Today’s Scrip-Bit 9 February 2015 Colossians 3:13‏‏

09 Feb 2015 Leave a comment

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

Colossians 3:13.   Forbearing (bearing with) one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Well Friends, it’s the second day of the week, but the first day of work. And I know that many of us are not happy about having to get up and go to work on this beautiful Monday morning. 

But as I keep reminding us, we have no choice, if we want to make a living and keep a roof over our heads and food on our tables, so the sooner we stop giving ourselves heartaches over it, and become contented and peaceful, the sooner we’ll understand and appreciate the joys of working.

And I know some of you are querying the term ‘joys of working,’ assuming that there can be no joy in work. But I’m here to tell you differently Friends. Many of us don’t enjoy our jobs because we come to them with the wrong mind set; a negative rather than a positive one. Granted, many of them don’t ingratiate themselves to us, are not really likeable in the natural.

But as Bruh Paul told the Philippians: ‘Not that I speak in respect of want (regard of need): for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.’ (Phil.4:11)

Yes my people, the ability to be content in whatever situation we might find ourselves is one of the great tools of living. However, as the scholars tell us: ‘The Greek here suggests contentment is a lesson learned neither in a classroom nor overnight, but through practical experiences in life.’

And that’s a fact my brethren! Contentment is learned through experiencing the harsh knocks of life, and we have to consciously accept it, if we’re to be rid of most of our fears and anxieties, especially if we are followers of Jesus.

Anyway, let’s get to our Monday Morning Hymn that boosts our spirits, raises our adrenalin level and gives us the wherewithal to go out and fight the enemy, and thus bring souls to Jesus for saving.

So as one big, bold and harmonic choir, let’s sing: ‘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!’

That was a good rendition my people, but not good enough to move heaven, (smile) but our motors are running and that will enable us to face the day with faith, strength, courage and forgiveness.

Yes Friends, forgiveness must be a major part of our day, as so many things and people are out there to annoy us and bring negative emotions to our spirits, but we have to rise up over them by forgiving where forgiveness is called for. Because remember, forgiveness is for our health; physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Unforgiveness usually does nothing to the unforgiven, but it ALWAYS affects the ‘unforgiver’ negatively. So basic wisdom calls us to forgive as quickly and completely as possible. As our Bit so wisely and rightly tells us: ‘Forbearing (bearing with) one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.’

And the aspect of forgiving that I want to talk about today is extremely important, but one to which we don’t pay much, or definitely enough attention to; that’s forgiving ourselves.

Yes Friends, too many of us hold on to guilt and unforgiveness against ourselves. We tend to forgive others much quicker and more completely than we do ourselves. But that’s also wrong my brethren. Forgiveness is for everybody, including ourselves.

A good example of our negative response to ourselves, is in cases where we do things that we regret, and we even ask God for forgiveness, which He ALWAYS grants, but we still walk around with guilt and unforgiveness. Friends, it’s a basic law of nature that when we are given something, we have to receive and accept it, otherwise we won’t have it.

And the forgiveness, mercy, LOVING-kindness and saving grace of God are amongst those wonderful things that we need to receive with joy and gratitude. For if we don’t, we are doing ourselves great injustice, in fact negating the death of Jesus, making it of no account, for those are the things which He sacrificed Himself on Calvary’s cross to give us.

So if we don’t accept what Jesus died to give us, then we’re not His true followers, just seeds sown on stony ground with no real roots planted in the church and body of Jesus. The same goes for when other’s beside God forgives us. We have to learn to accept it with kindness and mercy and gratitude, else we’re still not doing ourselves any good.

And we’ll end with these wonderful and wise words on the subject; words of Bruh Paul to the Ephesians. ‘Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven (in Christ forgave) you.’ (Eph.4:31-32)

Words of everlasting wisdom my brethren! So let’s go out and put it all in to practice today nuh my people, obviously with the help of Jesus, because that’s our earthly responsibility, our bounden duty. Much LOVE!

…we must learn not only to forgive…but also to receive and accept forgiveness…for it is the grace of God…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 October 2014 Amos 4:6B

18 Oct 2014 Leave a comment

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

Amos 4:6B.    …yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.

Oh Friends, I don’t know what the weather will be like this Saturday morning nuh, it’s been somewhat miserable, rainy and cloudy, the last few days. But I can assure you that the autumn colours of the dying leaves are very beautiful and varied as they always are.
 
