Today’s Scrip-Bit   23 March 2023 Matthew 7:15.

23 Mar 2023 Leave a comment

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

Matthew 7:15. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening (ravenous) wolves.

So it’s a wet and cloudy Thursday morning, hopefully a true harbinger of spring and not merely a date on the calendar that announces the beginning of that beautiful season of green. Yes, a couple of days ago, the calendar said that spring had finally sprung, but with the weather situation being so precarious and volatile, who knows what to expect these days. It’s a good thing that we have Jesus on whom to build a solid foundation, One who never changes, but is the same today, yesterday and forever! 

And it’s certainly sad that so many people choose not to believe in Him, after all He’s done for mankind. And like He so simply explained in some of His last words on the Sermon on the Mount. ‘Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken them unto a wise man, which built his house upon a (the) rock (Jesus): And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a (the) rock (Jesus). 

And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.’ (Matt. 7:24-27) 

Oh my fellow believers that is such a serious warning for all mankind, although it’s couched in simple everyday language, because Jesus is in fact saying, if we don’t build our lives on Him, the Rock of Ages, then our lives will not be very fruitful or worth anything. All we do or hold dear will be washed away when the inclement weather comes. However, when we build our lives on His words, then we will prosper and live the abundant life, despite all the inclement weather and disasters that occur. 

But there’s more to it than just believing. Remember Jesus first words in the above scripture: Whoever hears His sayings and does them. Now that’s the crux of the problem. Not only hearing His words, but much more importantly, doing them. So, let’s look at some of the things Jesus said that that we should pay attention to and do. 

The first thing we need to consider are His words re the Strait and Wide gates. He adamantly advised, seriously warned us to: ‘Enter ye in at the strait (narrow) gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait (how narrow) is the gate, and narrow (difficult or confined) is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.’ (Matt. 7:13-14) 

Ah mih people, Jesus is simply saying that we must come through the narrow gate to reach the path that leads to eternal life. Unfortunately though, many are on the wide path that leads to destruction or eternal separation from Almighty God. And even worse, the gate that leads to eternal life is so narrow that only a few people find it. 

Let’s remember though that Jesus is indeed the gate and the way as He said in John 14:6. ‘I am the way the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me.’ And furthermore, God enables men to find that gate as He says in John 6:44. ‘No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.’

 So it’s obvious that if we want to spend eternity with, or even have a relationship with the Father, then it’s necessary to go through Jesus. Let’s understand that right up front. First we have to find the narrow gate and walk along the narrow path to get to Jesus. But then He also said: ‘Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening (ravenous) wolves.’ (Matt. 7:15) 

And the scholars explain that verse thus: ‘The warning Beware of false prophets fits appropriately with the concept of the two ways above. Since many are being led in the wrong way, they are obviously being led by the wrong people. False prophets were prevalent in the Old Testament, whereas God’s true prophets were often in the minority.’ 

And I’d like to add that it’s still the same today. Nothing much has changed in that respect. There are still more people preaching falsehood than those preaching the truth. You just have to listen to the numerous people supposedly spouting God’s word, and the different stuff they all are saying. If it’s the truth, everybody should be saying basically the same thing, which they are not. 

And as per false prophets appearing in sheep’s clothing, but are actually ravenous wolves, the scholars say: ‘This is a perfect description of those preachers who have denied or distorted the truth of the gospel. They look like lambs but act like wolves. Their description is similar to that of the great False Prophet in Revelation 13:11)’ Now, I would strongly advise us to take a look at that scripture and see how eerily similar that False Prophet would be to Jesus, being able to do miracles and such, though of an evil nature, but nevertheless quite capable of fooling us. 

Ah friends, there’s more I’d like to say on the above subjects, but we’re already late, and it will get too long, what with our short attention spans, (smile) so we’ll leave that for tomorrow, God willing of course. For those of us though, who are sincerely trying to live for Christ, the Lord has most generously bestowed several blessings on us to enable us to live that life. We call them our Thursday Blessings. So let’s declare (yesss!!!) them now, that they can be activated. 

As one strong and sincere voice: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! 

I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to, will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’ 

Now, to show our sincerity, let’s go out and share those blessings with others, just as generously as Christ shared them with us! Much LOVE!

…living for Christ isn’t easy…but it sure brings deep and lasting joy… 

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit   6 March 2022 James 4:8a.

06 Mar 2022 Leave a comment

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

James 4:8a.     Draw nigh (near) to God, and he will draw nigh (near) to you. 

