Today’s Scrip-Bit   8 February 2023 Romans 7:15.

08 Feb 2023 Leave a comment

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

Romans 7:15.       For that which I do, I allow not (don’t understand): for what I would do (want to do), that I do not; but what I hate, that I do.

Wait a minute…is it Wednesday already? And a sunny, warm Wednesday according to my computer? Wow! We’ve been so busy celebrating the potentiality of Monday and Tuesday that we did not even notice them going by! Therefore, I suggest we do the same for Wednesday. Why not eh? It’s a new day, with new mercies, new life and grace of God. and the Good Book even tells us to do so. ‘This is the day the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it. (Ps. 118:24) 

And I like that approach to life, celebrate each and every day as if it’s our last. Be thankful that we’ve been granted life to see it, and be hopeful that we’ll be granted more life to see another one. But if not, then on that very day, we’ll be in paradise with Jesus! Glory Be, my faithful brethren in Christ! 

Ah friends, the ole fella is going through a season where the mind is chipper enough, but the body is not responding with the corresponding chippiness. That means we’re not doing as many of the things we want to or need to do. And sometimes it bugs me, while at other times, I simply say: ‘Chuh! Why to worry? They will all get done at some time or another.’ It seems like I’m full of good intentions, but not the necessary actions to fulfill those good intentions. 

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not totally lethargic, (smile) I am doing stuff, just not as much as I want to, and with the priorities that I believe I should have. I’m doing the easy stuff that doesn’t take much mind bending or elbow grease. The only thing that thoroughly engages my mind these days is the Scrip-Bit. Faithfully, each and every morning I awake and get myself down here to write it. And I have no problems in doing so. I know that’s the most important thing I have to do each day, so I just buckle down and get it done. It’s just the other stuff in which my most heartfelt dreams are encapsulated, that I’m not getting to as I desire. 

And I’m chuckling here now, because the Good Library opened right at the passage of scripture that I envisioned would be somewhat appropriate for my behaviour. It’s when Bruh Paul wrote to the church at Rome. ‘For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal (fleshly), sold under sin. For that which I do, I allow not (don’t understand): for what I would do (want to do), that I do not; but what I hate, that I do.’ (Rom. 7:14-15) The difference between Bruh Paul and I though, is that I don’t hate the things I’m doing. And I’m not doing anything wrong. It’s just that I’m not doing more of the things I believe I ought to do. 

And granted some of that has to do with my stance on the importance of the work ethic and dislike of laziness and procrastination, although, sometimes that is useful for our souls and bodies. (smile) And I guess some of it is the enemy trying to wind me up and make me feel guilty, while the Lord is trying to tell me to settle down and just do whatever I can on His timetable. Who knows, perhaps I just have too much on my plate, and even if I went at it tooth and nail, I won’t be able to accomplish it all, the way I want to. 

Now that’s a lesson I should have learned long ago, from my earlier much too busy life. Trying to do too many things at the same time, you end up not doing any of them properly. But this one thing I do know: that the Lord’s Will shall win out eventually. But in the meantime, I’m still not happy with the situation. (smile) 

Anyway, enough with the dissatisfaction of the soul, let’s turn back to what we were originally discussing; rejoicing over a new day. And I don’t think anybody says it as poignantly as the prophet Jeremiah in his Lamentations. In the tough times he suffered on the Lord’s behalf, he wrote: ‘Remembering (I remember) mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall (bitterness). My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled (bowed down) in me. This I recall to mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.’ (Lam. 3:19-23) 

And is that ever the gospel truth my people! Yes, it’s only because of God’s great LOVE for us, and His faithfulness to His covenant with us, that we wake up each and every day. Otherwise, our sinful and unfaithful behaviour would have caused Him to destroy us a long time ago. And that faithfulness of God causes Jeremiah to continue in the best way possible. He sincerely declares (yesss!!!): ‘The Lord is my portion, saith my soul: therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.’ (Lam. 3:24-26) 

Mama Mia! Those are certainly words to live by; faithfully seek the Lord and with expectant hope wait on Him! And Bruh David in Psalm 37, expounds on that theory more widely, when he says: ‘Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed (feed on His faithfulness). Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass. 

And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgement (justice) as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices (schemes) to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; fret not thyself in any wise to do evil (for it only causes harm). For evil doers shall be cut off (destroyed): but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.’ (Ps. 37:3-9) 

It couldn’t be said any better than that friends! And believe me, like many of us, I can testify to all Bruh David says there, from earlier experiences in my life. I guess, like we often do, I just needed a refresher course today. (smile) So let’s go home now declaring (steups!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. 

