Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 February 2019 1 John 2:15.

22 Feb 2019 Leave a comment

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

1 John 2:15.   ​LOVE not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man LOVE the world, the LOVE of the Father is not in him.
 

No precipitation…and the sun is shining brightly…and my desktop seems to be working decently …Glory to God! Yeh friends it looks like it’s going to be a good day all around! And even if it isn’t, we’ll still declare with sincere faith and trust: ‘This is the day the Lord has made, we WILL rejoice and be glad in it! And the Lord will supply ALL my needs through His riches in glory! Therefore me and my house will surely follow Him!’ 

And consequently; ‘Something good is going to happen to me today!’ As well as ‘Something good is going to happen through me today!’ Oh bless the Holy Name of our great and merciful God my believing brethren and forget not His benefits! Yeh mih people, the ole fella’s on a roll this Friday morning! (smile) 

But so is the workingman, as he sings his song: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday oui! Never wanted to see a Friday come as badly as this one nuh! Brother! Ah really tired this week after all the partying we do in that last long weekend, then having to go to work and slave for massa everyday! Steups! 

Couldn’t even take a day off sick, because he was just waiting there like a viper ready to fire anybody who book off sick after the long weekend. So ah really don’t know how much partying we can do this weekend nuh. Ah finally realizing that ah not as young as I used to be and can’t afford to burn the candle at both ends as ah use to do! 

As the ole people would say, after one time is really too yes! So we going to catch up on some rest this weekend, renew we energy, so that the partying could continue down the line! Wow! The body really tired and calling for sleep and rest! Hope the massa doh ketch me sleeping on the work today nuh…else crapaud smoke mih pipe! Thank God for Fridays and weekends yes mih people!’ 

Yes mih bredden, our chickens usually come home to roost at some time or the other. The workingman is finally feeling the strain of overdoing his worldly pleasures. That’s why our Leader, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ instituted boundaries and cut offs for His followers.

He knew full well that overdoing the pleasures of the world would only bring heartache and suffering. And that’s why our Friday Chant is so much different to the workingman’s bacchanalian offering. 

So let’s get into our chant now nuh, with strong voice and sincere sense of purpose. ‘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!’ 

Oh I know that our song is not as glamorous and party popping like the workingman’s, but it keeps us out of trouble with the enemy, and that’s all we need to ask of it. It gives us respect and circumspection as to how far to go and also what we need to do as followers of Jesus. 

So please don’t denigrate it because it’s not as snazzy and popular as the workingman’s, which only invites the enemy to gain footholds in our souls, which is also the worst thing we could ever do, thereby jeopardizing our salvation and eternal life with Jesus. Now who would ever want to do such a foolish thing eh? 

You’d think no sane and sensible believer would do that, but unfortunately there are many of us who are doing just that, nonchalantly disobeying the solemn and wise advice of John: ‘LOVE not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man LOVE the world, the LOVE of the Father is not in him.’ That’s the living truth friends! 

As John continues: ‘For all that is in the world is the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.’ (1 John 2:16) Ah mih people, our natural instinct is to sin; participate in evil desires and lustful pleasures which are not a part of God’s realm and we have to stop letting the enemy deceive us with the eye candy that the world values but the Lord does not. 

As James admonishes us: ‘Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of (with) the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be (wants to be) a friend of the world, is (makes himself) the enemy of God.’ (James 4:4) That’s it right there in a nutshell my fellow believers! 

And also as Bruh Paul put it so plainly to the church at Rome: ‘And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.’ (Rom.12:2) 

Oh my people, as believers we need to be aware of God’s plan for our lives which requires our sincere dedication, surrender and submission to His guidance. And we can only achieve that by reading His Word and meditating on it, as well as through prayer and fellowship with other believers. To be truly God’s, we have to delve into and revel in what is His, not what belongs to the world. 

And I know some of you are saying that we preached this sermon just recently, but this is one of those sermons that some of us need to hear everyday! (smile) For as John so sincerely reminds us: ‘And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.’ (1 John 2:17) 

Oh friends, I’m sure we all want to abide for ever, so let’s pull up our socks and do better with God’s help nuh! Wisdom and common sense dictate that we do! Much LOVE!

…one cannot be both…a LOVER of God…and a LOVER of the world…

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 27 February 2014 2 Chronicles 15:1.

27 Feb 2014 Leave a comment

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

2 Chronicles 15:1.    And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded.
 
Greetings and salutations to all you beautiful people in my Scrip-Bit Family! It is with great joy and LOVE that I come to you this cold Thursday morning in the North Country – only somewhere between minus 10 and minus 19 degrees Celsius.
 