Well, it’s a glorious Sunday morning in early March of 2022! And can you believe that the temperature is already about 10 degrees Celsius…at this time in the winter season, and is expected to go up to around 15! Wow! Mother Nature has certainly gone awry! But it’s a good thing we have Jesus to cling to, the One who never changes – the same yesterday, today and forever – to give us a strong foundation and keep us in perpetual balance, since Mother Nature appears to have lost hers. (smile) 

And today we are going to open with a song of praise that’s ever so appropriate for our walk with God in these unprecedented times of our lives, one we well know and LOVE. It’s aptly titled ‘Nearer My God to Thee.’ Oh friends, with all the atrocities, the disasters, the strife and hatred that’s taking place in our world in this current season of Lent, all of us need to get closer to God. There’s no doubt about that, because it’s only through His unconditional LOVE, His grace, mercy and forgiveness that we can ever hope to make it through these tempestuous times! 

The song is such a wonderful testament to our faith, especially the practicality of it, and reminds us of those marvellous words from James. ‘Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh (near) to God, and he will draw nigh (near) to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye doubleminded.’ (James 4:7-8) And unfortunately, we are all numbered amongst that lot. 

But there is hope, as one commentator fervently declares: ‘Even when we cannot see or feel Him, the Lord never leaves our side. As we walk through each day, let us remember to call upon His name and give thanks. The beautiful lyrics of ‘Nearer My God to Thee’ are the perfect call to the Lord. And when you hear the story behind this amazing hymn, you will be reminded exactly why we need him every hour and second.’ 

So, on this first Sunday morning in the Lenten Season of this confusing year of 2022, let’s do exactly what James, Jesus’ brother, advises nuh, let’s submit ourselves to God, draw closer to Him, as we sing this beautiful hymn in a soulful and heartfelt manner, truly conveying the hope we have in Jesus. And as we raise our voices in sacrificial praise to heaven, let’s remember why we need Him, each and every second of every hour of every day.  

So let’s sing: ‘Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee! E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me, Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee! Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down, Darkness be over me, my rest a stone; Yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee! 

There let the way appear, steps unto Heav’n; All that Thou sendest me, in mercy giv’n; Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee! Then, with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise, Out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise; So by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee! 

Or, if on joyful wing cleaving the sky, Sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I’ll fly, Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee! There in my Father’s home, safe and at rest, There in my Savior’s LOVE, perfectly blest; Age after age to be nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!’ 

Oh my people, there’s nothing in this world that compares with being near to our Creator! But it doesn’t just happen, we must make a conscious effort to bring it about, and the Lord will help us when we do that. And the story behind the hymn is a perfect example of that, of experiencing God in a greater way. It was written by Sarah Flower Adams (1805-1848) somewhere around 1841 to follow her pastor’s sermon on Genesis 28:11-19, known as the story of Jacob’s ladder, or Jacob’s dream, when Jacob was sent to Padan-aram to seek a wife from his mother’s family. 

The Good Book tells it. ‘And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba, and went towards Haran. And he lighted upon (came to) a certain place, and tarried (stayed) there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place and put them (at his head) for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and beheld a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. 

And behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed (descendants). And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. And behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land: for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.’ (Gen. 28:10-15) 

Wow mih bredrin! Can you imagine having that dream? And why did the Lord offer all of that to Jacob, a known ole crook and scamp eh, who had earlier stolen His brother Esau’s birthright? He certainly uses those whom we think are unfit to do His work, like He did later on with Bruh Paul. And can you imagine Jacob’s reaction? Here is how the Good Book tells it. ‘And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not. And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.’ (Gen. 28:16-17) 

Oh friends, yuh see how easy it is for God to put the fear of God in us when we think we are big and bad and bold!  And the Good Book continues: ‘And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar (altar), and poured oil upon the top of it. And he called the name of that place Bethel (House of God): but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.’ (Gen. 28:18-19) 

Yes mih people, Jacob had finally met his match, God! And when that happens, as so many of us can testify to, we suddenly come to our senses and our lives do a complete 360 degrees turn around, reminiscent of Bruh Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus many moons later. It was the same with Jacob. ‘And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment (clothes) to put on, so that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God. And this stone, which I have set for a pillar (altar), shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth (a tithe) unto thee.’ (Gen. 28:20-22) 

Oh fellow believers, the Lord kept His word and Jacob also kept his vow. That’s how it ought to work. And please note that Jacob’s tithe was voluntary, like Abraham’s was to Melchizedek (Gen. 14:20) because the Law of tithing was not given to Israel until the time of Moses. It just goes to show a sincere LOVE and appreciation for God’s generosity to them, a trait that should also be found in us modern day believers, and even stronger too, because we have been granted much more than the old-timers, we have Jesus and all the wonderful things He brings to the table. 

Now, my fellow saints, I do hope that what we‘ve said today will make a large imprint on our hearts and souls, and bring us ever closer to God, because we so badly need it, if we are to maintain our peace and LOVE for Christ and diligently do His work in these tempestuous times. Much LOVE!

…the only wise way to walk this life…is to walk it as closely as possible with Christ…   

Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8