What an anomaly eh? The leaves are dying, but in their death, they are even more colourful than in life. Likewise my people, regardless of the external circumstances surrounding us, we also have the ability to improve them by our behaviour.
 
And here is a quote that enlightens us on that subject and certainly brightens up, enlarges and expands our day with little effort on our part – well sometimes with plenty. (smile)  It comes from the American journalist George Elliston (1883-1946), and says: ‘How beautiful a day can be when kindness touches it.’
 
And that my people is gospel, gospel truth! Our lives do light up when we are either touched by the kindness of others, or we touch others with our kindness! Unfortunately though, in our busy and selfish society nowadays, kindness is more the exception rather than the rule it’s supposed to be, and once was. And that is definitely a sad commentary on the type of society we have morphed into.
 
Oh Friends, most of us who are getting up there in age will certainly remember the good old days, when people were generally kind and friendly, when you could go almost anywhere and be assured of a fairly decent reception, of being greeted with a smile or a kind word. Not so nowadays, they’re more likely to rip off your head and give you an earful.
 
The world we currently live in is all about first person singular; me, myself and I. But as faithful believers, ambassadors for Christ, we’re called to be different, just like Jesus was different! Remember, we’re supposed to be only IN the world, not OF it. (John 17:15-16) That means we’re supposed to show kindness, LOVE, mercy and forgiveness, the way our magnanimous God showers them on us.
 
And I’m truly amazed at the negative response some people have to kindness. As I keep telling my family, how you feel towards me is not as important as how you treat me. I want to see positive action, not positive words and negative actions. Anyway Friends, the times we’re living in right now, certainly do resemble the days of depravity and perverseness back in old Israel, and the Lord ended up punishing them.
 
Listen to the Good Book. ‘Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes after (every) three years (or days):  And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim and publish (announce) the free offerings: for this liketh you (you love), O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord God. And I also have given you cleanness of teeth (hunger) in all your cities, and want (lack) of bread in all your places: yet ye have not returned unto me, saith the Lord.’ (Amos 4:4-6)
 
Oh my brethren, does that sound like us these days? It certainly does! God’s punishment didn’t reform Israel back then, and doesn’t seem to be doing it for us now either. What a sad state of affairs! Nor was that all of the punishment.
 
The Good Book continues: ‘And also I have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered. So two or three cities wandered unto one (another) city, to drink water; but they were not satisfied: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord.’ (Amos 4:7-8)
 
Oh Friends, we are seeing that same sad state of affairs all over our present world with flood and famine and war and strife tearing nations and families apart. But yet we are still following the evil and foolish dictates of Lucifer, rather than the good and positive ones of Almighty God. What is it going to take to turn us around eh; complete destruction. But then it will be too late.
 
Remember Noah and the flood? When He began to build the ark, everybody laughed and thought he’d gone crazy. However, when the rains came pouring down, they all clamoured for a spot in it. But then it was too late. Likewise, my people, if we ignore His warnings, if we wait too long to return to the God of our fathers, then it just might be too late for us too.
 
However, as followers of Jesus, there is one option we do NOT have; that of quitting, of giving up, of stop trying! Just remember that my people. As workers for Christ, we are expected to keep on keeping on, even when it is extremely difficult, confidently bolstered by the faithful promises of our ever-faithful, ever-LOVING God!
 
So though today might look somewhat bleak, both emotionally and weather-wise, let’s put on our spiritual armour, strengthen ourselves with God’s Word, and go out into the evil, godless world and spread kindness, mercy, LOVE and forgiveness in Jesus’ Name! That’s not only true wisdom, but also our bounden duty as Christians! Much LOVE!
 
…even one small deed of kindness here on earth…produces a flurry of excitement and joy in heaven…

 

 
 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 3 July 2013 Jeremiah 1:6

03 Jul 2013 Leave a comment

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

Jeremiah 1:6.   Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
 
Oh Friends, today was one of those days when I had a hard time finding a Bit. I don’t know why, because all my senses were attuned and I felt physically fine. But I guess that’s life! We can’t always have it easy, otherwise we surely won’t appreciate it. A struggle seems necessary before we can enjoy any good times.
 
As they say, you can’t enjoy the sunshine until you’ve experienced the rain, neither light until you experience darkness, and we can continue with all the other positives, that we can’t truly appreciate until we go through the negatives.
 
