Today’s Scrip-Bit 8 July 2020 Zechariah 9:12.

08 Jul 2020 Leave a comment

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

Zechariah 9:12.     ​Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope: even today do I declare that I will render (restore) double unto thee.
 

Well friends, it’s Wednesday the 8th of July already! I can’t believe how the days are flying by, although that’s how the summer usually passes, like in a blur of time, barely noticeable, then the cold winter season comes along and lasts for ages. But that’s life, and however it comes, we must learn to live with it, in fact conquer it! 

And with the power of Christ’s Holy Spirit dwelling within us, we can and do and will conquer everything that comes against us, for our heavenly Father has decreed that NO weapon formed against us will prosper, and that through Christ Jesus we can do whatever is necessary because He strengthens us! 

Wow! And all of God’s children declared a loud, proud and grateful: ‘Glory Hallelujah! All praise and glory to the King of heaven and earth, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, whose name is higher than any other name, and to whom ALL heads will bow when He comes to reign in His holy kingdom!’ And if that sacrifice of praise doesn’t uplift us fellow saints in Christ, I don’t know what will nuh! (smile) 

Ah mih people, it’s so good to be alive on another glorious summer day, that thanks is all that ought to flow out of our mouths. Yes, life is rough for many of us, but again, once we have life, then we can have hope that things will turn around, as they say: ‘better must come!’ And so it will, if we hold on tight to our faith and hope and surrender and trust in Christ Jesus! For He has promised to make our lives worthwhile, and He is indeed faithful to keep all His promises. 

And if there’s one thing the Bible is chocked full of is verses on hope. That’s why this morning I want to remind us of some of them, in particular this one that touches my heart ever so much. The words of the prophet Zechariah to his people Israel, and words that are ever so appropriate in our current time of pandemic and strife. ‘Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope: even today do I declare that I will render (restore) double unto thee.’ And some of us ask, who or what is our stronghold, where can it be found, and why should we be prisoners of hope? 

Well my people, Bruh David answered those questions for us long ago. Listen to him. ‘I will LOVE thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler (shield), and the horn (strength) of my salvation, and my high tower (stronghold, fortress).’ (Ps. 18:1-2) 

Oh mih bredrin, is there a more comprehensive and powerful entity than that described by Bruh David? Certainly not! Just look at how many positives he’s laid at the Lord’s door nuh: his strength, his rock, his fortress, his deliverer, his buckler or shield, the horn of his salvation, his high tower! Mama Yo! How could there ever be another being with such power and strength and authority eh? NEVER! That’s why such awesome wisdom lies in putting our entire hope in the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 

As Bruh David continues: ‘I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.’ (Ps. 18:3) Glory be people! If we can’t call upon such an omnipotent Deity with perfect assurance, then whom else can we call on eh? That’s also why Bruh David could later on write: ‘The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?’ (Ps. 27:1) 

And I am proud to say the answer to those questions is definitely NOBODY! Yes friends, when we reverence the great God of Israel, put our sincere trust in him, we need not be afraid of anything or anyone. For as Bruh David proudly and most assuredly proclaims: ‘When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up (devour) my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.’ ( Ps. 27:2-3) 

Oh my people, my people, in these troubling times that’s the kind of confidence and assurance we need to show in our God! And what I truly LOVE about Bruh David, is that all the endearing and confident words he speaks about his awesome God are not based on hearsay, but on his personal experience. And I’m sure that most of us have some, enough of that same kind of experience of Jehovah God’s everlasting faithfulness, which ought to enable us to completely surrender to Him and place our eternal trust in His mighty hands. 

Friends, Bruh David surely knew on which side his bread was buttered, and so too should we, if we’re wise and thinking straight, not ensnared by the lies, deceits, the evil and the plentiful poppycock that’s currently running through our society. But as the psalmist asserts: ‘Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God. Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. Hold thou me up (uphold me), and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto (observe) thy statutes continually.’ (Ps. 119:114-117) 

What more can I say eh friends… except to add these momentous words of Cousin Sol to our mix: ‘Hope deferred maketh the heart sick, but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.’ (Prov. 13:12) Yes fellow saints, when we lose hope, we become sick, get depressed. But when our hope is realized… oh me oh my, we are refreshed, revitalized, renewed, and move on with a new vitality. And I know that these anxious times tend to dry up our hope, but please, please, let’s not allow that to happen nuh, let’s stay full of the hope that God has placed in our hearts, and remember that this too shall pass, it’s only a matter of time. 

