Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 July 2016 Psalm 145:15

11 Jul 2016 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 145:15.    The eyes of all wait upon thee (look expectantly to you); and thou givest them their meat (food) in due season.

‘Monday, Monday! Oh how I just LOVE that day! Monday, Monday! Don’t you ever go away! TGIM! Thank God it’s Monday!’ 

Yes friends, there is method to my madness. (smile) I’m figuring that if we hear that often enough, Monday’s might just grow on us like Friday did. So in future, when Mondays roll around, as indeed they will, we won’t’ be so sour and miserable and complaining, but greet it with great enthusiasm and a sincere joy to get out there and do whatever we have to do unto Jesus, and not unto man! 

Ah mih people, the ole fella has to keep on trying to get us out bright and early and chirpy and chippy, so we can truly enjoy this earthly life, while diligently working on Jesus’ behalf. 

Now I know some of you are tired and lethargic, moaning and groaning and complaining about my li’l chat because you did not do as you should have over the weekend. But not to worry, we have something that will brighten your spirit and raise your adrenalin level so that you can go out bright and bubbly, expecting victory. It’s called our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. Let’s sing it as thought we truly mean it nuh. 

As one harmonious choir now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together. 

We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies. 

But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. 

Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’ 

Good going friends, good going! Our choirmaster Jesus was pleased! Yuh see what happens when you put your all into something! So now with our motors up and running, let’s go out into the crazy, wicked world and do whatever Jesus has called us to do nuh. 

That brings us to our Bit which verily supports all of our contentions above. (smile)  But before we get to it, let’s check out the two verses before it. 

‘Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon thee (look expectantly to you); and thou givest them their meat (food) in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfies the desire of every living thing.’ (Psalm 145:13-16)

Yes my brethren, Bruh David said it, so there must be a whole lot of truth to it! He extols the Lord’s graciousness in this most excellent psalm of praise! And if you don’t believe that, then listen to this from Psalm 104 – God’s preservation of nature. 

The psalmist unequivocally declares: ‘He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills. They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses (donkeys) quench their thirst. By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches. 

He watereth the hills from his (upper) chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works, He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb (vegetation) for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; and wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart. ‘ (Ps.104: 10-15) 

Oh my brethren, with all of that – and there’s much more if you want to read all of Psalm 104 – how can we ever doubt the goodness, the LOVING-kindness, the wisdom of our wonderful God eh? Only a fool would dare to do that! 

Unfortunately though, currently there are way too many fools in the Lord’s great universe. We’re trying our very best to take him out of our society, which is a fool’s wisdom, and then when our world goes into a serious tailspin, with disasters, wars and all kinds of negative happenings across the globe, we sit back and foolishly wonder why. 

Steups! Oh friends, if we insist on removing the Creator of the universe and all therein from His universe, which is really impossible, what do we expect eh? Do we expect to get wine and roses and song and heartwarming kudos for removing Him from our society? 

Not on your life! We’ll get what we justly deserve, what He’s promised from day one to those who are disobedient to His Word and Will; negative happenings! Yuh see what He did to the rebellious, ungrateful Jews in the wilderness; earthquakes, snakebites and wandering around for forty years, till all of those who had come out of Egypt had died. 

Not even Moses made it over to the Promised Land because he angered the Lord. So friends how can we expect anything else but negative consequences for our foolish rebellion eh? We might get away with it for a while, but eventually it’s all going to catch up to us.  Remember our God is patient and longsuffering, but He’s not a patsy, a walkover. 

Please, let’s wake up and smell the coffee nuh, and realize the error of our ways and wisely return to His fold through repentance and reconciliation based on Jesus’ work at the cross. For that is indeed wisdom of the highest order! Much LOVE!

…you can’t sow peas…and expect to reap corn…likewise you can’t be blatantly disobedient…and expect to receive prosperity…

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 28 February 2016 2 Timothy 1:9

28 Feb 2016 Leave a comment

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

2 Timothy 1:9.  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.

Aye mih people, it’s certainly been an interesting Sunday! First of all, it seems like there were no Anglican church services in T&T today, because of a big rally they have in the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain, so my regular place of worship was closed. 

However, I had not gone to church last week due to the ferry fiasco of the night before. Apparently I was too tired and frustrated to get up in time, that means I would have missed church on two consecutive Sundays, which was obviously not a welcome thought. 

Gramps Schuller (Robert H Schuller) declares that we need weekly spiritual refreshment, and if we miss a week, we will feel the difference, but if we miss two, others will tell the difference. And there is some truth to his assertions. 

