Today’s Scrip-Bit   26 September 2022 Colossians 3:23.

26 Sep 2022 Leave a comment

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

Colossians 3:23.       And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men.

And after Sunday, the day of rest, peace, relaxation, praise and worship, comes Monday, the first day of the new work week, which for ages has been the nemesis or opponent of millions of workers around the globe. And why is that eh? Who knows? Maybe it’s because we’re just naturally lazy, with a poor work ethic, (smile) and it’s just difficult for us to get back into the swing of things after a couple of days off. 

But yuh know what, of all the days of the work week, Monday should be the easiest one for us to handle. Why? Here are a few reasons. First off, you ought to be well rested after two non-working days. Then, if you are a believer in Christ Jesus, you ought to have gone to church on Sunday, or offered up praise and worship, with prayer and thanksgiving by some telecommunication method, and thus received the Lord’s blessings and renewal of confidence and spiritual strength for the new week. 

Now, all of that should be nice and fresh on Monday morning. And when you add it the Lord’s new mercies and compassions that He provides for each day, then on Mondays we should be the most amazing workers ever, just ready and rearing to go to work, bright eyed and bushy tailed, with Jesus at the forefront of our lives. But unfortunately, that scenario doesn’t usually occur. Instead, Monday is usually our worst day, where we’re still tired from the weekend activities and work is the last thing we want to hear about or do. 

We’re definitely not looking forward to facing another traffic jam, both morning and evening, the road rage and the tiredness, both spiritual and physical that that daily exercise provides. But as they say, if we want to have a roof over our heads, clothes on our backs, and food on our tables, then the most logical way to get those things is by working. And furthermore, the best way to get through the hours of work is with a good, Christ-like attitude. (smile) 

Now nobody has ever said that was easy, but it is indeed very possible. Yes friends, that’s why Bruh Paul warned the Colossians thus: ‘As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him.’ (Col. 2:6) If Jesus is indeed our Lord and Saviour then we ought to walk the way He walked, that’s with a good attitude, sharing LOVE, joy and peace, wherever He went. 

Then later on, in that same letter to the Colossians, he spelled it out more precisely. ‘Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart (sincerity) fearing God. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men. Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.’ (Col. 3:22-25) 

That means we are servants of God first and foremost, and ought to behave as such, although we are reporting to men as our earthly masters, with the necessary rewards accompanying both right and wrong behaviour, since the Lord is no respecter of persons. Now, here are a few explanations from the scholars. ‘3:22. Eyeservice is work done only when the master is watching. Christian slaves (servants) were to work hard even when their owners were absent.’ (And that should be a big warning sign, a major red flag to believers in this day and age, as so many of us now mostly perform eyeservice on our jobs.) Singleness of heart means “a sincere disposition.” 

‘3:23. Do it heartily means the slave (servant) is to perform his slave (servant) duties wholeheartedly, doing the best job he can with all his strength.’ Hn! Hn! Now where do we find such a servant nowadays eh – few and far between! ‘A slave (servant) could be enthusiastic in carrying out his menial tasks because they were done, not so much for his earthly master (unto men), but for his heavenly Master (the Lord).’  

‘3:24. The reward of the inheritance (or “the reward which is salvation”): The fact that Christian slaves (servants) will receive salvation from the Lord rather than from men verifies the assertion in verse 23 that they serve Christ not their (earthly) masters.’ Sadly though, if we poll the Christians of today, we’ll find that not many of us are behaving like Bruh Paul said we ought to. And please note, he didn’t just say this to the church at Colossae, but also to the church at Ephesus. (Eph. 6:5-9) 

So you see, this ought to be a worldwide Christian behaviour, but unfortunately it’s not. No wonder Mondays give us so much trouble. Ah friends, if we call ourselves Christians, followers of Jesus, then it’s imperative that our lifestyles and attitudes reflect His to a much greater degree than we’re currently seeing and showing. As supposed ambassadors and agents of Christ our current behaviour is far from satisfactory. 

