Today’s Scrip-Bit 1 June 2013 Psalm 61:3

01 Jun 2013 Leave a comment

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

 Psalm 61:3.    For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.   

Ah Friends, May has quietly segued into June. Wow! I don’t know if it’s just my perception, but to me the months of this year are going by rather quickly. Anyway, even if it’s just my imagination, it’s time once again to check up on our sole New Year’s Resolution; drawing closer to Jesus.

Have we advanced any, daily becoming more like Him, showing greater LOVE, patience, mercy, forgiveness, wisdom, compassion, and all the other fruits of the Spirit that we’re supposed to bear and share? I sure hope so.

But as I reason, if we’re truly serious about becoming more Christ-like, then it’s much easier to check our progress every month and make the necessary corrections, than doing so on a yearly basis. So please, let’s take some quiet time, today or tomorrow, and review our progress. We’ll be amazed at what we’ll find.

Now I know that some of you read the Daily Bread Devotional, but I wonder how many read the last page of the May offering? Not that dated May 31, but the page after that. Well whether you did or not, I’d like to share some awesome wisdom that’s printed there, some that we should all thoroughly consider, accept and believe.

They claim that knowing whether God exists is important, but that actually knowing God is even more important. And I wholeheartedly agree. They quote a rather interesting passage by the theologian, J.I Packer.

‘What were we made for? To know God. What aim should we have in life? To know God. What is the eternal life that Jesus gives? To know God. What in man gives God most pleasure? Knowledge of Himself.’

Yes Friends, all that we are, have and were meant to be, begins and ends with knowing God; the One who created us and provides for us, both here on earth and in heaven. And our Bit today highlights the great importance of truly knowing God.

Psalm 61, from which it’s taken is sub-titled, ‘Lead me to a rock that is higher than I.’ And that’s exactly what our God is, my brethren; a rock that is much higher, more secure and much more powerful than us!

And Bruh David appropriately begins it: ‘Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.’ (Ps.61:1-2)

Yes Friends, in his time of trouble Bruh David runs to that powerful, secure and calming influence; the ever open and waiting arms of Almighty God! And I can testify that there’s no better place to run when the enemy approaches. Now why is that?

Bruh David gives us the reason in our Bit: ‘For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.’

There’s method to Bruh David’s madness Friends, and also to mine. (smile) From earlier experiences he knows that God will protect him in times of tribulation. In other words, he knows God. Their relationship is such that he can call on Him at any time, in regards to any matter, and He will hear and answer Him.

Consequently, he can unhesitatingly proclaim: ‘I will abide in thy tabernacle (tent) for ever: I will trust in the covert (shelter) of thy wings. Selah. For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.’ (Ps.61:4-5)

Oh my brethren, do we know God so well, that we can sincerely say those things? I surely hope so, because if we don’t, then crapaud smoke we pipe, things really bad with us. Remember, as we said earlier on, our whole existence is about knowing God. But that can only happen when we constantly seek Him, consistently read and meditate on His Word, and converse with Him in prayer.

And note, prayer is simply talking to God, opening our hearts to Him, telling Him our problems, our goals, desires and fears, and asking for His potent and wise help in becoming like His wonderful Son Jesus Christ. He doesn’t need all the ceremony; the bowing and scraping and prostrating ourselves, for outward show doesn’t matter to Him. What matters most to God is the state of our hearts, spirits and motives, whether we’re sincere or not.

So please let’s not behave like the hypocrite Pharisees and them, whom Jesus detested for their outward show and self-righteous acts. Our God wants us to come to Him humbly, but confidently, and lay all our cards on the table, not holding back anything, for it’s not a poker game, where we have to hide our true feelings.

And Cousin Sol backs that up admirably with this scripture from Proverbs 18. ‘The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe (set on high).’ (Prov.18:10)

Yes Friends, as the scholars explain: ‘The righteous find protection in the Lord.’ And that’s the gospel truth!

Now let’s end with some more powerful words from Bruh David on the subject. This comes from his Song of Deliverance, when the Lord finally gave him rest from all his enemies, including Saul. The Song is found in 2 Samuel 22, Psalm 18 is the edited version.

Listen closely: ‘And he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock: in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn (strength) of my salvation, my high tower (stronghold), and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.’ (2 Sam.22:2-4)

Oh my people, such is the confidence that our God builds in us when we consistently walk with Him! And anyone who doesn’t want that confidence in a rock and refuge that’s higher than them, then something’s seriously wrong.

