Today’s Scrip-Bit 17 June 2021 Luke 10:41.

17 Jun 2021 Leave a comment

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

Luke 10:41.     Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful (worried) and troubled about many things:

Praise the Lord my people! He’s given us another brand new day to enjoy! One with everything that’s new and shiny, like He always does! So let’s be glad and rejoice in it nuh, like we ought to. Oh, I know some of us are going to say, ‘I’m too busy to enjoy this day yes! Too many things to do, people to see and places to go!’ But yuh know what, I have a good remedy for that busyness; this poem from our One Year Book of Bible promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. It’s titled, most appropriately ‘Busy Day.’ 

So please pray with me: ‘Lord, this is one of the days I must ask you to preserve my sanity In the midst of turmoil. I’m so pressed by commitments – Plus a thousand trivial tasks – That I can scarcely see over my head. So I plead for enough wisdom To sort my priorities carefully. Regardless of my frenzied schedule May I keep my sense of humour And even enjoy a chuckle or two. 

Calm my quivering nerves With mental flashes from Your Word. Help me to maintain At least a semblance Of Mary – Martha balance. And tonight when we’re together again Should my husband confront me with ‘What have you been doing today?’ May my answer be genuine and gentle: ‘Part of the time, darling I’ve thanked God for you.’ 

Now isn’t that a beautiful prayer my people? It surely is! And it does not apply to women only but to all genders, since nowadays we seem to have more than the two the Lord created. But seriously though friends, our lives today can get so hectic and busy that ofttimes we don’t know whether we’re coming or going. And it’s nice, and also wise, to ask the Father to help us set some priorities in our lives, so that we don’t get too overwhelmed and feel like we are in over our heads. Of course, He must always be our number ONE priority, and there’s no one better to help us set good and reachable goals. 

And the Bible verse for our poem today comes from the story of Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus, Jesus’ friend. One day, it happened that Jesus visited their house in the village of Bethany, and while Martha was busying preparing a meal for Him, Mary sat at Jesus’ feet listening to Him expound on whatever He was expounding on. (smile) And the Good Book tells us: ‘But Martha was cumbered about (distracted with) much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.’ (Luke 10:40) 

And isn’t that the way it often is with us? We feel like we’re doing all the work, while others who should be helping, are relaxing and enjoying what we can’t enjoy. So Martha felt burdened by all the work with no help from her sister and complained to Jesus. But before we hear Jesus’ answer, here is an interesting explanation from the scholars on that particular verse. ‘10:40. Cumbered means that Martha was distracted by matters that, in light of Jesus’ visit, should have been secondary.’ 

Now, if we look back at our own behaviour, I’m sure that we will find times when we have also become distracted by things that should have been secondary to visits by our friends and families, which meant we did not get to enjoy them as much as should have. Yes, we always seem to put the actual entertaining before the enjoyment of the company. Anyway, to Martha’s question: ‘Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful (worried) and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.’ (Luke 10:41-42) 

Ah friends, we all know the story, and I’m sure Marth did not expect Jesus to rebuke her, but to tell Mary to get up and help her. But we don’t always get the answers we seek to the questions we ask. And no doubt Martha was much disappointed. Now here are some explanations from the scholars on those verses. ‘10:41. The repetition of her name (Martha, Martha) denotes a gentle and sympathetic reply. Careful (see 1 Cor. 7:32-35) often indicates a this-worldly, unbelieving attitude that hinders proper attention to the things of God; that is, to be unduly concerned about secondary matters.’ 

No doubt that also happens to us in this busy and crazy world we live in. Now to the next verse. ‘10:42. One thing: This can be explained in two ways here. Jesus may be saying that only one simple dish is required for the meal; Martha can handle the preparations without Mary’s help. In this case Martha is being primarily rebuked. Or Jesus may by one thing refer to the spiritual nourishment craved by Mary. In this case Jesus is implying that Martha, too, should leave her housework for a time and concentrate on the more urgent matter.’ 

And I like the idea of two possible explanations to Jesus words, because all I’ve ever heard is Jesus rebuking Martha for not being spiritual like Mary, and thus she is ‘remembered for her impatience and excessive concern for mundane matters, whereas Mary is remembered for her spiritual desire and discernment.’ Sometimes I think we give Martha a bad rap for being too worldly, and Mary too many pips for spirituality. (smile) 

Anyway friends, the lesson for us to learn today is that spirituality, or the things of God, ought to take first place in our lives. As Bruh David so rightly says in Psalm 27 – The Lord is my light and my salvation. ‘One thing have I desired of the Lord, that I will seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty (delightfulness) of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.’ (Ps. 27:4) Oh my fellow saints in Christ, we can never go wrong with such a God-inspired attitude! And in these perilous and troubled times that is exactly the kind of attitude we need to see us through them successfully. 

Now let’s go home declaring (steups!) our Thursday Blessings which the Lord has generously poured out on us to do His work down here on earth. In strong voice with sincere hearts. ‘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 every day! Amen!’  

