Today’s Scrip-Bit 5 May 2013 Isaiah 40:11

05 May 2013 Leave a comment

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

Isaiah 40:11.    He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

Well a good Sunday morning to all you wonderful believers in Jesus, out there in this evil, ungodly, but still beautiful creation called Planet Earth! Lots of stuff might be ugly and evil, but as believers, we tend to see it all in positive terms of the light that’s Jesus, rather than the negative darkness that pervades the earth and way too many of its inhabitants. Once again we’re being greeted by another new morn filled with numerous new blessings and mercies, a promise that God has fulfilled since the beginning of time. And talking of promises, here’s a poem I recently came across on a torn piece of a magazine page. I don’t even know what magazine it came from, or who wrote it, but what it says is very applicable to our everyday lives. It’s titled God’s Promise, and says: ‘I will not fear; God is always with me. I will not doubt; God is always in control. I will not despair; God is always good. I will not falter; God is always watching. I will not fail; God is always victorious.’ And that my Friends, is eternal truth, encompassing the entire spectrum of our lives under Almighty God! From birth to everlasting time, we’re guaranteed those marvellous assurances. Wow! The doubters and unbelievers really don’t know what they’re missing nuh. And our Bit again ensures us of another powerful promise of our God, to look after us like a shepherd looks after his sheep. ‘He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.’ Such an awesome promise my brethren! How can we not then LOVE and revere our very wonderful Creator eh? If I’m not mistaken, I believe I heard a pastor say the other day that the Good Book contains some three thousand promises. Mama Mia! But unfortunately, too many of us are too proud and foolish to accept and rely on them. That’s why our lives and our world are in such a state of turmoil and confusion. Now yesterday we ended by looking at some scripture that portrays God as a shepherd of His most worthy creation. And we ended with that wonderful passage from Ezekiel (34:10-16), where the Lord promises to destroy the wicked shepherds of earth and Himself become our shepherd. And continuing in that vein today, we must of course acknowledge possibly the greatest, or for sure, the most well known piece of scripture, the immortal words of Bruh David, forever enshrined in Psalm 23. ‘The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want (lack). He maketh me to lie down in (lush) green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters (waters of rest). He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. surely goodness and mercy (LOVING-kindness) shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.’ (Ps.23:1-6) Oh Friends, right there in those few words we have all the things that a shepherd does for his flock, and Bruh David assures us that the Lord God Jehovah will also do all that for us. What more can we ask eh? Nothing really. Therefore, with so many prophets using the shepherd analogy to describe God, it was only logical for Jesus to refer to Himself as the Good Shepherd when He came to earth incarnated in human form. It was His role to shepherd the lost and unsaved of this sinful world. Hear Him tell it: ‘I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. And as the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold (flock), and one shepherd.’ (John 10:14-16) Note the other fold Jesus speaks of is the Gentiles, who will be saved after the Jewish people. But He emphasizes that eventually there will only be ONE fold or flock and ONE Shepherd. So Friends, what are we waiting for eh, why are fighting Jesus, who only wants to save, to LOVE, to comfort and protect us? He’s even willing to go and find the one lost sheep from the flock, and then rejoice when He finds it. (Matt.18:12-14) Our heavenly Father doesn’t want to lose even one of His most precious and important creations to the evil Beelzebub. That’s how much He cares for us. And that’s why Peter could say: ‘For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop (Overseer) of your souls.’ (1 Pet.2:25) Oh my people, the only difference between the human shepherd and the heavenly One, is that He also created us. So please, the wisest thing we can ever do is to turn to Him in sincerity and truth. Anything besides that is total foolishness, folly at its zenith! And we’ll end with some appropriate words from Hebrews. ‘Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect (complete) in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.’ (Heb.13:20-21) That says it all, my brethren! Much LOVE!…we’re all ONE flock…wisely following…ONE Good Shepherd…Jesus…  
 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 November 2012 Psalm 18:30

18 Nov 2012 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 18:30.      As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

