Today’s Scrip-Bit 1 July 2013 1 Thessalonians 3:12

01 Jul 2013 Leave a comment

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

 

1 Thessalonians 3:12.   And the Lord make you to increase and abound in LOVE one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you.
 
Well Friends, it’s Monday once again… And a joyous shout comes from near and far: ‘Thank God it’s Monday; Canada Day and no work to go to! Happy Birthday Canada! Way to go! You’re still the best big country in the world to live in, bar none!’
 
Yes people, Canada Day celebrates the birth of our wonderful nation! On July 1 1867, one hundred and forty six years ago, the British Parliament passed the British North America Act, uniting the British North American Colonies of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the Province of Canada, to form a federation of four Provinces, with the Province of Canada being divided into the French speaking Quebec and the English speaking Ontario.
 
And since that momentous day Friends, we’ve been on the rise as a godly and Christian nation, although now, like so much of the world, our claim to that title is fading fast away. But Friends, we all know that while there’s life there’s always hope, so it’s not too late for people like you and I to pick up the baton and run with it, then pass it on to our children, and so on down the line, till Jesus comes again.
 
Anyway Friends and fellow Canadians, have a happy Canada Day. Let’s make our country proud of us. Enjoy it, but remember, as Granny would say; drunk or sober mind your business. (smile) I had to put that in, because it’s in times of celebrations that that roaring, toothless lion Lucifer usually finds an unsecured spot in our spiritual armour and preys on our shortcoming. So let’s not give him even the smallest opportunity to invade our souls.
 
And now, for all those working stiffs elsewhere, who have to go to work today, (smile) let’s commiserate with them and sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn in loud harmony.
 
All together 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!’
 
Let’s go out today and truly fight with vim and vigour my people!
 
And now it’s time for our Bit: ‘And the Lord make you to increase and abound in LOVE one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you.’
 
That my brethren, is Bruh Paul praying for the church at Thessalonica, encouraging them to increase in LOVE and Christ-like behaviour. And do we ever need a lot of prayers for the church today, as we seem to be slumping, to be losing the fight against the evil powers of this dark and devious world. 
 
Oh my fellow believers, we most definitely need an upsurge in the spiritual fortunes of Christ’s body, for there’s currently so much evil activity, like fraud, deception, anger, resentment and gossip-mongering going on that it boggles the mind. I’m sure that Jesus must at times shake His head up there in heaven and wonder why He ever sacrificed His holy, innocent life for a bunch of ingrates like us.
 
But what’s done is done. There’s no going backward now, but it’s all straight ahead! And though many of us can’t do anything about the unchristian-like activities in the church, we can certainly pray for it though, like Bruh Paul prayed for all the churches with which he was affiliated.
 
Listen to his prayer for the church at Philippi: ‘And this I pray, that your LOVE may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgement (discernment); That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.’ (Phil.1:9-11)
 
Yes Friends, prayer is our strongest weapon, let’s not be afraid to use it nuh, especially in furthering Christ’s church!
 
Now here’s some scholarly info on those verses. ‘1:10: Things that are excellent means “things that really matter.” This refers to important issues. As the Philippians’ LOVE increases in knowledge and discernment (v 9), they will be able to accurately distinguish the vital and worthwhile things in life from those that are not. Contextually, the readers’ LOVE for Paul vexes them as they are anxious over his imprisonment.
 
He (on the other hand) wants them to perceive his imprisonment as being among those “things that really matter” because of the good that God will bring out of it. The purpose for such discrimination is that ye may be sincere (or, morally pure) and without offense till the day of Christ. 
 
1:11: This verse could be translated, “Filled with the fruit that is righteousness, which comes through Jesus Christ for the purpose of glorifying and praising God.” The believer who is pure and without offense before God (v 10) has divinely developed in him a practical “righteousness” or daily moral life that measures up to God’s standards in character and conduct. The ultimate purpose for this “righteousness” is to glorify God.’
 
Oh Friends, we couldn’t end on a better note! Please remember that our main purpose on this earth is to glorify our wonderful Creator, through our behaviour and our spreading of His Word. Sadly though, we’re not doing a good enough job of it, hence the wickedness so prevalent in the world, and the lack of LOVE.
 
So please, I implore us to rise up, to light a fire under us and those close to us, as we ought to, and glorify our God, as He expects and rightfully deserves. That is indeed true wisdom, so that when He asks us on that fateful day, why we didn’t do more and/ or better than we did, we won’t be left stammering and shaking, unable to give a coherent answer. Much LOVE!
 
