truest and highest state of wisdom that exists! So please, let’s ponder all that we’ve learned today, then, as always, get the Lord to help us make the necessary changes in our lives. Much LOVE!
 
…again I ask…if it was imperative for Jesus…the Son of God…to seek guidance through prayer…why should it be any less so for us…sinful mortals that we are…