Today’s Scrip-Bit 2 September 2018 Romans 5:9.

02 Sep 2018 Leave a comment

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

Romans 5:9.    Much more then now being (having been) justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Welcome, welcome to the Lord’s Day my faithful breddren! And we all know what that means: an uplifting visit to the Lord’s house, to sing and praise and worship and fellowship, hear His Word and just have a good ole time renewing our spiritual lives! Wow! There’s nothing like the faithful together singing the praises of our great and wonderful God my people! 

If you saw Aretha Franklin’s funeral on Friday, you’d have seen how praise and worship can light up the spirits of a crowd of believers. So today, in anticipation of hearing God’s Word, let’s soften up our hearts and lighten up our spirits by singing praises to our God in this old and much LOVED hymn ‘Nothing but the Blood of Jesus,’ written by Robert Lowry and published way back in 1876. 

So let’s sing it like we really mean it nuh. All together now: ‘What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus; What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. (Refrain: Oh! precious is the flow That makes me white as snow; No other fount I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus.) For my pardon, this I see, Nothing but the blood of Jesus; For my cleansing this my plea, Nothing but the blood of Jesus. (Refrain) 

Nothing can for sin atone, Nothing but the blood of Jesus; Naught of good that I have done, Nothing but the blood of Jesus. (Refrain) This is all my hope and peace, Nothing but the blood of Jesus; This is all my righteousness, Nothing but the blood of Jesus. (Refrain) Now by this I’ll overcome; Nothing but the blood of Jesus; Now by this I’ll reach my home, Nothing but the blood of Jesus. (Refrain) Glory! Glory! This I sing; Nothing but the blood of Jesus, All my praise for this I bring, Nothing but the blood of Jesus. (Refrain) Nothing but the Blood…Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.’ 

Ah mih people, truer words were indeed never sung or spoken, for ALL that we are is based on the blood of Jesus shed at Calvary! Without that shed blood we’d still be mired in sin for now and all eternity. As the Good Book says: ‘For all have sinned and, come short of the glory of God.’ (Rom.3:23) 

In short friends, it means that ONLY the blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross of Calvary can wash away my sins, cleanse my soul, allow the Father to pardon me. In Him ONLY, can I find peace and hope, righteousness, salvation and eternal life! Glory to God! 

Christ’s blood is the most powerful element that ever washed this earth! It atoned for our sins; justified us, sanctified us, reconciled us, made us righteous and gave us entrance to heaven’s throne room! Oh my, my! What other substance on earth can do, or could have done all of that eh? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ELSE! Nothing but the blood of Jesus! 

In it there is power, forgiveness, LOVE, humility, healing, patience and perseverance, so much so that after two thousand years it is still as effective as ever. Wow! The blood of Jesus! We even plead the blood of Jesus in tough times, confidently calling out to the Father for mercy because of the shed blood of His Son! But enough of me spouting off, (smile) let us quote a few scriptures that show the importance of Christ’s blood in our lives. 

And the first one that comes to mind is one that we all know: ‘The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.’ (John 1:29) And that He did! Then Bruh Paul elucidates to the church at Rome: ‘But God commendeth his (demonstrates his own) LOVE towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then now being (having been) justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more being (having been) reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement (reconciliation).’ (Rom.5:8-11)  

Ah friends, it seems quite complicated, but it’s really quite simple: God LOVED us so much that it broke His heart to see us headed to Hades with Lucifer, so He decided to do something about it. The only problem was that because of His holiness and justice, He couldn’t just pardon sin with a wave of His hand. Our sin had to be paid for, for want of a better term, in hard currency, (smile) and that currency under the Old Covenant was animal blood. 

As Hebrews reminds us that through Moses, the Lord commanded the Israelites to continually shed animal blood as short term atonement for their sins: ‘And almost all things are by the law purged (cleansed) with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.’ (Heb.9:22) So there had to be blood shed if the Lord wanted to reconcile us to Himself. And besides, the blood had to be sinless blood, and unfortunately His Son was the ONLY One who fit that bill. 

No doubt the Lord found Himself in a quandary, but He LOVED His greatest creation so much that He decided to break His own heart and offer up His one Son as the perennial sacrifice for our sins! Now if that isn’t LOVE, I don’t know what is. Hear how Peter puts it. ‘Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible (perishable) things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation (aimless conduct) received by tradition from your fathers. 

But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest (revealed) in these last times for you. Who by him do believe in God that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.’ (1 Pet.1:18-21) 

Yeh mih breddren, that’s the only wise place to place one’s faith and hope! Much LOVE!