…to truly glorify God…one must work diligently and painstakingly…to promote the LOVE Revolution of Jesus…
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 29 June 2013 Psalm 86:11

29 Jun 2013 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 86:11.    Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
 
Well Friends and fellow believers, we have been mightily blessed to see another glorious day on Planet Earth! Wow! I surely hope that we have all given our most gracious God some thanks and praise for that wonderful opportunity, because He deserves it for looking down on us with mercy and grace.
 
And though life on earth can be very trying at times, I doubt very many of us are ready to go home to heaven right now. I know I don’t want to, because I have so many things that the Lord has put in my heart still to do down here. And He could have easily taken us home during the night, but His not doing so means that He still has plans for us down here on Mother Earth.
 
So why don’t we talk to Him eh, and find out what He expects of us today? That’s the best way to know what’s what! And it’s usually best to communicate with our heavenly Father as soon as we awaken, so that we can begin the day on the right foot in His awesome presence, with the guiding of His Holy Spirit. That way Lucifer won’t stand a chance in hell to get to us early and sow his seeds of evil and corruption.
 
That’s what was so great about Bruh David; from his youth, he was always talking to the Lord, asking Him for His guidance, meditating on His words, wanting to learn His ways. Our Bit today exemplifies that great desire for wisdom and understanding as to the Lord’s ways and will. ‘Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart (give me singleness of heart) to fear (have reverential awe for) thy name.’
 
Ah Friends, how many of us try to dig, to delve so deeply into God’s ways and will eh? Not nearly enough! But if we want to learn more about God, then that’s the only way to go; right to the source, the fountainhead of all wisdom, truth, knowledge and understanding, to the One who created everything and everyone that exists, or has ever existed.
 
And what does Cousin James say about seeking wisdom? ‘If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not (without reproach); and it shall be given to him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering (not doubting). For he that wavereth (doubts) is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.’ (James 1:5-8)
 
And that’s gospel Friends, eternal truth! But we have to be serious, really searching for wisdom and truth, and not be wishy-washy and unstable, because the Lord won’t help us then. Now let’s look at some scriptures where Bruh David entreats the Lord to teach him His ways and statutes.
 
Listen to him in Psalm 25, A prayer for guidance and protection. ‘Show me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all day.’ (Ps.25:4-5)
 
Then in Psalm 27, the Lord is my light and my salvation, he earnestly petitions his God: ‘Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain (smooth) path, because of mine enemies.’ (Ps.27:11)
 
And yet again, this time in Psalm 143, Teach me to do thy will, he plaintively cries out to God for wisdom and understanding re His Word and His will. ‘Cause me to hear thy LOVING-kindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my soul unto thee…. Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.’ (Ps.143:8, 10)
 
No wonder Bruh David was so fortunate! He didn’t have an easy life, from being a shepherd as a boy, to king of Israel, and much of it was not his fault. But even when he was at fault, he was wise enough to cry out to the God of his forefathers for mercy and forgiveness, and the Lord usually granted him his wish, because He knew the generally right state of his heart.
 
So too my people, even unto this day, if we keep looking to God for wisdom and guidance with a strong trust and sincere surrender, He will grant them to us. We just have to have the right motives, because He doesn’t just listen to our tearful words, but bases His decisions on the state of our hearts.
 
Now it’s very obvious that we can’t handle the ruggedness of life here on earth by ourselves, and what better place to seek help and succour than at the footstool, the throne of our Creator? There’s no place better my brethren!
 
And we’ll end with a few verses of scripture that are famous in regards seeking wisdom and understanding, taken from Psalm 119. ‘Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statues; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.’ (Ps.119:33-35)
 
Yes Friends, the commandments of our God ought to be our delight! But they’ll never be unless and until we get serious about them and make a conscious decision to seek and follow them with all our heart, body and soul. Therein lies the faith and strength of a true believer. Much LOVE!
 
…to truly know God…one must have…deep and constant communication with Him…as they say…practice makes perfect…
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   

Today’s Scrip-Bit 27 June 2013 Titus 3:8

27 Jun 2013 Leave a comment

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

Titus 3:8:   This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly; that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.  
 
And then it was Thursday! Yes Friends, another heaven-sent day loaded with new mercies and blessings for God’s people is in the offing! Wow! What a most magnanimous and merciful God we serve! There’s none other like Him in the entire universe!
 