So please, let’s live what we talk nuh, practice what we preach. If we’re followers of Jesus, then please, please, let’s behave like Him and stop giving Him a bad name that He certainly doesn’t deserve, with our unchristian behaviour. And it all begins with prayer, sincere prayer. So, as one voice let’s offer up prayer through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. 

‘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!’ 

And to receive positive results, our motives and general behaviour have to improve. It’s as simple as that! Much LOVE!

…you can’t talk of Christ…but live for Satan…

Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8​          

Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 May 2021 Luke 19:10.

11 May 2021 Leave a comment

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

Luke 19:10.     For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Oh friends, welcome to another beautiful day in the life! Give thanks and praise that we opened two of our most valuable presents this morning; our eyes! And if you don’t believe you should give thanks for what seems a simple action, but what’s truly an overwhelming and most pleasurable gift, then just check the obits and see how many of us didn’t open our eyes this beautiful morning. 

And furthermore, if you can see the beautiful world around you, see your beautiful spouse, your children, family and friends, then you should be even more thankful, because many of us who opened our eyes, couldn’t see any of the beauty around us! And there are plenty of other things and actions which seem so normal to us that we should be extremely grateful for because many others don’t have those things or can’t do those actions. 

So my people, every day we awaken, and can see, walk, talk, laugh and LOVE, with a roof over our heads and bread on our tables, thanksgiving and praise ought to rise loudly from our mouths, hearts and souls! And then, we ought to think about those who can’t do what we can do, or don’t have what we have, and consider how we can help them in their daily journey that’s not as easy and blessed as ours. Yes, as sincere followers of Jesus, some portion of our time, of our day should be set aside for helping others, in whatever way we can. 

Remember how Jesus described His purpose on earth? In Luke, when He surprises everyone, and eats with Zaccheus, the tax collector, who is so touched by Jesus’ attention, that he repents and promises to restore fourfold whatever he has wrongfully gained. Jesus then tells him: ‘This day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.’ (Luke 19:9-10) 

And the scholars offer this explanation: ‘19:10. The words seek, save, and lost all appear elsewhere in Scripture in a shepherd context. This verse may be taken as a kernel statement of the central theme of Luke. Jesus is the compassionate, searching Herdsman who seeks to save those who can by no means save themselves.’ Consequently, my fellow believers in Christ, we ought to help those who can’t help themselves, because that’s what He desires and expects of us. 

Meanwhile, Mark tells us about a time when Jesus was eating in His house with the disciples and plenty sinners, or those so lowly that the supposedly pious, but hypocritical Jews of the time would have avoided. ‘And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans (tax collectors) and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans (tax collectors) and sinners? When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them. They that are whole have no need of the physician but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’ (Mark 2:16-17) 

Yes friends, that’s what Jesus was about; helping the sick and lonely, the poor and downtrodden, those in need of help in whatever area(s) of their earthly existence! He came to heal, LOVE and forgive! And being His followers, we need to not only have the same attitude but also put it to work, action it, like He did. For it is only when we action our faith that we truly show the LOVE of Christ. 

And on the biblehub.com website, I found this interesting Pulpit Commentary on verse 17 above. ‘As the physician is not infected by the disease of the patient, but rather overcomes it and drives it from him, so it is no disgrace but rather an honor to the physician to associate himself with the sick, and so much the more, the greater the sickness. So that it is as though Christ said, “I who am sent from heaven by the Father, that I might be the Physician of the souls of sinners, am not defiled by their sins and spiritual diseases when I converse with them; but rather I cure and heal them, which is alike for my glory and for their good, and so much the more, the greater their sins. 

For I am the physician of sinners, not their companion. But you, scribes and Pharisees, are not the physicians but the companions of sinners, and so you are contaminated. Nevertheless, you desire to be thought righteous and holy; and therefore I do not associate with you, (1) because the whole, such as you think yourselves to be, need not the spiritual Physician; and (2) because your insincerity and hypocrisy are an offense to me.” 