Altogether now: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’ 

And now friends, this further word of encouragement. If we endure to the very end with Jesus, then that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask of imagine. So let’s use it to help us endure nuh. Much LOVE!

…in our faithful God we trust…and it shall ever be so… 

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Today’s Scrip-Bit   15 September 2021 John 4:24.

15 Sep 2021 Leave a comment

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

John 4:24.     God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and truth.

Another day my people; another day of new mercies and compassions from Almighty God! Wow! What a marvellous God we serve and worship! No other supposed deity puts themselves out to give us new stuff every single day. But our great God Jehovah does! That’s because He LOVES us with the everlasting LOVE of a Father and only desires the best for us! 

And that led to Him sending His sinless Son Jesus Christ to earth to die for the propitiation of our abominable sins. All other false gods expect mankind to sacrifice to and for them, but ONLY the One true God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was willing to sacrifice for mankind. And not just a simple unimportant sacrifice, but His most beloved, the apple of His eye, His one Son Jesus. And if that doesn’t tell us the depth of LOVE and compassion that the Lord holds for us, I don’t know what else will nuh. 

The false gods, and the man-made idols that so many of us worship, don’t do a thing for us, and in fact they can’t do a bloody thing for us since they are all dead, inanimate and without life. So how can a dead object do anything for you eh? But the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is alive and kicking, that’s why He can make promises and keep them! So today we are just going to look at a few scriptures that describe our God as a living being. And the first scripture comes from Jesus Himself, when He told the Samaritan woman at the well of Jacob: ‘God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and truth.’ (Matt. 4:24) 

Yes friends, our God exists, but not as a being with a body, but as a Spirit. And the scholars give us this explanation re, the Definition of God. ‘4:24. John gives us three descriptions of God. He is Spirit (John 4:24), LOVE (1 John 4:8), and Light (1 John 1:5). God is a spiritual being who is invisible and without a body; He is a divine person who reveals Himself in perfect intellect, emotion, and will: He is the source and personification of all material and spiritual life. 

He is self-existent; He is eternal in relationship to time; He is unlimited in relationship to the immensity of space; He is immutable in His nature; He is the unity of all existence; and He is consistent in His being – that is, He corresponds in actual fact to His nature and attributes as they are revealed to us. (First Ref. Gen. 1:1; Primary Ref. John 4:24).’ 

So you see friends, the only thing our God lacks is a material body. But as a Spirit, it means He can be all places at the same time. And that’s one of the many reasons He’s so valuable to us; He can be with ALL of us ALL of the time. And if we turn to Genesis 1:3, we will find the first and biggest reason why we say that God is alive and kicking. The Good Book tells us: ‘And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.’ Now please tell me, how can a dead God speak eh. One must have life, that’s breath to speak. And it’s oh so worthwhile to know that God spoke everything in the world into existence, except man. 

And if you still don’t believe that God is alive and speaks, then check out Deuteronomy 5, where Moses reminds the Israelites of how they heard God’s voice in the fire at Mt. Horeb on their journey through the wilderness, when He made the covenant with them and gave them the Ten Commandments. Moses recounts: ‘And ye said, Behold, the Lord our God hath showed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth (still lives).’ (Deut. 5:24) 

So God doesn’t only talk to the universe, He also talks to man, whom He created to be in relationship with Him including to talk with Him. But like everything that concerns the ears, you won’t hear God, or anything or anyone else unless you LISTEN! That’s the crux of the matter…LISTENING! And unfortunately, that’s something we don’t do very well at in these modern times. We all desire to talk, to be heard, but we rebel when it comes to listening. 

Just like the church leaders in Jesus’ time weren’t listening to Him when He quoted them the scriptures re marriages in heaven. ‘But as touching (concerning) the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living,’ (Matt. 22:31-32) Ah mih people, if our God is the God of the living then it means that He must also be alive! Glory be! Bless His holy name! 