And all God’s people declared a mighty: ‘Glory Hallelujah! Praise His Holy Name, for He is indeed worthy to be praised!’ Yes my brethren, our great God Jehovah is most definitely worthy of all the thanks and praise we can give Him!
 
Unfortunately though, I don’t believe we give Him enough glory. We keep wanting and requiring from Him, but our giving to Him is sadly lacking. Please let’s start turning that around now nuh. If you think we get plenty blessings now, you wouldn’t believe what’s in store, if we truly give Him the reverence and praise He deserves.
 
And since my hand is feeling fairly good, much better than I expected, I’ll give Him one big, ‘Thank You Lord for looking after me! I knew you wouldn’t do anything to stop me from spreading your Word, because that’s what you’ve anointed me to do. It’s not the greatest, but I can get the job done, that’s the important thing, with Your help of course. Amen.’
 
And now without further ado, let’s turn to our Bit. ‘This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly; that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.’
 
As promised my people, it’s the same as yesterday. But instead of putting forth our affirmations, as we did yesterday, today we’ll look at those Bruh Paul was referring to in his missive to Titus.
 
And in this chapter dealing with Christian citizenship, he strongly advises Titus to: ‘Put them in mind to be subject to principalities (rulers) and powers (authorities), to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work. To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers (not contentious), but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men.’ (Titus 3:1-2)
 
Yes my people, those are just some of the things we should do as true believers in Jesus Christ! We ought to obey authority, because it originates from God Himself. In fact we should always be ready to do whatever good work is requested of us. Neither should we be gossipmongers, or given to strife and contentiousness, but be kind and LOVING to all, just as Jesus, our leader was in His earthly sojourn.
 
It’s not easy to live like that in this fallen, sinful world, but as believers, it’s our duty to attain to that lifestyle. And as we all know, our gracious God won’t ask us to do something without giving us the necessary tools to accomplish it. So we just have to be steadfast and press ahead towards the mark, the calling of Christ.
 
Then Bruh Paul continues, giving us the basis of our Christian ethic. ‘For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.’ (Titus 3:3)
 
Wow Friends! Can you imagine living like that? But that’s exactly how we were living until the Lord had compassion on us. ‘But after that the kindness and LOVE of God our Saviour toward man appeared.’ (Titus 3:4)
 
And all God’s people gave a heartfelt shout of ‘Praise the Lord for His kindness to the undeserving children of men!’
 
Yes my brethren, the Lord God Jehovah really and truly deserves our eternal thanks and praise, as we said at the beginning. But for some unknown reason(s) we seem to be very reluctant to do so, or do it very grudgingly, as though we were entitled to God’s grace and mercy, or we’re doing something great for God by giving Him the little thanks we offer.
 
But make no mistake Friends, it’s we, you and I, who are receiving the goodness and LOVING-kindness that we’re not entitled to, and neither are we receiving our just deserts for our sinful behaviour. So please let’s get off our high horse and stop thinking that we’re doing God a favour by worshipping and serving Him. Let’s get the right perspective; it’s Him that’s doing us the favours we don’t deserve!
 
For as Bruh Paul so rightly continues to inform Titus: ‘Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed (poured out) on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace (declared righteous), we should be made heirs according to the hope (the strong confidence) of eternal life.’ (Titus 3:5-7)
 
Ah mih breddren, yuh see what the kindness and LOVE of God did for us! Hn! Before Christ’s sacrifice of LOVE, we were hateful and sinful, but through the shedding of His blood and God’s awesome mercy, we were cleansed, made whole, redeemed, sanctified, made right with God, so much so that we became rightful heirs of God with Christ.
 
And Friends, to end, I want to drive home the point that it was not by any good works of ours, that we were and are saved, as Bruh Paul points out, but by the LOVE, the Mercy, the Kindness, the Compassion and the Forgiving Nature of a most magnanimous, magnificent and omnipotent God, who created us and did not want to see His most wonderful creation end up in death and damnation with the foolish, fallen angel, the prince of darkness, Lucifer.
 
Please let’s get that straight, for until we do, we’ll never give God the true honour and glory He deserves. Much LOVE!
 
…before we can truly LOVE Jesus…we must truly understand what He did for us…
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 26 May 2013 Matthew 27:46.

26 May 2013 Leave a comment

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

Matthew 27:46.    And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?
 