Now that sounds just like a scathing remark that Jesus would make to the hypocritical, self-righteous, upper crust Jews. But my brethren, as disciples of Christ, we must do our best not to have those terms associated with us. That means we need to do what we say, practice what we preach, because if we make all kinds of promises and speeches in Jesus’ name, and then don’t fulfill them, we’re only giving the enemy more ammunition with which to embarrass and pull down, or destroy the organization that Jesus is trying to build; His church. 

That brings us to this anecdote of Jesus in Matthew, where He’s telling His disciples about the greatest in heaven being those humble like a little child and goes on to tie them in with a story on the lost sheep. ‘For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? If a man have a hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones perish.’ (Matt. 18:11-14)

And believe me friends, it’s not only the little ones that our heavenly Father doesn’t want to see perish, but also the big ones. (smile) So let’s take some time today and ponder on all that we’ve read and said nuh, and, with God’s help, come up higher, like we so desperately need to do. Now let’s go home proclaiming (smile) our Tuesday Mantra. 

As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world. Amen!’ 

And the obvious consequence to all of that? Why, going out and sharing the marvellous LOVE and friendship of Christ with unfortunate others! Much LOVE!

…our world’s crying out for…help, healing, friendship and…LOVE…please respond positively…                                     

Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8              

Today​’s Scrip-Bit 28 March 2019 Galatians 5:16.

28 Mar 2019 Leave a comment

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

Galatians 5:16.   ​This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
 
Ah friends, in the wonderful words of Bruh Paul: ‘Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ. Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world (age), according to the will of God and our Father; To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.’ (Gal.1:3-4) 

Yes my faithful brethren, greetings in the name of our most amazing and magnanimous God and His awesome Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, on this dry but somewhat chilly Thursday morning! And please don’t marvel at how early the Bit is because it’s just an anomaly. I simply have to go out of town early this morning and so decided to write it before I go, rather than when I reach my destination, which could be fairly late. 

So please don’t go getting any weird ideas about receiving it at this hour every morning. (smile) Tomorrow, God willing, we’ll be back at the usual time. And today, on a most practical level we’ll talk about this quote from a Daily Bread Devotional: ‘Our lives speak louder than our words!’ 

And isn’t that the gospel truth my people! Those around us pay more attention to how we live than what we say. They quickly forget what we say, but quite easily remember the things we do. That’s why we can’t talk one thing and then do something else in our daily walk with the Lord. 

And that’s what a lot of us supposed believers do, no wonder so much of the world consider us to be such hypocrites, whitewashed tombs, like Jesus called the hypocritical and overbearing Pharisees of His day. Yes, there are still a lot of Pharisees in our midst today, and please don’t go passing too much judgement, like they did, because you never know, you might just be numbered amongst that sorry lot. (smile) 

So how do we get our lives to speak louder than our words eh? As Bruh Paul says, to do that, we need to walk and live in the Spirit; the Holy Spirit of God! ‘This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.’ (Gal.5:16-17) 

And the scholars offer these interesting and useful explanations. ‘5:16. Walk in the Spirit (i.e., “live by the Spirit”). Christians are to live with the Spirit’s help. How does one “live by the Spirit”? (1) The Christian must believe that the Spirit is with him, having been sent by God into his heart (4.6). (2) In every spiritual confrontation the believer must yield to the Spirit, that is, submit his own desires to those of the Spirit. 

(3) One must depend on the Spirit for help, enabling him to live a God-pleasing life (v.5). (4) The believer should anticipate the effects of the Spirit’s help in his daily life. The believer who “lives by the Spirit” will not fulfill (accomplish, carry out) the lust (strong desires) of the flesh (sinful nature).’ 