And then finally, there’s Sunday’s child: ‘But the child who is born on the Sabbath Day, is bonny and blythe and gay.’ Caution: ‘gay’ here refers to ‘jolly and happy’, its original meaning not the new meaning ‘homosexual.’ And considering those wonderful traits that a child born on Sunday is alleged to have, all of us would greatly desire to be born on that special day. But take heart Friends, those attributes are available to all who believe in and diligently follow Jesus Christ; the TRUTH,the LIFE, the LIGHT, and the ONLY WAY to Almighty God! And a loud, grateful, ‘Hallelujah! Amen,’ rose up from God’s people to His throne in heaven on high. Please remember my brethren, Jesus’ consoling words to His disciples, and therefore to us also: ‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33) That means we can all be ‘bonny and blythe and gay’ because Jesus says so. And like a hand fits a glove, our Bit fits neatly right here, verifying the truth and trustworthiness of Jesus’ words. ‘As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried (proven): he is a buckler (shield) to all those that trust in him.’ Wow! What words of faith! And there’s nary a doubt about any of those statements Friends, because the man who made them, Bruh David, lived his life by them, and was rightly classed as Israel’s greatest king. Cousin Sol might have been wiser and richer, but he wasn’t made of sterner stuff like Bruh David was. Cousin Sol never had to battle serious enemies from his boyhood right through to death, like his father. And our Bit is appropriately taken from one of Bruh David’s most emotional psalms, where he’s giving thanks to God for deliverance from all his enemies, especially the most dreaded and determined one, King Saul. Oh Friends, Bruh David had his human frailties like all of us, but the important thing is that throughout his tempestuous life, through all his trials and tribulations, he never stopped seeking and believing in the omnipotence and faithfulness of the God of his fathers. And whenever he was caught napping, he turned to the Lord, as soon as possible, with heartfelt repentance. That’s why the prophet Samuel could say of Bruh David to Saul, when he lost the kingship of Israel. ‘The Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart.’ (1 Sam.13:14) Now let’s look at some scripture that verify the statements in our Bit. And the fist statement is: ‘As for God, his way is perfect.’  The first verification comes from Moses, the third and fourth verses of his Song in praise of Almighty God. ‘Because I will publish (proclaim) the name of the Lord: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgement: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.’ (Deut.32:3-4) Oh Friends, oh Friends, you couldn’t want a better verifier than Moses, who truly experienced the greatness of God when leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land! Now it was certainly a most difficult task leading some two million rebellious, cantankerous Jews through a desert-like land, and poor Moses bore the brunt of God’s anger against the Israelites. But in showcasing the Lord’s awesome power, faithfulness and trust, he also performed astonishing miracles in His Name. Thus his words must carry a lot of weight re the attributes of our God.  And here’s what Bruh David says in Psalm 145, his psalm of praise, re the Lord’s graciousness. ‘The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy (gracious) in all his works. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.’ (Ps.145:17-18) That’s gospel my people! But just in case you don’t believe the earthly throng, then listen to what John saw happening in heaven. ‘And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? For thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgements are made manifest.’ (Rev.15:2-4) Oh my brethren, there’s nothing left to be said. The heavenly host are singing and praising our wonderful God on high, verifying His perfection and trustworthiness, and so should we down here on earth. Remember how Jesus taught us to pray? ‘…thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven…’ (Matt.6:10) Let’s put that into real action nuh my people, for it will not only boost our earthly walk of faith, but also increase our rewards in the unbreakable Bank of Heaven. (smile) More on this topic tomorrow, provided the Lord’s willing. Till then, please trust Him and walk in His blessed protection. Much LOVE!…if the Lord isn’t perfect…then He’s liable to make mistakes…and thus prove to be unreliable…therefore not worthy to be called God…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 February 2012 John 8:12‏