All I know is that I’m going to seek Him and His kingdom first and foremost, put all my eggs in His safe basket, because I am sure of His LOVE, STRENGTH, MERCY, FORGIVENESS AND PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE!

And I encourage you to do the same, because it is truly wisdom at its highest level. Much LOVE!

…as for me and mine…we’ll follow Jesus…even to the ends of the universe…no doubt about it…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 May 2013 Psalm 138:6

11 May 2013 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 138:6.     Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
 
And then it was Saturday Friends, where most people are delighted to sleep in late for at least one day a week. Many don’t have that luxury though, for they have young children and their own affairs to look after, stuff they can’t do during the workweek. But however the days play out, it is very reassuring to know that we have a God who looks out for us in each and every circumstance. And all God’s people raised a joyful shout to heaven of ‘Praise the Lord for His goodness and mercy to us, His sinful, rebellious creation!’ And now I’m going to put a fly in the ointment by sharing a quote attributed to the American Humorist and Author, Mark Twain, (Samuel Langhome Clemens, 1835-1910). It says: ‘Life would be infinitely happier if we could only be born at the age of eighty and gradually approach eighteen.’ Now that’s surely an interesting situation. Hopefully, because we’d be richly endowed with more wisdom at the outset of our life’s journey, we’d make fewer mistakes, thus live a more godly life, and gradually as we grow younger realize the wonderful benefits and freedoms we have at eighteen. There is a kind of logic to it, but unfortunately the Master Planner didn’t see it that way. He preferred us to be unwise and make mistakes in the early days of our lives, then grow into wisdom as we age.  That leads us to our Bit: ‘Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto (He regards) the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.’ Now that’s a tendency of our God that’s in direct opposition or contrast to that of the world! In His eternal wisdom, one would expect Him to look more kindly on the bright and upwardly mobile of His creation. However, as Bruh David points out in Psalm 113 – God’s mercies are many: ‘The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high, Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth! He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill (ash heap); That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.’ (Ps.113:4-8) Yes my brethren, our God can be a rather contrary Being when He’s ready. He likes to stir it up by using the most unlikely to do His bidding. Just look at all the prophets and the disciples whom He used to deliver His messages. They were usually poor, downtrodden, disliked by many, and often offensive to their society. But the Lord used them, and He’s still using the most unlikely ones, the broken, and the cracked pots, like me, to let His light shine forth and spread His message. As Bruh Paul tells the Corinthians in his first letter. ‘But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound (put to shame) the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base (insignificant) things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought (nothing) things that are. That no flesh should glory in his presence.’ (1 Cor.1:27-29) Here’s how the scholars describe those verses: ‘God hath chosen: The selection by God is designed to silence the wisdom of man. He chooses the foolish to shame the wise. He chooses weak things to shame things deemed by man to be mighty and things men do not even realize exist to counteract things which are, powers and institutions erected and relied upon by man.’ That’s why all the supposed wisdom and wise things of man are in such a state of confusion and turmoil today! And remember too that Jesus dealt mainly with the sick and suffering, the outcasts, the dregs of society. He didn’t have much time for the religious zealots and hypocrites who ruled the roost. Now here’s a very telling story after Jesus calls Matthew, the hated tax collector to follow Him. The Good Book describes it thus: ‘And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat (at the table) in the house, behold, many publicans (tax collectors) and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole (are well) need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’ (Matt.9:10-13) Oh Friends,what a wonderful Being our Saviour is, with no stupid hang ups and pretences despite His godly state, while foolish mortal men give themselves all sorts of airs and graces, only to be confounded by the contrariness of God. In that last verse, Jesus was quoting from Hosea, re Israel’s reply to God’s admonishment. ‘For I desired mercy (faithfulness), and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.’ (Hos.6:6) And my people, that’s what the Lord still desires of us, so let’s seriously ponder it all. Please read, mark, learn and inwardly digest the lesson taught, for it directly reflects your level of wisdom and status in the Lord’s eyes. Much LOVE!…but many that are first…shall be last…and the last…shall be first…  (Matt.19:30) 
 
  
 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 April 2013 1 Corinthians 1:22

18 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.
 