Yes mih people, it’s all about our living this earthly life in strong association with the Holy Spirit of God, who was sent by the Father to live within us when we believed on His Son, to help us live a holy and sanctified life. But if we don’t acquiesce to the Spirit’s desires, then we make a mockery of the whole thing. 

For as the scholars explain: ‘5:17. One’s sinful human nature (flesh) and the Holy Spirit lusteth against one another, that is, they have desires and yearnings that are contrary to one another. The Christian, then, is a battlefield, having desires to do good and evil. The outcome is that ye cannot do the things that ye would: the flesh seeks to thwart the Spirit, who, in turn, attempts to frustrate the flesh’s evil desires.’ 

Yes friends, it’s a constant tug of war between our flesh and our Spirit. And it’s only with a constant effort and the help of the Spirit, that we can overcome the evil desires our flesh. The Spirit will guide us, but we have to accept it’s guidance, otherwise it will be all for nought. And we won’t bother to list the sinful desires of the flesh because we all know them, (smile) and it’s the fruit of the Spirit that we really want to show in our lives, so that we can practice what we preach. 

So here is what Bruh Paul says constitutes the fruit of the Spirit. ‘But the fruit of the spirit is LOVE, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness (kindness), goodness, faith (faithfulness), Meekness, temperance (self-control): against such there is no law.’ (Gal.5:22-23) And that’s how we make our lives speak louder than our words my fellow believers; by letting the fruit of the Spirit proceed from us, rather than the evil desires of the flesh! 

Now let’s go home declaring (right ho) our Thursday Blessings, those most generous and magnanimous blessings that our great God has poured down on us as sincere believers. In strong voice and heartfelt sense of purpose: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! 

I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and everyday! Amen!’ 

And please don’t forget that those blessings were not given so we can hoard them, but to share them just as generously with others less fortunate than us. So let’s go out and do just that nuh! Much LOVE!

…Jesus said of His followers…by their fruit ye shall know them…

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 24 July 2018 James 1:19.

24 Jul 2018 Leave a comment

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

James 1:19.   Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.

Oh friends, just relax and chill nuh, it’s Jesus time! (smile) And is it ever, in more ways than one! His LOVE Revolution is taking the world by storm and His Second coming is imminent – more imminent than many of us realize, so it’s definitely time to get involved with Him and His awesome movement. For you certainly don’t want to be caught on the outside looking in when He returns, because then, crapaud truly smoke yuh pipe! 

And just so you know, it wasn’t my brilliant mind that came up with our opening statement.(smile) I got it from a cardboard coaster advertising Carib Beer that I’ve had on my desk for years, but it’s usually hidden below some paper. However, while cleaning up the desk last evening, the Lord drew my attention to what was written on the coaster and intimated that it was a good opening for today’s Bit. Hn! Does He ever move in mysterious ways! 

Now here is something else He also requested in today’s Bit; something from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. This one is aptly titled ‘A Quiet Tongue.’ 

Please pray with me. ‘Lord, a revealing fact Began to surface today: I talk more than I listen. I seem to be thoroughly convinced That my ideas My inspiring experiences My bits of wisdom Are exactly what all my friends need. Too often I break into conversations Confident that my enlightened insight Will solve the predicament – Whatever it is. Obviously, I feel more comfortable When I’m expounding. 

But this morning at a Bible study I cringed when I read your command In the first chapter of James: “Don’t ever forget That it is best to listen much Speak little, and not become angry.” At first I wanted to run. But as the words kept battering away At my guilty heart I finally circled them with red ink. 

Now, Lord, please help me to obey them. Remind me daily, hourly That listening is a discipline And a discipline always costs. I know I must pay a price. The price for me Is a listening ear and a quiet tongue.’ 

Oh my people, my people, does that ever describe so many of us, as well as our world today in general! With all the easy and open channels of communication available in these crazy times, we’re all chattering away at each other and nobody’s really listening to what the other is saying, because we all think we know better than the next person. 

