Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 October 2014 Amos 4:6B

18 Oct 2014 Leave a comment

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

Amos 4:6B.    …yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.

Oh Friends, I don’t know what the weather will be like this Saturday morning nuh, it’s been somewhat miserable, rainy and cloudy, the last few days. But I can assure you that the autumn colours of the dying leaves are very beautiful and varied as they always are.
 
What an anomaly eh? The leaves are dying, but in their death, they are even more colourful than in life. Likewise my people, regardless of the external circumstances surrounding us, we also have the ability to improve them by our behaviour.
 
And here is a quote that enlightens us on that subject and certainly brightens up, enlarges and expands our day with little effort on our part – well sometimes with plenty. (smile)  It comes from the American journalist George Elliston (1883-1946), and says: ‘How beautiful a day can be when kindness touches it.’
 
And that my people is gospel, gospel truth! Our lives do light up when we are either touched by the kindness of others, or we touch others with our kindness! Unfortunately though, in our busy and selfish society nowadays, kindness is more the exception rather than the rule it’s supposed to be, and once was. And that is definitely a sad commentary on the type of society we have morphed into.
 
Oh Friends, most of us who are getting up there in age will certainly remember the good old days, when people were generally kind and friendly, when you could go almost anywhere and be assured of a fairly decent reception, of being greeted with a smile or a kind word. Not so nowadays, they’re more likely to rip off your head and give you an earful.
 
The world we currently live in is all about first person singular; me, myself and I. But as faithful believers, ambassadors for Christ, we’re called to be different, just like Jesus was different! Remember, we’re supposed to be only IN the world, not OF it. (John 17:15-16) That means we’re supposed to show kindness, LOVE, mercy and forgiveness, the way our magnanimous God showers them on us.
 
And I’m truly amazed at the negative response some people have to kindness. As I keep telling my family, how you feel towards me is not as important as how you treat me. I want to see positive action, not positive words and negative actions. Anyway Friends, the times we’re living in right now, certainly do resemble the days of depravity and perverseness back in old Israel, and the Lord ended up punishing them.
 
Listen to the Good Book. ‘Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes after (every) three years (or days):  And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim and publish (announce) the free offerings: for this liketh you (you love), O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord God. And I also have given you cleanness of teeth (hunger) in all your cities, and want (lack) of bread in all your places: yet ye have not returned unto me, saith the Lord.’ (Amos 4:4-6)
 
Oh my brethren, does that sound like us these days? It certainly does! God’s punishment didn’t reform Israel back then, and doesn’t seem to be doing it for us now either. What a sad state of affairs! Nor was that all of the punishment.
 
The Good Book continues: ‘And also I have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered. So two or three cities wandered unto one (another) city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.’ (Amos 4:7-8)
 
Oh Friends, we are seeing that same sad state of affairs all over our present world with flood and famine and war and strife tearing nations and families apart. But yet we are still following the evil and foolish dictates of Lucifer, rather than the good and positive ones of Almighty God. What is it going to take to turn us around eh; complete destruction. But then it will be too late.
 
Remember Noah and the flood? When He began to build the ark, everybody laughed and thought he’d gone crazy. However, when the rains came pouring down, they all clamoured for a spot in it. But then it was too late. Likewise, my people, if we ignore His warnings, if we wait too long to return to the God of our fathers, then it just might be too late for us too.
 
However, as followers of Jesus, there is one option we do NOT have; that of quitting, of giving up, of stop trying! Just remember that my people. As workers for Christ, we are expected to keep on keeping on, even when it is extremely difficult, confidently bolstered by the faithful promises of our ever-faithful, ever-LOVING God!
 
So though today might look somewhat bleak, both emotionally and weather-wise, let’s put on our spiritual armour, strengthen ourselves with God’s Word, and go out into the evil, godless world and spread kindness, mercy, LOVE and forgiveness in Jesus’ Name! That’s not only true wisdom, but also our bounden duty as Christians! Much LOVE!
 
…even one small deed of kindness here on earth…produces a flurry of excitement and joy in heaven…

 

 
 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 23 January 2014 Romans 13:12

23 Jan 2014 Leave a comment

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

Romans 13:12.   The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.  