And though there are several other scriptures I would like to include, because of time and space this is the last one. And it’s a scripture that’s always fascinated me. They are the words of the pagan king of Babylon, Darius, after Daniel walked out of the lion’s den unscathed. He right royally declared: ‘I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men (must) tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and steadfast forever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power (paws) of the lions.’ (Dan. 6:26-27) 

Now if an idol worshipper can make such a testimony to the power of Almighty God, a God who doesn’t change, why do we have such trouble acknowledging Him and His sovereignty eh? I don’t know, and I won’t venture to comment. (smile) But anyway, here is an interesting part of a commentary from the Christian Science Monitor website – It’s titled ‘A Christian Science perspective: What does it mean that God is a ‘living God’? By Liz Butterfield Wallingford. 

She ends the article by saying: ‘To know God as a truly “living God” goes beyond simply acknowledging that He exists. He is unceasing, unending Life itself. His goodness can’t fade. Our receptivity to His infinite goodness, inherent in our very nature as the reflection of the living God, can’t be diminished. When we wholeheartedly yearn to know God better, to receive the forever-active Christ, to understand that God could never for a second stop expressing His LOVE and goodness in each of us – then we begin to see this spiritual fact increasingly evidenced in our everyday lives.’ 

And that’s totally true my brethren. The more we yearn for the living spirit-filled God and all that pertains to Him, the more we will see real evidence of Him in our everyday lives. So, for those of us who have that eternal yearning for Almighty God, let’s go home now declaring (awright!!!) our Wednesday Wail letting all and sundry know of the wonderful position we now enjoy in Christ Jesus. 

As one strong voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’ 

And yuh better believe friends, that if we endure unto the end, that future will be even more glorious than we can ask or imagine. So let’s hang in there nuh, and with Jesus’ awesome help live and LOVE for Him! Much LOVE!

…now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible…the only wise (living) God…be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen… (1 Tim. 1:17)                                                                                                                

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Today’s Scrip-Bit 17 March 2021 Psalm 73:26.

17 Mar 2021 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 73:26.     ​My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength (the rock) of my heart, and my portion for ever.

Oh friends, it’s such a wonderful feeling to wake up and realize that our heavenly Father has given us another day of life, one filled with His awesome blessings and LOVE! Let’s not misuse such an unbelievable gift nuh, because if we don’t show the proper attitude and gratitude, one day He might just decide not to allow us to wake up to another beautiful day. You know He has the power to do it. And believe me, that would be to our detriment not His. 

So every morning that He’s kind enough to open our eyes to the world, evil though it may be, let’s give Him sincere thanks and praise for that awesome blessing, so that He may continue our earthly journey and empower us to do His work with excellence and powerful faith! And all God’s people said a loud and grateful ‘Amen!’ 

And today we’ll talk about something that’s of great concern to so many of us in these very trying times, where many of us are seeing our lives fall apart before our very eyes, and are thus terrified as we slowly and ofttimes with no apparent recourse, journey down the sorrowful path we call failure. Yes friends, the fear of failure in this pandemic time is very real. In fact, many have already suffered, succumbed that terrible indignity through no fault of their own. So how do we combat this real demon that’s stalking so many of us eh? 

To begin, let’s get a few facts about what constitutes failure or what we believe it is, from the writings of Gramps Schuller (Dr. Robert H. Schuller) from his Hour of Power Devotional. He says: ‘Failure doesn’t mean you are a failure…It does mean you haven’t succeeded yet. Failure doesn’t mean you have accomplished nothing…It does mean you have learned something. Failure doesn’t mean you have been a fool…It does mean you had a lot of faith. Failure doesn’t mean you have been disgraced…It does mean you were willing to try. 

Failure doesn’t mean you don’t have it…It does mean you have to do something in a different way. Failure doesn’t mean you are inferior…It does mean you are not perfect. Failure doesn’t mean you’ve wasted your life…It does mean you have a reason to start afresh. Failure doesn’t mean you should give up…It does mean you must try harder. Failure doesn’t mean you’ll never make it…It does mean it will take a little longer. Failure doesn’t mean God has abandoned you…It does mean God has a better idea.’ 

Oh my people, all those words of Gramps Schuller are gospel truth. What the world terms failure is nonsense, because failure only happens when we give up. But until then, we always have a chance to succeed. And if you’re a believer in Christ Jesus, then it automatically behooves you to NEVER GIVE UP, because there is NO GIVING UP in Jesus! 

When the world says that we’ve failed, all it really means is that we’ve got to start again, try again, for success very seldom comes with the first, second or even third try. Just ask people like Walt Disney, Henry Ford and Thomas Edison. All of them failed numerous times, but they kept on trying, and eventually succeeded. What’s the children’s song? ‘It’s a lesson all should heed, Try, try, try again; If at first you don’t succeed, Try, try, try again; Then your courage will appear, If you only persevere, You will conquer, never fear! Try, try, try again.’ 