I know that’s one of my problems, although I’m much better at it than was a few years ago. At least today I’m cognizant of the fact that I need to listen more. (smile) And James, in our Bit, does admonish and advise us most crucially and critically: ‘Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.’ 

And the thought just occurred to me, how much more effective James would have been if he had listened to his big brother Jesus, when He was alive than after He had died. But I guess that was God’s plan. Nonetheless, it’s solid advice we all need my brethren, especially believers! And why is that? James goes on to explain: ‘For the wrath of man worketh not (does not produce) the righteousness of God.’ (James 1:20) 

And the scholars offer these explanations. ‘1:19. This is a key verse because it expresses three topics that James develops later: hearing, verses 19-27; speaking, 3:1-12; and wrath, 4:1-12.’ 1:20. Trials require silence and patience because talk inflames anger, and anger inflames talk. Anger also distracts from God.’ That’s such awesome truth my fellow believers, and unfortunately we both see and experience it everyday! 

So James continues: ‘Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity (abundance) of naughtiness (wickedness), and receive with meekness the engrafted (implanted) word, which is able to save your souls.’ (James 1:21) Invaluable teaching friends! 

To which the scholars declare: ‘1:21. Engrafted word might be better translated “implanted word” and may reflect Christ’s parable of the seed planted in four different soils (Matt.13:3-9). Both Christ and James focus on the proper hearing of God’s Word (Matt.13:13,19,20,22,23). 

One needs to hear that Word, for it is able to save your souls. Though this phrase accurately describes the Word’s work of producing initial salvation, it is better in this context to understand it as the Word’s ability to preserve and mature the Christian’s life through trials.’ 

And is it ever useful and important in that undertaking my people! In fact it’s what keeps us rooted and grounded so that we can bear those trials and tribulations that Jesus promised would come against us: ‘In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33b) And so He has my fellow believers. 

That’s why we can now authoritatively and sincerely declare our Tuesday Mantra, as to who we are and to whom we belong. In full voice now: ‘I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world.  Amen!’ 

And to show our sincerity, let’s go out now and practice what we’ve just preached, as Jesus so greatly desires of us. Much LOVE!

…unnecessary talking…and not enough listening…is the bane of man’s existence…  

P.S. It’s late… but it’s great! (smile) Much LOVE!

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 1 October 2016 Isaiah 53:7.

01 Oct 2016 Leave a comment

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

Isaiah 53:7.    He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought (was led) as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. 

‘Oh friends, I, I am blessed, Yes, I want to tell the world that I, I am blessed!’ Sing it with me: ‘Oh we. We are blessed! Let’s tell the world, that we, we are blessed!’

And that’s the gospel truth my brethren! For as children of the Most High God Jehovah, followers of Jesus Christ, and fertile soil in which the Holy Spirit dwells, then we must be blessed! Only thing is that a lot of the time, many of us don’t behave as though we are blessed. Instead, we moan and groan and complain about insignificant stuff. 

And yuh know what friends, a lot of the things we consider problems, are things that most of the world would only be too glad to have, along with the many benefits that we take for granted.

We are just too spoiled and complacent, expecting everything to be handed to us on a silver platter. But that’s not real life friends, for in this world serious problems abound, many of which fortunately don’t touch or concern us. 

Most of us have a job, a roof over our heads, food on table and we are reasonably healthy, and if not, we have the opportunity to go to a doctor. Meanwhile, billions of people around the world have none of those amenities, or rather necessities. But yet, we complain about petty stuff. 

Anyway, it’s Saturday, so let’s check out a couple of quotes from our friend Anselm, who always aspires to inspire us for a better tomorrow. And this week’s quotes are both short and to the point. The first says: ‘Don’t expect people to listen to your advice and ignore your example.’ 

And that’s one of the biggest problems in our Christian faith! We talk a good talk, but don’t walk the necessary walk. Consequently we acquire a reputation as hypocrites, like the Jewish leaders, the Pharisees of Jesus’ day.

