Today’s Scrip-Bit   27 February 2022 Ephesians 6:13.

27 Feb 2022 Leave a comment

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

Ephesians 6:13.      Wherefore take unto you (take up) the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand.

And it’s another Sunday morning, damp and cloudy, but nonetheless a blessed day because we are alive and able to worship our heavenly Father without too many problems, unlike some of our Christian family in other parts of the world. However my faithful brethren, our freedom to worship whom we please, where and when we please is in great danger of being taken away in the dictatorial times that seem to be currently upon us. But as true and faithful soldiers of Christ we cannot allow that to happen. It’s just inconceivable that in this Western world that was founded on the principles of religious freedom we will be denied that God-given right. 

However, it’s up to us to stand up and fight to keep it. And if we refuse to do so, it will eventually be taken away from us. Please don’t fool yourself and think otherwise, for there’s a movement out there that basically fears Jehovah God and desperately wants to remove Him from our society, so they can worship their dead idols and live a life of sin and evil. But I say again; we cannot allow that to ever happen, because we are Christ’s ambassadors, agents, soldiers and representatives on this here earth, which He created and which He still controls, but He depends on us to keep things flowing smoothly. 

Remember earlier on in the week we spoke about two people in Finland being criminally prosecuted for tweeting something from the Bible? That ought to be a serious wake up call for us friends, because if it can happen there, means it will soon be happening here…that is if we lie down and play dead and allow it. And that’s why today’s song in our worship is that awesome song of praise, encouragement and standing strong for Jesus, so aptly titled, ‘Stand Up Stand Up For Jesus!’ And that’s exactly what we need to do in these times of our faith being endangered. 

So let’s sing a powerful, easy rocking Reggae version a la Jamaican gospel singer Carlene Davis. Altogether now, let our sweet sacrifice of praise rise to high heaven in all sincerity ad truth: ‘Stand up, stand up for Jesus ye soldiers of the cross; lift high his royal banner, it must not suffer loss: from vict’ry unto vict’ry his army he shall lead, ’til ev’ry foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed. Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the trumpet call obey; forth to the mighty conflict in this his glorious day: ye that are men now serve him against unnumbered foes; let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose. 

(Chorus: Stand up, stand up, Stand up for Jesus, children stand up. Stand up, stand up, Stand up for Jesus children stand up. Yes we are standing on Christ my Saviour, standing on the promises of God. Standing on the promises of Christ my saviour, standing on the promises of God. Stand up, stand up, Stand up for Jesus, children stand up. Stand up, stand up, Stand up for Jesus children stand up.) 

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, stand in his strength alone; the arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own: put on the gospel armor, each piece put on with pray’r; where duty calls, or danger, be never wanting there. Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the strife will not be long; this day the noise of battle, the next the victor’s song: to him that overcometh a crown of life shall be; he with the King of glory shall reign eternally. 

(Chorus: Stand up, stand up, Stand up for Jesus, children stand up. Stand up, stand up, Stand up for Jesus children stand up. Yes we are standing on the promises of Christ my Saviour, standing on the promises of God. Standing on the promises of Christ my saviour, standing on the promises of God. Stand up, stand up, Stand up for Jesus, children stand up. Stand up, stand up, Stand up for Jesus children stand up.) 

Oh my fellow believers, in these trying and very threatening times that is what we are called to do as representatives of Christ: stand up strong and fight the evil enemy who wants to destroy His kingdom! And it’s interesting how the inspiration for this song came to its author George Duffield Jr. (1818-1888) the American Presbyterian Pastor. He claims that he was inspired by the words of his dying friend and fellow pastor Dudley A. Tyng, who had been ‘ousted from his own congregation for his strong anti-slavery stance. 

Tyng preached to large crowds in weekday meetings sponsored by the YMCA. His work spearheaded an evangelical revival in Philadelphia early in 1858. At Tyng’s deathbed, caused by a farm accident in which he lost an arm, Duffield and others asked if he had any final message. Tyng replied, ‘Tell them to stand up for Jesus!” At Tyng’s memorial service on April 25, 1858, Duffield preached on Ephesians 6:14 and concluded his sermon by reading his new hymn text, “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus.” 