I didn’t want anybody to tell the difference with me, (smile) so I decided to attend the church service of the group whose Bible Study I’ve been going to on a Thursday evening; the Restorers of the Breach, a small but obviously growing church on the island, holding their services in the Calder Hall Community Centre. 

And was it ever an eye opening experience. I got there a few minutes to nine and they had already begun their praise and worship session, and for the next hour we stood there singing and praising and giving thanks. 

You can imagine the ole fella’s physical state, my back and knees aching, but as always, with the help of our wonderful God I stood tall in the trying situation. Then there was testimony time; another interesting experience. 

And finally my new favourite female pastor got up and after promising not to be long winded, preached an extended fiery sermon on ‘Purpose.’ She reminded me of myself, when I try to be short on the Bit, but get carried away by the Holy Spirit. (smile) 

Ah friends, it’s a helluva thing when the Holy Spirit has you in grasp. And it obviously had Pastor Josanne in its grasp this morning. Then when she was finally through, there was an altar call, which glory to God, was well received. And then there were announcements and some more praise and worship to end the service. Hn! I didn’t get out of there until minutes to one. 

And would you believe they are planning to go and walk about the community at four o’clock in an evangelical outreach? I do wish them the best of luck in their evangelical endeavours. And by the time I got home I had to refresh my physical self, having satiated my spiritual being. (smile) 

And brunch consisted of some long not tasted conch souse and some excellent tasting dasheen bush soup of Brother Kirby. No wonder I LOVE my West Indian victuals. And that was followed by the ever necessary nap, to refresh the mind. 

So that’s why I’m so late getting to my purpose of writing the Bit, and it’s not that I was slacking or lazing off somewhere. (smile) And having the topic of purpose already embedded in my mind, I decided to stay on that topic, hence our Bit. 

‘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.’ 

Yes friends, our God had a purpose for Christ and also one for all our lives which He predetermined before He created us. Christ knew His purpose and came and fulfilled it with flying colours. Now it’s time for us to find out God’s purpose for our lives, then with His awesome help fulfill them to the best of our abilities. 

But for many of us that’s a big problem, because we either can’t figure out what God wants us to do, or if we have figured it out, it doesn’t sit well with our thinking. It’s either too simple and as a result won’t bring us many kudos from the evil world, or too tough and thus we’re afraid to get into it. 

But my brethren, please remember that whatever task God gives us is important in His eyes, and He won’t give us something to do that He knows is outside our capabilities. I can personally testify to that, because some eight or nine years ago when the Lord first brought up my writing of the Bit, I laughed and said I was unable to do it because my knowledge of His Word was not good enough. 

But He persisted and I finally gave in…and look at me now nuh. My knowledge of the Good Book is still not exemplary, but it’s much better than it was, and it allows me to write the Bit, with His precious help obviously. 

So friends, whatever God has put in your heart as your earthly purpose, be it lowly or prominent in your eyes and/or that of the world, please accept it with pride and eagerness, because it is an important building block in His kingdom. 

Not all of us can do mighty deeds, some have to settle for the humble and simple ones. Remember too that Jesus first came as a lowly carpenter, though His next coming will be as a mighty King. And please don’t forget either this seminal scripture of Bruh Paul to the church at Rome. 

‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are called according to his purpose.’ (Rom.8:28) Yes my fellow believers when we are called to God’s purpose, He works everything out for our good! 

Now don’t think that everything will be wine, roses and song, in fact, it’s often the exact opposite, rough times, but our great God has NEVER and will NEVER renege on His promise, so although life doesn’t seem too rosy at times, be assured that once you’re doing His will with a right heart and steadfast spirit, then He WILL look after you. 

And that’s no hearsay, I am telling you that from personal experience. Now in closing, please take this heartfelt advice: if you know God’s purpose for your life, then diligently pursue it, the sooner the better. 

And if you don’t yet know it, then also diligently pursue it by talking to God and asking him to show you what His earthly plan is for your life. Now He might not show it to you right away, but in His own time He will imprint it on your heart. Then jump to it! Much LOVE!

…until we know God’s purpose for our lives…we will not be fulfilled…something will always seem missing…

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 10 May 2015 Exodus 20:12

10 May 2015 Leave a comment

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

Exodus 20:12.     Honour thy father and thy MOTHER: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

 HAPPY  MOTHER’S  DAY!

 Well a Happy Mother’s Day to all you wonderful and not so wonderful Mothers out there! That special day of the year, where we specially celebrate Mothers is upon us once again. And you know I’ve been wondering what to write for the last half an hour or so, while researching stuff in the Bible.
 
And I did come up with a few things. But then, the Lord in His wisdom guided me to read last year’s Mother’s Day Bit. And was I ever surprised, and somewhat disappointed, that last year I had already written about all the things I was now considering. Chuh! What a letdown! What bubble-buster!
 