Oh Friends, every time I rise and shine to greet a new day, the Holy Spirit convicts me with more conviction (smile) that our God, He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, is indeed the greatest! And in true fact, there’s NO other like Him! When I consider His undying, unconditional LOVE, His tenderness, mercy, forgiveness, and grace, not to mention the selfless sacrifice of His only Son Jesus to save a worthless sinner like me, all I can say, with a heart brimming over with LOVE and appreciation, is a grateful, sincere, ‘Thank You Lord!’ The fact that He made us to fellowship with Him, and simply refuses to let us be separated from Him by our sins, only endears Him more to me. Oh Friends, please search your souls today, this wet, rainy spring morning and truthfully ask, judge, measure your relationship and reaction to Almighty God. And if your entire being isn’t flooded with joy, sincere reverence and LOVE for Him, then something’s definitely and drastically wrong somewhere, and I’d advise you to quickly seek Him and fix it asap. For without Him your life will be unfulfilled, aimless and meaningless. If He’s not solidly secreted in that compartment of your soul meant ONLY for Him, then you’re missing out on an incredible, as well as an incredulous relationship. And all God’s people declared a loud, heartfelt, ‘Amen!’ Now here’s our Bit: ‘For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek wisdom.’ It’s the same as the last two days, because I want to touch on a couple more instances involving Jesus, where signs were spoken of. And this first one comes from Matthew 16, just before Jesus warns His disciples to beware of the leaven (yeast) of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (Matt.16:6) Anyway, the Good Book describes the scene thus: ‘The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting (testing) desired (asked) him that he should show them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, when it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather today: for the sky is red and lowring (threatening). O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall be no sign given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah. And he left them and departed.’ (Matt.16:1-4) Oh Friends, I have to laugh whenever I read how Jesus put those hypocrite Jewish leaders in their place, anytime they tried to catch Him off guard. And please note that His answer was the same as when they’d earlier asked for a sign, as we discussed yesterday, (Matt.12:38-42) only that of Jonah, which melded well with His own upcoming tribulation on the cross and in the grave, from which He’d triumphantly rise on Easter Sunday morning. But as usual, they didn’t, or refused to understand His message of salvation and eternal life, and unfortunately millions of doubters and disbelievers are still doing the same thing today. How sad, my people. As the saying goes, there’s none so blind as he who refuses to see. And as Jesus so cleverly says of the Pharisees: ‘Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.’ (Matt.15:14) Gospel truth my Friends! And it’s still happening today; only with more blind leaders, leading many more blind followers, which makes the situation very scary. But it’s our job, my fellow believers, to try and open the eyes of those blind leaders and followers. We need to confront them and show them the error of their ways, through the Word and our generous, LOVING lifestyle in bristling, bustling action, so that they too can believe and successfully come to Jesus. And I just saw some scholarly info on the above scripture that I think is important to share. ‘The unbelieving leaders came seeking a sign from heaven, that is, an outward miraculous manifestation. Notice that miracles alone never save anyone. They serve only to authenticate and call attention to the message, which must be believed in order for salvation to be experienced in the soul. Instead of another miracle, Jesus points them to the signs of the times, eschatologically related (doctrine of death, judgement, heaven, hell) to the sky and His second coming. The sign of the prophet Jonah relates to His resurrection (see 12:38-40; John 2:18-22) This sign gives hope to the believer but is an indication of judgement for the unbeliever, who will be judged by the risen Christ at His second coming.’ Oh my people, that same blindness of the early Jewish leaders still applies to too many of us today. We can’t read the signs of the times, that they are drawing ever closer to Jesus’ second coming; the wars and rumours of wars and all the other signs Jesus gave to the disciples as the beginning of sorrows, until the gospel is preached to all the world. (Matt.24:6-14) Oh my people, that’s enough for us to ponder on today. We’ll continue this topic tomorrow, God in favour. Till then, please let’s get our act together as good and faithful Christians by seriously communicating with our God and Maker, genuinely submitting and surrendering our lives to Him, so that He can lead and guide us aright, down that straight and narrow path that leads to Him. That’s wisdom at its zenith. Much LOVE!…the Bible is our guide for earthly living…unless we read and pay close attention to it…we’ll surely go astray…
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 5 April 2013 Matthew

05 Apr 2013 Leave a comment

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

Matthew 22:21.     They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.
 