Anyway, here’s an interesting quote from the German writer, Jean Paul Richter (1763-1825), which tells us that ‘Sorrows are like thunderclouds – in the distance they look black; over our heads scarcely gray.’  
 
And isn’t that the awesome truth Friends? Like the thunderclouds that look dark, dismal and foreboding when they’re off in the distance, so too are many of our perceived problems. They seem frightful and compelling when they first appear, but usually when we truly get to dealing with them, we discover that they’re usually never as bad and fearful as they looked at the beginning.
 
That’s not to say that some of them can’t be truly loathsome and frightening, but generally most of our problems end up being not as bad as they first seem. That means we’re not to get frightened and overwhelmed when problems first appear.
 
We need to scrutinize them properly before doing anything, because if we get all anxious and worked up without knowing what they are really all about, then that anxiety and worry will most certainly prevent us from handling them properly.
 
Fear and other negative emotions detract from our ability to handle problems as well as life in general. That’s why we should try not to make any important decisions when we’re fearful, angry, or under the influence of any negative emotions.
 
Oh Friends, our God is really a good God yes! For up to just now, before that last sentence, I still didn’t have a Bit, but while thumbing through the Good Book, it opened at the beginning of Jeremiah, and these words called to me: ‘Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.’
 
And I had to laugh, because it reminded me of when the Lord put forward the Idea of the Bit to me, I gave a similar excuse. I chuckled and said I couldn’t do it because of my insufficient knowledge of His Word. But as we know, the Lord persisted and some seven years later, though I’m still not an expert on His Word, I’m much further ahead than I use to be.
 
Please note the Lord’s words to Jeremiah which brought forward his negative response. ‘Before I formed thee in the belly (womb) I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee (set thee apart), and I ordained (appointed) thee a prophet unto the nations.’ (Jer.1:5)
 
Yuh see that Friends, Jerry’s call had been planned long before His birth! Like wise, the Lord has plans for all of us before we’re even conceived, and trying to wiggle out of them is usually futile and hopeless.
 
Now hear how the Lord handled Jerry’s reluctance. ‘But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.’ (Jer.1:7)
 
The Lord was having none of Jerry’s fear and anxiety. And to assuage his fear, He reassures him. ‘Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.’ (Jer.1:8)
 
That’s the greatness and faithfulness of our God my people! He doesn’t just send us to do a job without any reassurance; He’s constantly with us, He has our back all the time.
 
‘Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down (tear down), and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.’ (Jer.1:9-10) 
 
Please note too that He gave Jerry the tools, the words, to do the job He was sending him to do. That’s another great aspect of our God. He’ll never send us to do a job without giving us the necessary tools to do it. I can personally attest to that.
 
So if you happen to find yourself in such a situation today, where the Lord is calling you to do something, which in the natural you don’t seem qualified or able to do, don’t worry, just step up boldly to the plate. Do like Isaiah did, when the Lord asked: ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.’ (Is.6:8)
 
Ah Friends, I’ll let you into a little secret; if the Lord truly wants to conscript you into His army, then like a snowflake in hell, you don’t stand a chance of getting away! He will get you one way or another. I can personally attest to that too, because I kept putting forth my uneducated argument, but He kept persevering.
 
Hn! And yuh see who finally won! Well I won too, because it changed my whole life, brought me much closer to Him.
 
And the Lord has a plan for each and every one of His children, whether He’s made it clear to us or not. So whether we’re in the throes of indecision now, or haven’t clearly heard His plan for us, please bear in mind that working for Him is the most interesting job in the universe.
 
It’s not always going to be wine, roses and song, but along the way, you’ll experience some experiences, large, small and in-between, that will boggle your imagination and make you truly believe. That again I can attest to from personal experience.
 
So please answer God’s call today, or whenever He calls, with a bold and confident, ‘Yes Lord, I will go. Send me.’ That’s wisdom of the highest order! Much LOVE!
 