Aye mih people, how goes it this beautiful Thursday morning? I hope it goes well with all of you. Personally, I can’t complain, for if I do the Lord will strike me down.

It’s now been a week since I arrived in Paradise, and I’m having a great ole time. Had a wonderful couple of hours at Store Bay yesterday afternoon, soaking up the sea, sun and sand and eating pineapple chow for the first time- nice and peppery.

Oh brother! If only I could have about six continuous months of this lifestyle, I’d certainly be a new man! (smile) No harm in dreaming Friends, for that’s what dreams are made for.
 
But right now I’m standing on the balcony of my little bungalow at Lowlands, where the day is just breaking, overlooking the pool downstairs, gazing at the lush greenery all around me, and some dark clouds fighting for survival. However unfortunately, behind the big trees in the foreground, the sun seems to be rising in all its splendour, as the white clouds above the trees sparkle and shine.
 
But what amuses me is that I just saw Tobago’s weather forecast for today on the computer, and it’s calling for temps of 30 degrees, with oodles of rain, not even one pin prick of sunshine shows up in it. Let’s wait and see, though it would be nice to get some heavenly blessing in what’s termed the dry season down here, to nurture the now dry and parched land.
 
Ah Friends, half an hour later, the sun has won the battle! Just as the transforming light of Jesus will win the feud over the evil powers of darkness, when He returns in all his pomp and regal glory! What a joyous and glorious day that will be my brethren!
 
And as our Bit says: ‘The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.’
 
Yes my people, that awesome day of Christ’s glorious return is drawing closer with each passing day! That means the evil powers of darkness ought to be subsiding, but unfortunately its getting stronger, because we believers are not fighting diligently and faithfully enough.
 
Oftimes we’re even helping the evil situation by joining with the ungodly hordes, drowning ourselves in the material concerns of this perishable world and the lusts of our sinful flesh. So how then my people, is the church of Christ to come out victorious, if we are joining with and supporting His enemies?
 
Please remember Friends, that we’re only supposed to be IN the world, not A PART of it. Remember too these immortal words of Bruh Paul to the Corinthians. ‘Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature (creation): old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.’ (2 Cor.5:17)
 
And following on from that most important and decisive verse, come these words from Bruh Paul, as he pleads for separation from unbelievers. ‘Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship (in common) hath righteousness with unrighteousness (lawlessness)? and what communion (fellowship) hath light with darkness?
 
And what concord (accord) hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel (unbeliever)? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
 
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.’ (2 Cor.6:14-18)
 
Yes Friends, believers ought not to adopt or allow the ways of unbelievers to seep in their consciousness and thus their behaviour. When we associate with unbelievers, as we must do in a predominantly unbelieving world, we need to ensure that it is our godly behaviour that shines out and controls the situation, so that we can influence them, rather than they influence us.
 
And the best way to avoid the latter situation happening, is to stay away from wicked, immoral, unrighteous people and their activities. Now that doesn’t mean locking ourselves up in a cloister, but throughout our earthly pilgrimage we will encounter persons and situations that are obviously not going to provide good fruit of the Spirit.
 
These we ought to say away from, for though we might have the best intentions in the world, our flesh is weak, and we are not always able to handle ungodly people and their ungodly doings.
 
For as Bruh Paul warned the Corinthians in his first letter. ‘Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump (a little yeast, spreads through all the dough)? Purge (clean) out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
 
Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. (1 Cor.5:6-9)
 
Yes my brothers and sisters, even a little sin can spoil the whole soul! As we say, one bad apple can spoil the whole basket. And that’s gospel truth, as many of us have discovered from personal experience. Thus it is that one persistent sin or evil doer in our lives can cause us to fall.
 
So let’s therefore try and root out any known sin that has a stranglehold on us, or anyone who we associate with who’s leading us down the wrong path. And furthermore, let’s be very careful with what and whom we associate, and in whatever company we find ourselves, always endeavour to have our godly behaviour influence the gathering.
 
In that way, we will prevent ourselves from backsliding, and possibly have a good effect on others, leading them to accept Christ as their Lord and Saviour, thus furthering the righteous and glorious kingdom of our great, wonderful and marvellous God. Much LOVE!
 
