Today’s Scrip-Bit   28 October 2023 Mark 1:35.

28 Oct 2023 Leave a comment

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

Mark 1:35.        And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary (deserted) place, and there prayed.

And is it ever a beautiful lazy-day Saturday, with bright sunshine and blue clouds, but somewhat chilly temperatures. Unfortunately, it won’t be as warm as yesterday, when the sun wasn’t only shining brightly but also releasing intense heat, thankfully allowing me to sit on my porch in the afternoon in shirtsleeves and soak up some of the warm rays. (smile) I believe the temperature got up to around 23 yesterday, and except for the strong breeze, it was a perfect summer day. Possibly the last one we’ll also have for some time. (smile) Today, we’ve gone back to more seasonal temps, around the low double digit figures. But there’s wonderful sunshine, so everything’s right with the world! 

That means it’s time to turn to our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer. So please pray with me: ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’ And if that heartfelt prayer doesn’t bring us into God’s presence, and calm our souls and spirits, then I don’t know what will. 

Ah friends, prayer is such an important aspect of a believer’s life, that you can’t put a value on it. It’s the awesome way we communicate with our heavenly Father. Without prayer, we’d be lost, merely existing in an empty space. But with that amazing ability to commune with the Creator of the universe and all therein, we’re elevated to a special place; a place a little lower than the angels, but much higher than the rest of His creation. And for those of us who don’t think that prayer is important, just look at the example set by our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. 

Although He was the Son of God, when He was here on the earth in human flesh, communing with His Father was one of the most important and regular things He did. There are so many instance in the Bible where He left the crowds, even His disciples behind and went to a deserted place to pray, to renew His spiritual strength. For, though He was fully God, in His human state, the earthly journey was indeed taxing and He couldn’t do it on His own, but every so often needed divine help to refresh and rejuvenate Him. 

And it’s the very same way with us my brethren. We cannot get through this taxing earthly journey on our own either. We too need divine help to assist us in just keeping on in these troubled times, and even more so in keeping on the straight and narrow path that leads to Jesus. And prayer is a mighty big part of the answer. But let’s look at a few of the specific times when the Bible tells us that Jesus prayed. We see one occurrence when He was baptized. Luke writes: ‘Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son, in thee I am well pleased.’ (Luke 3:21-22) 

Then, before Jesus chose the twelve disciples, He also enveloped Himself in prayer. The Bible says: ‘And it came to pass in those days that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom he named apostles.’ (Luke 6:12-13) He also regularly went off to pray after preaching to the crowds, as His fame spread and more people came to Him for help and healing. ‘And he withdrew himself into the wilderness and prayed.’ (Luke 5:16) Meanwhile, it also seems like Jesus made it a habit to begin His day with prayer, as Mark tells us. ‘And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary (deserted) place, and there prayed.’ (Mark 1:35) 

Now friends, if the Son of God could make it a habit to get up early every day and begin His day with prayer to His heavenly Father, who are we, mere creations, not to do the same eh? We are foolish creations if we don’t begin our day with even a short heartfelt prayer for wisdom and guidance as we face the day ahead of us. Jesus knew He couldn’t handle the day without divine help, but so many of us consider ourselves above prayer and asking for help, that we just rush out each day into the evil and toxic world without the guarantee of the Lord’s favour and protection. That’s certainly not wise my people, for it’s the God of heaven who protects us and gives us favour and grace to do and get whatever we need in this earthly life. And until we truly realize that and begin utilizing it, we will never reach our full potential. 

And we have one of the best examples of prayer in Jesus’ life on the night before His crucifixion. When the enormity of the situation hit Him, the realization of the terrible suffering, and the loss of communication with the Father, He went into the garden of Gethsemane and prayed. He said to the three disciples with Him, Peter, James and John: ‘My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry (wait) ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.’ (Matt. 26:38-39) 

Yes friends, three times, Jesus fell on His knees and asked for the cup to be removed from him, that is, the crucifixion be cancelled. However, on each occasion, He ended by saying, ‘not my will but thine.’ Deep down He knew that it would not be cancelled, because that was the very purpose for which He was born; to die on the cross so that our sins could be paid for and thus forgiven. And it wasn’t so much the physical ‘sufferation’ that He would undergo which had His soul so sorrowful, but more the imminent separation from the Father, when He became the bearer of all the world’s sins. They had never been separated before and Jesus certainly wasn’t looking forward to it. But, like the obedient Son He was, He accepted His fate and went like a lamb to His slaughter, all for our sakes. 

Ah mih people, even in severe pain on the cross, Jesus prayed. First, he cried out to the Father: ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?, that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?’ (Matt. 27:46) That was the very thing that Jesus had been afraid of; separation from the Father because of his then sinful condition. But He bore it all like a man! Prayer was so important to Jesus, that on the cross, He even prayed for those who were crucifying Him. ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his garments and cast lots.’  (Luke 23:34) 

Then, finally, when the end was near, after crying out again in a loud voice, He said, ‘Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost (he breathed his last breath).’ (Luke 23:46) So, my fellow saints, I do hope on this lazy-day Saturday, with all the examples of Jesus’ praying, that the overwhelming importance of prayer has been brought home to us, and that from here on in, we will endeavour to improve, and increase our prayer lives, the way Jesus desires of us. Please remember, it’s all for OUR benefit, not Christ’s. Much LOVE!

…to pray, to pray…and yet to pray…that is the answer… 

Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ     

Today’s Scrip-Bit   7 October 2023   1 Thessalonians 5:17.

07 Oct 2023 Leave a comment

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

1 Thessalonians 5:17.       Pray without ceasing.

Awright, so the summer heat seems to be over, and though it’s somewhat chilly and pretty windy, on this first lazy-day Saturday of October, the sun is still shining brightly, and that’s the mark of a blessed day for me. Once the sun is shining, I’m contented, be it cold as ever. (smile) There’s something about the bright shining sun that lifts my spirit, that sort of says, all is not lost, the sun still shines. 

And our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer quiets my spirit. So, with the sun shining and our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer being spoken, all is right with my world! Well, not quite, because we haven’t yet spoken our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer. But let’s correct that situation right now by doing so. 