Now I have to think about other stuff to say, because I can’t give exactly the same message as I did last year. And even if I do say so myself, I was rather taken with last year’s Mother’s Day Bit, for it covered a lot of ground, some of which is worth repeating.  
 
But this is a different year, and I’m depending on the Holy Spirit to guide me in a somewhat different direction. Have faith Friends, for it will happen eventually. (smile) The Lord has never let me down yet, so why would He choose a day like today to do it eh?
 
You know it disappoints me some, that today we’ll make a big fuss over our mothers, but what happens to the rest of the year eh? Many of them are forgotten, left to languish as it were by the wayside. That’s certainly not right my people, because mothers are the lifeblood of our society.
 
They physically bear us in their wombs for nine months, then have a hard time getting us to come out. And even though the labour required for that can be quite painful and exhausting, as soon as we’re out, they forget about the pain and just dote on us, the beautiful bundle of joy they’ve just produced.  (smile)
 
And then they spend the rest of their lives raising and nurturing us with LOVE and all the other good things that mothers do.  All of it, for ‘NO CHARGE’ as the Shirley Caesar song I heard on the radio yesterday evening so truthfully declares. So why then don’t we pay more and better attention to our mothers eh?
 
Look at our Bit: ‘Honour thy father and thy MOTHER: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.’
 
Our God taught it of such importance that He placed that directive in one of His ten most important rules to His people. Now if the Lord, in His great wisdom could make such a declaration, who are we to dispute it and not follow through with it eh? And please notice the last part of the commandment: ‘that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.’
 
Yes Friends, our longevity depends to a certain extent on the way we treat our parents. So you godless, unruly, undisciplined children out there, who treat their parents terribly, especially their mothers, I’d very strongly suggest that you smarten up right now and follow that directive of God, otherwise your days may just be short and pitiful on the earth.
 
And what exactly does our Bit mean by ‘HONOUR’ eh? I’ve found a whole lot of synonyms for that word, so let’s hear some of them. ‘HONOUR’ means to cherish, show respect, put on a pedestal, give kudos to, show esteem, favour, recognition, admiration and privilege, to look up to, to appreciate, to adore, revere, and show distinction.
 
Oh my people, there are so many ways to show ‘HONOUR’ to our parents, that we truly have NO excuse whatsoever for not doing so. And that’s one of the reasons why our world is such a mess; ignoring our parents, treating them terribly, especially our mothers, is a sin against Almighty God. 
 
And from the In Touch Devotional message from Uncle Charles (Charles Stanley) for today, I picked up these wonderful guidelines for honouring our Mothers.  First off, we should LOVE them unconditionally, just the way God LOVES us. Now that surely makes a lot of sense, because we can’t be truly godly folks if we’re not practicing godly attitudes and actions.
 
And then Uncle Charles says to forgive our mothers compassionately. We seem to forget that mothers are humans too and thus fallible and open to mistakes, and will have some baggage from their earlier days that made them a certain way. We’re no angels ourselves, so we should not judge them too harshly.
 
Then we’re to remember our mothers gratefully, consider all the things she’s done for us over the years; from bearing and raising us to oftimes burying us. And for all she’s done, there’s usually ‘NO CHARGE!’  
 
And finally, we ought to treat our mothers kindly, make them feel LOVED and appreciated, even though in the natural many of them don’t seem to deserve it. But remember we didn’t, and still don’t deserve God’s saving grace, but because of His great LOVE and magnanimity, He bestowed it on us. Thus the least we can do is to also bestow it on others.  
 
Ah Friends, when it comes to mothers, I have a very soft spot in my heart for them, beginning with my biological mother Molly who throughout my whole life showed me what a true mother ought to be like. Aye Molls baby, can you imagine that it’s now four years since you left me an orphan? (smile) But don’t worry sugar, you’ll always have a place of great esteem and respect in my heart and my memory banks. And so too will the five other mothers I’ve had during my lifetime.
 
And I know that some of you are laughing at that, but believe me people, there were several times when I was in dire straits and the Lord, in His mercy and LOVING-kindness, sent those women into my life to assist, to lead and guide me on the right path.  How could I ever forget you eh my six mothers? No way! For without you all I definitely would not be writing these words today. Thank you all so much for showing and showering me with your LOVE and godly guidance.
 
And we’ll end today’s message with a word of advice, instructions concerning widows, from Bruh Paul to Timothy. ‘Honour widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow have children or nephews (grandchildren), let them learn first to show piety at home, and to requite (repay) their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.’ (1 Tim.5:3-4)
 
Yes Friends, supporting our parents, especially our mothers, is indeed acceptable and wonderful in God’s sight. So please let’s get a move on and do it nuh, for it’s the wisdom of heaven. Much LOVE!
 