So you see friends, living sincerely for Christ, is, was, and will always be a battle, because the enemy, the ruler of this evil world does not want us to do so, and will fight us tooth and nail through every fraudulent and deceitful avenue possible. And it’s important to know that we’ve got the victory, but we still have to fight the spiritual battle, against the spiritual wickedness in high places and wherever the enemy has secluded his evil associates. That’s why Bruh Paul so strongly admonished us in that portion of Ephesians 6: ‘Wherefore take unto you (take up) the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand.’ (Eph. 6:13) 

We definitely cannot fight this spiritual battle without God’s spiritual armour, which we all know as the girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, with the added power of prayer and perseverance. (Eph. 6:14-18) And when we have put on that marvellous armour, then we are required to STAND! To stand strong in the might of Christ! 

And I want to end with this interesting quote that tells it like it is, don’t remember where I got it from though. (smile) ‘The challenge of “Stand Up for Jesus” is proclaimed through the military metaphors Paul uses in Ephesians 6:10-18. Although some decry the warlike imagery, the spiritual battle that Christians must fight is very real. Christ’s victory is assured even if we do not always move “from victory unto victory” in our earthly lives.’ 

Oh friends, please believe that there is a great spiritual battle taking place in all of our lives, against the Church of Christ and its members. Yes, Christ has indeed won the overall victory, but if we don’t put on our spiritual armour and stand up strong for Christ right now, then we are in danger of losing our battle in our time. And I don’t think we want to be looked upon as losers in Christ’s army. So let’s seriously and sincerely stand up and be counted nuh; that’s the wise and faithful thing to do. Much LOVE!

…all good soldiers are required to fight courageously…fight to the death…if need be… 

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit 30 May 2021 Ephesians 6:13.

30 May 2021 Leave a comment

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

Ephesians 6:13.     ​Wherefore take unto you (take up) the whole armour of God,that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

It’s a beautiful Sunday morning; time to gather together for a song, a song of praise, worship and thanksgiving! And why not eh, if our eyes have opened to behold God’s great creation called the universe, in which we, mankind are celebrated as His most spectacular creation? Oh, I know the majority of us don’t behave like it, but that doesn’t stop our God from LOVING us with a fierce, true, unconditional heartfelt emotion! And for those of us who do appreciate His thrilling LOVE, it’s only right that we show our gratitude and sing His praises on this His Sabbath Day. 

Now today’s song is most appropriate for these troubled and ungodly times. It’s titled ‘Stand Up Stand Up For Jesus!’ And, oh, how the world is dying to see us do that! But a little background on the song before we burst into praise. The song was written by one George Duffield Jr. (1818-1888) on the inspirational words of his dying Presbyterian preacher colleague, Dudley A. Tyng, who had been a strong anti-slavery advocate in the Philadelphia area. 

It’s reputed that on his deathbed in 1858, from an unfortunate farm accident in which he lost an arm, he was asked by his friends if he had a final message. Tyng replied: ‘Tell them to stand up for Jesus.’ Later on, at Tyng’s memorial service, it’s said that Duffield preached on Ephesians 6:14, and ended his sermon by reading the text of his new hymn, ‘Stand up Stand up for Jesus.’ 

Wow! What an inspiring story! Now, having heard it, let’s raise our hearts, eyes, heads, hands and voices in praiseful worship and sing that awesome song like we truly mean it. And we going to sing it in a rousing reggae riddim, per Miss Carlene Davis, the famous Jamaican Gospel singer. 

Altogether now: ‘Stand up, stand up for Jesus ye soldiers of the cross; lift high his royal banner, it must not suffer loss: from vict’ry unto vict’ry his army he shall lead, ’til ev’ry foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed. Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the trumpet call obey; forth to the mighty conflict in this his glorious day: ye that are men now serve him against unnumbered foes; let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose. 

(Chorus: Stand up, stand up, Stand up for Jesus, children stand up. Stand up, stand up, Stand up for Jesus children stand up. Yes we are standing on Christ my Saviour, standing on the promises of God. Standing on the promises of Christ my saviour, standing on the promises of God. Stand up, stand up, Stand up for Jesus, children stand up. Stand up, stand up, Stand up for Jesus children stand up.) 

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, stand in his strength alone; the arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own: put on the gospel armor, each piece put on with pray’r; where duty calls, or danger, be never wanting there. Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the strife will not be long; this day the noise of battle, the next the victor’s song: to him that overcometh a crown of life shall be; he with the King of glory shall reign eternally. 

