Today’s Scrip-Bit 25 April 2012 Hebrews 6:15

25 Apr 2012 Leave a comment

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

Hebrews 6:15.       And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
 
Oh Friends, it’s a wonderful morning, with all those new mercies and blessings pouring down like rain from heaven on us! Do you feel them? I sure do! So much so that ‘I’ve got a joy deep down inside of me that makes me want to shout how good God is to me!’ Wow! That’s the way all believers ought to feel my people! Those words are the chorus of a reggae song I heard last night, and though I think I’ve shared it with you before, the feeling is so right that I felt compelled to share it again. Yuh know, we talk constantly about the joy of living in and for Christ, but not enough of His followers actually experience it and then show it to an evil, ungodly, unfriendly world. Too many of us Christians go about looking sad and miserable, as though we’ve lost our best friend, instead of being joyful that we’ve found our Best Friend, Jesus, who sacrificed His sinless life for us, and promised never to leave or forsake us. Remember His words to His disciples: Greater LOVE hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ (John 15:13) Well that’s what He did, and thus considers as friends, all who believe in Him. Consequently, the problems of the world should never be too big to hide, to conceal, or destroy the well-being and wonderful future that faithfully living for Jesus provides. We know it’s not an easy path to tread; one filled with numerous potholes and dangers lurking around every bend. But as our Bit says: ‘And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.’ Oh my brethren, that’s a guarantee which applies to all staunch believers, from Father Abraham, through Jesus, right up to us today and those to come! If we stand steadfast, strong and true, trusting and believing in Jesus and His Word, then regardless of what calamity we encounter, we will be well rewarded in the end. We know that no great thing can be accomplished without some failure and heartache, but if one perseveres, instead of quickly giving up, then eventually our efforts usually meet with success. The same goes for the Christian life my Friends. Living for Jesus is a great and worthwhile endeavour, but it also means there will be bumps of various sizes along the way. But with Jesus’ help, we can surely overcome them. Hear this apt scripture of Bruh Paul to the Thessalonians, re encouragement in persecution. ‘We are bound to thank God always for you brethren, as it is meet (fitting), because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity (LOVE) of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; so that we ourselves glory in (boast of) you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure; Which is a manifest token (plain evidence) of the righteous judgement of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense (repay with) tribulation to them that trouble you.’ (2 Thess.1:3-6) Yes Friends, that’s the kind of witness believers must be prepared to undergo for Christ’s sake. Remember what He suffered on our behalf, and also that we can never repay Him. In fact He doesn’t desire repayment, just a little thanks and gratitude, shown by our behaviour towards Him and each other. Now listen to this scripture of Bruh Paul to the Colossians, where he’s talking about prayer for spiritual wisdom. ‘For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness. Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet (qualified us to) be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in (the) light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated (transferred) us into the kingdom of his dear Son (the Son of His LOVE):’ (Col.1:9-13) Oh my people, are we sincerely working towards and praying for those godly attributes? We surely should, because it’s noted again where believers ought to suffer trials with patience and joy. Jesus did it, and though we’re not in His class, we can all try to attain to a high standard in that respect. And we’ll close off this series of Bits on patience and all its variants with some thoughtful and encouraging words from James, re patience in affliction. ‘Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold the husbandman (farmer) waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish (establish) your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh (has come near)….Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy (blessed) which endure. Ye have heard of the patience (perseverance) of Job, and have seen the end of (intended by) the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful (compassionate), and of tender mercy.’ (James 5:7-8,10-11) Yes Friends, let’s get out into this wicked, ungodly world and show them that Jesus’ people are made of sterner stuff than them, and that we can handle anything they throw at us, because we have our Lord, Saviour, Master and glorious Advocate, Jesus, working for and protecting us! Much LOVE!…if you’re not in sync with Jesus…then you’re easy pickings for Lucifer…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 April 2012 Hebrews 6:15