Oh mih people, that hypocritical aspect of our earthly pilgrimage is hurting our cause so badly that Jesus’ church has now become something of a laughingstock among unbelievers. Sad but true. And it’s our own fault too. 

My fellow believers, we badly need to clean up our act on that front, otherwise all our efforts to mobilize the heathen to join Jesus’ LOVE Revolution will fall on deaf ears, and we’ll be laughed to scorn.

Now is that the result we desire for Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross? NO WAY! So let’s get serious and start practicing what we preach nuh, if we truly want to represent Jesus in the best manner possible. Remember, actions work more forcibly on the mind than precepts, mere words.  

And the second of Anselm’s quotes declares: ‘Instead of complaining–contribute.’ Now that’s what we were talking about earlier on. We are a society that complains way too much about petty stuff, when we should be contributing to the solutions of the numerous problems we have.

And yuh know mih people, complaining is a sin! Too much complaining doesn’t sit right with our heavenly Father. He wants us to be giving thanks and praise, regardless of our difficult situations. 

Just look at Jesus, whom we are supposed to be the mirror image of. He had real serious problems down here on earth. But He never complained. The Good Book tells us in our Bit: ‘He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought (was led) as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.’ 

And in yesterday’s Bit, we saw where it said that Jesus ‘endured the cross, despising the shame….’ He certainly put up with a lot of affliction and rejection for our sakes without a whole lot of complaining. Now I know that we all can’t be as stoic and uncomplaining as Jesus, but we can surely do much better than we’re currently doing. 

And when we have problems, the best way to resist the temptation to complain and carry on is to help others with their problems. It works wonders friends! It not only takes our minds off of our own troubles, but it also pleases and glorifies our heavenly Father! 

Now here are a couple of situations where Isaiah’s prophecy about Jesus not speaking came to pass. First up is His interrogation before the high priest, where two false witnesses stated. ‘This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness (testify) against thee? But Jesus held his peace (remained silent). (Matt.26:61-63a) 

However, shortly after, when the high priest said unto Jesus, ‘I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said (it is as you said): nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.’ (Matt. 26:63b-64) 

Possibly Jesus should have kept quiet then too because that only caused the high priest to throw a tantrum, rent his clothes and declare that Jesus’ statement was blasphemous for which the council found Him guilty and began to abuse him, physically and emotionally.  (Matt.26:65-68) 

But I guess Jesus had to say something like that, otherwise they would not have had a case against Him, because it’s that charge of blasphemy for which they finally brought Him before the Roman authorities, seeking His death.  

That brings us to the other time when Jesus remained silent. He was before Pilate the Roman governor. ‘And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness (testify) against thee? And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.’ (Matt.27:12-14)

Oh friends, I know it’s difficult, but sometimes it’s best for us too to keep quiet when we are being wrongfully accused. It throws off our accusers, gives us time to think and also time for God to act on our behalf. 

Well enough for us to chew on today. Please take your time, chew slowly, and ponder while you chew. (smile) Much LOVE!

…silence is usually golden in most situations…

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 24 May 2016 Ephesians 6:11‏

24 May 2016 Leave a comment

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

Ephesians 6:11.   Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles (schemes) of the devil.

Oh friends, oh friends, my sincerest apologies for the lateness of the Bit, but it’s just been one of those days. Hn! One of those days when my body rebelled, refused to get up before it was good and ready. 
 
Believe me, I had no idea that the ole bod was so tired nuh, since I didn’t do anything tiring yesterday, and the celebrations didn’t cause me to get to bed any later than usual. I guess though that it was just a residual tiredness from my earlier activities. 
 
Anyway, though I’m still physically groggy, when I went outside just now and experienced the wondrous beauty of the day – like a perfect summer’s day – my spirit was overwhelmed with joy. It made me feel truly glad to be alive. 
 