As one sincere voice: ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’ 

And my soul gets quiet…as my breathing deepens…my muscles slowly relax…and I feel God’s presence flowing around me in peace and LOVE! And all I can say is thank You Lord! Yes, friends, that’s the awesome power of prayer! When we’re sincere, it can do some amazing feats in our souls and spirits in an amazingly short time. 

That’s why Bruh Paul told us to ‘Pray without ceasing.’ (1 Thess. 5:17) It simply means keeping God first place in our minds, and every so often stopping to offer up a prayer, not necessary audibly; either for help in our activities, or simply giving thanks for the divine help we’re currently receiving. It’s an easy and simple way of keeping us focused on our great God throughout the day. 

And I guess that’s how Bruh Joseph must have gotten through all those unfair and unjust trials he faced during the early days of his sojourn in Egypt. But keeping his mind focused on the God of his forefathers, allowed him to handle the tribulation with a good attitude, and thus God gave him favour even in the midst of the trials! 

Oh my fellow saints, that’s the wonderful kind of God we serve! He looks after us even in the midst of our difficulties, especially when we keep a good and godly attitude, despite our problems. And so, we see how Bruh Joseph finally blossomed into the Grand Vizier or Prime Minister of Egypt through God’s skillful and dramatic machinations, eventually saving Egypt from destruction during the great famine, and also bringing his family down from Canaan to live and prosper in some of the finest lands of Egypt, and grow into the great nation, the seed of innumerable stars that God had promised his forefather Abraham. 

Now, after the famine had become so severe and Bruh Joseph had bought up all the land and the bodies of the Egyptians in Pharaoh’s name and made them tenant farmers, having to give the fifth of their produce to Pharaoh, life settled down for a spell. The Bible then tells us: ‘And Israel (the whole family) dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions therein, and grew, and multiplied exceedingly.’ (Gen. 47:27) Yes mih bredrin, when the Lord God Jehovah is on your side, you can grow and prosper at an amazing rate. 

And the Word of the Lord continues: ‘And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was and hundred and forty-seven years. And the time drew nigh that Israel (Jacob) must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not I pray thee, in Egypt: But I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their burying place. And he (Bruh Joseph) said, I will do as thou hast said. And he (Jacob) said, Swear unto me. and he sware unto him. And Israel (Jacob) bowed himself upon the bed’s head.’ (Gen. 47:28-31) 

Ah mih people, I’m chuckling here as I read about Jacob making Bruh Joseph sware not to bury him in Egypt but back in Canaan where his fathers were buried. And why am I chuckling? Because it reminds me of my request to my children to not bury me in Canada, but in sweet Tobago, the land of my birth. Now I have nothing against Canada, I consider it the best big country in the world and am proud to call myself a citizen. But there’s just something about my old bones spending eternity in this cold and unforgiving ground that doesn’t sit well with me. Call me foolish or whatever, but I simply want to be buried in the land of my birth. 

There’s a sentimentality about being born and buried in the same land that I like and desire to see happen. I guess the constantly warm and coddling soil of Tobago will serve my bones in better stead, and I’ll be able to revisit my childhood memories. (smile) And don’t go getting the wrong impression, because those childhood days were not always sunshine, lollipops and roses, but like the life I live now in Christ, they certainly were interesting and eventually very rewarding. 

So please, on this first Saturday in October of 2023, let’s all take a few lazy-day Saturday moments to reflect on our lives and promise ourselves, that from here on in, we’ll do our best to live the good and godly life that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ desires of us. It’s the least we can do in return for all the agony and suffering He experienced, so that we can enjoy God’s immense grace, through the gift of salvation and eternal life! Much LOVE!

…to pray to Almighty God…and yet to pray…it’s one of man’s greatest privileges…    

Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ       

Today’s Scrip-Bit    30 September 2023 Genesis 45:8a.

30 Sep 2023 Leave a comment

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

Genesis 45:8a.       So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God:

I can’t believe it nuh, but this lazy-day Saturday, the last day of September 2023, is shaping up to be another glorious day of sunshine and fairly warm temps in my area! The nice summer-like weather just keeps rolling on in these early days of autumn! And who’s to complain eh? Nobody! Not until the other half of the situation hits us, which won’t be as nice. (smile) But chuh! Whenever that comes, we’ll handle it like the victors in Christ that we are! 

Now, let’s get ourselves together and say our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer. As one voice: ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’ 

Oh mih people, there’s something about that simple prayer that just reaches out and touches me every time we pray it. I guess after a hard week’s work and finally a day of peace and quiet, when we don’t have as many worldly distractions hitting on us, it just brings us closer to God, where we can truly feel His presence. But whatever the reason, it just sets a nice relaxing tone for my Saturday morning. Glory be! 

And now it’s time to continue with the climax of Bruh Joseph’s story, where he finally reveals his true identity to his brothers. And after trying to ease their guilt and uneasiness by telling them: ‘And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity (remnant) in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God:’ ( Gen. 45:7-8) I don’t know how much that really eased their guilt and fear, but Bruh Joseph didn’t give them much time to think on it either. He said to them: ‘Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith my son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not (don’t delay).’ (Gen. 45:9) 

Wow! We’re now beginning to see the real Bruh Joseph, where all the pent-up memories of his family are finally coming out, and his soul is being set free from any resentment and anger he had hitherto borne towards them. Renewed relationships with family can do a lot to free us my brethren, so please, as much as we can, let’s look to renewing some of our own negative family relationships nuh. 

And the good sentiments just keep flowing out from Bruh Joseph’s spirit, as he tells them. ‘And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou and thy children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast. And there will I nourish (provide for) thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty.’ (Gen. 45:10-11) 

Now that’s the way family should be concerned about each other! Not the travesty or caricature that passes for familial relations nowadays, where, as Jesus so prophetically proclaimed. ‘And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.’ (Matt. 10:21) 

Yes friends, such is the terrible state of the family nowadays, that’s where it exists, since, with the new-fangled lifestyle of today, families are no longer the most important group of the society, where you are nurtured and LOVED for an entire lifetime. Unfortunately, we have developed an antipathy, an antagonism or dislike for the family, just like our current antipathy to God. Heaven help us yes! 