And then it was Friday! That recognition was greeted with joyous shouts in work places all over the world: ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ Yes Friends, the weekend’s upon us once again, granting us a short respite from our labours. And I know how we all look forward to it, but as everything else, there’s a right and wrong way to spend it. So let’s chant our Friday Chant that helps us to put the weekend into proper perspective. All together now: ‘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 that should hold and guide us for the next couple days. (smile) So let’s turn to our Bit, another interesting one – sorry, all of them are interesting since they come from the Good Book – (smile). This one features a serious principle espoused by our Lord, Saviour and Leader, Jesus Christ. ‘They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render (pay) therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.’ Oh Friends, I chose, or rather the Lord guided me to this Bit today, because it’s related to the tithing situation we’ve been discussing over the last few days. It was even our footnote, thought for the day, yesterday. Now here’s some background on the scene as it was played out. As usual, the Pharisees were trying to entrap Jesus, so that they could have solid grounds to persecute Him. ‘And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful (permitted) to give tribute (pay taxes) unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived (knew) their wickedness, and said, Why tempt (test) ye me, ye hypocrites? Show me the tribute (tax) money. And they brought unto him a penny (Gr. denarius). And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription (inscription)?’ (Matt.22:16-20) Then Jesus delivered the coup de grace, which is our Bit. And the Good Book continues: ‘When they had heard these words, they marvelled (were amazed), and left him, and went their way.’ (Matt.22:22) Oh Friends, as the saying goes; there’s none so blind, as they who refuse to see. That applies to many of us in these current times, as well as the Pharisees and other groups who tried to get Jesus to incriminate Himself during the three years of His earthly ministry. They were too dimwitted, egotistical and steeped in the traditions of men to see that every time they posed an incriminating question, His answer was always astute and impeccable. Unfortunately, many of us today behave the same way; we allow the traditions of men, rather than the true principles of God to run our lives. That’s why so many of us lead such miserable and unfulfilled lives, and sadly don’t understand why. Anyway, here’s some historical background and further explanations from the scholars’. ‘The Herodians were a party that favoured the dynasty of Herod and stood for the Roman connection. They cared little or nothing for religion and normally were bitterly opposed to the Pharisees. The statements recorded in verse 16 are insincere and intended as hypocritical flattery. Their question was intended to place the Lord in a dilemma. If he says yes, He can be held up to the people as a traitor. If He says no, He can be denounced to the Roman authorities. Caesar was the Roman Emperor and head of the Roman state. Caesar was the family name of Julius Caesar, the first man who aspired to autocracy (absolute government, controlling influence). The name was taken over from him by his adopted son Octavian, afterward titled the Emperor Augustus. Render therefore unto Caesar: The Lord means that we are to give the civil magistrates all that is due to them, as long as it does not interfere with the honour due to God. Jesus had broken the Herodians dilemma by making light of the ultimate significance of Caesar’s claim. The idea is: “If the penny is his, let him have it.” Jesus’ response, render unto God the things that are God’s, exposed the spiritual failure of the Herodians. In essence, Jesus made light of Caesar’s temporal claim in favour of God’s greater claim over men’s lives.’ And that’s the undeniable truth my Friends! Therefore all of us should also embrace that same distinction, for it’s God who created us, in His own image to boot, not sinful, fallible, short-lived man. And we’ll stop there for today. It’s enough for us to contemplate, what with our short attention spans and busy schedules. (smile) Tomorrow though, God willing, we’ll continue with giving to man what belongs to him, and to God what’s His. It’s a major principle in our Christian faith, and there are lots more scriptures concerning it, to be looked at. Till then, please, let’s all try and walk worthy of our most awesome and LOVING God. And may He bless and keep us safely as we do our earthly pilgrimage, allowing His shining countenance to light on us, and give us His wonderful peace that passes all human understanding. We pray this in Jesus’ Holy Name, and His sacrificial blood that was spilled on the cross at Calvary to pay for our abominable sins and cleanse our unworthy souls. Amen. Much LOVE my fellow followers of Christ!…though everything belongs to God…He’s ordained that some things will be looked on as belonging to earthly rulers… and true believers should acknowledge them as such…
 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 12 February 2013 Luke 6:9

12 Feb 2013 Leave a comment

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

Luke 6:9.    Then Jesus said unto them, I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?