That’s the awesome truth of the situation my brethren. Failure wants you to give up, but success calls for you to keep on trying, to persevere, to endure. And yes, many of us know all that stuff, but we have never gone through a time of worldwide sickness and strife like we are now experiencing, so there are no concrete examples to follow, and thus we are at a total loss at where to turn, when everything bad seems to be coming our way. 

‘Fear not,’ friends. Those were the words our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ continually used to those around Him when their faith was low or non-existent. He also said: ‘Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.’ (John 14:1) 

And the scholars explain that verse thus: ‘14:1. Let not your heart be troubled refers to Peter. Jesus having just told him of his imminent denial of his Lord (13:38). But the larger reference is to all the apostles, through whom Jesus is going to lay the foundation of the church. His comfort also includes instructions about His departure, the sending of the Holy Spirit, the promise of spiritual power, of answered prayer, and of peace, but especially the promise of His return.’ 

And yuh see what a difference the apostles made with only promises, several of which have long come true before our time – like the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, answered prayer, spiritual power and His awesome peace – and we now enjoy them as normal aspects of our Christian heritage. So friends, when we turn to Jesus, failure should not be a part of our makeup, because we know that He never gave up, He fought through all the shame and disgrace and persecution on our behalf, and expects the same of us. 

Remember, we are His ambassadors, and as such, we have to represent him properly. And my fellow believers, there are so many scriptures in the Good book that encourage us to not give up, to stand strong and endure. Let’s look at a couple nuh. Hear Cousin Sol from Proverbs. ‘For a just man faileth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief (stumble into calamity). (Prov. 24:16) Yuh see that people? The one who sincerely believes in Jehovah God keeps getting up EVERYTIME he falls. 

Now hear Asaph, the psalmist in his famous Psalm 73 – The mystery of prosperous wickedness, where he found himself envying the wicked their prosperity, until he went into God’s house and understood their end, and thankfully concluded. ‘My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength (the rock) of my heart, and my portion for ever. For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from (are unfaithful to) thee. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare (hn,hn) all thy works.’ (Ps. 73:26-28) 

Yes my fellow saints, it is indeed good and wise for us to draw near to God and put our trust in Him, for He’s the Creator and Controller of the universe and all therein, and our fate is in His hands. So now, for all of us who acknowledge that indisputable fact, let’s go home declaring (chuh man!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our most excellent position in Christ Jesus. 

As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’ 

And it’s a fact that if we endure to the end, that future will be even more glorious than we can ask or imagine. So let’s hold on tightly to Jesus my people! Much LOVE!

…keep looking to Jesus…and failure will not overtake you… 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 2 December 2020 John 20:29.

02 Dec 2020 Leave a comment

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

John 20:29.     Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen me, and yet have believed.

Well I guess the best way to get into winter mode is to have two snowfalls as close together as possible. (smile) Yes, that seems logical. Anyway, by the time we cleaned up the first one yesterday, we had another one last night – not as bad as the first, but snow is snow! (smile) But thankfully the sun is shining brightly this morning, so we have an abundance of sunshine, both physically and spiritually through our Lord and Saviour, Christ Jesus! Nothing could be better for our souls! 

And what’s there to talk about this morning eh? Oh, I truly forgot that we’re now into the month of December when we celebrate the birth of Christ, so the Christmas hustle is on, just with a Covid-19 flavour. (smile) Yes, we’re into the church season termed Advent, where we symbolically look forward to and celebrate the first coming of our Lord a couple of thousand years ago in the manger at Bethlehem, with all the glory and pageant of angels singing, shepherds and earthly kings coming to pay Him homage, bringing gifts of frankincense, incense and myrrh. 

Yeh mih people, it is one of the big celebration times of the Christian’s year, when the Father acknowledged that we were irreparably lost and sent His only Son to earth in the form of man to eventually save us from our abominable sins and the overwhelming cloud of darkness which we were then living under. To show us the light, and provide salvation, eternal life for those who were willing to believe in Him. What a glorious start to a new way of life that was, though many refused to believe and accept Him at His word. 

That brings us to the point in His story, after he had sacrificed His innocent blood on the cross of Calvary, and rose triumphantly from the dead, even His disciples refused to believe that He was their real Lord and Saviour, alive in living colour. And He showed Himself first to some of them, who believed. But one who wasn’t there, Thomas, refused to believe until he had placed his hands in the scars of His hands and side. 