Oh Friends, ‘Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Were you there, were you there, were you there when they crucified my Lord?’ 
 

Thankfully Friends, the answer to that question is NO! None of us was there, but judging from the reports outlined in the Good Book, it must have been a gory sight on a ghastly day. I’m ever so glad that I didn’t witness it in person, because I doubt I could have handled it. Just reading about it now, two thousand years later, is bad enough.
 
That brings me to a subject I don’t think many of us even consider; that’s the ignoble and excruciating torture that Jesus suffered for us; mentally, emotionally and physically.
 
Put yourselves in His position nuh Friends. Can you imagine being betrayed by one of your closest confidantes for money, then having to go through the unfair trials that Jesus did, being shuffled from one court to another, from one egotistic, unfair judge to another? And that’s the good part.
 
What about being slapped around, spat on, then being mocked by having a purple robe put around you, and a crown of thorns placed on your head? And I’m sure that crown wasn’t just placed, but jammed down on Jesus’ head, then a crowd of jeering soldiers bowing before you and crying out: ‘Hail, the king of the Jews!’
 
Just think about the scourging He received nuh. Think about those sadistic blows of a cat-o-nine tails raining down on His very human back. Could you handle it, with the various pieces of metal, etc, attached to the whip, just tearing away at your flesh with every lash? And then the march up to Calvary in such sorry state, bearing His cross. Hn! The only redeeming feature is that the tormentors enlisted Simon of Cyrene to help Jesus carry the cross.
 
Then when you’ve come to the ugly, hard-scrabble hill and gully called Golgotha – even the name, place of the skull, causes sordid thoughts – they lay the cross on the ground, then lay you down on it and nail your hands and feet to it. And yuh better believe it wasn’t the nice, clean, smooth, refined nails that he have nowadays, but the large, rough, crude pieces of metal of a bygone era. And I’m sure the ‘nailer’ wasn’t being kind or trying to inflict as little pain as possible, most likely the exact opposite.
 
Then they lift up the cross with you nailed to it, plant it in the hard, rocky ground, and leave you there in the hot, midday, desert sun, for your life to slowly ooze away in enormous pain and anguish. And when you say you’re thirsty, they give you gall, bitter vinegar to drink.
 
And all through this hateful and painful fiasco, they keep taunting you. If you’re God, then take yourself down from the cross. You saved others, now save yourself nuh. And to add to the shame, they crucify you between two vagabonds, deserving of crucifixion. Then just be to be sure you’re dead, they pierce your side with a spear, after you’ve visibly given up the ghost.
 
Now Friends, do you think you could handle all of that without uttering a single peep from all the pain and inhumane suffering, or not beg for mercy and recant? Most of us would have been dead before we even set out for Calvary.
 
But Jesus bore it all with great dignity and fortitude, because that was His assigned role, the role he was born to play. And if He hadn’t played it to the fullest, billions of sinners, billions of His Father’s greatest creation would have ended up in the labyrinth-like dungeons of Hades with that foolish fool Lucifer, who just like us today, didn’t realize what a good thing he had going as a high ranking angel in heaven.
 
The only thing that caused Jesus to cry out, not that He didn’t feel the physical pain, was the separation from His Father. That cut Him to the quick, hurt Him to the core, as he declares in our Bit. ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?’
 
The scholars describe it thus: ‘Here we have the high cost to Christ of His atonement for our sins, who was accursed of God as our sin-bearer (cf. 2 Cor.5:21; Gal.3:13) and suffered the agony of spiritual death for us.’ So true Friends, so true.
 
Now recently I was thinking about all the punishment that Jesus had to bear for our abominable sins, and it struck me that the Father really extracted a terrible price from Jesus on our behalf. It got me to wondering if I could ever allow that to happen to my only and very BELOVED Son. I don’t think so.
 
But that just goes to show how righteous and just the Father is. Above all, justice must be served, for the wages of sin is death, (Rom.6:23a) and to avoid that eternal fate, a sinless, unblemished Lamb had to be sacrificed, and Jesus was the only One who met that high criteria. But I was also thinking that the Father didn’t have to be so rough on Him, make it so excruciating and torturous. Obviously He thought otherwise.
 
That brings me to two points I want to make. The first is that sin is a very serious matter, and truly disliked by God. He dislikes it so much that He went to such great lengths to provide a way out for us. Secondly, He must really LOVE us a whole heap to put both Jesus and Himself through so much pain and tribulation to redeem us.
 