…the shedding of Christ’s blood paid for our sins…and His resurrection pays for our eternal salvation…what a giant is our Jesus…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 December 2016 John 3:16.

11 Dec 2016 Leave a comment

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

John 3:16.    For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

And once more friends, it’s the best day of the week; the Lord’s Day, wherein He rested after His labours, and now desires of us to do the same, while getting in some serious fellowship with other believers in His sanctuary, be that in a fabulous cathedral or under a mango tree. (smile) 

Yes my brethren, our fellowship can be held any place, per Jesus’ words. ‘For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.’ (Matt.18:20)  Jesus is always with us, wherever we are gathered. And isn’t that a most wonderful assurance? It surely is! 

And since it’s the Christmas Season, when we celebrate Christ’s birth, it’s only appropriate that we begin our praise and worship with a joyful Christmas hymn; ‘Away in a manger.’ Now in full voice, with sincere belief and true thanksgiving, let’s offer up the sacrifice of praise with our song. 

‘Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head, The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay. The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes. 

I LOVE you, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky, And stay by my side until morning is nigh. Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay Close by me for ever, and LOVE me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in your tender care, And fit us for heaven, to live with you there.’ 

Oh my faithful believers, what a simple but profound hymn! And something about the statement that Jesus awakes at the lowing of the cattle, but doesn’t cry, just touches me. He was a sweetheart from the day of His birth! (smile)  

Now here is an interesting Trini Quote from my Trini friend. It advises us to: ‘Eat little an live long.’ Hn, hn! Only in T&T yuh say! And what does it mean. Well according to my Trini friend: ‘This has many meanings, but is generally said to someone to accept a little (food, a small gesture, an act of kindness, faith, love etc.), and more will be sure to follow.’ In other words, be thankful for small mercies. 

And then he reminds us to: ‘Have a GREAT day, every DAY!!!! Watch your thoughts: They become words Watch your words: They become actions Watch your actions: They become habits Watch your habits: They become character.’ 

And that’s the awesome truth my people! We must be ever conscious and cautious about our thoughts, for they gravitate into words, then actions, and soon are habits, which then dictate our character for either good or evil. 

Now here is our Bit; one of the most famous passages in the Bible. ‘For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ 

Yeh friends, our Creator had so much care and compassion for us that He just could not stand idly by and see us go down to Hades with Lucifer for eternity, without giving us a fighting chance. As Jesus explains after our Bit: ‘For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.’ (John 3:17) 

Oh my people, what a most awesome and LOVING God we serve! In spite of our disgusting sins and our undeserved saving, the Lord moved heaven and earth for us to be reconciled to Him and thus spend eternity under His magnificent umbrella! 

And how do so many of us repay His LOVING-kindness eh? By turning away from Him and embracing evil, by blaspheming His Holy Name and making a mockery of all He stands for. Now that certainly doesn’t endear us to Him, but He’s also known as the God of the second and third and fourth chance…however many you need before Jesus returns. 

‘But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.’ (Matt.24:36) That means it could happen anytime; Jesus could come like a thief in the night and surprise us all. Consequently it is wise to get one’s house in order RIGHT NOW, so that whenever He returns, we will not be caught napping and end up on the outside looking in. 

Now let’s check out some scripture that corroborates our Bit. Hear Bruh Paul’s words to the Roman church, re the results of justification. ‘For when we were yet without strength, in due time (at the right time) Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure (perhaps) for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth (demonstrates) his (own) LOVE toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 

Much more then, being now (having been) justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more being (having been) reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement (reconciliation).’ (Rom.5:6-11) 

Ah mih people, how can we not greatly appreciate the Lord’s sacrifice on our behalf eh? And we’ll end with more words of Bruh Paul on the subject, this time to the Thessalonians. 

‘Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath LOVED us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work.’ (2 Thess.2:16-17) 

What a beautiful prayer my people! And it’s also my prayer for all of us believers this glorious Sunday morning in the Christmas season of 2016. Please let it reverberate deep down in our hearts, minds, bodies and souls and keep us close to our heavenly Father! Much LOVE!

…only the LOVE of God…is powerful enough…to straighten out this evil world…

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 12 August 2014 Jeremiah 15:16

12 Aug 2014 Leave a comment

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

Jeremiah 15:16.   Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.

And then it was Tuesday… another day of joy! 

Oh Friends, I recently heard a rather beautiful and meaningful song, not sure what is its correct title, or who sings it, but I know that I’ve shared it with you before. However it was so appropriate to the Christian life that I want to share the gist of it once again.
 