Anyway, Bruh Joseph in a display of true family relations, continues to his brothers. ‘And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you. And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither. And he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck. Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.’ (Gen. 45:12-15) 

Oh, how beautiful reunions can be, especially those amongst family! But that wasn’t the best part of the situation, for when our God showers blessings on us, He doesn’t do it stingily, or grudgingly, but lavishly, in abundance, according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus. And the Bible tells it thus: ‘And the fame (report) thereof was heard in Pharaoh’s house, saying, Joseph’s brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants. 

And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade (load) your beasts, and go, get you into the land of Canaan; And take (bring) your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat (best) of the land. Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father and come. Also regard not your stuff (do not be concerned about your things); for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.’ (Gen. 45:16-20) 

Mama oh Mama! Yes mih people, when the Lord pours out His favour on you, it’s not done piecemeal, but lavishly. Only our great God could cause a foreign, idol worshipping king to make such a generous and welcoming offer to a bunch of Hebrews who were generally an abomination to his nation! And we’ll close with this explanation from the scholars, re the land of Goshen, which Bruh Joseph promised to his brothers. 

The scholars say, ‘The land of Goshen was an Egyptian region (47:6, 27) in the eastern delta area (47:11) not far from the court at Memphis. It was in the area around the Wadi Tumilat, a valley that was about 40 miles long. It was highly suitable for cattle (47:4-6), but hated by the Egyptians (46:34); thus it provided good seclusion. This isolation would provide for Israel’s distinctive cultural preservation under conditions favourable to their growth and unity.’ 

And who says our great God doesn’t know what He’s doing eh? Ah my fellow saints, there couldn’t be a more encouraging story in the Bible showing how the Lord prepares for and looks after His people. He set them up in a fertile, secluded part of Egypt where they could grow and become the people He desired them to be. What more can we ask of Him eh, for He does the same for each one of us who sincerely calls upon His name! 

But we need to believe, as Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, Jairus, whose daughter He was on the way to heal, when his family brought word that she was dead. Jesus overheard the news but said to him: ‘Be not afraid, only believe.’ (Mark 5:36) And that’s exactly what we need to do in these trying and very difficult times my brethren: ‘Be not afraid, only believe!’ Much LOVE!

…for he that cometh to God…must BELIEVE that He is… 

Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ   

Today’s Scrip-Bit    23 September 2023 Genesis 43:14c.

23 Sep 2023 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Genesis 43:14c. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.

Oh boy! Summer is now officially finished, and it went out with a bang yesterday; beautiful sunshine with warm temps! But thank the Lord, autumn is also coming in with a bang today, this Lazy-day Saturday! For there’s glorious sunshine and warm temps in the offing. So, hopefully the change in seasons will just be an official name change, but the weather will stay like that for the next little while. Yes, we know that it’s going to change at some time, for that’s the way the Lord planned it, but we’re just hoping that it will be later rather than sooner. (smile)  

But enough inane talk now, let’s turn to our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer. As one sincere voice: ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’ 

And I can feel a subtle change occurring in my spirit as I pray that prayer; one of peace and calm, and a greater awareness of God’s presence. I sincerely hope that you feel that same easing in your troubled spirit as our God LOVINGLY permeates our souls in response to our prayer. And that’s the basic purpose of prayer; to grow closer to our heavenly Father. And since we’ve now increased our awareness of Him this morning, we can now turn to His awesome story of Bruh Joseph. 

We’ve reached the point where the food brought from Egypt has run out, and Jacob wants them to go back down and buy more, but the sons refuse to do so unless he sends the youngest Benjamin with them, since the man (Bruh Joseph), who’s in charge of the food, specifically said that they would get in to see him unless their youngest brother was with them. And while the famine scorched the land, Jacob and his sons disputed the wisdom of sending Benjamin down to Egypt with them. 

Finally, ‘Judah said unto Israel (Jacob) his father, Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and thou, and also our little ones. I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt thou require him: if I bring him not unto thee, and set him before thee, then let me bear the blame for ever: For except we had lingered, surely now we had returned this second time.’ (Gen. 43:8-10) Judah makes a good point, if they had not spent so much time pussyfooting and arguing about Benjamin going with them, they could already have gone down and come back and food would be plentiful. 

But such are the eccentricities of men, and it ofttimes takes much hunger and suffering to bring wisdom and reason to men’s hearts. Thus it happened: ‘And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take (some) of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts (pistachios), and almonds. And take double money in your hand: and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand, peradventure it was an oversight.’ (Gen. 43:11-12). 

Ah friends, Jacob’s heart must have been truly hurting for his lost sons and the possible loss of another, but his mind was functioning perfectly, as he gave his children wise advice. Then he came to the crux of the matter: ‘Take also your brother (Benjamin), and arise, go again unto the man. And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.’ (Gen. 43:13-14) Yes, Jacob realizes that food for the entire family was more important than his feelings of loss. If that’s what God desired then, so be it. 

And isn’t that the way with many of us in these trying and difficult times? Our hearts are crying out for one thing, but our minds are pressing the wisdom of other stuff on us. And as we said yesterday, in the words of Eleanor Roosevelt; we’re damned if we do, and damned if we don’t. The important thing in such situations though is that we make a decision as quickly as possible, because too much wasted time only makes the consequences more severe. 

And as always, the best way to make decisions is with the help of our wise and wonderful God. It’s to Him that we should always go for help…and not the last person, like so many of us do, but the first One, for He’s the ultimate controller of our destiny and thus, always knows what’s best for us. He might send us to ordinary men for help eventually, but let that be His decision, not ours. 

And the saga of Bruh Joseph keeps unfurling, as the drama heightens with tension and the great unknown. (smile) The Bible tells us that after Jacob finally agrees to send Benjamin with them: ‘And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.’ (Gen. 43:15) Now can you imagine how the brothers must have been quaking in their boots, not knowing what Bruh Joseph was going to do. 

