Today’s Scrip-Bit 23 June 2018 Hebrews 13:1-2.

23 Jun 2018 Leave a comment

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

Hebrews 13:1-2.   Let brotherly LOVE continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Well mih breddren, it is one of those nice peaceful, quiet, rainy mornings, a Saturday to boot, in my neck of the woods. Oh what a joy it is to simply lie in one’s bed and listen to the mesmerizing riddim of the falling rain! It is possibly the best natural inducement to sleep that we have. And believe me, it had me so induced and mesmerized this morning that I had to force myself to get up and come down to write the Bit. (smile) 

And I hate to spoil the mood now with this bit of news from you know where, the U.S. Reuters reports thus: ‘Nev. He styles himself as America’s best-known pimp, a strip-club owner who runs multiple brothels and looks set to win a seat as a Republican in the Nevada legislature with the blessing of many conservative Christian voters.’ 

Ah Lord eh! What’s wrong with us eh friends? Have we lost our minds or something? It just doesn’t seem right or sensible. But who am I to say anything eh? He might just turn out to be a better legislator than the ridiculous crew now in place. 

But it’s Saturday and we need to turn to some interesting quotes from our friend Anselm, as he aspires to inspire us for a better tomorrow. Listen to this first one: ‘A disciplined mind leads to happiness, and an undisciplined mind leads to suffering.’ 

I wouldn’t go that far to say that a disciplined mind ALWAYS leads to happiness, and vice versa, since there are some very disciplined people who are definitely not happy. But in most cases it should, since discipline is a by-product of happiness…or the other way around. (smile) 

And hear this next one: ‘Sometimes one creates a dynamic impression by saying something, and sometimes one creates as significant an impression by remaining silent.’ Ah friends is that ever so true! Remember that rule that was prodded into our heads as youths? Silence is golden! 

And it is often more powerful than words. It says so much more than even sincere words sometimes, because we sometimes just need an appreciative and comforting and quiet presence and not a sermon. I just wish that our current society could see it that way and cut out so much of the unnecessary and insincere talk that’s now so prevalent. But that’s where plenty hope and faith comes in. (smile) 

And then there is: ‘Give the ones you LOVE wings to fly, roots to come back, and reasons to stay.’ Is that one ever so true my people! It’s not always wise to restrict the movement of those we LOVE for fear that they might go away and not come back, because that very behaviour can make our fear come true. However, if we have given them the proper grounding, that should not be a problem. 

None of us like to be too restricted in our movements, though sometimes we need to be. It’s like the old saying; if you LOVE something or someone, let it or them go. And if you’ve given them sufficient reason; LOVE, nurture, comfort, understanding, appreciation, respect, then they will keep on coming back, sometimes possibly more than you like. (smile) 

And this last quote ought to be a mantra that ALL we Christians live by. ‘Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.’ Yes friends, remember that other old saying; kindness is next to godliness. And is that ever so true. How I wish that our world was just a li’l kinder…what a big difference it would make. 

I can also tell you that I wouldn’t even be around now except for the kindness of many others, complete strangers too. And our Bit says that in spades: ‘Let brotherly LOVE continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.’ 

Ah friends, I don’t know if we still entertain angels like Abraham (Gen.18:1-3) and Lot (Gen.19:1-2) did way back in olden times, but it is necessary for us to be kind and generous to those in need, since it will be beneficial to both parties when done unto the Lord. 

And Jesus did preach on our need to be kind to each other, especially strangers. ‘For I was an hungered (hungry), and you gave me meat (food): I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.’ (Matt,25:35-36)  

Then the righteous shall look puzzled and ask Jesus when they did all of that to Him? (Matt.25:37-39) ‘And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.’ (Matt.25:40) 

Yes friends, however we treat others, in effect that’s how we’re treating Jesus. So please let that be an invaluable lesson to us nuh, because it will stand us in good stead come the day when Jesus separates the sheep from the goats. 

And we’ll close with these similar, and oh so familiar words from Bruh Paul from his missive to the church at Rome. ‘Recompense (repay) to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in (depends on) you, live peaceably with all men… Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.’ (Rom.12:17-18, 21) 

No need to read and spell there for us my brethren, because that says it all in plain and simple language! Much LOVE!