And when Jesus finally appeared unto the twelve at once, and offered Thomas the chance to ‘Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless (unbelieving), but believing.’ (John 20:27) Only then did Thomas delightedly crow: ‘My Lord and my God.’ (John 20:28) 

But Jesus had a warning word for Him and for all of us who would come after Him down through the ages.‘Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen me, and yet have believed.’(John 20:29) What a serious statement and warning that is my people, especially for believers in these deceitful, treacherous and uncertain times. 

Believing is of the utmost importance for us to get through them. We can’t only talk belief in these days of utter confusion, we need to show our faith, our belief in serious action, to let others know that we truly hold Christ as our Lord and Saviour and that He is, and will keep on helping and guiding us through the fear and anxiety caused by all the disaster happening in our world. And if they want to be as worry free as we Christians are, they need to, and can certainly accept Him as their Lord and Saviour, and He will also deliver them from their fear and anxiety. 

But only by our actions friends, by highlighting our compassion, LOVE, mercy, grace and genuine forgiveness, by helping them in whatever sphere they need help, can we ever hope to win them over to Jesus. They especially need to see His awesome peace within us, in this much less than peaceful time. We must action these momentous words of Jesus. ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’ (John 14:27). 

Oh precious people of Christ, when we truly believe, a divine kind of peace rises up in us, giving us the confidence to face the world no matter what comes against us. But then we must sincerely believe in Christ Jesus to get that kind of peace, for the world doesn’t give it. What the world has to offer is not real peace, but an insincere kind of peace; faked, just like so many more of its offerings. But when we truly accept Christ and what He has to offer, it makes a big difference in our lives. 

Here’s how He characterizes it: ‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33) Wow mih bredrin, what powerful, but oh so true words! Jesus has conquered hell, death and the grave, so He does have the authority to make such an earth shattering statement! And if you truly believe in Him, then you too will be able to find an inner peace despite all the turbulence that’s happening around you. 

Yes, the essence of the whole programme isBELIEF! And sincere belief at that, not a wishy- washy, flakey, doubting, wavering kind of belief. And we’ll end with these marvellous and true words of John the Baptist, who was the harbinger, sent to bear witness of Christ’s coming and His divine personhood. ‘He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but hath the wrath of God abideth (remains) in him.’ (John 3:36) 

Now it could not get any plainer than that; believe and you have life, do not believe, and you perish. And the very important thing about it all is that every individual has to come to that decision for themselves. Others can lead or guide you, but it needs to be a personal decision to accept Christ as Lord and Saviour. So for those of us who have truly done so, let’s go home now declaring (steups!) our Wednesday Wail, telling the world in no uncertain terms, our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. 

Altogether now: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’ 

And if you truly believe, and endure unto the end, then your future will be indeed more glorious that you can ask or imagine.Much LOVE!

…believe…only believe…that’s all Jesus asks… 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 November 2020 Philippians 3:14.

04 Nov 2020 Leave a comment

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

Philippians 3:14.     ​I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Okay, so the bubble hasn’t burst yet, there is no clear winner of the U.S. Presidential Election, but His Imperial Dictatorship in Waiting, has already declared it as being rigged and planning to fight it in the courts. I wonder if he will do that if he wins eh? However, knowing the eccentricities of His Dictatorship, anything is possible where he is concerned. (smile) 

Ah mih people, rougher days seem to be ahead. Can you imagine it eh, after all the fire ringed hoops we’ve been forced to jump through in the last six months, we might still have more serious ones to navigate? No, it’s not a pleasing thought, but please let’s not get any more worried and/or frustrated than we already are. Let’s remember that we are children of the Most High God Jehovah, living in a world that He created and still controls, and nothing happens without Him allowing it. No, He doesn’t always create or begin something, but unless it falls into line with His imperial and divine plan it does not last! 