The young lady who sings it declares that her soul is so full of joy that she just wants to shout it out to the world! The Lord has done so much for her that she just wants to let the entire world know about it!
 
Wow, my people! That should be the state of each and every believer because our generous and ever-LOVING God has done so much for each of us!
 
But how many of us really portray that supposed joy in real life eh? Not too many, because we’re more taken up by, more concerned with the things that God didn’t do.
 
Oh my brethren, please remember that God is not there just to answer at our every beck and call. He is the Master and we are the servants, the ones supposed to answer His beck and call.
 
So I plead with us again today, as I did recently, let’s stop focusing on our troubles or what we don’t have, and instead focus on the things that we do have; in other words let’s count our blessings and not our sorrows. And yuh know what, surprisingly, if we do that, we’ll find that we have many more blessings than sorrows!
 
And I just finished reading an article by Andrew Wilson on the subject of joy, in the July issue of the In touch Magazine, some of you might have read it, where he advises us to set joy in God as our number one life priority; to make it the first thing we do everyday, so that later on we can spread it around in whatever manner we so desire.
 
Remember, you can’t give what you don’t have.
 
And Wilson’s second bit of advice was, in order to get that joy in God on a regular basis, you have to discipline yourself to do so. We have to get happy or joyful in God on purpose with a disciplined attitude.
 
And he suggests stuff to help in that respect. Stuff like reading the Bible – a no-brainer, he contends. Spending time with those who increase your joy in God. Giving yourself away; that is concentrating on the plight of others rather than our own.
 
Do as Bruh Paul advises; sing, dance, pray, shout for joy, all the time! Find quiet places and quiet times to just walk and talk to, or rather with God, and speak positively, both to yourself and to others.
 
Ah mih people, I know we’ll say that all of that is not easy to do, especially with the busyness of life nowadays. But if you want to have a consistently cheerful and joyful attitude and life, then you’ll MAKE the time to do them.
 
Oh Friends, life isn’t easy, never was, except when Adam and Eve first walked obediently with God in the Garden of Eden. But that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy what we now have, have joy in this rough and tumble earthly life.
 
It does have to be in conjunction with God though. For remember that the joy of the Lord is our strength, therefore if we don’t have that joy, then we won’t have any strength. That’s why the evil one always tries to take away our joy, keep us miserable and depressed, because he knows that when we’re like that, we can’t or won’t do much for Jesus.
 
That brings us to our Bit; wise words of Jeremiah in the time of his personal lament. ‘Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.’
 
Yes Friends and fellow believers, Jeremiah had a pretty rough time doing God’s bidding among his ungodly people, Israel. But please note what he says, despite all of his problems and misfortune, he found joy in God’s Word, and also in being called by His name.
 
Oh my people, nothing much has changed since Jerry’s time, except we now have a better understanding of God and His Word through the coming of Jesus Christ. So why are Christians still so miserable, downhearted and complaining eh?
 
Please, let’s wake up and smell the titillating scent of God’s LOVE and goodness nuh! It’s high time we learn to take the good with bad, for as Job says, you can’t have one without the other in this world. (Job 2:10)
 
My brethren it’s time for us concentrate on, and to live out the wisdom of Cousin Sol’s research in Ecclesiastes. ‘There is nothing better for a man, than he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good (his soul should enjoy good) in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.’ (Eccl.2:24)
 
Yes Friends, there is, or can be joy in life and labour, once we see them as God’s gift to us!
 
So let’s go forth today and live and labour in the joy of God nuh, appreciating His many gifts and blessings, even amidst the many hardships that life brings. Now that is the ONLY wise way to live and enjoy life here on this seriously troubled earth.
 
And we have a great though sad example of this in the recent death, apparent suicide of actor and comedian Robin Williams. Despite all his wealth and fame, he apparently suffered from serious depression issues. So what’s the point of having all the wealth and glory but we’re still unhappy eh? None whatsoever my people!
 
It just goes to show that possession of plenty earthly stuff without God leading the way for us, is truly disaster just waiting to happen. So let’s wise up and truly smell God’s goodness! Much LOVE!
 
…why be foolishly miserable and depressed…when we can be deliriously joyful…by having sincere fellowship with God…

 

 
 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 29 January 2014 Romans 5:6

29 Jan 2014 Leave a comment

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

Romans 5:6.    For when we were yet without strength, in due time (at the right time) Christ died for the ungodly.  