But friends, the greatest dramatist, Almighty God, had everything under control, as He always does. And He further heightens the tension. His Word says: ‘And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house (his steward), Bring these men home, and slay (slaughter an animal), and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon. And the man did as Joseph bade (ordered); and the man brought the men into Joseph’s house.’ (Gen. 43:16-17) 

Glory be, mih people! And all yuh say our God is not a great dramatist! Only He could concoct such a daring and dramatic tale! Can you imagine though how those men felt, when a high-ranking official who had earlier insisted that they were spies, and adamantly refused to let their brother go, suddenly invites them to his home? And I’m sure Bruh Jospeh’s house was not some shabby shack at the side of a hill, but something very worthwhile for the second man in the prosperous land of Egypt. 

But my fellow saints, that’s the way our great and omnipotent God goes about His business. He is the Creator and the Controller of the universe and all therein, and thus He has the authority and power to do as He pleases. The important thing for us the created is to know Him and do as He bids us. The whys and wherefores of the situations are not our concern. Our concern is simply to believe His awesome and faithful promises, like He will never leave nor forsake us, and will work everything out for our good eventually. And if we’re obedient and faithful to His Word, then we will fulfill the wonderful destiny He has planned for us! Much LOVE!

…ours is not to question why…but to do…and hopefully not to die…  

 Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ      

Today’s Scrip-Bit    16 September 2023 Genesis 41:52.

16 Sep 2023 Leave a comment

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

Genesis 41:52.       For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

And it’s indeed a cool but wonderful, sunshiny lazy-day Saturday morning friends! Just right for early morning lazing around, which I have already done. (smile) Unfortunately, I can only have so much lazy time in the morning because I have to be about my Father’s work, but once that’s done, I can have as much lazy time as I desire. And with that said, let’s get down to the Father’s business, beginning with our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer. 

As one sincere and humble voice. ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’ 

Wow! And I hope like me, your thoughts have been slowed, your soul quieted, your muscles relaxed and your breath deepened, so that you can get into the presence of our heavenly Father and rest completely in Him. And all God’s people said a loud and heartfelt: ‘Praise the Lord for His goodness to the children of men!’ 

Now let’s get back to that amazing and intriguing saga of Bruh Joseph; a story line that only God, our omnipotent dramatist could have imagined and successfully brought to life. And yes, it seems like it’s never going to end, but it’s ever so important to the founding and the fortunes of the Jewish people. So, yesterday we left off where Bruh Joseph was promoted to Second in command of Egypt through the goodness of the Lord’s hand upon him. 

The Bible then tells us: ‘And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharoah king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls (abundantly). And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and he laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same. And Joseph gathered corn (grain) as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left of numbering (stopped counting): for it was without number.’ (Gen. 41:46-49) 

Ah friends, you will have noticed how diligent and businesslike Bruh Joseph was from the time he entered Potiphar’s employ, all through the tough times in jail, and finally that diligence, as well as the experience in handling people, though only as a servant, now served him in very good stead as the second ruler of Egypt. As the saying goes, you can’t be a good leader, unless you are a good follower. And that is exactly why the Lord had him experience those tough times, otherwise he would not have been able to do the job the Lord had planned for him. 

And according to the scholars: ‘Thutmose III gave the following charge to his newly appointed vizier (Prime Minister or Second in Command): “Look thou to this office of vizier. Be vigilant over everything that is done in it. Behold, it is the support of the entire land. Behold, as to the vizierate, behold it is not sweet at all, behold it is bitter as gall.” And I’m sure that was the very truth, for although Bruh Joseph had Pharaoh’s complete blessing, there must have been those who found it irresponsible and downright disgusting to be lorded over by a Hebrew. 

And if it wasn’t his Hebrew background, then simply the fact that the citizens were being told how to handle their food and to bring their grain to the king’s storehouses. You know how we are suspicious of anything or anybody that’s involved in hoarding, especially if some of it belongs to us. But for whatever reason, the job that Bruh Joseph inherited was not an easy one. And he most definitely would not have been able to handle it if the Lord had not put him through the school of the Holy Ghost. 

So my brethren, when the Lord places us in some sore spots, before He promotes us, it’s not that He wants to harm us, but more to test and grow us, so we can be ready for the destiny He’s planned for us. Therefore, it’s essential that we go through those tough times with a good attitude, waiting patiently on God’s timing, and keeping Him first place in our lives, not complaining about why such hard times have befallen us while we’re trying to live right, and getting angry at God. 

Remember there’s always method to God’s madness; always a purpose behind His actions, for He doesn’t do anything willy nilly, without thinking things through right to the very end. As the prophet Jeremiah records: ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil (calamity), to give you an expected end (a future and a hope).’ (Jer. 29:11) And if we claim to believe and trust in Him, then we must be prepared to wait on His timing and go through whatever lessons or hard knocks of life that He chooses to allow to come upon us. That’s the true test of faith and discipleship! 

Now here’s another important aspect of Bruh Joseph’s life in Egypt. The Good Library kindly informs us: ‘And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of the famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Poti-pherah priest of On bare unto him. And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh (Making Forgetful): For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house. And the name of the second called he Ephraim (Fruitfulness): For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.’ (Gen. 41:50-52) Aren’t those names and sentiments behind them just wonderful my brethren? They surely are! 

And I like this commentary on that situation by the scholars. They tell us of Bruh Joseph’s two sons and what their names mean. Then say: ‘The reference to all his toil, and all my father’s house only means that the hardship brought upon him by his brothers was a thing of the past. Ephraim, meaning “Fruitful,” signified God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction. What a sweet, pleasant, and thankful spirit he showed in interpreting the events that had transpired in his life! The fulfillment of Pharaoh’s prophetic dreams set the stage for the final scene in the fulfillment of Jospeh’s own dreams.’ 

Mama Mia! And you won’t’ want to miss the upcoming marvellous episodes in Bruh Joseph’s story! So please tune in next time. And until then, please, let’s try and live the faithful life that Bruh Joseph lived nuh, even while undergoing trials and tribulations. Most of us are not suffering the way He did, so we should be able to show more faithfulness. Although, as they say, the worst Christian is a comfortable Christian. But let’s put the lie to that statement nuh! Much LOVE!