And having said that, let’s go home declaring (yeahhh!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. With sincere hearts and strong voices: ‘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 we don’t let our hope die, we WILL enjoy a glorious future with Christ! Much LOVE!

…the Lord is my shepherd…I shall not want…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 12 September 2017 Psalm 40:3.

12 Sep 2017 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 40:3.   And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.

Oh friends, I went outside just now and the bright sunshine almost blinded me. Wow! What a day it is when both the sun and the Son are shining in all their splendour! 

It’s just too bad that so many of our friends, relatives and neighbours to the south and in the Caribbean can’t enjoy the day like we can. 

Please my brethren, let’s remember them in our prayers, and help them in any other way that we can, for we know not when our turn for disaster will come, and then we will need the prayers and help of others just as badly. 

Now let’s hear some assuring and uplifting words from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. It’s simply titled ‘WHY?’  

Please declare with me: ‘I’m singing today In the midst of adversity – Singing without reason for song. Lord, do You want to know why? Simply because I’m staunchly convinced That as I continue my songs in the night You’ll create a new reason for singing.’ 

Glory Hallelujah my fellow believers! Only we Christians can sing songs and be joyful in the midst of adversity because we know that we have an ever-faithful and ever-LOVING God who watches over us and brings us joy even in the times of pain and sorrow! 

Imagine that nuh! Yeh friends, when we can sing without any specific reason then it means that our faith is growing stronger, our hearts are becoming more godly, as we surrender to God’s holy will and simply say: ‘Not my will Lord, but thine.’ 

It won’t be easy, but hopefully many of our fellow believers who have recently suffered or are currently suffering adversity will have that attitude, because it’s the only one that will get us through those rough times without us completely breaking down. 

And the verse of scripture associated with our poem is also our Bit; those wonderful words of Bruh David from Psalm 40 – Praise for answered prayer, which we all know and LOVE. 

‘And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.’ 

Oh my brethren, isn’t it awesome when God puts a new song of praise in our hearts and we sing it with great enthusiasm and exaltation of His holy name? There is nothing as moving and uplifting as singing the praises of our omnipotent, graceful, forgiving and merciful heavenly Father. 

And as Bruh David continues: ‘Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.’ (Ps.40:4) Yeh friends, it only makes sense to put our complete trust and faith in the ONE who created us and still controls ALL the events and circumstances of our lives. 

What did Cousin Sol say on that topic? ‘A man’s heart deviseth (plans) his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.’ (Prov.16:9) 

Ah mih breddren, when will we ever learn that eh? We can make all the plans we want, but it’s the Lord’s will that will eventually prevail. As the scholars so clearly put it. ‘16:9. The Lord is sovereign over man’s scheming and planning.’ Truer words were never spoken friends! 

And Bruh David so believed in the God of his fathers that he wrote in Psalm 32 – The blessedness of forgiveness. ‘Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass (surround) me about with songs of deliverance.   Selah.’ (Ps.32:7) 

And in Psalm 33 – Praise to the Lord for his creation – the psalmist unconditionally proclaims: ‘Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. 

Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise (a shout of joy). For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth. He LOVETH righteousness and judgement (justice): the earth is full of the goodness (LOVING-kindness) of the Lord.’ (Ps.33:1-5) 

Now my fellow believers, those are words we cannot dispute, so please, let’s write them indelibly in our hearts and minds and do our best to live them out nuh. In that way we will live righteous lives and bring others to Christ. 

Now let’s go home sincerely and confidently declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting the world know who and whose we are. ‘I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world.  Amen! 