Aye Friends, getting old is a helluva thing yes! Yesterday morning after writing the Bit, out of the goodness of my heart, and my civic responsibility, (smile) I decided to at least clear the snow from my porch and the walkway. But would you believe that after about ten minutes out there, having only cleaned the porch and the steps leading down to the walkway, I began coughing? What really annoyed me is that I had been cough free for the previous two days. Well that coughing situation put paid to all my heartfelt goodness and civic responsibility, especially when the snow on the walkway was almost a foot high. If they wanted to charge or fine me for not clearing the walkway, then so be it, but I surely wasn’t going to continue doing anything that made me cough! What knocked me for a further six, was that later in the evening, after a short nap, I got up and felt this terrible pain in my right arm and shoulder. I had to laugh, because I had been fine all day. But them’s the breaks! (smile) Now that got me to thinking that if I was in T & T, taking in the wonderful sights and sounds of Carnival, I wouldn’t be having any stupid aches and pains and coughs. I wouldn’t be able to jump and prance, like I used to, but the old bones would have been warm, flexible and relaxed in the hot sun. Chuh! Anyway, today, Tuesday, is the day for the real Big Mas, where all the pretty costumes and their wearers come out to parade and play. Let’s hope and pray that everything goes off okay for all the pre-Lenten celebrations around the world, and no serious disasters or evil doings mar the festivities. And we’ll continue with our Bit from yesterday: ‘Then Jesus said unto them, I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?’ Ah Friends, what a potential time bomb of a question back in those overly strict and religious times! Now yesterday in the background leading up to the Bit, we saw where Jesus reminded the Pharisees of Bruh David and his men eating the holy bread in the temple meant only for the priests, when they were hungry and on the run from Saul. (1Sam.21:1-6) After that ‘He said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.’ (Luke 6:5) Obviously the Pharisees weren’t thrilled by that remark either, but they let it ride. Listen to the scholars comment on that verse. ‘Having already asserted His prerogative, like God Himself, to forgive sins (Luke 5:20), Jesus now assumes the right to interpret the Old Testament in a way far different from that of the religious leaders of His time.’ So true my people! And that’s the background to this later Sabbath when Jesus enters the synagogue and teaches, as He is won’t to. On this particular day though, a man with a withered right hand is present among the listeners, and as usual the hypocrite scribes and Pharisees are watching to see if He would heal on the Sabbath, to get something to accuse Him of. And though Jesus knew their thoughts, He nonetheless tells the man with the withered hand: ‘Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.’ (Luke 6:8) Now my brethren, you must admire Jesus’ for that; putting His belly and backbone into play, fully knowing the confusion His actions would cause. But knowing that He was in the right, He did what He had to do. Oh my fellow believers, how often do we stand up like Jesus for what is right eh, in spite of the opposition we know will come against us? I’m afraid I’ll have to say not too often, or rather not often enough, otherwise the church of Christ and His dictates wouldn’t be as maligned, unimportant and shunted aside as badly as it now is. Remember as followers of Christ we weren’t called to live an easy, problem free life, but to battle the evildoers and their actions, to be soldiers in this wicked, godless world. And soldiers only win battles when they stand strong in their convictions and fight with plenty belly and backbone for what they believe is right. And sadly my brethren, I believe that’s one area in which we’re falling down today. Christ’s followers have become soft and mamby pamby. We lead the good, relatively soft, easy life and don’t want to, or are afraid to put it in jeopardy by stirring up things, even when we see stuff happening that’s not right. Granted we all can’t be strong like Jesus, but if we’re truthful, we will all acknowledge that we can surely do better than we’re currently doing. So Friends, I’m asking us for the umpteenth time, if we really do LOVE Jesus and want to follow Him and make His church a worthwhile institution in this evil world, let’s pick up the slack in our Christian walk nuh. We need to be much better examples of His LOVE, mercy and forgiveness than we are. We need to bring the level of our actions up to the level of our talk, and even higher, because we can’t belabour people about Christ and His goodness when they are sick, hungry, naked and homeless. Remember Christianity is an action movement, and like Jesus we need to help the needy satisfy their physical wants and needs before we start preaching to them. You can see that’s how Jesus operated, and if we do likewise, we’ll certainly draw many more unbelievers to Him, which is one of our main purposes here on earth. And if some of us don’t want to hear that truth, then too bad yes! We’re no better than the hypocrite Pharisees! Sorry if I went off on a tangent there, but it aches my heart to see the way we supposed Christians, followers of Jesus Christ are behaving so spineless and afraid, so without true LOVE and compassion in a hurting world, where everybody’s looking, fearfully searching for something to hold on to, a something that can only be found in Jesus, a something that we have but are not sharing the way we should. Please Friends, let’s be serious about our bounden duty here on earth and fearlessly do it nuh, with the ever-faithful promises of Jesus and His certain assurance that we have to stand strong on. Only then can we consider ourselves true Christians, true followers of Jesus. Much LOVE!…to simply talk about Jesus…and not do the necessary actions…called for by that talk…is pure hypocrisy…