…when the Lord says jump…our immediate response should be…how high Lord…
 
P.S. Sorry for the lateness of the Bit, but I was doing some other stuff on the computer that took me longer than I expected. But as usual, better late than never. (smile) Much LOVE!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 17 April 2013 1 Corinthians 1:22

17 Apr 2013 Leave a comment

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

1 Corinthians 1:22.     For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek wisdom. 
 
And then it was Wednesday! Oh Friends, we’re already halfway through the week. The days sure are moving quickly. And before I can catch myself, the enemy decides to throw a spanner in the works. My computer freezes while I’m trying to get going. Chuh! Didn’t anybody tell Lucifer it was too early to get on my case? Obviously not! But thankfully though, through strength and patience granted by Christ, after some fiddling and rebooting, it finally decided to do what it was meant to do. Now doesn’t that remind us of our own behaviour, re following Jesus? It sure does! We’re often just as stubborn and obstinate, refusing to do what we know we’re supposed to do in our Christian walk. That’s why I’m not as enamoured of computers as so many people are. They do have some useful purposes, but in general they’re too finicky, and choose not to respond, or respond negatively, at the most inopportune times. But unfortunately our world has placed its already feeble and watered-down lifeblood in the computer’s treacherous and nebulous hands. We’re even computing in the clouds now. (smile) Ah Friends, we’re placing way too much trust and control of our lives in the hands of machines and virtual reality networks often controlled by unscrupulous men, for my liking. It’s creating too many problems that we’re not in a position to solve. One simple glitch in some distant part of the world can cause untold loss to millions of people. But who am I to dispute the wishes of the people eh, or rather the powers that be, who are enticing us with fanciful stuff that we are lapping up like dogs lapping water? I’m just like a lone voice crying in the wilderness with no one to hear, or nobody’s listening to, because they’re too busy doing exactly what I’m crying out against. But that’s life in this modern world. I just have to grin and suck it up. And I’m doing just that. (smile) That’s enough of my crying for today though. Now here’s our Bit. ‘For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek wisdom.’ I decided to use the same Bit as yesterday to dig a little deeper into Bruh Paul’s contention about the Jews requiring signs. There are stories of signs throughout the entire Bible, but for our purposes, we’ll concentrate on some controversy in Jesus’ time, re signs. Possibly the most famous of Jesus’ disputes on signs occurred after He’d preached on good and corrupt fruit. ‘Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days in the whale’s (great fish’s) belly, so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgement with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, a greater than Jonah is here. The queen of the south (Sheba) (1 Kin.10:1-13) shall rise up in the judgement with this generation, and shall condemn it; for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, a greater than Solomon is here.’ (Matt.12:38-42) Ah mih breddren, don’t you just like how Jesus could lambaste and put down the hypocritical Jewish leaders? But they were either so dumb, steeped in their man made traditions, or too egotistical and taken up with their own authority and power struggle to appreciate Jesus’ words. Here He’s making them sound even worse than the people of Nineveh, who repented after Jonah spoke to them. And He was greater than Jonah. The same goes for the Queen of Sheba, who journeyed far to come and listen to the pearls of Cousin Sol’s wisdom. And Jesus was also greater than Sol, but yet they refused to listen to Him. How sad it is when we’re too busy to pay serious attention to matters that concern us, or simply think we know better than those sharing the information. And that’s exactly what’s still happening today my brethren, two thousand years after Jesus preached those words. We’re still too busy, too caught up in the web of deceit and evil of the lustful world to sit down and try to fathom Jesus’ words. And then there are also the naysayers, who simply cast Jesus aside and put their faith in science and man. Ah mih people, when will we ever learn that Jesus is the answer to all our problems eh? I certainly hope we do so before it’s too late. And we’ll end with some pertinent info from the scholars. ‘The word adulterous means unfaithful to God. It was a metaphor frequently used in the Old Testament for spiritual “adultery.” The prophet Jonah: Jesus uses Jonah’s burial in the fish for three days and three nights as an illustration of the three days and three nights that Christ would spend in the grave Himself. The reference to whale’s belly in verse 40 of the Authorized Version is unfortunate. The Greek word “ketos” means “a great sea creature,” not necessarily a whale. The Old Testament references are to a “great fish” (Jon.1:17). Notice that the Lord placed this entire account on the same level of historical reality as that with which He Himself was dealing.’ Oh Friends, unfortunately not much has changed in man’s thinking and doing since Jesus’ time, at least in regards to the eternal rest of our souls. We’re still being enticed by the flim flam things of man and the evil prince of darkness. But please don’t give, up, for remember where there’s life, there’s always hope. So let’s just keep on doing what our Lord and Saviour asks of us: to LOVE our God, LIVE our Faith, and SPREAD His Holy Word. That’s precious little to ask, when compared to His sacrifice. So let’s get to it nuh. Viva la LOVE Revolution! Much, much LOVE my people!…it is better to trust in the Lord…than to put confidence in man… (Ps.118:6)