And as true believers, we’ll now go out and put all of that into action, like Jesus desires of us! Much LOVE!

…believers ought to be constantly…singing and making melody in their hearts…to the Lord…

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 26 March 2017 1 John 1:9.

26 Mar 2017 Leave a comment

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

1 John 1:9.   If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

And then friends, it was the glorious day of praise and worship; Sunday! The day when we go into the Lord’s sanctuary and exalt and glorify Him as one body, His church, listen to His awesome and inspiring word and leave renewed and refreshed, assured and confident to face another week in this crazy and evil world. 

And as always, we’ll begin with a wonderful rendition of one of our wonderful hymns, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy.’ So let’s offer up the sacrifice of our lips to our heavenly Father with enthusiasm, sincerity and truth. 

‘Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee; holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty, God in three persons, blessed Trinity! Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee, casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee, who wert and art and evermore shalt be. 

Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee, though the eye made blind by sin thy glory may not see, only thou art holy; there is none beside thee, perfect in power, in LOVE, and purity. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth and sky and sea; holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty, God in three persons, blessed Trinity!’ 

Yeh mih people, there’s no other God like ours; merciful and mighty; perfect in power and LOVE, one God in three persons, blessed Trinity! That’s why He is the GREATEST! No wonder we need to offer up our praise and worship, our thanks and exaltation, for He rightly deserves it. 

We also need to humble ourselves before Him because He is holy and does not like or overlook sin. 

But in His awesome grace has provided us with an option to be cleansed of the natural evil of our human nature, as our Bit so joyfully tells us. ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ 

We can’t ask much more than that nuh my fellow believers. He didn’t have to do it, but in His wonderful LOVE and compassion for us, He just couldn’t let us go down to the pit of Hades without giving us a chance to reform ourselves. So here we are with this amazing choice of being able to praise and worship Him and come to Him in humility and ask for forgiveness. 

Wow! No other supposed god gives their worshippers such a mind boggling option! That’s why we’re foolish if we don’t accept it and live up to it. Now hear the words of Bruh David as he talks about the blessed of forgiveness from Psalm 32. 

‘Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not (does not charge his account with) iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile (deceit). When I kept silence, my bones waxed (grew) old through my roaring (groaning) all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture (my vitality) is turned into the drought of summer.   Selah.  

I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord, and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.   Selah.  For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come unto him. Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about (surround me) with songs of deliverance.   Selah.  

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must he held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about (surround him). Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.’ (Ps. 32:1-11) 

Oh friends, how wonderful it is to be touched by the power of the Lord’s forgiveness! And here is what the scholars have to say about that psalm. 

‘Psalm 32. The psalm describes the blessedness of forgiveness as no other does. This is the theme of especially the first five verses, which include the happiness of the forgiven man (vs.1-2); the physical and psychological effects of unconfessed sin (vs.3-4); and the simple remedy of confession to obtain God’s forgiveness (v.5). On this basis David can experience prayer (vs.6-7); divine instruction (vs.8-9); and personal witness (vs.10-11).’ 

Yeh friends, what a great way to end this series of messages on confession of sin and the Lord’s faithfulness to forgive and cleanse us! So please, let’s not forget the wonderful avenues that are open to us when we sincerely serve and worship the Lord God Almighty, He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! 

Let’s not be foolish and ignore all that He’s provided for us in His grace and tender mercies. Then we can rejoice and shout with joy! So let’s be wise and acknowledge Him nuh,  lean on Him and make our way through Him, for that’s the wisdom of the ages! Much LOVE!

…to forgive is wonderful…but to receive forgiveness is even better…

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 29 August 2014 Psalm 31:20

29 Aug 2014 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 31:20.   Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence (secret place) from the pride (plots and schemes) of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion (shelter) from the strife of tongues.
 
Oh Friends, it’s Friday… the day that has morphed into one which the workers, as well as the non-workers, have come to look forward to with a desperate yearning. It’s a day we now glorify with the dubious moniker, ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’
 
And though looking forward to Fridays, after which we get some freedom from work, isn’t in itself a bad thing, I believe that because we place such emphasis on it, we consequently end up with a loss of interest, and therefore productivity and enjoyment of the other days in the workweek.
 