And thirdly – I guess I have three points and not two. (smile) Thirdly, that we’re such a bunch of no good, ungrateful wretches, that after Jesus met such an ignominious and shameful end so that we could be reconciled to the Father, we still have the ‘boldfacedness,’ the gall to question His sacrifice, doubt His truth and make derogatory remarks about Him. Steups!
 
Oh Friends, we should be so grateful and thankful, that we’d be falling all over ourselves to not even put one foot wrong, to honour, LOVE, worship, obey and revere Him! Look at how we make obeisance to earthly rulers who only oppress and suppress us. But to the One who’s done the ‘MOSTEST’ for us, we ignore, defame and try to remove Him from our society.  How sad…
 
But my brethren, I’m begging, pleading, imploring us to change, to correct our wrong attitude today, right now, this very minute! Let’s truly begin to honour Jesus for the unselfish sacrifice He made for us. Let’s praise and glorify Him, spread His Holy Name throughout the entire world, as He asked us to do, be exceedingly glad to be His followers, and not be ashamed, as some of us are, for He is indeed worthy to be praised and glorified.
 
And please note this about the Father; He faithfully rewards obedience to His Word and Will. And Jesus was nothing but obedient during His earthly sojourn.
 
That’s why Bruh Paul could confidently and unhesitatingly proclaim to the Philippians: ‘Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things (those) in heaven, and things (those) in earth, and things (those) under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ (Phil.2:9-11)
 
Now that’s the gospel truth my brethren! So please, let’s live like we really believe it nuh. It speaks of both wisdom and gratefulness to the zenith. Much LOVE!
 
…to know, know, know Him…is to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Him…just to think of what Jesus did for me…makes this earthly life all worthwhile…
 
 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 20 January 2013 John 8:42

20 Jan 2013 Leave a comment

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

John 8:42.    Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would LOVE me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

Oh Friends, a whistling windstorm has been barrelling through my neighbourhood for most of the night, first bringing with it some rain, then some wet snow. It seems to have quietened down now, but outside still looks wet and uninviting. Unlike that windstorm though, with all its energy, this morning my spirit is willing but the flesh seems somewhat weak. However, since we can’t live by fleshly feelings, we just have to ramp up the spirit and bring the flesh along. (smile) And to help us do that, here’s a poem from Dr. Robert H. Schuller’s, Hours of Power Devotional. Hn! The Lord just knows when I need one of Dr. Schuller’s bright, positive, informative writings to galvanize my soul to action. This poem is called ‘I AM EAGER.’ ‘Lord, you’ve put the whole world together and you’ve put me in the middle of it because you want to say something to me and through me today. May your beautiful peace fall gently, softly, sweetly, and beautifully upon my mind – now. I am ready to listen and eager to move ahead, today, with “Possibility Thinking.” Amen.’ Yes Friends, I hope, like me, those words added a little spark to your day, and encourage you to get with God and walk in His will for your life, unlike the Pharisees whom Jesus condemned in our Bit. ‘Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would LOVE me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.’ Yeh mih people, the Pharisees claimed to be sons of Abraham, and Jesus acknowledged that in one sense they were; his fleshly descendants. But they certainly were not behaving in Abraham’s spiritual manner, as Jesus pointed out to them, when they persisted in claiming to be sons of Abraham. ‘If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your Father.’ (John 8:39a-41a) But in their pride and haughtiness the Pharisees rejected that contention. ‘Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.’ (John 8:41b) That’s when Jesus shook them up with our Bit. And He was quite right. If they truly were of God, then they would LOVE and listen to Him, since when you LOVE a parent, you usually feel the same way towards their children. For as John says in his first epistle: ‘Whoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that LOVETH him that begat LOVETH him also that is begotten of him.’ (1 John 5:1) In other words, if we truly LOVE God, then we’ll also LOVE Jesus, His Son. Plus, if we really LOVE God, then we’ll also LOVE the other children of God. Oh Friends, are we truly following that directive, or are we, like the Pharisees, only paying lip service to it? Are we like Jesus told them? ‘Ye are of your father, the devil, and the lusts (desires) of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode (stands) not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own (from his own nature): for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.’ (John 8:44-45) Oh Friends, I certainly hope that we’re not like the Pharisees, doubting that Jesus came from God, for we see on at least three occasions in John’s gospel, Jesus verifying that contention. The first is when He tells the disciples about His overcoming the world. ‘For the Father himself LOVETH you, because ye have LOVED me, and have believed that I came out from God.’ (John 16:27) And He does it again in Chapter 17, when praying for the disciples. ‘For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and thy have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.’ (John 17:8) Then lastly: ‘O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the LOVE wherewith thou hast LOVED me may be in them, and I in them.’ (John 17:25-26) Yes my people, if we don’t believe that basic premise, that Jesus came from, and was sent by God, to pay the price for our sins, then the whole operation is of no use. For without that foundational truth, nothing else makes sense. That’s why Bruh Paul could write to the Galatians with such authority. ‘But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made (born) of a woman, made (born) under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.’ (Gal.4:4-7) And all God’s adopted children gave a mighty and joyful shout of: ‘All praise to the holy name of the Lord God Jehovah, and to His wonderful Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! They are indeed both worthy to be praised!’ So Friends, with all that in mind, let’s seriously ponder today, not only whom we consider to be our father, but more importantly, whom our thoughts and actions point to as our father. Let’s hope they point to the Most High God, creator of the universe and author of LOVE, and not the foolish, fallen Lucifer, the father of lies and deceit. Much LOVE!…if you don’t believe that Jesus is the Son of God…then you can’t be an adopted child of God…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 17 September 2012 3 John 4