22 Apr 2012 Leave a comment

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

Hebrews 6:15.     And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

Oh Friends, many of you are going to fellowship with other believers this Sunday morning, or have already done so, if you celebrate the Sabbath on another day. Now many of the physical churches will be, or were crowded, but how did you feel? Did you feel as though you had ample room to interact with God? Or were you sort of stifled? You know the saying that an empty church seems to have more room for God. I believe it’s true. When the church is full, all the bodies take up so much space, that there’s less for God. Hn! Okay, I’m just being facetious, a bit foolish, because as Jesus told the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well: ‘God is a Spirit, and those that worship him, must worship him in spirit and in truth.’ (John 4:24) Therefore, His spiritual presence doesn’t take up any physical space. But the saying is true in the sense that an empty church, or one with only a few people, allows us a closer and often more meaningful interaction with God because there are fewer distractions. And if you don’t believe me, just try it for yourself sometime. Find an empty church, sit down, kneel, or whatever, and see if your communication with the Father isn’t much smoother with less static and external disturbances. That’s why Jesus always went to a quiet place to pray, to talk to the Father. This brings me to what I want to share. Last year in the Gethsemane watch on Holy Thursday night, by myself in the church, around midnight, the Lord advised me to listen. I took that to mean listen to Him more closely and often for guidance, as well as listen to others; do less talking and more listening. Well I believe I’ve improved a fair amount in listening to Him, but definitely not as good in listening to others. I still think I talk too much. Shut up children and stop smirking! (smile) But that’s because of my passion for whatever I’m talking about. However, I’m working on it. Like building faith, it’s a work in progress. Now this past Holy Thursday, the message I received during the Gethsemane watch was; abide in me – with patience. Please note the proviso Friends – with patience. Abiding in the Lord is surely worthwhile, but if we don’t do it patiently, we’ll lose most of the benefits of abiding, for we can’t be faithful and trusting without that important element of patience. We all know that God’s time does not always coincide with ours. We always want everything now for now. But He challenges us to wait on Him, testing us, while building our Christ-like character. But unfortunately, patience is not something on which our society places a high premium. Rather, our world has become very impatient, what with the advanced technology and the numerous, almost immediate ways of communication, we tend to want everything like yesterday. However my people, God’s Word, from beginning to end, stresses patience. Now that could mean mere waiting on Him, or persevering through adversity, or being steadfast and true in faith, basically enduring, but always letting God lead in His time. And one of the biggest tests of patience comes from our Bit: ‘And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.’ The author of Hebrews, whom most scholars consider to be Bruh Paul, is there referring to Abraham, to whom God promised a son when he was seventy five years old, by his wife Sarah, who was around sixty something, way past normal childbearing age. (Gen.12) In the natural that seemed impossible, and they both had their doubts, Sarah even laughed, but they persevered in faith, and twenty five years later, when Abraham was one hundred, and Sarah about ninety, the promised son, Isaac, was born. Thus Bruh Paul could confidently say: ‘Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience (endurance), that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.’ (Heb.10:35-36) Oh my brethren, strong faith with plenty patience is a must if we truly want to serve the Lord God Jehovah! And as Bruh David so eloquently puts it in Psalm 37: ‘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.” (Ps.37:7) Therefore Bruh Paul could also write this famous passage to the Romans, re the results of justification through Christ. ‘And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience (produces perseverance); And patience, experience (character); and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed (does not disappoint); because the LOVE of God is shed abroad (has been poured out) in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.’ (Rom.5:3-5) And I’ll stop there for today my people, because I don’t want to try your patience too much, (smile) seeing that we live in this very impatient, ungodly world, and many of us have sadly been thus programmed. But we’ll renew our acquaintance with patience tomorrow, provided the Lord sees fit to continue breathing life into our bodies and souls. Till then, please go safely, in peace, hope, LOVE and patience, as Christ Jesus desires. Much LOVE!…I waited patiently for the Lord…and he inclined unto me…and heard my cry… (Ps.40:1)

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 24 February 2012 Job 11:6b

24 Feb 2012 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living Tags: , , , ,

Job 11:6b.    Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth. 
Oh Friends, it’s Friday! And all the party people whispered a tired ‘Thank God.’ Yes Friends, the enthusiasm is lost because they’re still tired from all the revelry that ended late Tuesday night, then having to go to work on Ash Wednesday. So now they’re just dying for Friday to come so they can rest their weary bones and spirits. But whatever our state my people, the weekend has its duties, so let’s chant our Friday Chant that will enable us to gain the right perspective . All together now, in whatever voice you can manage (smile): ‘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.’ Ah mih people, it’s a rough life, but if it’s lived with and for Jesus, and we keep our hearts focused steadfastly on Him, we will make it safely through the storms of this evil, ungodly world. For one thing, as spoken by Job’s supposed friend, Zophar, our Bit very rightly declares: ‘Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth (He forgets some of your iniquity).’ And that my brethren is the gospel, gospel truth! Because if the Most High God Jehovah ever decided to give us our just and full desserts, none would survive, we’d all be cast into the pit of eternal fire. Jeremiah so kindly reminds us: ‘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.3:21-23) Yes Friends, it’s only because our God is such a forgiving and LOVING Deity that we are able to avoid the hell fires of the damned. And though most of us claim to known that, yet we still let Lucifer rum amok in our lives, we still don’t pay proper obeisance to our Creator, Provider and Protector. What does that say about us eh? Nothing very worthwhile. The thing I find amazing though is that we have the benefit of the Good Book with all the stuff that went on in the past, all of God’s dictates, His punishments and rewards, yet for some unfathomable reason, we ignore them, foolishly thinking that what happened to the other nations and societies who disobeyed God, won’t happen to us. Oh Friends, that’s a grave fallacy! That’s Lucifer curdling our hearts and minds with lies and wicked innuendoes, for the Lord nor His Word ever changes. And Lucifer knows this quite well, but he’s simply playing on our inherently lustful and sinful nature. My people, please hear and fully believe that whatever our God says in His Word, will come to pass in the fullness of time. And though He is a very merciful, forgiving and LOVING God, if we continue in our sinful disobedience, at some stage He’s going to get fed up and unleash real punishment. Hear these words of the prophet Ezra, when he confessed Israel’s sins before the Lord: ‘And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass (guilt), seeing thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this; Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity (marriage) with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed (destroyed) us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping? O Lord God of Israel, thou art righteous: for we remain yet escaped , as it is this day: behold, we are before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee because of this.’ (Ezra 9:13-15) Those are words of righteous truth Friends! We definitely can’t stand before our God in the hideous wicked state that we’re currently in! And I think we’re pushing the envelope some, for we’re being punished somewhat right now for our misdeeds by the troubled, confused, uncontrollable state of our world. But even so my brethren, the Lord in His LOVING kindness has not given us our just desserts, otherwise our world would be dust and ashes now. Listen to these enlightening words of Bruh David from Psalm 103, Thanksgiving for God’s mercy: ‘The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous (abounding) in mercy (LOVING kindness). He will not always chide (strive): neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy (LOVING kindness) toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.’ (Ps.103:8-12)  Oh Friends, the Lord’s still being kind and merciful to us, but we definitely can’t continue wallowing in evil and ungodliness for much longer, or He’s going to pull the plug on us. Please, let’s wake up, especially we believers, and get out there and diligently try to change our world if we want it to last for at least one more generation, because at the rate we’re spiralling into ungodliness and evil, I doubt the Lord’s patience will last that long. Oh my people, only a LOVE Revolution, sooner rather than later can save our world. Much LOVE!…to him that hath ears…let him hear…or else…he will certainly feel.
 

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