…without trials and tribulations…a Christian won’t grow in Christlikeness… 

 Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ     

Today’s Scrip-Bit    9 September 2023 Genesis 39:21a.

09 Sep 2023 Leave a comment

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

Genesis 39:21a.         But the Lord was with Joseph,

Oh friends, unfortunately there’s no bright sun shining outside, just a mess of threatening dark clouds. But the day is still young, and who knows what can happen; the mighty sun can still win the battle against those dreary clouds and shine forth valiantly. That’s the attitude, we believers ought to have, one of constant hope and positivity. 

And I guess some of you are wondering what I’m doing up so early on a lazy-day Saturday morning? Well, the truth is, by my standards, I went to bed early, and thus after a certain amount of time in bed, the various parts of my anatomy took umbrage that we were still lying there, and they began to act up negatively. And if it wasn’t for my absolute refusal to get up at such an early hour, despite the pain, we would have been up even earlier. 

Brother! What a life when you can’t lie in your warm, comfortable bed for more than four hours at a time without having your aches and pains act up and drive you out of that wonderful cocoon. (smile) But as we say, them’s the breaks, we just have to grin and bear it! Anyway, enough of my griping, let’s say our Lazy-Day Saturday prayer with all sincerity and truth. 

As one voice: ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’ 

And as always, that simple, heartfelt prayer touches my soul and calms me, makes me feel like I’m truly in God’s presence. Now, let’s get to that wonderful, God-engineered saga of Bruh Joseph. Yesterday we left him wrongfully cast into prison for sexual assault on his master Potiphar’s wife, but friends, when the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob writes your story, then you can be sure it’s unlike any other. So, let’s hear how the Bible reveals the story after Bruh Joseph was cast into prison. 

It says: ‘But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy (LOVING-kindness), and gave him favour (caused him to be viewed with favour) in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison, and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it (it was his doing). The keeper of the prison looked not to anything (did not look into anything) that was under his hand; because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper.’ (Gen. 39:21-23) 

Oh what a mighty and faithful God we serve my brethren! Yuh see, although Bruh Joseph was innocently undergoing some tough times, the Lord still made his life somewhat easier by causing him to experience the favour of those above him. And you’ll notice that in each instance, he was given power over others, so that he could learn the leadership skills he needed if he was to handle his God-given role properly. 

And who says our God isn’t a great dramatist eh? He’s the greatest of the great! In fact, He is the Creator of the genre! Just look at His book, the Bible, there’s no other tome in all of history that has so much drama, from Genesis right down to Revelation, thousands of years of history, it’s filled with pure drama, drama like no man can pen! And if yuh think you’d seen drama in Bruh Joseph’s story, believe me, the best is yet to come. 

The Lord writes it that Pharoah’s butler (cup-bearer) and baker offend him, and he places them in the same prison with Bruh Joseph. ‘And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward (were in custody for a while.’ (Gen. 40:4) Now the plot thickens. And the scholars explain that ‘when the captain charged Joseph with them, he gave Joseph control over administrative affairs in the prison, not merely over high-ranking prisoners (cf. 41:12).’ 

So, we know that Bruh Joseph was literally running the prison, while the captain of the guard merely enjoyed the title and perks that came with the position. But then, as the Lord would have it, both the butler and baker dream a dream the same night about Pharaoh. And when Bruh Joseph came in the next morning, they were totally sad and downcast. And he asked them ‘Wherefore look ye so sadly today? And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.’ (Gen. 40:7-8) 

Now the scholars make a significant point here, when in response to the dreams of the perplexed baker and butler, they say that ‘Joseph’s immediate response was do not interpretations belong to God?’ And they point out that God was always the immediate response of his mind and give these references to prove it. (Gen. 39:9; 41:16, 51-52; 45:8) And if you look them up, you’ll see that yes, God was always uppermost in Bruh Joseph’s mind, just like it ought to be uppermost in ours. 

Now, let’s take a gander at the dreams of the butler and the baker. The butler dreamed that there was a vine before him: ‘And in the vine were three branches: and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth; and the clusters thereof brought forth ripe grapes. And Pharoah’s cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand. And Joseph said unto him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days: yet within three days shall Pharoah lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place (position): and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh’s cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler.’ (Gen. 40:10-13)  

Now that was certainly good news for the butler, and after interpreting the dream, Bruh Joseph made this request of him. ‘But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house: For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.’ (Gen. 40:14:15) 

And finally, we have the first recorded complaint of Bruh Joseph in all of his misfortunes. No doubt the unfair situation was eating away at his soul like a venomous cancer, but he never appears to complain about it before. How many of us would have borne such unfair misfortune so doggedly eh? Not many. We would have been up in arms crying out about the unfairness and injustice, the unfair restriction of our rights, and whatever other complaint that came to our minds. 

But my fellow saints, sometimes when we’re doing God’s will and the going gets tough, He expects us to hang in there with a good attitude, trusting in His faithfulness, in His promises that he will never leave nor forsake us, and always make a way for us where there seems to be no way. That’s what it means to walk faithfully with God! Much LOVE!

…our faith walk will always have bumps and potholes along the way…but we must be trusting enough…to know that God will see us through those rough periods… 

 Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ    

Today’s Scrip-Bit   2 September 2023 Nehemiah 2:8b.

02 Sep 2023 Leave a comment

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

Nehemiah 2:8b.       And the king granted me according to the good hand of my God upon me.

And another beautiful lazy-day summer Saturday is on tap! Yes friends, this Labour Day weekend, the last of the summer break, promises to be a fine one, so let’s enjoy it to the max, but without confusion and conflict. Let’s be compassionate and kind to all we come into contact with, for that’s the way of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, that’s how He lived his life here on earth. And since we are His agents and ambassadors down here, we ought to follow the LOVING example that He set us. 