Furthermore, He has faithfully promised to never leave nor forsake us, and that no weapon formed against us will ever prosper, not in this lifetime or the next. So if we sincerely believe that He is our rock and our fortress, our high tower and divine protector, then we should not be overly worried about what’s happening around us in these troubling times. Concerned, yes, but not worried, otherwise our faith is worthless. For, as the Good Book states: ‘Faith is the substance (realization) of things hoped for. The evidence (conviction) of things not seen.’ (Heb. 11:1) 

Yes my fellow saints, in God’s realm, we need to hope for and believe we have received things we haven’t yet seen! That’s the basic difference between the believer and the unbeliever; the former being able to wait expectantly and see through their eyes of faith, stuff that hasn’t happened as yet, once it’s in accord with God’s will. And in these troubled times, that is exactly where many of us are failing, are falling down. Our hope and faith levels are too low. But remember, it’s only in tough times that our faith and hope do grow. When life is good and easy, faith and hope merely exist in a kind of vacuum, waiting for the tough times to come along. 

And above all, the Lord wants us to grow in hope and faith, to become spiritually mature in the manner and character of His son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! That’s why, sometimes, in times like these, He tests our faith to see what we’re truly made of. He tests our mettle, to see if we can really walk the plenty talk we usually have in the good times. Our God desires to see if our salt is still full of flavour, and thus useful, and also if our lights can still burn bright and thus give light to the dark world that surrounds us. 

Oh fellow believers in Christ, our Lord is expecting us to stand strong in these crucial times. He’s expecting us to be examples of fortitude and perseverance, of help and encouragement to those who are shaking it rough. To be good ambassadors of his holy kingdom and take His word and His dedication to those around us. We can’t save or proselytize the whole world, but we can certainly be fully flavoured salt and bright lights to those in our neighbourhood. And I just came across and interesting scripture from Bruh Paul that I believe will be of much benefit to us this Wednesday morning. 

Hear him to the church at Philippi: ‘Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended (reached spiritual maturity, fully knowing Christ): but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 3:13-14) 

Oh friends, that is the kind of attitude we need to adopt in these trying times. Let’s forget what has gone before, our successes and failures, and press on, move forward, towards the high calling that God has in mind for each of His children. Yes, He has a unique plan for each and every one of us, as Jeremiah says, a good plan, one to give us a hope and a future. And that high calling pertains to us knowing Christ better and better, and becoming more like Him in character and purpose as the Lord raises us from glory to glory! 

And here are some interesting explanations from the scholars. ‘3:13. Those things which are behind refers both to his (Bruh Paul’s) religious credentials (vs.5-6), now counted as “loss” (vs.7), and to his past Christian achievements and successes. In ever pursuing his goal to know Christ (vs. 10), he refuses to let past guilt pull him down, or to rest on his past laurels. Either could spell spiritual disaster. Those things which are before refers to his goal of knowing Christ, with all that implies: experiencing His power and participating in His suffering, becoming more like Him in death (vs. 10), and experiencing the resurrected life (vs. 11).’ 

Wow mih bredrin! Are those ever high and noble goals for us to live up to eh? But it’s what our heavenly Father desires of us, and simple fact is that we can’t approach Jesus’ stature if we just live the good life and don’t suffer some of His problems. (smile) 

And per our Bit, the scholars explain: ‘3:14. The mark is the objective of vs.10-11 (i.e., knowing Christ). The prize is the personal satisfaction of having attained it, as well as the divine commendation and reward to be granted in heaven for having reached this goal on earth. The high calling of God is the divine summons extended to the believer for salvation.’ 

Oh my people, today, let’s reinvest in ourselves nuh; let’s set our objective, that goal to know Christ as best we can, so that we can win first prize; the satisfaction, the divine commendation and reward as we heed the divine call to salvation. That’s the true purpose of the believer! And for those of us who have already set those goals and objectives, let’s go home now declaring (yeahhh!) our Wednesday Wail nuh, letting all and sundry know our serious, sincere and joyful position in Christ Jesus! 

All together now: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. NO! I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’  

And there’s no need to remind us, but I will anyhow, (smile) that if we endure steadfastly to the end, that the future will be indeed more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine! Much LOVE!

…in these troubled times…let’s all be prisoners of hope nuh…so that our faith can grow…and be spread abroad to the glory of Jesus…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 28 October 2020 Matthew 9:37.

28 Oct 2020 Leave a comment

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

Matthew 9:37.     ​Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

So it’s Wednesday eh? What’s new eh? Not a blooming thing! The increasing aches and pains of an ageing body are still here (smile) …and so is the pandemic…and all the other strife and hatred that’s currently filling our world…and which portends to get even worse as the U.S elections draw nearer. Every day more angry rhetoric is been spewed out and more injustice meted out to the innocent by the purveyors of evil. 