17 Sep 2012 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

3 John 4.        I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 

Oh Friends, let’s rise and shine this glorious Monday morning like the brilliant sun that’s peeping over the horizon. That’s with a strong sense of purpose; a sense of purpose that dictates we’ll live as best we can for Christ today! Let’s quickly dispel the grumbling, grouchiness, dismay, anxiety and blues that come rolling around every Monday morning when we have to get up and face the boring, exasperating music of work again. Most of us have no choice but to labour for a living, so let’s ditch the negatives that rise up against us every Monday, and instead grab hold of the positives, like we’ll be able to pay the mortgage and car loans, plus clothe and feed our children, and hopefully pay the million and one other bills that need to be paid. So with all that in mind, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. And though some of you are just getting up, and your voices are still croaky with sleep, (smile) let’s give it our best shot. 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!’ Now that’s my people! The angels were jealous, and Jesus was real proud! So please keep the enthusiasm going, even when the adrenalin returns to normal. And our Bit blends in quite nicely with all that’s gone before: ‘I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.’ Here in his third epistle, John’s writing to a close friend, Gaius, whom he truly cherishes, and wishes to prosper both in physical and spiritual health. He continues by telling of his great joy on hearing the news of Gaius’ steadfastness – he both talked the talk and walked the walk. (3 John 1-3) And having that wonderful news sink into his soul, John declares the glorious words of our Bit, which are so heart-warming that we shall repeat them. ‘I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.’ John isn’t speaking of his own children, (don’t know if he had any) but generally of those whom he helped to come to Christ. To him, nothing could be more beautiful and fulfilling than to hear that they were still walking the straight and narrow path. And no doubt all of us will feel the same about any persons whom we helped in their walk with Christ. But Friends, now I want to go even one step further and solemnly declare that for a believer, there’s no joy comparable to that of hearing that our children, our own flesh and blood are walking steadfastly in and with Christ, the way we taught them! Wow! Nothing can be more rewarding than that my brethren! Yuh hear that mih children? (smile) There’s no greater joy you can bring to the ole fella’s heart than to know that you are walking and talking in true faith as your mother and I endeavoured to teach you, but which first began with your Grandmother Molly. It brings to mind, Bruh Paul’s reminder to Timothy. ‘When I call to remembrance the unfeigned (genuine) faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.’ (2 Tim.1:5)  So please don’t make me a liar children. (smile) Oh Friends, I’m sure you all will agree that there’s no greater blessing a Christian parent can take to his or her grave, than that of knowing their offspring is walking faithfully in the light and truth of Jesus, for that means the gospel will continue to be carried to the whole world, as Jesus commanded, and that the hope for our world to improve will remain strong. Unfortunately though Friends, too many parents of this generation will return to the dust from whence they came without that satisfaction. That is because we have not done such a good job with our children in their early formative years, by teaching them the Word and how to resist temptation when it comes along. So now, too many of them are sadly caught up in the false, glitz, glitter and glamour of the world, on the road to a sad ending, writhing in its vice-like tentacles. That’s why our world is fast slipping into the mire of quicksand that the evil one has laid out for those who foolishly choose to accept his ungodly lifestyle, rather than Jesus’ repentance and salvation based way. But Friends, there’s still hope, because the breath of life still flows through our mortal bodies. But we have to act fast, like RIGHT NOW, working first on those close to us, then on others like our co-workers, to extricate them from the evil tentacles of Lucifer and bring them to the kind, ever-LOVING, peaceful rest, with salvation and everlasting life that’s found under the yoke of Jesus. More on this tomorrow, if life and limb allow. Till then, may the good Lord bless and keep us safely as we go out into this wicked world to work on His behalf. Much LOVE!…saving souls from eternal perdition…that’s why Jesus came to earth…the same is required of His followers…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 9 August 2012 Exodus 20:3