So, to help us do just that, let’s say our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer. As one sincere voice: ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’ 

And as always, saying that simple, heartfelt prayer, opens me up, does exactly what it says, slows my thoughts and quiets my soul, so that I am more receptive to God’s overwhelming and awesome presence. So, let’s sit quietly for a moment nuh, and enjoy the peace that comes with that prayer. As the psalmist would say: ‘Selah.’ – pause and ponder it. (smile) 

And now that we have paused and pondered our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer, and hopefully put some peace and calm in our souls, let’s see what the Lord has for us to talk about today. And the Good Library opened upon the prayer of Nehemiah, the Babylonian king’s cupbearer, after he received the news in Babylon that Jerusalem was in bad shape. He was told: ‘The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction (distress) and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.’ (Neh. 1:3) 

And in those olden times, when the walls and gates of your city were broken and burnt, that meant you were easy prey for all and sundry. Now it’s important to note Nehemiah’s reaction to that information. The Bible tells us: ‘And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven.’ (Neh. 1:4) 

One wonders why he had such a heartfelt reaction to the situation of his homeland Jerusalem when previously he was not amongst the important personages there. In fact, not much is known about Nehemiah’s early life, but the Lord obviously put it in his heart to remedy the situation, and apparently he fasted and prayed about it for a few months, offering up his famous prayer of repentance, which can be found in Neh. 1:5-11. 

This last verse is possibly the most important part of that prayer. ‘O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king’s cupbearer.’ (Neh. 1:11) And yuh know what my people? Nehemiah could later report to those at Jerusalem: ‘And the king granted me according to the good hand of my God upon me.’ (Neh. 2:8b) 

Yes, after seeing Nehemiah’s sad countenance, when he came to deliver his wine, the Persian King, Artaxerxes enquired as to his low spirits. ‘Why is thy countenance (face, expression) sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of the heart.’ (Neh. 2:2) The king was very perceptive. And though Nehamiah was afraid of the king’s reaction, he nonetheless laid out the situation for him, and asked to be allowed to return to his homeland and rebuild the walls and the gates. 

Now, one must realize that in those days the king had absolute authority; he could do exactly as he pleased, and asking such a request, if it displeased the king, Nehemiah’s head could easily have rolled without any recourse to justice, for the king was the sole arbiter of justice. But when our God is in control, even the most unlikely things happen my fellow saints. And to the surprise of all, the king granted Nehemiah’s request; gave him the necessary papers to get all he needed and those to provide him free passage and the authority to be governor of Jerusalem while the rebuilding took place. 

I don’t know if Nehemiah himself could believe the blessings that were poured out on him, by the king, through the great mercies of God. But he went to Jerusalem, brought order to the chaos that existed there, and completed the task of rebuilding the walls and gates in a record 52 days. ‘So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul (Aug. to Sept) in fifty and two days.’ (Neh. 6:15) 

And all that despite serious opposition from three main characters. Sanballat the Horonite ( a Samaritan), Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem, the Arab. Nehamiah writes: ‘When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant , the Ammonite, heard of it (his coming to Jerusalem to straighten things out), it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.’ (Neh. 2:10) 

Then later on, when Nehamiah finally got the people to understand what he was all about. He writes: ‘Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king’s words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.  

But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king? Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion (heritage), nor right, nor memorial in Jerusalem.’ (Neh. 2:18-20) 

Oh my people, yuh see what strong faith in our great God can do? Nehemiah wasn’t afraid of his detractors, for he had the king’s authority, the people’s backing and the Lord’s favour all on his side. And I like how he reproached the three stooges who kept bothering him: ‘The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build.’ 

Yes my brethren, those same words are still applicable to us today! Our great God is still on our side, and with His awesome help we too can arise and build a great and godly society, but we need to be inspired and be as faithful as the Israelites were back there in the disastrous situation in Jerusalem. 

And believe me, we do have a very disastrous situation in our current world, that needs fixing very quickly, and only with God’s help and our unwavering faith will it ever get done! So please, let’s get to it nuh. The Lord is waiting for us to strengthen both our hands and our faith so that we can do His marvellous and oh so necessary work! Much LOVE!

… it doesn’t matter who you are…when God gives you a job to do…He also gives you the wherewithal…the strength and the tools to do it…                             

 Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ           

Today’s Scrip-Bit   19 August 2023 Psalm 30:5b.

19 Aug 2023 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 30:5b.       …weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

And it’s a cool and windy but sunshiny lazy-day Saturday! So there’s nothing to complain about; just oodles of time to laze around in good weather. (smile) Unfortunately though, some of us don’t have that luxury, we have to be about our Father’s business. And since my lazy time has been cut short, I’ll be selfish and take you along with me. So please accompany me as we declare (yesss!!!) our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer. 

Altogether now. ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’ 

And without fail, that simple, heartfelt prayer touched something in me, opened up a pathway, as it were, that led directly to God’s awesome presence. It’s the kind of thing that happens when you open up your heart to the Lord and pour out all that’s in it. When you pray for things like God’s unceasing nearness, His awesome LOVE and peace, and the ability to know Him more, His presence just naturally shows up and quietens our hearts. It’s like Bruh David cried out in Psalm 30 – Praise for God’s Holiness. 

He unashamedly proclaims: ‘I will extol thee, O Lord, for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. O Lord, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave (Sheol, the place of the dead): thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit (grave).’ (Ps. 30:1-3) Yes friends, it’s the Lord who keeps us and our souls alive and refreshed, and not mired in the pit of unrighteousness. 

Therefore, as Bruh David continues: ‘Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness (His holy name). For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.’ (Ps. 30:4-5) And how wonderful is that eh my fellow believers? It certainly is, for there’s no other god like our God, who doesn’t retain His anger at us, or hold our sins over our heads for ever and ever. But for that very reason we have to be humble and not boast or be prideful when we receive the Lord’s favour. 

As Bruh David said: ‘And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved (shaken). Lord, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled. I cried to thee, O Lord; and unto the Lord I made supplication. What profit is there in my blood when I go down to the pit (grave)? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth? Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me: Lord be thou my helper.’ (Ps. 30:6-10) 

Ah my fellow saints, you see how quickly the Lord can take away His favour if we allow His goodness to make us become proud and haughty. Regardless of how much favour and LOVING-kindness our God pours out on us, He expects us to remain humble and obedient to His every word, not get too big for our britches and stop considering or forget where our prosperity came from. 