As Bob Marley so wisely predicted some years ago: ‘And everywhere will be war…ah say war…’ And it seems to be coming true as we get more disunited, distrustful, disgruntled and begin showing our real evil and sinful selves. Obviously what we need is more Jesus, but too many of us are not seeing it that way. We insist in living in the carnality of the flesh, doing it our way, although our way doesn’t seem to be working. 

Oh, the stubbornness of mankind always amazes me. If one thing isn’t working, why not try something else eh? Satan’s way certainly isn’t working, so why not try Jesus’ way eh? Those are the only two options we have. But we so blooming hard-headed and prideful and anti-God, that we refuse to try the Almighty despite our lives falling apart, being steadily washed away, like sand on the seashore. 

Oh mih people, I don’t know what to say nuh. I need wisdom and guidance, words from Almighty God that I can share with you, that will convince and encourage you to turn to Him in these desperate and troubled times. And as I was just leafing through the Good Book, I came upon these words of Jesus, back when He was talking to the disciples about few labourers for the task of discipleship. And isn’t that the living truth today too! 

Hear the Good Book: ‘But when he (Jesus) saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted (were weary), and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.’ (Matt. 9:36-38) 

And that my fellow saints in Christ is the indisputable truth! If there were more of us serious saints out in the evil, killing fields, doing our best to harvest the crop of unbelievers, diligently spreading the gospel of Christ, and truly showing it by the exemplary example of our lives, our world would certainly not be as bad as it is. The prince of darkness would definitely not have such a strangle hold on it. And the scholars agree, as they add their two cents worth. ‘Verses 37 and 38 constitute one of the great missionary passages of the New Testament. Jesus pictures the world as a great spiritual harvest in need of labourers to gather it into the storehouse.’ 

And believe me, right now, Jesus is sitting down in heaven, with an awesome amount of compassion in His heart, remembering those immortal words and thinking the same thing: there just aren’t enough labourers, enough of His saints, to harvest the multitude of unbelievers in this crazy and evil world. Oh friends, the multitudes of this current world are certainly scattered abroad, weary and tired and without hope, like sheep that have no shepherd. 

But we know the Good Shepherd, Jesus is His name, and remember He gave us that Great Commission to go out and make disciples of all the world, teaching them everything that He had taught us, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost and promising that He would always be with us, right down to the very wire of life? But we’re not doing it to the best of our ability, that’s why the devil is holding most of the cards right now. The saints of Christ have forsaken their bounden duty, through fear, compromise, and simple apathy. 

And if we the labourers aren’t out there sincerely harvesting and teaching, and making disciples, who are going to do it eh? It seems that we’ve forgotten the great promise of God delivered through His prophet Isaiah. ‘No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper (succeed); and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of (from) me, saith the Lord.’ (Is. 54:17) 

So are we servants of the Lord or not? And if so, why are we so fearful of what the world has to say or does eh? Remember the two words Jesus used so often hear on earth: ‘FEAR NOT!’ It would certainly do us good to powerfully reinstate them in our hearts, souls, bellies and backbones at this most critical juncture in the history of mankind. And like we’ve also forgotten these very important words of Bruh Paul, re the power of the gospel. ‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek (Gentile).’ (Rom. 1:16) 

And the living truth my people is that too many of us, supposed saints are actually ashamed of Christ’s gospel, that’s why we don’t share it, and instead live these fearful lives of compromise and shame. But please remember that the gospel of Christ is the ONLY thing that will bring mankind to salvation, to reconciliation with God, and a spot in heaven for eternity! The only other option is hellfire and brimstone with Satan in the depths of hell! Is that what we desire for ourselves and those near and dear to us? I doubt it. So let’s get rid of the fear and anxiety nuh. With the backing power of Jesus we can do all things. 

Yuh know how we LOVE to quote that scripture. (smile) Well let’s put it into action instead nuh. Yeh talk is cheap but LOVE and compassion demand action and sacrifice, and Jesus gave us that example in living colour. So let’s get up off our lazy, fearful fannies and follow it nuh. The kingdom desperately needs us right now! And for those of us who are trying to make a difference, let’s go home now declaring (awrighttt!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all a

nd sundry know of our strong and sincere position in Christ Jesus. All together now: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’ 

And we need to be reminded that if we endure until the end, as good labourers and harvesters, our future will be even more glorious than we can ask or imagine! Much LOVE!