…God shows us His LOVING-kindness…so that we can show ours to our fellow man…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 10 September 2017 Isaiah 11:6.

10 Sep 2017 Leave a comment

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

Isaiah 11:6.   The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.

Well it’s Sunday friends; that day when we gather in God’s sanctuary to praise and worship Him in peaceful and joyful fellowship. What a pleasure that is; singing songs of LOVE and harmony, of peace and goodwill, hearing God’s word and having it strengthen our faith and put some pep in our stride. 

And as always, we like to loosen up with a song of praise. Today we’ll sing that old Gospel song ‘Peace in the Valley,’ written by the black preacher’s son, Thomas A. Dorsey in 1937 for Mahalia Jackson, though numerous people have recorded it over the ensuing years. And there’s an interesting story behind the writing of the song. 

Dorsey said of writing “Peace in the Valley,” “It was just before Hitler sent his war chariots into Western Europe in the late 1930s. I was on a train going through southern Indiana and saw horses, cows and sheep all grazing together in this little valley. Everything seemed so peaceful. It made me question, “What’s the matter with mankind? Why can’t men live in peace?” Out of those thoughts came “Peace in the Valley.” 

Yes friends, we’re all searching for peace, but that’s a very difficult commodity to find in these crazy and godless times. Nonetheless, let’s offer up the sacrifice of praise from our lips and humble hearts, let’s bare our souls in soulful song and let the Lord in heaven on high know that we are truly His people. 

In unison now: ‘Oh well, I’m tired and so weary But I must go alone Till the Lord comes and calls Calls me away, oh yes Well the morning’s so bright And the lamp is alight And the night, night is as black As the sea, oh yes There will be peace in the valley for me, some day There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray There’ll be no sadness, no sorrow No trouble, trouble I see There will be peace in the valley for me, for me. 

Well the bear will be gentle And the wolves will be tame And the lion shall lay down by the lamb, oh yes And the beasts from the wild Shall be led by a child And I’ll be changed Changed from this creature that I am, oh yes There will be peace in the valley for me, some day There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray There’ll be no sadness, no sorrow No trouble, trouble I see There will be peace in the valley for me, for me.’ 

And isn’t that the living truth friends? One day in the eventual reign of our Messiah, Jesus Christ, that is exactly how our world will be. The Lord promised that in His word, through the prophet Isaiah, when he talks about the righteous reign of the branch of Jesse. Our Bit spells it out loud and clear. ‘The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.’ 

Oh my people, what a blessed day that will be when our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ finally takes over the world and sets up His everlasting kingdom: His kingdom that will have no end! 

Listen as Isaiah continues with the peaceful scene. ‘And the cow and the bear shall feed (graze); their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the suckling (nursing) child shall play on the hole of the asp (cobra), and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ (in the viper’s) den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.’ (Is.11:7-9) 

Mama Mia! Glory to God for His LOVING-kindness to the children of men! I can’t wait to see that day friends. Chuh! How different it will be from this warmongering, hateful, strife filled age. 

And here’s how the scholars explain it. ‘11:6-9. Peace and harmony will characterize the Messiah’s kingdom. Ravenous predatory animals – wolf, leopard, lion and bear – are set in deliberate contrast to the more defenseless lamb, kid, calf, cow, and ox. That the lion shall eat straw implies a change of diet. 

Even the asp and the cockatrice (snakes) will be harmless to a small child. Isaiah sees the Messiah ruling the world in righteousness and a peace that extends even to the animal kingdom. During this time the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord. Thus the prophet sees beyond the restoration of Judah to a time when the Messiah will rule the entire world.’ 

What a glorious time that will be my people. And yuh know why our time now is so disgusting? Because the earth IS NOT full of the knowledge of the Lord! Yeh friends, when God is at the forefront of our society, involved in every area of our lives, both public and private, then there is peace and LOVE and harmony in our world. 

Oh friends, we know that total peace will not happen until Jesus comes back, but that doesn’t mean that in the meanwhile, we can’t have much more peace than we currently have. It all depends on us though, for the enemy doesn’t desire peace. 

In closing, let’s take these words of Bruh Paul to the Romans to heart nuh. ‘If it be possible, as much as lieth in (depends on) you, live peaceably with all men.’ (Rom.12:18)  What wonders that would cause in our world if Christians would live up to that scripture! Much LOVE!