So please, let’s cut back a little on the glorification of Friday nuh, and thus increase our joy and achievements in the more under appreciative days from Monday to Thursday. Why do you think the Lord made them all? It’s for us to enjoy them all!
 
And for those of you who think I’m mad, crazy, or just plain foolish and stupid for making that suggestion, I’m truly sorry for you all, because you don’t know the joys you’re missing by concentrating on the coming of Friday.
 
Anyway, we’re not here to fight and disagree, but to LOVE and cherish each other in Jesus’ name, so in the spirit of unity, let’s chant our Friday Chant, so that we can see the right and proper way to picture the upcoming weekend.
 
Chanting… ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
 
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
 
Now please let that guide us on the right path for the weekend. And our Bit for today is the same as yesterday. Today though, we’ll focus more on God’s safe keeping of His people, rather than the proud and prideful aspect which we concentrated on yesterday.
 
But before we get to that, allow me to quote one scripture on the prideful aspect that I didn’t get in yesterday. It comes from the wisdom of Cousin Sol. ‘The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the forward (perverse) mouth, do I hate.’ (Prov.8:13)
 
Oh my people, that’s just a gentle reminder of the distaste the Lord holds for the lustful and evil things of the world. Put that in your pipe and smoke it! (smile)
 
Wow! Is that really the first smiley face for the day? Chuh! We have to do better than that. Please excuse the sneezing, (smile) my allergies seem to be acting up.
 
And now our Bit ought to bring not only a smile to our faces, but rather a deep and everlasting joy to our hearts, souls, bodies and minds! ‘Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence (the secret place) from the pride (plots and schemes) of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion (shelter) from the strife of tongues.’
 
Oh my brethren, that’s what happens when we place our sincere trust and faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! He shelters us from the plots, plans and evil schemes of wicked men, along with their strife-filled words.
 
What a joy and blessing it is to know that our heavenly Father has our back! That’s why Bruh David was ever adamant about it. Hear him from Psalm 27 – the Lord is my light and my salvation.
 
‘One thing have I desired of the Lord, that I will seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty (delightfulness) of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle, shall he hide me; he shall set me upon a rock.’ (Ps.27:4-5)
 
And now listen to his convincing declaration in Psalm 32 – the blessedness of forgiveness. ‘Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about (surround me) with songs of deliverance.   Selah.’ (Ps.27:7)
 
Oh my people, a body couldn’t get any surer and more convinced of God’s goodness, mercy and safe keeping than that!
 
Now let’s close with some thoughtful and encouraging words on the subject from Eliphaz, as he rebukes his buddy Job. ‘Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: For he maketh sore, and bindeth up, he woundeth, and his hands make whole.
 
He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee. In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power (hand) of the sword. Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.
 
At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth. For thou shalt be in league (have a covenant) with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.
 
And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle (tent) shall be in peace; and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin (find nothing amiss).
 
Thou shalt know also that thy seed (descendants) shall be great, and thine offspring as the grass of the earth (many, plentiful). Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season. Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it (for yourself) for thy good.’ (Job 5:17-27)
 
And that says it all Friends! Know it for yourself, for your good, that whatever happens, our great and wonderful God will look after us, through both the good and bad times! You can take that to the bank like money! (smile)
 
Now please let’s go forth this fateful Friday morning, the last one in August 2014, the one so fittingly before the long Labour Day weekend, and walk worthily of Jesus, for that’s all He desires of us, and furthermore, it’s wisdom at its everlasting best! Much LOVE!
 
…when Jesus truly comes into our hearts…He drives out all fear, worry and anxiety… 
 
P.S. It’s long and late, but sweet, provocative, heartwarming and encouraging nuh! (smile) And would you believe that just as I was about to send out the Bit, the foolish, so and so computer froze on me, and I had to waste even more time on rebooting! Oh Lord eh! The trials we have to bear to do the Lord’s work! (smile) Much LOVE!