(Chorus: Stand up, stand up, Stand up for Jesus, children stand up. Stand up, stand up, Stand up for Jesus children stand up. Yes we are standing on Christ my Saviour, standing on the promises of God. Standing on the promises of Christ my saviour, standing on the promises of God. Stand up, stand up, Stand up for Jesus, children stand up. Stand up, stand up, Stand up for Jesus children stand up.) 

Oh my fellow believers, that was a marvellous version which had all of heaven dancing and singing. But even more importantly is the urgent need we have to put what we just sang into immediate action down here on earth, because the enemy is running away with the battle while we sit on our fannies. That’s one thing we can learn from the enemy; not to sit on our fannies. Yes, we might have won the eventual battle through Christ, but in the meanwhile we have to keep that victorious spirit moving on down here on earth. We can’t ever let up, because the enemy is serious about trying to take back the ground he lost to Jesus. 

And the good thing about that song is that it’s based on some very encouraging and worthwhile scriptures. Let’s look at a few of them nuh. We have already said that Duffield preached on Eph. 6:14 at Tyng’s Memorial service. And that’s a scripture we all should know very well, as it’s taken from Bruh Paul’s famous writings to the church at Ephesus on the whole spiritual armour of God. And we can see in the second to last stanza where the author refers to the entire portion of the scripture: ‘put on the gospel armour, each piece put on with pray’r; where duty calls or danger, be never wanting there.’ 

We’ll just quote the two verses we mentioned. ‘Wherefore take unto you (take up) the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about (girded your waist) with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.’ (Eph. 6:13-14) Yes friends, we are involved in a spiritual battle and we can’t fight it successfully without the armour of God. So we need to put it on, and then stand strong! 

And in the very first verse, the author characterizes us as soldiers in Christ’s army, no doubt referring to Bruh Paul’s exhortation to Timothy. ‘Thou therefore endure hardness (hardship), as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.’ (2 Tim. 2:3-4) And Christ has indeed called us to be soldiers in His army. 

Then if we look at the second verse, where the writer says: ‘ye that are men now serve him against unnumbered foes; let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose.’ That certainly resembles Bruh Paul’s exhortation to the church at Corinth: ‘Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men (be brave), be strong.’ (1 Cor. 16:13) 

And the last scripture we’ll check out is the one concerning the part of the hymn that says: ‘to him that overcometh a crown of life shall be; he with the King of glory shall reign eternally.’ That seems to come from Revelation 2:10, where Jesus promises: ‘Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried (tested); and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.’ 

Oh my people, what better way to end today’s Bit eh, than by reminding us to stand strong, and endure the temptation and tribulation brought upon us by the enemy, so that at the end, we can have that glorious crown of life so faithfully promised by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Much LOVE!

…the world’s a battlefield…and Christ’s followers…are expected to fight on His behalf…                                                 

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit 6 December 2020 Ephesians 6:13.

06 Dec 2020 Leave a comment

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

Ephesians 6:13.    ​Wherefore take unto you (take up) the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Another Sunday…and another day of virtual worship! But the important thing is that there’s worship! And all God’s children shouted loud and proud: ‘Praise the Lord! Hallelujah! Amen!’ Yeh friends, it doesn’t really matter how we communicate and/or worship, once we communicate and worship, and give thanks and praise to our wonderful heavenly Father. (smile) And with the severe turbulence that’s currently surrounding our lives I thought it necessary to open today’s proceedings with a song that brings our true purpose to mind and also offers oodles of encouragement. The song is aptly tittle ‘Stand up, Stand up for Jesus!’ 

Now that’s exactly what believers ought to be doing in troubled times like these. But before we get into the song, there’s an interesting story behind it. The song was written by clergyman George Duffield, Jr. (b. Carlisle, PA, 1818; d. Bloomfield, NJ, 1888). ‘It’s reputed that he was inspired to write this text after hearing the dying words of a Presbyterian colleague, Dudley A. Tyng. Ousted from his own congregation for his strong anti-slavery stance, Tyng preached to large crowds in weekday meetings sponsored by the YMCA. 

His work spearheaded an evangelical revival in Philadelphia early in 1858. At Tyng’s deathbed, caused by a farm accident in which he lost an arm, Duffield and others asked if he had any final message. Tyng replied, ‘Tell them to stand up for Jesus!” At Tyng’s memorial service on April 25, 1858, Duffield preached on Ephesians 6:14 and concluded his sermon by reading his new hymn text, “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus.” Several lines in that original text referred to Tyng’s words and ministry.’ 