…it’s time for the soldiers of Christ to come together…form ONE coherent army…and fight…fight the good fight…it’s the ONLY way…to obtain victory…  

Today’s Scrip-Bit 14 October 2020 Deuteronomy 6:5.

14 Oct 2020 Leave a comment

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

Deuteronomy 6:5.     ​And thou shalt LOVE the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

And then it was Wednesday; another beautiful autumn day! So let’s be glad and rejoice in it nuh, celebrate our great God and give Him thanks for all He’s done, still doing and faithfully promised to do for us in the future! Yeh, times might be a tad rough right now, but He has also promised to see us through those tough times, and bring us out better on the other side…if we have faith and trust in Him. That means we have to show faith and trust now more than ever, since the rough times seem like they’re going to last for longer than we expected. (smile) 

As Jeremiah so wisely warned his people long ago, I am here today to warn us of the consequences of lack of faith and trust, of ungodliness and willful disobedience and sinfulness. ‘Hear ye and give ear; be not proud: for the Lord hath spoken. Give glory to the Lord your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness. But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the Lord’s flock is carried away captive.’ (Jer. 13:15-17) 

Ah mih friends, I know that sounds like a dire proposition, but it’s a true one. Sinfulness and ungodliness, especially when laced with a major dose of pride, WILL undoubtedly bring negative consequences from Almighty God! And our society has been guilty of all those things, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise if we’re suffering some major heartaches now. And the sad part is that though our efforts to quell our problems in our own strength aren’t working, we still refuse to turn to the great healer, Jehovah Rapha for help. 

Oh, we’re so stubborn, hard-headed and prideful, thinking that we know so much, when in actual fact, we don’t know a blooming thing! That’s why we can’t even cut down the numbers of the Covid-19 pandemic, for so many of us refuse to do the only things we know will ease the pain. So we not only disobedient and stubborn towards God, but also towards man. That means ‘sufferation’ will be in the cards…unless we smarten up and get back to LOVING and praising, sincerely worshipping and reverencing our Creator. It’s as simple as that. 

And yuh know, the Lord doesn’t have to bring anything negative against us nuh, because we are doing it to ourselves. We are our own worst enemies with all the hate, anger, bitterness, strife, greed, power-hungriness and inhumanity that’s currently running rampant in our society. No society can withstand the barrage of negative stuff that’s happening right now and survive, much less prosper. And I have to chuckle sadly as I turned the pages of the Good Book and these rather appropriate words shot out at me. Isaiah’s warning to Israel. ‘And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.’ (Is. 54:13) 

Unfortunately though, we have not taught our children of the Lord, so they obviously cannot find peace. They know only one option; that put forth by the world. And I don’t blame the children, I blame us, the parents, because it’s our duty to teach them about God, and it’s obvious that we haven’t done such a good job because so many of them don’t believe, and don’t even want to hear about God. 

But from day one, Moses instructed Israel and all those who accept the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob thus: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt LOVE the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.’ (Deut. 6:4-7) 

And have we done those things? Hardly…or not to the extent that we should have. Our parents taught us about God and the way we ought to go, so we knew the two options available, but for some reason we have not done the same for our children, thus putting them at a disadvantage in this sinful world. Why? I don’t know. Possibly because we got too full of ourselves with the knowledge revolution that was going on in our time. 

But hear what the Lord Himself told Joshua nuh. ‘This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.’ (Josh. 1:8) Now have we spoken of the book of the law, or meditated on it continually? Obviously not! 

And yes, some of us have had what the world terms success, but it’s not the good kind, the lasting kind. We’ve sold our souls to the devil to acquire worldly things, but be it known that that gentleman – hn! – will eventually come calling to collect his rightful dues. And what then eh? Hellfire and damnation…? Most likely. 

But when we adhere to God’s Word and Will, the result is heaven… and rewards.. a peaceful and prosperous eternity with Jesus as the Light and King of our lives. I don’t know about you, but I think I much prefer to live for Jesus than Satan. It might be harder, but it’s much more rewarding in the long run. In any case, it’s an individual choice we all must make, hopefully we ALL will make the right one…Jesus! 

And for those of us who have already made that right and most wonderful choice, let’s go home now telling all and sundry our wonderful position in Christ Jesus, through our Wednesday Wail. In strong voice, with sincere hearts: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’ 

And as Jesus has so faithfully promised, if we endure until the end, that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine. Much LOVE!

…obey God…and leave all the consequences to Him…that’s true wisdom… (Dr. Charles Stanley)