22 Feb 2012 Leave a comment

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

John 8:12.     Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 

 Oh Friends, it’s Ash Wednesday! That means the partying’s over! It’s time to put on your sackcloth and ashes with fasting, to gear you up for Lent, the forty days we observe in humility and abstinence before Jesus’ crucifixion, recalling the forty days He spent in the wilderness fasting and being tempted by Beelzebub. Now we don’t have to fast, but if we do, we should do it with a right heart, observing Jesus teaching on the subject: ‘Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites (pretenders), of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto to men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.’ (Matt.6:16-18) Yes Friends, it’s the same for all we do in Jesus’ name; not for outward show, to broadcast them for men to see and think we’re so righteous. Remember outward show doesn’t cut it with the Father, but He looks at the state of our hearts. So if you intend to fast this Lenten season, please don’t make a big show of it. Now turning to our Bit: ‘Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.’ That’s one of the most profound statements ever made people, and a very true one!  Jesus even said it more than once too. Before He healed the man born blind, He said to His listeners: ‘As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’ (John 9:5) Then later on, while teaching about His upcoming death and resurrection, the people wanted to know who was the Son of man He said must be lifted up. ‘Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest the darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be (become) the children of light.’ (John 12:35-36) And that’s the awesome truth Friends! When we walk in darkness, we don’t know where we’re going, for the darkness obliterates our sight. But when we walk in the light, our paths are made very clear and we can see where we’re going. Now isn’t it much better to see where we’re going, than to be walking aimlessly and in danger of stumbling and falling? And since Jesus is the light of the world and Lucifer its darkness, it obviously makes more sense to walk with Jesus than with Lucifer. Oh my people, Lucifer’s intentions are evil, that’s why he’s chosen to walk in darkness, and his main intention is to lead God’s children astray. Please don’t allow him to do that my brethren, for he has nothing to lose, since he’s already been condemned to eternal death and darkness in Hades. Now he’s looking for fools to keep him company there by enticing us to walk in darkness with him to stumble and fall. But remember, as a child of the Most High God a place has been prepared for you in heaven, and you’d be real foolish to pass that up for the worthless earthly treasures that Lucifer tempts us with down here. So don’t be fooled, it’s only by following the light, Jesus, that we can walk safely and not stumble and fall. And as Bruh Paul told his protégé Timothy when exhorting him to endurance and passion in his preaching, talking about God: ‘Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.’ (2 Tim.1:9-10) Yes Friends, that’s one of God’s mysterious workings; through the death of His son, He brought eternal life and light to us. And we’ll end with some more wise advice from Bruh Paul, this time to the Thessalonians: ‘But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober (self-controlled).’ (1 Thess.5:4-6) Oh my fellow believers, please let us take those words to heart and live them diligently, for they contain the wisdom that we need to see us through and make a positive difference in these evil, ungodly, troubled times. Much LOVE!…caught between the darkness and light…then wisdom says…run towards the light…Jesus…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 21 February 2012 John 8:12‏

21 Feb 2012 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living Tags: , , ,

John 8:12.   Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
 
And the Bacchanalian celebrations continue today Friends; the last day of feasting before fasting for Lent. And they are certainly going to let it all hang out! Unfortunately, I’m too broken up to party so heartily again, but I still party when the occasion arises, I just can’t jump and prance like before. As the old people would say; after one time is certainly two yes. (smile) Some of you reading this will no doubt remember those exhilarating times we shared. I look around me here and see a couple pictures of some friends and I partying most heartily on the Lakeshore during Caribana. Oh Friends, those were surely some good, heady days! Now though I have to rely on memories because the old knees won’t allow me to behave like that any longer. And strangely, it doesn’t bother me all that much for I was already disenchanted with the celebrations even before my knees folded. I found that the quality had deteriorated and most of the young people didn’t know how to participate properly in the streets. Their idea of having a good time was pushing and shoving. So though I’ve missed Caribana for the last two years, I’m contented in my spirit. As Bruh Paul says, I’ve learned to be contented in whatever state I am. (Phil.4:11) But enough about me, we here to talk about Jesus, so let’s do that. And one statement He made several times, and was also made often about Him, pertains to Him being the Light of the World. Hear our Bit: ‘Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.’ Oh my people, I’d like to drive home the fact that those are words of eternal truth! Jesus is indeed the light of the world, and those who follow Him will never walk in darkness, but shall have a blindingly bright life, for His radiance is such that in the new earth, ‘there shall be no night there; and they need no candle (lamp), neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light:’ (Rev.22:5) Yes my brethren, our God is the repository of all things bright and beautiful! We need no one else but Him to live bright, wonderful lives. Now let’s look at some scriptures that talk about Jesus as the light of our lives. And the obvious place to begin is in the first chapter of John, where he expounds on the subject. ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended (apprehended) it not.’ (John 1:1-5) More words of eternal truth and wisdom my Friends, for Jesus was involved from the very first moment that our universe was created. When there was only darkness in the void, as part of the Triune God-head, He spoke these  all important, immortal words: ‘Let there be light: and there was light.’ (Gen.1:3) From Him comes both the physical and spiritual light. Then John describes his relationship to Jesus thus: ‘There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.’ (John 1:6-9) John confirmed that Jesus was the TRUE Light prophesied by Isaiah (Is.9:2) and also the one of whom Malachi spoke when he solemnly declared: ‘For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall (grow fat like stall fed calves). And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts.’ (Mal.4:1-3) Oh Friends it ought to make us believers feel so good when we read of prophesies being fulfilled like that after many centuries, cause it just shows the truth and faithfulness and omnipotence of our God. There should be no doubt in our minds as to the authenticity of the scriptures; the Word of the ONE TRUE God! So please, let’s contemplate today on what the scriptures truly mean to us; if we believe them fully, partially or not at all. That is the first step to truly finding Jesus. Much LOVE!…if the Word wasn’t true…then prophesies would not be fulfilled…