Well Friends, it’s Wednesday, and unfortunately I didn’t make any real good memories yesterday. When I sit back in my rocking chair and reflect on yesterday, it will only come up as one that I spent quietly, resting and trying to get rid of the persistent headache. So there are no tales of awesome wonder to relate. (smile)

However, I did find this list of stuff that meditating on God’s Word does for us. I believe I got it from one of Uncle Charles’ (Charles Stanley) sermons. So are here are some of the ways meditation on the word helps and improves our daily lives.
 
‘It quietens our spirit; Purifies our heart; Sharpens our perception; Clarifies our direction; Confirms or cautions our counsel; Increases our faith; Enlarges our view of God. Keeps us aware of God’s presence and power; and finally, it Guides us to success.’
 
Yes Friends, meditating on the Word of God improves our earthly lives in at least those nine ways! So why aren’t we meditating more on God’s Word eh? It brings such amplification, awareness and right perspective to the human mind and life!
 
When we don’t know the meaning of a word, or are looking for a synonym, we check a dictionary and/ or a thesaurus, but when we’re looking for guidance on life, we either fail to or are rather reluctant to check the Guidebook of Life, the Holy Bible, God’s unchanging Word. That’s certainly not wisdom, my people.
 
So hopefully, now that we’ve heard some of the things that pondering on and truly considering God’s Word does for us, we’ll begin meditating on it more. For in light of what we’ve just seen, that is indeed wisdom for the ages!
 
And having thrown in that little spiel on meditation, let’s see what the Lord has in store for us today with our Bit, which deals with one of God’s awesome promises; reconciliation to Him. ‘For when we were yet without strength, in due time (at the right time) Christ died for the ungodly.’
 
And that my Friends, is one of the most amazing, important and gratifying truths in the Good Book!
 
Ah my fellow believers, what an incredible testimony that is to God’s unconditional and undying LOVE for us. Wow! He LOVED us so much, that even at our worst, He was prepared to give us His BEST! What a magnificent and magnanimous God we serve and worship my people!
 
And talking about LOVE, here’s this aside on that topic from Gordon W. Allport (1897-1967) one of the early American psychologists. He so rightly declares that: ‘LOVE received and LOVE given, provide the best therapy.’
 
Oh my brethren, that’s such undeniable truth! And if you don’t believe me, then check it out for yourselves. Take stock of when you’re the happiest, and you’ll undoubtedly discover that it’s when you’ve both given and received LOVE!
 
So since our great God gave us LOVE through Christ’s sacrifice, the onus is now on us to faithfully receive the LOVE; the salvation offered, and then walk steadfast and strong in it, all the way to heaven and eternal life!
 
Unfortunately though, in this troubled and misguided world, too many people seem averse, and oftimes hostile and even murderous, to receiving God’s LOVE and His free gift of salvation and eternal life! How sad my people. How sad that God’s supposed greatest creation refuses to accept His greatest gift; Jesus.
 
Remember, He promised way back in the time of the prophet Isaiah, to bring His chosen people out of darkness, into the light, despite their abominable disobedience and rebellion? ‘The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.’ (Is. 9:2)
 
Well Friends, Jesus Christ was that LIGHT; the fulfillment of that promise! So how can we not accept Him, if we want to live a wise and sensible life in everlasting LIGHT and LOVE!
 
Now my brethren, please check out this awesome scripture of promise, LOVE and faithfulness fulfilled. ‘For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure (perhaps) for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth (demonstrates) his (own) LOVE toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
 
Much more then, being now (having been) justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more being (having been) reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
 
And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement (reconciliation).’ (Rom.4:7-11)
 
Oh Friends and fellow believers, what more can we ask of God eh? Nothing really! For He’s placed everything we need to get reconciled to Him, on a huge silver… no a huge golden platter for us, we just have to receive it now.
 
But I guess most of us scornfully turn up our noses at anything that’s free and so good. But believe me my people, this is the one and only thing in this life that seems too good to be true, but is very, very, very true!
 
So please, let’s get wise and stop the nonsense of living for this world’s fleeting pleasures and perishable material goods nuh, and instead, wisely, sensibly accept the faithfulness of our great and wonderful God, and joyfully receive the LIGHT and LIFE, the TRUTH and the WAY that He so magnanimously sent us; His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ!
 
That my brethren, is heavenly wisdom, for it is the ONLY THING that will prevent eternal separation from Almighty God! Much LOVE!
 
…He that spared not his own Son…but delivered him up for us all…how shall he not with him…also freely give us all things…  (Rom.5:32)