But sadly, that’s something way too many of us do. The Lord blesses us, and we are joyful at the moment, but soon forget it, or become so accustomed to His blessings that they longer move us the way they ought to. But please remember that just as blessings can be bountifully bestowed, they can also become non-existent if our behaviour becomes inappropriate. Remember too that the Lord is no respecter of persons; be we big or small, weak or strong, our positions in life doesn’t matter. It’s all about how we react to Him and His favour. 

So, apparently Bruh David got a li’l too big for his britches and the Lord removed His favour, which troubled him, and he came back crying for help, for mercy. But even that shows the kind of person Bruh David was. He wasn’t too proud to beg when he’d done wrong. But some of us are so proud and arrogant, that even when we know we’ve done wrong, be it before the Lord or our fellow man, we refuse to apologize and/or ask for mercy. We’re just so full of ourselves and our supposed importance that apologizing or asking for mercy and help are beneath us. But that’s why we suffer so many setbacks and disappointments. 

Meanwhile those who drop the false pride and ask for forgiveness and help, usually receive it, because our God is a forgiving and merciful God when He sees the sincerity of our hearts. Consequently, Bruh David could afford to write: ‘Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth (the ragged clothes of my mourning), and girded me with gladness. To the end that my glory (my soul) may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.’ (Ps. 30:11-12) And that’s how it ought to be my people! 

Now the scholars tell us that there’s no certainty of when and for what purpose the Psalm was written, but ‘In later Judaism the psalm was used in the celebration of Hanukkah (the Jewish festival at Christmas) and at the presentation of firstfruits. The main idea of the psalm, in any case, is clearly expressed: Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing (vs.11). The joy and thanks voiced in the final two verses, however, are only the aftermath of David’s thanks (vs. 1-5) for the Lord’s chastening hand on a boastful servant (vs. 6-10).’ 

Please friends, let’s remember God’s awesome truth this lazy-day Saturday. ‘And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children (sons). My son, despise not thou the chastening (discipline) of the Lord, nor faint (be discouraged) when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the LOVETH he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.’ (Heb. 12:5-6) 

Now that’s a most appropriate scripture for us to end on today. So, I implore us to spend some of our lazy-day Saturday meditating, contemplating and pondering on it. ‘It shall be health to our navels (bodies), and marrow (strength or refreshment) to our bones.’ (smile)  (Prov. 3:8) Much LOVE!

… as our dear departed Uncle Charles (Dr. Charles Stanley) would say…the best way to live this life…is to obey God…and leave all the consequences to Him… 

 Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ      

Today’s Scrip-Bit   12 August 2023   1 Samuel 2:1a.

12 Aug 2023 Leave a comment

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

1 Samuel 2:1a.       And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn (strength) is exalted in the Lord:

Oh my people, it’s a classic lazy-day Saturday in my area. It’s dark and cloudy, windy with sprinkles of rain. Ideal for just sitting or lying down and lazing away the day. But, unfortunately, I’ve already had my morning lazy time, so let’s turn to the Father’s business. And we’ll begin by saying our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer…but not in a lazy manner though. We have to pull ourselves up and be sincere and serious, if we want to receive a positive response. 

So, as one sincere voice: ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’ 

And it’s amazing how that simple, soul-searching prayer always affects me more than I expect. I guess because it opens up my spirit to the true nearness of God, and shows how easy it is to connect with Him if we truly desire to do so. And since it seems like God spared our lives, (smile) today we’ll continue talking about the prophet Samuel, the first of the great Hebrew prophets, after Moses, and the last judge of Israel, for after him, kings reigned over Israel, starting with Saul, whom Samuel anointed. 

Now, yesterday we saw how Samuel’s mother, barren and socially despised for her unfortunate condition, sincerely prayed to God, ‘with bitterness of soul and sore weeping’ for a man child, whom she promised would be the Lord’s servant all his life. And the Lord granted her petition not only with Samuel, but with three sons and two daughters. That’s the overwhelming generosity of our great God. And Hannah kept het vow to God, for when Samuel was about three years old, she went to Eli the priest with a sacrificial bullock and gave him into the Lord’s service. 

‘And she said (to Eli), Oh my lord, as my soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the Lord. For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him. Therefore also I have lent (granted) him to the Lord, as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. And he worshipped the Lord there.’ (1 Sam. 1:26-28) 

Now that was an incredibly brave and faithful move by Hannah, for she had promised that if God gave her a son, she would place him in the Lord’s service for all his life. And she faithfully kept that vow, unlike so many of us who plead with God to do stuff for us and make all sorts of promises, but then never follow through with our promises. Remember though, as Cousin Sol says in Ecclesiastes, the Lord has no pleasure in fools, or those who don’t keep their promises. Better not to promise, than to promise and not pay. (Eccl. 5:4-5) 

But yuh know something friends, we hear a whole lot about Samuel and his great work in God’s service, but I don’t think we hear enough about his mother Hannah, who in his very early years inculcated God’s goodness and mercy into her son, just like Mary, Jesus’ mother disappeared from view for most of his later life, but was very instrumental in raising Him to be the man He became. 

And just like Mary, Jesus’ mother waxed poetic and emotional in song (the Magnificat) after hearing about her impending pregnancy with the Messiah, the Son of God, (Luke 1:-56), likewise Hannah raised up her voice in praise and thanksgiving with this song after God’s miraculous gift of motherhood. 

‘And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn (strength) is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over (smiles at) mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation- There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. Talk no more so exceedingly proudly; let not arrogancy (arrogance) come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. 

They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased (ceased to hunger): so that the barren hath born seven; (cf. Ps. 113:9) and she that hath many children is waxed feeble. The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lords, and he hath set the world upon them. 

He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn (strength) of his anointed.’ (1 Sam. 2:1-10) 

Oh my brethren, another great song and poetic masterpiece to be found in the Bible, God’s everlasting Word! That’s why it’s the most important and bestselling Book in the universe! And the scholars explain that ‘Hannah owes her strength and newly found success to the Lord’s provision for her. Her psalm (vs. 1-10) praises the Lord for giving her victory in the issues of life.’ 