And consequently, it brought to mind one of my favourite songs that I heard yesterday. It’s an easy lover’s rock reggae riddim that I’ve shared before, but as they say, these gems are never too tiring or old to be heard again and again, because they lend great inspiration to our souls. 
 
It’s a song titled ‘I’ve got a joy,’ sung by a lady named Mounia Sahara. Please sing this very inspirational chorus with me. ‘I’ve got a joy deep down inside, that makes me want to shout, how good God is to me! Yes, I’ve got this joy deep down inside that makes we want to shout how good God is to me!’ 
 
And isn’t that the awesome truth my brethren! All Christians ought to feel that way because our wonderful God has indeed been exceedingly good to us all! 
 
Yuh know, Christians ought to be the happiest people in the world because of all that we have; God’s unconditional LOVE, mercy, grace and forgiveness, plus salvation and eternal life paid for by the sacrificial death of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! 
 
But unfortunately we are some of the most miserable and unhappy people on planet earth. Steups! Ah Lord eh, when are we going to learn to practice what we preach eh? 
 
Anyhow, it’s a beautiful Tuesday, God is still on His heavenly throne, and still in control of His world! So let’s sing our Tuesday Mantra with true sincerity, strong faith and total belief. 
 
All together now: ‘I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world.  Amen.’ 
 
Oh isn’t that just wonderful my fellow believers? It surely is! What can be better than being a beloved child of God and a friend of Jesus eh? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! 
 
And we certainly don’t have to worry about what the world says about us or how it defines us, because greater is He that’s in us – the Holy Spirit of Jesus – than he that’s in the world – the foolish, fallen angel Lucifer. (1 John 4:4) 
 
And to help us prove that, let’s turn to our Bit, that remarkable verse of scripture, which so rightfully declares: ‘Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles (schemes) of the devil.’ 
 
And that my people, is indisputable truth! When we are wearing the whole armour of God, we are invincible! Glory to God! And please note that it requires the whole armour, all of it, not bits and pieces. 
 
And before we get to what that armour consists of, I’m going to repeat a couple verses from yesterday because there are some interesting and important explanations from the scholars that I did not get to share. 
 
After our Bit, Bruh Paul declares: ‘For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world (age), against (hosts of) spiritual wickedness in high places. 
 
Wherefore take unto you (take up, put on) the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.’ (Eph.6:12-13) 
 
Now here are the scholars’ explanations of those verses. ‘6:12. Wrestle, used of hand-to-hand combat, emphasizes the personal and individual nature of spiritual warfare waged against each local church and Christian. 
 
Flesh and blood refers to humanity. Such is not the church’s adversary. Instead she opposes principalities (rulers), powers (authorities), rulers (world-rulers), spiritual wickedness (wicked spiritual beings), that is, fallen angels, demons, and Lucifer himself.’ 
 
Yes friends, a lot of powerful spiritual enemies are lined up against us. And per ‘6:13. Wherefore means “because of this,” that is, because we face such a formidable foe, we must avail ourselves of God’s provision lest the enemy destroy our Christian witness and ministry. 
 
The evil day refers to the periodic demonic onslaughts and Satanic assaults. Having done all includes both dressing oneself in God’s armour and resisting Satan. Having done all these, be ready, for the Devil will attack again.’ 
 
And that’s no lie friends! The evil powers of darkness will continue to come at us, time after time, wave upon wave, trying to gain serious entry to our souls. 
 
However, once we are clothed in God’s protective spiritual armour, and our minds are focused on God, rather than the world, those evil spirits won’t be able to harm us. And on that upbeat note, we’ll close today. (smile) 
 
Now let’s put on that spiritual armour of God and walk strong, tall and proud, caring, compassionate and LOVING, about God’s great earth, because that’s what He expects of us. Much LOVE!
 
…as Christians in an evil world…God’s protection is ALWAYS necessary…