09 Aug 2012 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Exodus 20:3.    Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
 
Oh Friends, please, please beware of Lucifer, for he’s one very evil trickster! All he wants to do is steal your joy. And I tell you this from personal experience. Now yesterday somebody said something to me, re my behaviour, and because I thought there was some truth to it, I began seriously pondering it. I asked the Lord for guidance, discernment and everything possible, but unfortunately for a few hours there my mind sank into a state of depression and self-doubt. And the sad part is that I don’t usually respect or value this person’s opinion, but because I was already thinking along those lines, I sort of accepted it. But thankfully I’m mature enough now in Christ Jesus, that I just kept focusing on Him and my mind eventually came back around to the truth. The truth that though all the thoughts my mind processed might have been important and necessary, it was also essential not to beat myself up for anything I might do or allow to happen. Oh my people, we all do things or allow things to happen that we possibly shouldn’t, but please, I implore us, please let’s not beat ourselves up over them, because then we’re only playing the game by Lucifer’s rules, and he wins when we do so. He wins when we lose our joy in the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We obviously need to contend with whatever the problem might be, but we cannot afford to let doubts cloud our spiritual path. We just have to keep our minds and thoughts focused on God, His Word and His ever faithful promises, so that we can remain on the straight and narrow path, and not let the deceitful Lucifer lead us astray on to the wide and winding road that only leads to death and destruction. And that’s my testimony for today! I was much surprised by it, but who knows if the Lord simply needed a testimony from me to show the true effects of what Lucifer can do. So please take note Friends, and be very wary of the enemy, for he can turn up in the most unexpected places, at the most unexpected time. And the only way to conquer the ole crook is by first being obedient to our Bit: ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before me.’ Yes my brethren, we must always strive to put Almighty God first in EVERYTHING we do! That’s the first rule of a successful Christian life! And if we don’t, we’ll only cause more problems than necessary to ourselves, our friends, families and all those we come into contact with. And when a whole society or nation abandons God, then there’s only one outcome; death and destruction! Now listen to this scripture from Jeremiah, re the obedience of the Rechabites: ‘The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, that he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are performed; for unto this day they drink none, but obey their father’s commandment; notwithstanding I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye hearkened not (didn’t listen) unto me. I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return, (turn) ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods and serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me.’ (Jer.35:14-15) Yuh see Friends, when children listen to their fathers, both earthly and heavenly, they will be blessed, as the Lord later pronounced. ‘Therefore, thus saith the Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil (doom) that I have pronounced against them: because I have spoken unto them, but they have not heard; and I have called unto them, but they have not answered. And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he hath commanded you: Therefore thus saith the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel; Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want (lack) a man to stand before me for ever.’ (Jer.35:17-19) And I hate to keep saying it Friends, but it’s the truth; that’s the same thing that’s happening to us right now. We have not obeyed the Lord God Almighty in at least the last generation, but instead have kept moving further and further away from Him, that’s why we’re now suffering calamity after calamity, disaster after disaster. And it’s becoming so bad, that before we can fix or recover from one, another one strikes us. Oh Friends, are we that stubborn and stupid, prideful and arrogant that we can’t see what’s happening? We’ve tried all the man made solutions and none of them are working. The only thing left to try is God’s way. And I really don’t know how to get us to do that. I talk the talk and try to walk the walk, but obviously it’s not sufficient. Plenty more of us in the known world will also have to so, before we can get back on the right track. I sincerely hope and pray, and ask you all to do so too, that the LOVE Revolution we so badly need will soon gain serious momentum, so that we can make a positive difference in this fallen, negative world. I pray this in Jesus’ Name. And all God’s people said a loud and penitent ‘Amen!’ Much LOVE!…to every thing there is a season…turn…turn…turn…
 

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