And seeing that we’ve been so generously gifted, our duty now is to go out and share those blessings just as generously with others, so that they too may come to know Christ and be also blessed! Much LOVE!

…one can ONLY be godly in an ungodly world…when God is Number One in your life…                                                                         

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Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 November 2014 Psalm 4:1.

04 Nov 2014 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 4:1.      Hear me when I call , O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged (relieved) me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me (be gracious to me), and hear my prayer.
 
Ah Friends, can you believe it’s already Tuesday? Wow! The days are certainly flying by quickly, which means we have no time to lose in getting to know our wonderful Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
 
We need to make our peace with Him ASAP; in fact RIGHT NOW, for who knows if He will come without warning today and pluck His people from wherever they are, and from whatever they are doing. And once He comes, heralded by the sound of the mighty trump, all bets are off, or as they say, who don’t win lose.
 
And I’m sure you don’t want everlasting separation from God to be your eternal lot and destiny. So please get a move on, give your all to Jesus Christ! It’s the best decision you can ever make as a mortal being!
 
Now here is another excerpt from the One Year Book of Bible Promises, one that’s rather appropriate for our current, modern-day lifestyle. It’s titled ‘Busy Day,’ and says: ‘Lord, this is one of those days I must ask You to preserve my sanity In the midst of turmoil. I’m so pressed by commitments– Plus a thousand trivial tasks- That I can scarcely see over my head.
 
So I plead for enough wisdom To sort my priorities carefully. Regardless of my frenzied schedule May I keep my sense of humour And even enjoy a hearty chuckle or two. Calm my quivering nerves With mental flashes from Your Word. Help me to maintain At least a semblance Of Mary-Martha balance.
 
And tonight when we’re together again Should my husband confront me with “What have you been doing today?” May my answer be genuine and gentle: “Part of the time, darling I’ve thanked God for you.’
 
Yes Friends, that definitely sounds like many of us! And the accompanying scripture is: ‘And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful (worried) and troubled about many things (the little details).’ (Luke 10:41)
 
Ah mih people, balance is so sadly lacking in so many -too many- of our lives, that most days we don’t know whether we’re coming or going! And balance is ever so important, if we want to live fruitful and faithful lives.
 
And the best way to achieve balance is by keeping Jehovah God in first place in our lives, and giving ourselves to continual prayer, which brings us to our Bit. ‘Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged (relieved) me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me (be gracious to me), and hear my prayer.’
 
And some of you will be glad to hear that this is the last day for that particular Bit. (smile) And as usual, we’ll get into the scriptures with a story about Jesus on the subject; the one where He cleanses the temple.
 
The Good Book tells it thus: ‘And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew (overturned) the tables of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves;
 
And would not suffer that (allow) any man should carry any vessel (wares) through the temple. And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of (for) all nations the house of prayer? But ye have made it a den of thieves.’ (Mark 11:15-17)
 
Yuh see Friends, the constant desecration of the Lord’s house, His haven for prayer, was one of the few things that made Jesus so angry that He resorted to violence.
 
Meanwhile, the awesome power of prayer is shown in Acts, where Bruh Paul is in Macedonia. ‘And on the Sabbath we went out of the city by a riverside, where prayer was wont to be (customarily) made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither (met there).
 
And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple (purple dye), of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto (took heed of) the things which were spoken of Paul.
 
And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought (begged) us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained (compelled) us.’ (Acts 16:13-15)
 
Oh my people, how great indeed is the power of prayer, because it works through the omnipotence of the Creator of the universe and all therein!
 
And I don’t believe that there’s anybody who cried out to Jehovah God as much as Bruh David did. Listen to his plea from the opening verses of Psalm 5 – a prayer for protection. ‘Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my meditation (groaning). Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.
 
My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell (sojourn) in thee.’ (Ps.5:1-4)
 
And we’ll close this series of messages on prayer; its uses and its amazing power, with the moving and memorable words of Jesus’ half brother James, who only came to faith after the resurrection.
 
‘Is any among you afflicted (suffering)? let him pray. Is any merry (cheerful)? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord;
 
And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults (trespasses) one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual (effective) fervent prayer (supplication) of a righteous man availeth much.
 
Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are (with a nature like ours), and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by (land for) the space of three years ans six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.’ (James 5:13-18)
 
Oh my fellow believers, those are indeed words of awesome wisdom! It is ever so important that prayer occupies a central place in our daily lives. As such, we ought to be devoted to prayer, because it’s the strong lifeline, the umbilical cord between our mortal selves and the divine God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob!
 
If it’s broken, then we perish, like a baby in its mother’s womb when its lifeline breaks. So please, I implore us to be wise and not break that very tenuous connection, reach out to God with prayer, in hungry hope and expectant faith. Much LOVE!
 
…continue in prayer…and watch in the same…with thanksgiving… (Col.4:2)