 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 31 January 2013 John 12:49

31 Jan 2013 Leave a comment

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

John 12:49.     For I have not spoken of myself, but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
 
Oh Friends, our God is a great God yes, but sometimes He can be a bit harsh. Imagine this scene nuh: The duchess and the ole fella in sunny Tobago, cavorting with Friends and family. We hanging out with mih favourite uncle, Uncle Foster, up by the old house where I use to live, at the corner of Main and Bacolet Streets. The ole fella even expatiating to a poor mentally challenged lady about the poor mental health benefits even in the rich countries. Meanwhile she is sitting by the window where my grandfather sat every evening, watching the fowls go to sleep in the soursop tree, before he went to bed too. I’m even in Miss Armstrong’s parlour across the road, looking to buy goodies from Cowie’s bakery down Carnbee. Then all of a sudden reality hits! I wake up in cold, wet, miserable Canada, where all night, a wicked wind has been forcing the naked, unprotected, defenceless trees to dance to its merciless up-tempo tango. Hn! I can tell you it sure was a major let down. And the strange thing is that usually I hardly remember any of the details of my dreams when I awaken, but this one in Tobago was burned, etched in stone in my mind. Now Friends, I can either look at that dream as a tease or a promise. But as far as I’m concerned it IS A PROMISE! Thank you Lord! And having received the promise of a promise (smile) and having stored it safely in my heart, let’s turn to our Bit. ‘For I have not spoken of myself (my own authority), but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.’ It’s the same as yesterday, so I can share those scriptures I promised, cause I want to be as faithful as our God, when I promise something. (Heb.10:23) And to introduce it all, listen to the thrilling testimony of John the Baptist. ‘He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth (bears witness to); and no man receiveth his testimony. He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal (certified) that God is true. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. The Father LOVETH the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.’ (John 3:31-35) There John the Baptist sets the stage for Jesus’ coming. And when Jesus came and healed a man at a pool in Bethesda on the Sabbath, the hypocrite Jews set out to persecute Him. But Jesus in His calm manner informed them: ‘My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.’ (John 5:17) Well that only got the religious zealots even more fired up, for Jesus had not only committed a cardinal sin of working on the Sabbath, but was now also blaspheming by claiming He was the Son of God. Mama Mia! That certainly wouldn’t do! But I can just imagine Jesus standing there, looking the hypocrites straight in the eye and answering: ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father LOVETH the Son, and showeth him all things that himself doeth: and he will show him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.’ (John 5:19-20) Then later in that same speech, Jesus further declares: ‘I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgement is just (righteous); because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true (valid as testimony).’ (John 5:30-31) Yes Friends, though Jesus was God incarnate, He didn’t give Himself any unnecessary airs and graces, but constantly deflected all glory to the Father. Now later on, in talking about Abraham’s descendants, He tells the Pharisees: ‘I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.’ (John 8:37-38) Meaning, we usually do the things our fathers do, but unfortunately they didn’t have the right Father like Him. Then, when Jesus teaches the disciples about the way to the Father and Philip asks Him to show them the Father, (John 14:8) Jesus gently rebukes him. ‘Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, show us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words I speak unto you I speak not of myself (of mine own authority): but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works sake.’ (John 14:9-11) Ah mih brethren, it’s amazing that despite all the awesome works that Jesus did, the religious leaders still doubted His authority. It reminds me of the man, blind from birth, that He healed and the Pharisees kept harassing the man about it. Finally he got fed up and simply told them he didn’t know anything about Jesus, just that He healed him, and if they didn’t like that too bad. But as far as he was concerned, He was a man of God, otherwise He couldn’t have healed him. Matter fixed! (John 9;30-33) And our last scripture comes from when Jesus promises the Holy Ghost to the disciples. Judas, (not Iscariot) asked how He would show it to them and not the rest of the world? (John 14:22) Jesus replied: ‘If a man LOVE me, he will keep my words: and my Father will LOVE him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode (home) with him. He that LOVETH me not keepeth not my sayings (words): and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.’ (John 14:23-24) So Friends, having heard the word of the Father, through the Son, let’s go out now and put it into action nuh. It’s our bounden duty as believers. Much LOVE!…if you LOVE Jesus…then you automatically LOVE the Father…and He automatically LOVES you back…what a glorious arrangement…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 1 September 2012 Galatians 5:1