…there’s no influence as strong and pervasive as that of other humans…so believers must be very careful of whom they allow to influence them…  

Today’s Scrip-Bit 28 April 2013 1 Corinthians 5:6

28 Apr 2013 Leave a comment

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

1 Corinthians 5:6.     Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
 
Oh Friends, the human mind is really something else yes! It’s possibly God’s greatest invention, and something I doubt man will ever be able to fully replicate, like he does other body parts. Anyway, I’m mentioning this because I just remembered looking through my bedroom window a few days ago and seeing the bright sunshine, and my mind, on its own accord, just began singing that old Nat Cole song: ‘Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. Those days of soda and pretzels and beer. Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. You wish that summer could always be here.’ And that’s a fact Friends! The four seasons can be interesting, but they can also be very tiresome and breed unhealthy lethargy in all aspects of our lives. And though I don’t particularly like any of the above named foods, I guess my spirit was just announcing its hunger for summer, after a long, tiring, inconsistent autumn, winter and spring. No doubt a lot of people who live under those four seasons feel the same way, for although we can adapt to whatever we have to, mankind definitely wasn’t made to live under such harsh and rigid conditions. The only solution to that though, is to move to somewhere that summer exists year round, which again is easier said than done. Therefore, I’ll just shut up, grin and bear it, till whenever summer chooses to arrive. (smile) And on that note of realism, let’s get into our Bit: ‘Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?’ Both statements are truth in spades, my people! We saw that in the first part; ‘Your glorying is not good.’ when we looked at it yesterday and discovered that glorying in man, and not God, is possibly the worst mistake we can ever make, since it implies that God is of little or no authority or consequence in our lives. When we make sinful, unworthy men and dead, unable to do anything idols our priorities, then we’re breaking the first commandment. ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before me.’ (Ex.20:3) That will surely draw the Lord’s wrath! Today we’ll see the same undeniable truth that lies within the second half of our Bit; ‘Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?’ And all that’s saying in simple, everyday terms is that one bad apple can spoil an entire barrel. Or as the scholars put it: ‘Even a little sin has a corrupting influence in the life of the saved or the lost.’ In today’s language, ‘leaven’ would most likely be translated as yeast. And we all know from hard experience that if the yeast has any impurities or imperfections, it can cause the bread or whatever we’re baking, to not rise properly or not turn out to our satisfaction. The same thing goes for sin, my people. A little of it can spoil all the good things or persons it comes into contact with. Remember the saying, show me your friends and I’ll tell you, who or what you are? That’s because those you hang out with usually behave like you, and furthermore can easily influence your behaviour. That reminds me of one person whom my mother did not want me to associate with, because they tended to lead me astray. And I’m sure most of us can identify with that scenario. The truth though, is that usually the more we’re told not to associate with certain people, the more we gravitate towards them, whether it’s just through stubborn rebellion to our parent’s wishes, or the person just has a natural charisma that draws us to them. Oh Friends, that bad peer influence is rife amongst today’s youth, what with the great peer pressure that’s currently in vogue, and the lack of a strong godly influence, strong morals and self confidence in our young people. It’s much more prevalent than in our time. Bruh Paul also reminded the Galatians of sin’s corrupting influence. ‘A little leaven (false doctrine) leaveneth (permeates, corrupts) the whole lump (church).’ (Gal.5:9) That’s also happening much more than is necessary in today’s churches too my brethren, with busy-body individuals or little cliques creating turmoil and dissension in Christ’s body. My fellow believers, there’s only one piece of scripture that I can quote as an antidote, or preferably as a preventative measure to all that. ‘For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through (in) Jesus Christ our Lord.’ (Rom.6:23) Yes my brethren, death is what we deserve for our sinful behaviour, but instead, through God’s great mercy and unmerited favour, we are offered salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ. Please, I’m imploring us today, right now, to get wise, since time’s running out, and choose the latter option, for the former is truly terrible, with eternal separation from Almighty God as its just dessert. So please let wisdom abound in our lives today nuh. Much LOVE!…I choose Jesus…I choose Jesus…because His selfless sacrifice on the cross…provided salvation and eternal life…for a worthless sinner like me…