Now friends, how many of us sincerely praise the Lord when He gives us obvious victory in the issues of our lives eh? Not enough of us, because we have become so accustomed to His largesse, we start taking it for granted and don’t appreciate it as much as we ought to. But we have to change that entitled, unappreciative attitude, especially in these trying and troubled times when we need Almighty God so much more in our lives! And I know Hannah’s song is one many of us didn’t know about until now. 

But that’s why it’s so important to study the Bible, for there are so many hidden gems contained therein. And the beauty of it all is that they all speak to us in different ways, as the Lord sees fit to direct us. So what might pertain specifically to you at one stage of your life, might not pertain to me, and vice versa. And what’s truly amazing is that you can read a passage of scripture several times and get a different perspective on each reading. That’s because it’s God’s inerrant and irreversible truth, written to give us direction in all aspects and situations of life. 

Now, on this cold, dark, rainy lazy-day Saturday, let’s spend some of our lazy time perusing God’s Word and/or simple talking to Him nuh, opening up our hearts and souls to Him like Hannah did; first with sincere prayer over her serious situation, then with praise and rejoicing after He had given her victory. That’s all our God really expects of us yes; to communicate seriously and sincerely with him. Let’s do just that today nuh. It will make a whole lotta difference in our lives! Much LOVE!

…there’s no greater peace, joy and victory to be had…than in sincere communication with our Maker… 

 Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ         

Today’s Scrip-Bit   5 August 2023 Psalm 68:1.

05 Aug 2023 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 68:1.       Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.

Oh friends, it’s Lazy -day Saturday…and do I ever need it, after a rough outing at the Pan Alive Festival last night in Toronto. What a fiasco that turned out to be, especially after my pardner and I got there early, about six o’clock, when it was officially scheduled to begin. The only thing on time was the box office, an improvement over last year. The doors weren’t even opened, but that was not a big problem because the crowd was still very sparse. I guess they learned from previous experience that it never starts on time. 

Then at 7.15, they promised to begin at 7.30. Somewhere in the eight o’clock vicinity they opened with some Indigenous drumming, and then a Nigerian drummer did his thing. Then as happens every year, they couldn’t find the judges. The first panside didn’t play the first note until 8.30, and then it sounded terrible because they put it through the sound system which wasn’t properly set up for the pans. The whole night we were plagued with reverberations and problems with the sound system, where the pans were concerned. And nobody in the crew thought to do something about it. 

So the next three bands played through it, but then the fifth band, Pan Masters, walked off the stage and they were forced to fix it. That meant the last three bands Pan Masters, Pan Fantasy, and Afro Pan sounded more like they should sound. And as far as I’m concerned, Pan Fantasy mash them up again! (smile) Ah Lord eh? When are we going to learn to plan things properly and have them set up on time? That’s why our reputation for putting on functions is so terrible. 

Anyway, when they got the sound problem fixed for the pans, D.J Bad Lad began playing some old tunes and the partying in the stands truly began, with a crowd that had by then increased substantially. In the beginning I vowed that would be my last Pan Alive Concert, but by the end, at 12 am. I might have changed my mind, (smile) because the vibes are usually beautiful at the pan festival. It’s sad though, that after their boast of putting on the show for fifty something years, they still can’t get it right. 

Enough of my jabbering though. Let’s get serious and invoke our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer. As one sincere voice: ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’ 

And do I ever need that refreshing of the Lord’s Spirit this Saturday morning. It just reminds me that I’m no longer a spring chicken and I can’t try to burn the candles at both ends at the same time. (smile) And today we’re just going to keep things simple and extol our great God through these marvellous words of Bruh David in Psalm 68 – subtitled – The Triumphant God. 

The scholars tell us that the psalm probably details the moving of the Ark of the Covenant from the house of Obed-edom to the new location on Zion’s mountain in Jerusalem. (2 Sam. 6:2-18) That’s when Bruh David danced before the Lord with all his might; an expression of spiritual joy, although his wife Michal saw his conduct as unbecoming of the king. In the psalm Bruh David reflects on the blessings of God on His people, Israel, and the conquest of her foes. 

Please proclaim with me: ‘Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him. As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. Sing unto God: sing praises to his name: extol (praise) him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, (a shortened form of Lord), and rejoice before him.’ (Ps. 68:1-4) 

Yes friends, that’s how we, the righteous of the land ought to extol and praise the name of the Lord! And even when we come griping and complaining to Him, our first words must always be of praise and reverence, of respect for His overwhelming sovereignty, His dominance over the universe He so wonderfully created. In this case, after Bruh David gave thanks and praise, he then proceeded to elucidate the goodness of our magnificent Creator on His people’s behalf. 

Let’s read again: ‘A father of the fatherless, and a judge (defender) of widows, is God in his holy habitation. God setteth the solitary (lonely) in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains (into prosperity): but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.’ (Ps. 68: 5-6) Please note that my people, our God is a defender of the poor, the downtrodden and lonely. He stands up for those who can’t stand up for themselves. So please be careful how you treat any who fall into those categories, for you will have the Lord God Almighty to deal with. 

And Bruh David continues his exaltation of the works of Jehovah God on Israel’s behalf. ‘O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah: The earth shook, the heavens also dropped (rain) at the presence of God: even Sinai (Mt. Sinai) itself was moved at the presence of the God, the God of Israel. Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary. Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.’ (Ps. 68:7-10) 

And that’s no lie friends, the Lord always prepares of His goodness for them that fear and reverence Him. So please, on this lazy-day Saturday, let’s take a little of that lazy time and reflect on God’s goodness in our own lives nuh. I guarantee that it will open our eyes wide with surprise at the amount of goodness He has actually bestowed on us, and that will oh so joyfully deepen the beautiful feelings of intimacy we each share with Almighty God! Much LOVE!

…ALL believers enjoy the tremendous goodness of God…it’s just that we don’t acknowledge it like we should… 

 Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ            

Previous Older Entries Next Newer Entries