01 Sep 2012 Leave a comment

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

Galatians 5:1.           Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Oh Friends, can you believe it’s already September 1st! Wasn’t it just the other day, couple weeks ago, that we were talking about the beginning of August and Caribana? Now it’s suddenly September and Labour Day! That means eight months of 2012 have already gone by, like a flash in the pan, and the million dollar question faces us squarely in our hearts. Have we improved our faith walk, has it moved appreciatively along the continuum of maturity? Have we kept that New Year’s promise to increase our passion and LOVE for Jesus? I certainly hope so, otherwise, you know how our God feels about broken promises. (Eccl.5:4-5) In any case, we only have four months to catch up to that promise, for soon it will be October, Canadian Thanksgiving, then November, American Thanksgiving, then December and Christmas, and another New Year. So please, let’s try and not be found wanting in our promises, neither to God or man, when that New Year rolls around. And our Bit is one of those scriptures that both warns and encourages us of the need for unity and sincere fellowship amongst believers and freedom in Christ, if we truly want to establish a strong and serious faith walk. ‘Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.’ Now yesterday we ended on the note of there being too much disagreement and too many divisions in Christ’s church, from the local right up to the international level. And we saw some of that in the early days of the church, when certain Christian Jews who had lived under the old Mosaic Law, declared that one couldn’t be saved apart from the Law, especially as it related to the ritual of circumcision. This thoroughly disrupted the young church, until the first council at Jerusalem, (Acts 15) when Peter got up and declared to the disputing councillors: ‘Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us. And put no difference (made no distinction) between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt (test) ye God, to put (by putting) a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even (in the same manner) as they. Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience (listened) to Barnabas and Paul declaring what (how many) miracles and wonders God had wrought (worked) among the Gentiles by them.’ (Acts 15:7-12) Yes Friends, it wasn’t all sunshine and roses in the early church, but unlike us, they were just beginning and feeling their way through new rules and regulations. And with Jesus gone back to heaven, and people jousting for power, it was expected that problems would occur. Hear the scholars’ thoughts on the matter. ‘The primary speakers at this conference, often called the Jerusalem council, were Peter, Paul, Barnabas and James. Peter begins by relating how God had clearly saved Cornelius and the other Gentiles with him apart from any works of the Law (vv.7-9). In fact Peter acknowledges that not only do the Gentiles not need to become like the Jews to be saved, but conversely we, the Jews, need to saved as they, the Gentiles (v.11). The works of the Law for salvation will not even aid a Jew.’ However my people, two thousand years later, when we now have all the rules and regulations, all the benefits of gospel in one Book, the Bible, containing all the thoughts, desires and promises of God enshrined there, why are we still quarrelling with each other over mostly petty stuff eh? The law of man will never enable us to achieve salvation, only the grace of God through belief in His sacrificed and risen Son Jesus can do that. So let’s stop the foolish quarrelling amongst ourselves nuh, which only gives unbelievers ammunition to belittle Christ’s church. Instead we should be out there in the evil, ungodly world, working as ONE, living a life of true faith, and trying to bring others to the Truth of Christ. And we’ll conclude with the definitive words of  Jesus on the subject. Oh how I like it when we can end with Jesus’ pronouncement on a topic. Here He is denouncing the scribes and Pharisees. ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat (of authority): All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do: but do not ye after (according to) their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne (hard to bear), and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men…And LOVE the uppermost rooms (of honour, chief place) at feasts, and the chief (best) seats in the synagogues. And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master (Leader, Teacher); even Christ; and all ye are brethren.’ (Matt.23:2-8) Oh Friends, does that remind you of any people you know in the church today? It shouldn’t, but I’m sure it does. So let’s be careful whom and what we listen to, and follow the Holy Spirit of Jesus, so that we don’t get entangled in the slave like tentacles and mentality of the Law again. Much LOVE!…be wary of those who say one thing…but do something else…
 

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