Today’s Scrip-Bit   5 December 2022 Hebrews 13:6.

05 Dec 2022 Leave a comment

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

Hebrews 13:6.       So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall (can) do unto me.

And then it was Monday once again! That continuously recurring first day of the workweek which causes our frustrations to rise to abnormal and unnecessary levels! (smile) Yes, although we know the right way to handle Mondays, it still often gets the better of us. So what do we do about it eh? 

Simple! With the Lord’s help, make better preparations and come to terms with the fact that once we are in the work force, after a short weekend break, Monday will come around every week and require us to get back out into the evil and ungodly world and walk our walk for Christ, which in itself will undoubtedly cause us some problems, since the world is not very receptive to Christ at this particular period in time. 

But the good news is that our Lord and Saviour will never ask us to do anything and then leave us in the lurch to do it alone. Of course not! He always gives us the necessary tools, anoints us to do whatever He requires, which means we ought not to get overly frustrated and disappointed when problems come against us. Please remember this magnificent and ever so encouraging scripture that we’ve been talking about the last few days: ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me!‘ (Phil. 4:13) 

Now, if you sincerely believe in Christ Jesus then that ought to be a foundational scripture in your repertoire, indelibly written in your spirit, to draw from for spiritual support, whenever the need arises. Oh friends, it’s of the utmost necessity that we have a bunch of scriptures at the ready for when problems come upon us. But we cannot ever get our repertoire sufficiently enlarged without constantly perusing and meditating on the Word. 

Please remember that the Bible is God’s Word to us, and it’s still fresh through all the ages. Therefore, if we read it, we will find God’s wisdom on its pages. And there’s no better example of that than the directive the Lord gave to Joshua when He appointed him leader of the Israelites after the death of Moses. 

‘This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth (be constantly in 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. Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage: be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.’ (Josh. 1:8-9) 

Oh my faithful brethren, those are some of the most profound and wise words in the scriptures. And so they should be, if they were uttered by the Lord Himself. And yuh know what? Those words were not meant to apply to only Joshua, but to ALL God’s children, right down through the ages! 

And if you are a child of God, sincerely studying His Word is the only way to grow in spiritual maturity and strength; to have no fear of what the world can do to you, because your heavenly Father is with you all the time. Don’t forget He has also promised: ‘I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall (can) do unto me.’ (Heb. 13:5-6) 

And it’s ever so true that lack of knowledge of the Bible is a big cause of the fear that so many of us feel as we go through our everyday lives. You’ll surely notice that when we have the Word buried deep in our hearts and souls, then we walk with a spring in our stride, with pep in our step, because we are confident of what Psalm 91 says. ‘Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation (dwelling place); There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh (near) thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 

They shall bear (lift) thee up in their hands, lest thou dash (strike) thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder (cobra): the young lion and the dragon (serpent) shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his LOVE upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. he shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.’ (Ps. 91:9-16) 

Oh my fellow saints that’s what we have to look forward to when we faithfully adhere to the Lord and His Word. Now, let’s promise each other to pull up our socks and do better because better must come, and it will only come through God’s people, by us rising to the challenges we face! And for help to do that, let’s approach the throne of grace, and through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, plead our case. 

Altogether now: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You this Monday morning for life and strong faith in Christ, despite the mass confusion in our world. We desperately need Your divine help, for You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems. 

Heavenly Father, we admit that we have all sinned and seriously disobeyed Your Word, but we know that You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, who has faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face. That’s why we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading with You to give us wise guidance and direction to alleviate our problems.  

And Father, we pray that you will ease the pain of the many who are suffering from negative situations. Please show them Your awesome grace and mercy, and keep Your promise that You’ll hear our prayer, forgive us, and heal our land if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again, we say: Amen!’

Now, if we want to see a positive response then we’ve got to clean up our act, including the motives of our hearts. Much LOVE!

…promises, promises, promises…man’s are made to be broken…but God’s are ALWAYS fulfilled… 

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Today’s Scrip-Bit 29 April 2019 Ephesians 2 10.

29 Apr 2019 Leave a comment

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

Ephesians 2:10.  For we are his workmanship (creation), created in Christ Jesus unto (for) good works, which God hath ordained (prepared) that we should walk in them.
 

At ‘em friends, at ‘em! The weekend is done now and work calls, and as a true believer in Christ, you have to answer the bell on time, diligently and efficiently! And I hear some of you steupsing and muttering: ‘What is his problem eh?  Who he think he is eh, to tell us when to reach to work and how to do our work eh?’ 

Ah mih people, is not me saying that nuh, but your Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; that is the example He wants us to set to the world. So please don’t get on my case nuh, cause I’m just the messenger. Doh kill the messenger, just accept the message! (smile) Remember the Good Book says that whatever you do, you ought to do it as unto the Lord and not unto man. 

Anyway, the important thing is to get ourselves out into the workplace and do our duty. And if the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak this morning, then we have something that will liven up both body and spirit; our Monday Morning Battle Hymn; that wonderful antidote for whatever ails us on a Monday morning. Glory to God! So let’s get right with it nuh! 

All together in sincerity and strong sense of purpose: ‘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!’ 

Oh yes, I can see it’s working already, by the new pep in your step and the light that’s shining in your eyes. Give God the glory! Then let’s get out into the evil world and do the work God has destined for us; having His grace and mercy and strength to do it diligently and efficiently. 

That brings us to this pertinent reminder of Bruh Paul’s to the Ephesians. ‘For by grace are ye (you have been) saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any many should boast. For we are his workmanship (creation), created in Christ Jesus unto (for) good works, which God hath ordained (prepared) that we should walk in them.’ (Eph.2:8-10) 

Yes friends, those are important things we ought not to forget. It’s only by God’s grace, His unmerited and undeserved favour that we are saved. It is only when we believe in Jesus Christ, are spiritually born again and develop faith in Him, that God’s grace flows down on us and salvation becomes a reality, and not by any good works that we might have done. In fact, there are no good works that we can ever do to merit or deserve salvation! 

And the Lord in His ultimate wisdom made it thus, because He knew that if it were otherwise, men would be boasting all over town about their good works and what it had earned them. That’s why Bruh Paul says that with all his accomplishments and revelations, he was given a ‘thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me (beat him), lest I should be exalted above measure.’ (2 Cor.12:7) 

Whatever it was, it was painful and problematic, causing shame and embarrassment, so that he could not get too big for his britches. And even when he asked the Lord three times to remove the blemish, the Lord refused, stating: ‘My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength (power) is made perfect in weakness. ((2 Cor.12:9a) And that’s the gospel truth! God’s awesome power is usually more apparent when we are going through times of weakness. 

All of this drove Bruh Paul to declare: ‘Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities (weaknesses), that the power of Christ may rest upon me…for when I am weak, then I am strong.’  (2 Cor. 12:9b, 10b) Good logic friends, so that God’s power may show up more in his life. 

Bruh Paul also resisted boasting of his achievements, when he told the Galatians: ‘But God forbid that I should glory, save (except) in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.’ (Gal.6:14) And so should we too friends, only boast, take pleasure in Jesus’ atonement and all the spiritual blessings it brings, not our own accomplishments. 

But all of that aside, the Lord does want us to do good works, that’s one of the purposes for which He morally recreated us in Christ Jesus. He expects us to be like Christ and do good works when we are born again in the spirit, not just enjoy His largesse without giving back anything. So on this day that we are once again blessed with earthly life and the free gift of salvation, let’s go out and do our bounded duty nuh; good works in Christ’s name. Much LOVE!

…Jesus went about doing good…for God was with Him… (Act.10:38)