Today’s Scrip-Bit 25 June 2021 Matthew 28:20b.

25 Jun 2021 Leave a comment

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

Matthew 28:20b.     …and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

Well hello there, you beautiful saints of Christ! It’s Friday, the day that so many of us look forward to, or rather used to look forward to, when life was normal and the world was not pandemic entangled. But now, things are somewhat different; many of us are finding it even more difficult than before to make ends meet, money is in short supply for numerous reasons, and our mental and emotional health is not as good, not as relaxed and contented as it once was. But I’m here to remind us that if we have put our trust in Jesus Christ, we should not despair or be afraid. 

Why is that, you ask? It’s simple; because He will look after us, for He has promised never to leave nor forsake us, (Heb. 13:5) and He is noted for keeping His promises…all of them. But we must keep believing them, and stand strong on them, let our faith rise to new levels, by recalling scriptures like: ‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33) 

Yes, it is difficult to raise our level of faith when we are undergoing serious stress and strain, but the truth is that’s the very time we need to raise it, when we need to stand strong in Jesus, because without His saving grace and faith, we will indeed crumble under the enemy’s onslaught. Remember Jesus last words to the disciples, and consequently to us, when He gave them the Great Commission to go out and evangelize the world? ‘…and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’ (Matt. 28:20b) Now that is another vital scripture to keep uppermost in our hearts and souls, to help in time of need. 

Oh my people, in these trying times, times that echo the last days, we need to be greatly encouraged in our faith, in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. And if we are finding things difficult right now, it might take a while before they improve, but we need to believe that they will. And even if they don’t, because not all things fall under the mantra, ‘this too shall pass,’ we need to be strong enough to understand that we are being prepared for a better place, heaven, and that in due time, the Lord will work it all out for our good. (Rom. 8:28) It’s a matter of trust and faith in God’s promises friends. 

As Bruh Paul wrote to the Corinthians: ‘But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.’ (2 Cor. 4:7) What that means is that we are brittle earthen vessels that have the power of God, of the gospel filling us. The scholars explain it thus: ‘It depicts humanity in its weakness. The gospel is not a product of human genius or clever intellect (humanity in its strength). Yet it resides in men of clay, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.’ 

Ah my fellow saints, under the New Covenant, God dwells in believer’s hearts, and it’s the source of power that enables us to keep keeping on, despite less than comfortable or favourable circumstances. It’s borne out in Bruh Paul’s words. ‘We are troubled (hard pressed) on every side, yet not distressed (crushed); we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast (struck) down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.’ (2 Cor. 4:8-10) 

Yes friends, the life and death of Christ must empower us to hold on to our Christian beliefs. We need to remember what He suffered on our behalf – death on the cross, as well as what He also accomplished – resurrection from the dead, giving us the promise of salvation and eternal life. And that better life with Him in the future, is something we ought to think about a little more down here on earth, especially when times are rough. 

As Bruh Paul says: ‘Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound (abound) to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not (do not lose heart), but though our outward man perish (is perishing), yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.’ (2 Cor. 4:14-18) 

Oh my brethren, I know it’s not easy to ignore the things going on in our earthly lives and think about those that will occur in the future in heaven, but it’s one of the tools we need to use to help us get through the trying times. And we can do it, if we harness the amazing power of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us, through the awesome grace that our heavenly Father provides for us to do His work. Now that doesn’t mean we don’t ask for divine help in our earthly troubles. So let’s take the many we currently have, to the Father right now nuh, through our Friday Chant. 

Altogether now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through this past week. You know it’s been rough… what with all the anxiety, the confusion and havoc that the Covid-19 virus and the racial strife are causing. We can’t seem to fix it on our own Lord, that means we desperately need your help. Oh heavenly Father, with your omnipotent help, and our trusting faith, we know that we can stand strong and steadfast and defeat both the virus and the unrest in our streets. 

So Lord, we sincerely ask you today to give the governments and those involved in the forefront of this serious and unexpected storm, the wise guidance to handle the situation properly, with the least amount of loss to life and property as possible. And please help those of us who must go out to work amidst all the confusion, to be responsible and to stay safe, and avoid any more serious setbacks. And Lord, we fervently pray that You’ll use this situation to bring a lot of backsliders back to your fold, show them the error of their ways. 

And also introduce a whole new flock, who will embrace your LOVE and compassion by the example, we, your faithful believers set. Yes Lord, please use this pandemic and the unrest in the streets as a means of restoring faith in You, so that our sinful world can wake up and smell the coffee, sweet and strong! We pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen!’ 

And, as we supposed faithful believers truly behave like faithful believers, so will our current troubles be remedied. Much LOVE!