…a mother’s responsibilities are so overwhelming…that very few men can carry them out successfully…and her LOVE…ohhh…it is one of the most powerful things on God’s earth…  
 
P.S. Yuh see mih people, the Lord didn’t disapoint me. (smile) He did guide me to write something somewhat different. That’s why I keep saying, what a wonderful God we serve and worship! He is definitely the BEST! Much LOVE!

 

 

 

 
 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 25 July 2014 Matthew 6:19

25 Jul 2014 Leave a comment

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

Matthew 6:19.      Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt (ruin, destroy), and where thieves break through and steal.
 

And then it was Friday… ‘Oh praise the Lord! Glory Hallelujah! Thank God the weekend is upon us! Backbreaking labour soon cease! Oh Thank God is Friday yes!’ 
  
Now that’s the kind of joyful shout that’s being heard around the world this Friday morning. And it’s really amazing and amusing that though we still have to go and labour on Friday, just the thought of it being the last day of the workweek, seems to instill a joy, an expectation that promotes a sense of – ah well, it soon over – and we get a renewed strength to bear this one day.
 
However, the question is, why can’t we get that renewal of strength to bear all the working days and non-working days alike eh? I guess it just has to do with the eccentricities, abnormalities, or whatever of our human nature. (smile)
 
Anyway, to gain some added insight into the proper use of the weekend, let’s chant our Friday Chant with the same verve and fervour that we shout ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’
 
As one chanting voice now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
 
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
 
Yes Friends, that’s a much better way to handle the weekend. And we’ll continue today with that most significant Bit of advice from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on the subject of worldly riches. ‘Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt (ruin, destroy), and where thieves break through and steal.’
 
Ah mih people, if only more of us would just heed that august warning, so many more lives would be peaceful and contented. Our world would also see so many less problems, like the insatiable greed and the crazy, hurtful distractions that the rush to accumulate earthly wealth bring with it.
 
As the author of Hebrews so wisely declares in these two memorable verses of scripture. ‘Let your conversation (conduct) be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall (can) do unto me.’ (Heb.13:5-6)
 
But unfortunately too many of us listen to our naturally sinful nature, as well as the siren call of the purveyors of evil, who dangle the frivolous possibilities of earthly wealth under our always sniffing noses, at every turn we take.
 
In the earthly realm, the more wealth we accumulate, the more we’re considered successful. And the foolish pride and show-boating of that wealth only makes matters worse, leading to jealousy and envy, resentment and others killing themselves to earn that wealth, to keep up with the Jones’.
 
What a sad tale we weave by the voracious pursuit of earthly wealth my people!
 
Now nothing’s wrong with having earthly wealth, in fact most of us could use some right now, (smile) but it’s the way we accumulate it, and then the way we use it that sets us apart.
 
Listen to Bruh Paul’s advice to Timothy. ‘Charge (command) them that are rich in this world (present age), that they be not highminded (haughty), nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
 
That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute (give), willing to communicate (share); Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.’ (1 Tim.6:17-19)
 
Oh Friends, oh Friends, what wonderful advice, what correct scriptural procedure! How can we ever ignore it eh? But sadly we do, at our own peril.
 
And we’ll end with some good info from the scholars’ re those verses. ‘6:17-18. Paul charges wealthy believers (1) not to be proud and look down on those who are not rich, (2) to confide in God, rather than in unstable riches, (3) to be rich in good works by generously sharing their surplus of financial resources with the needy. To be ready to distribute is to be generous in sharing. To be willing to communicate is to be liberal in giving.
 
6:19. When wealthy believers generously share (v.18), they secure an assurance (laying up in store for themselves a good foundation) that in the future (against the time to come) they will indeed enter heaven (lay hold on eternal life).
 
Salvation is not purchased by the giving of money, but generosity demonstrates the reality of one’s faith. Since the believer trusts God and not money, he gives. This giving shows where his heart is and that he views his wealth in light of eternity.’
 
Oh my people, my people, I couldn’t put it any better! We certainly need to view wealth in the light of eternity! For then and only then will that wealth not drive us to distraction and make us do foolish, unwise, ungodly things.
 
So please, today let’s sit and ponder, you can also lie down or stand up (smile), let’s consider our deepest and most intimate attitudes towards material wealth, and ultimately turn to Almighty God to help us with any problems we might have in that area. Now that’s the certain wisdom of heaven! Much LOVE!
 
…what’s the purpose of having wealth if we can’t take it with us eh…and we only leave it for others to fight over…might as well share it… and in the process…get some kudos from heaven…