…SEEK PEACE…AND PURSUE IT…

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 17 July 2015 Proverbs 3:30

17 Jul 2015 Leave a comment

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

Proverbs 3:30. Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.

Oh Friends, it looks like this Friday is going to be a cloudy, rainy kind of day….

‘We don’t care what kind of day it is nuh; whether it be rain, sleet or snow!’ is the response I quickly receive. ‘We just thanking God that it’s Friday and the weekend’s here at last!

You don’t know the amount of backbreaking slave labour we put in this past week for an unappreciative boss nuh. That’s why we joyfully shouting TGIF! Thank God is Friday yes!’

Ah mih people, I know the trials and tribulations we all go through trying to make a half-decent life in this evil and ungodly world. It’s not easy, but with Jesus Christ as our guide, our Lord and Saviour, our Provider, we are enabled to handle it better than most.

And to help us stay with it, to get the right perspective for handling the upcoming weekend, let’s chant our Friday Chant with positive energy and enthusiasm. As one chanter 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.’

Yeh Friends, that’s the kind of attitude we need to have for the weekend, not one of blowing off steam by simply partying it up and ignoring the wants and needs of body and soul.

Now here is an interesting list of things we can do to live a life of lasting significance. I got this on a card I recently received from In Touch Ministries, that’s the organization behind Uncle Charles (Charles Stanley).

It says: ‘Ensure that your interaction with others are truly meaningful and eternally impactful by: Modeling a steadfast desire to follow Jesus and a sincere faith in His will and ways. Demonstrating reverence for God’s Word. Teaching others how to listen to and obey the Lord. Expressing a sincere LOVE, a servant spirit, a forgiving heart, and a generous hand in every situation.’

Oh my people, isn’t that just so beautiful! It captures the essence of the true Christian life in a nutshell. And it segues in quite nicely to our Bit, which instead of being a do for the believer like the other statements above, is an important don’t. (smile)

‘Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.’

And that my people is also a significant statement for those of us who want to live an impactful life for Christ. We cannot afford to be constantly in strife with others, even when there is reason for it, much less when there is none.

Unfortunately though, there are too many of us in this modern world, Christians included, who just like to be involved in strife, be there reason for it or not. That my brethren is a rather unhealthy and unchristian attitude to life, which can only lead to serious problems and much unhappiness.

And if you don’t believe me, please remember what James tells us: ‘For where envying and strife is (self-seeking exists), there is confusion and every evil work.’ (James 3:16)

And that’s the gospel truth my people! Envy and strife and their negative family of emotions and behaviour only cause negative responses like resentment, anger, bitterness and hatred. And those are things we definitely don’t need in our already tough and confused lives at all, at all, at all. (smile)

Now let’s look at some scripture that bears out the contention in our Bit. Hear Bruh Paul to the church at Rome, talking about the service of LOVE to all. ‘Recompense (repay) to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest (have regard for good things) in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in (depends on) you, live peaceably with all men.’ (Rom.12:17-18)

Ah mih breddren, that is indisputable heavenly wisdom! Evil, dishonesty and strife are not supposed to be a part of the Christian heritage.

Now listen to Bruh David from Psalm 34 – The Lord hears the righteous. ‘Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is he that desireth life, and LOVETH many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile (deceit). Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace and pursue it.’ (Ps.34:11-14)

And how many thousands of years later my friends, those words are still standing the test of time! The first thing we need to learn about God is that the negative stuff like strife, anger and evil have no place whatsoever in His dominion! He deals in the positives like peace and LOVE and goodness.

Ah Friends, if only a li’l bit more of those things existed in the body of Christ eh, the church, how wonderful life would be!

And on that solemn note we will end today. Please, let’s sincerely ponder how what we’ve said today, impacts our current lives. And then, with the help of Almighty God, set out to make the necessary changes nuh. Because it’s so sad to see God’s people involved in so much negative stuff, when the good stuff is so easy to come by.

It just takes the effort of a few serious and mature Christians to get together and decide to do away with all the petty, unnecessary nonsense that’s happening in the body of Christ. Much LOVE!

…Christ’s heart must certainly bleed…when He looks down and sees…the large amount of ungodly behaviour…being exhibited by His people…

 

 

 

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