So it’s not only appropriate for us taking a stand for Jesus, but also for the racial injustice that’s still so prevalent in our world. And today we’re going to do an easy rocking reggae version, a la Jamaican gospel singer Carlene Davis, but with plenty riddim and plenty soul. (smile) So let’s get to raising our sweet voices to heaven in perfect harmony nuh: ‘Stand up, stand up for Jesus ye soldiers of the cross; lift high his royal banner, it must not suffer loss: from vict’ry unto vict’ry his army he shall lead, ’til ev’ry foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed. 

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the trumpet call obey; forth to the mighty conflict in this his glorious day: ye that are men now serve him against unnumbered foes; let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose. (Chorus: Stand up, stand up, Stand up for Jesus, children stand up. Stand up, stand up, Stand up for Jesus children stand up. Yes we are standing on Christ my Saviour, standing on the promises of God. Standing on the promises of Christ my saviour, standing on the promises of God. Stand up, stand up, Stand up for Jesus, children stand up. Stand up, stand up, Stand up for Jesus children stand up.) 

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, stand in his strength alone; the arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own: put on the gospel armor, each piece put on with pray’r; where duty calls, or danger, be never wanting there. Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the strife will not be long; this day the noise of battle, the next the victor’s song: to him that overcometh a crown of life shall be; he with the King of glory shall reign eternally. 

(Chorus: Stand up, stand up, Stand up for Jesus, children stand up. Stand up, stand up, Stand up for Jesus children stand up. Yes we are standing on Christ my Saviour, standing on the promises of God. Standing on the promises of Christ my saviour, standing on the promises of God. Stand up, stand up, Stand up for Jesus, children stand up. Stand up, stand up, Stand up for Jesus children stand up.) 

Oh mih bredrin, the airwaves were jumping…and heaven was jiving too! And I like that about heaven; anytime the music’s pumping, heaven is always involved, cause they LOVE good, praiseful music, just like us. Yuh know that if the music is good, you just can’t keep your feet from dancing. (smile)Anyway my people, there’s no getting away from the fact that as believers in Christ, we need to stand up strong and steadfast, like good soldiers for Him in this evil world. And I won’t preach at you today, (smile) just share some scripture on which they say the verses of the hymn are built and they seem reasonable to me. 

The first verse, they say comes from 2 Timothy. ‘Thou therefore endure hardness (hardship), as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.’ (2 Tim. 2:3-4) As to the second verse, it’s supposedly built on exhortations from 1 Corinthians. ‘Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men (be brave), be strong. Let all your things be done with charity (LOVE).’ (1 Cor. 16:13-14) The third verse obviously comes from that famous chapter in Ephesians re the whole armour of God (Eph. 6:10-17) And I’m going to share it all, regardless of time and space. (smile) 

‘Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles (evil schemes) of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world (age), against spiritual wickedness (spiritual hosts) in high places. Wherefore take unto you (take up) the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth (your waist girded with truth), and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked (one). And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.’ (Eph. 6:10-17) 

Yes friends, that’s the basic armour of God, and if you don’t have it on, it doesn’t make sense going out to fight. But yuh know what, even with all of that armour on, yuh still missing one thing; the most important thing. ‘Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.’ (Eph. 6:18) Well my fellow believers, as the scholars tell us: ‘Without prayer God’s armour is inadequate to achieve victory. Prayer is indispensable.’ So please pay serious attention to that. 

And as per the fourth verse, just listen to the wonderfully encouraging scriptures. From Bruh Paul to Timothy: ‘For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure (death) is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course (race), I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto them also thatLOVEhis appearing.’ (2 Tim. 4:6-8) 

And from Jesus to the church at Smyrna: ‘Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison. That ye may be tried (tested); and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.’ (Rev. 2:10) Ah mih people those two crowns – of righteousness and life – are certainly worth having, but it’s not easy. Both Bruh Paul and Jesus faced many hardships and fought and stood strong like real soldiers. And if we’re serious about our life with Christ, we can do it too. 

Anyway, we’ll end with this pertinent bit of advice: ‘The challenge of “Stand Up for Jesus” is proclaimed through the military metaphors Paul uses in Ephesians 6:10-18. Although some decry the warlike imagery, the spiritual battle that Christians must fight is very real. Christ’s victory is assured even if we do not always move “from victory unto victory” in our earthly lives.’ And that’s the gospel truth friends, so please, let’s stand as best we can! That’s all Christ asks.Much LOVE!

…the enemy will not give up…neither should we believers…