…earth is only our temporary home…heaven is where we will spend eternity with Christ…                                                                            

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Today’s Scrip-Bit 9 June 2020 Proverbs 18:21.

09 Jun 2020 Leave a comment

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

Proverbs 18:21.    Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that LOVE it shall eat the fruit thereof.
 

It’s Tuesday morning, bright and sunshiny in my area, but a rather troubling time all over the world. So let’s get together and acclaim our faith nuh, for there’s nothing better than speaking what God and His Word says about us and our circumstances and situations. Remember, there’s POWER in the Word, spoken or otherwise, so let’s wisely declare some of it over our lives right now nuh. So altogether, in loud and sincere voice: ‘This is the day the Lord has made, we WILL rejoice and be glad in it!’ Wow! What a mighty proclamation! 

And furthermore; ‘God will supply all of my needs according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus, our wonderful Lord and Saviour!’ Therefore; ‘As for me and my house, we WILL serve the Lord!’ Now on that subject, there’s absolutely no doubt as to who will be the Guide and Leader in my Yard: Jehovah God Himself! Consequently, ‘I will be enabled to do ALL things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me, who is my strength and my impregnable high tower and fortress!’ 

And because of all the above, I can say with the utmost certainty, that ‘The God of all grace, who has called me to His eternal glory in Christ, after I have suffered a little while, will Himself restore me and make me strong, firm and steadfast.’ Oh glory to the Most High God my people, who has promised never to leave nor forsake us, and who will continue the work He’s begun in me, making me more mature and Christlike, until I die, or his Son comes back! He’ll never stop working in and on me! What an awesome promise! 

That’s why I can shout to the hills: ‘If God be for me, who can be against me eh?’ NOBODY! Not a single soul, because He has promised in His awesome Word that NO weapon formed against me will prosper, and that the enemy who comes against me one way will inevitably flee seven ways, and that though a thousand shall fall at my left hand and ten thousand at my right, no harm whatsoever will come to me, and I will lay me down and sleep in peace and safety because HE watches over me! Mama Yo! 

And because of all that I can proudly say, ‘I will not tolerate strife in my life. And I am an overcomer through Christ Jesus! I am also above and not beneath. The head and not the tail. I am more than a conqueror, through Christ who LOVES me!’ Wow mih bredrin…Wow! How mighty and faithful are those promises of our omnipotent and magnanimous and merciful and gracious God eh! As the Good Book says: ‘Let us hold fast the profession (confession) of our faith (hope) without wavering; for he is faithful that promised.’ (Heb. 10:23) 

That’s why I can also declare with awesome certainty that ‘Something good is going to happen TO me today! And Something good is going to happen THROUGH me today!’ Oh how magnificent is the Word of our God when we declare it aloud my people! It certainly works to raise our spirits, strengthen our faith and get us moving in the right direction, along the straight and narrow path that leads to Jesus and His wonderful kingdom! Oh friends, I do hope those acclamations stirred you all up as much as they did me. (smile) 

Yuh know how the ole fella is, once he gets fired up, it’s hard to stop him, and I was fired up there just now. But I also want to encourage us to make acclamations a daily part of our lives; to say some out loud when we get up or before we get to doing our daily chores. As for me, I say some every morning I come down to the office to start writing the Bit, and you’ll be surprised how they set the mood for me, encourage me to get it into the Word and see what God has in store for that day. And you don’t have to say what we’ve said above, but whatever is bothering you, or weighing on your mind you can acclaim it away with words of your own making. 

Remember that God created everything in the world but humans by speaking them into existence, as Hebrews declares: ‘Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed (prepared) by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear (are visible).’ (Heb. 11:3) 

Then Cousin Sol wisely reminds us: ‘Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that LOVE it shall eat the fruit thereof.’ That means our words will play a great part in the way our lives unfold. If we continually speak evil, then evil will be the foundation of our lives. And if we purpose to speak good, then good will be the foundation of our lives. Remember too, that we will each give an account of our words and actions come the day of judgement. And I don’t think that Christ will be accepting any excuses, especially if we knew the truth but never followed it. 

So please, let’s endeavour, starting right now, to only speak words that will uplift and motivate those with whom we come into contact, and thus we’ll be less worried about Jesus questions on that fateful day. (smile) Now let’s go home declaring (yeahhh!) our Tuesday Mantra, telling all and sundry, who and whose we are. 

In strong voice with sincere hearts. ‘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 having spoken it, the onus is now on us to go out and action our words. Much LOVE!

…and the Word was made flesh…and dwelt among us…and we beheld His glory…as of the only begotten of the Father…full of grace and truth… (John 1:14)