Now my outside might be cold, but Friends, believe me, inside I’m just burning up with LOVE! And that’s gospel truth! (smile) That’s because I keep trying to live for and like Jesus. Now I’m not always successful, but the basic attributes of LOVE, peace and goodwill to all are certainly there.
 
It’s also been said that St. Therese, the Saint of the Little Flower declared that she would spend her heaven doing good on earth, letting fall a shower of roses. Now that’s all well and good if you are in heaven, but even more so, Jesus desires that we do much good while we’re right down here on this troubled and ungodly earth. We certainly can’t afford to wait until we get to heaven to do good on earth, or else we might never get to heaven. 
 
And in line with that train of thought, here is a rather appropriate quote attributed to one Eva Rose York. Now from the many Eva Rose York’s I found, I couldn’t specify exactly which one said it. And though I believe I’ve shared this quote before, it’s one of those that’s necessary to repeat every so often, so that we don’t forget it.
 
And it says: ‘I shall not pass this way again; Then let me now relieve some pain, Remove some barrier from the road, Or brighten (lighten) someone’s heavy load.’
 
Yes my fellow believers in Jesus Christ, that’s exactly what EACH OF US needs to say and do EVERYDAY we draw breath on God’s earth. For that is exactly what Jesus expects of His true and beautiful followers.
 
And now that we’ve straightened out that little matter, (smile) let’s turn to our Bit. ‘And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded.’
 
And today we’ll look at another pertinent example of how God allowed His Holy Spirit to come upon one of His chosen people, to try and bring them to their senses.
 
Oh Friends, it’s amazing how many times Israel turned from following the God of their forefathers to worshipping the pagan gods of those who lived around them. Instead of being dominant and bringing the pagans to their God, they were weak and easily enticed into serving the pagan gods. And it’s also amazing how many times the Lord saved them from themselves and their enemies, despite their gross disobedience.
 
As the Good Book says: ‘ Nevertheless, the Lord raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled (plundered) them. And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after (played the harlot with) other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the Lord; but they did not so.
 
And when the Lord raised them up judges, then the Lord was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the Lord because of (the Lord was moved to pity by) their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed (harassed) them.
 
And it came to pass when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more (behaved more corruptly) than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way.
 
And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people hath transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice; I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died:
 
That through them I may prove (test) Israel, whether they will keep the way of the Lord to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not. Therefore the Lord left those nations, without driving them out hastily (immediately); neither delivered he them into the hand of Joshua.’ (Judg. 2: 16-23)
 
Ah mih breddren, doesn’t that sound very familiar? It sure does! I never intended to write all of it, but after reading it, it sounded so much like what we’re currently doing, that I just had to share it all.
 
And it’s also what the Lord is doing to a certain extent right now; leaving us up to our own idolatrous and disobedient ways and purposes, consequently allowing us to suffer whatever fate befalls us. Please note too, like Israel, the many nations around us, who want to conquer us and have us bow to their pagan gods.
 
And I must share these words from the scholars re the passage of scripture above. ‘2:17-19. The recurring cycle of Israel’s apostasy, oppression and repentance, and deliverance by heaven-sent deliverers forms the key theme of the Book of Judges.
 
It was a period of repeated spiritual apostasy, growing immorality, social degradation, and political instability. Israel’s “second generation” had forgotten the spiritual victories of the generation of the conquest. Only the mercy of a gracious God kept Israel from disappearing as a nation.’ 
 
Oh mih people, mih people, if I didn’t tell you otherwise, I’m sure you’d think that those word were written about this current world situation, because it resembles the present time down to the nth detail! And it’s only a gracious and merciful God who is preventing us from sliding into oblivion.
 
But please note, He’s getting tired of our disgusting behaviour, and like He did with Israel, is allowing us to suffer the painful pangs of disobedience in a turmoil-filled and calamitous world. And if we don’t smarten up and do like the Israelites, return to seriously serving and worshipping Him, then… crapaud smoke we pipe!
 
So please my people, let’s wake up NOW and smell the roses nuh, get some common sense and wisdom, so that with humble hearts and repentant souls, we can return to worshipping and serving the ONE and ONLY TRUE and LIVING GOD, He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob!
 
Let’s stop ploughing ahead in disobedience and rebellion, concentrating on removing God from our society, rather than increasing and glorifying Him. For that my Friends, is a fool’s wisdom. And as followers of Jesus, we should not be numbered amongst fools. Much LOVE!
 
…the fool hath said in his heart…there is NO GOD…(Ps.14:1)…and that’s exactly why he is a fool…  
 
P.S. Sorry for the slight change of direction, but that’s where the Spirit led me. With the Lord’s favour though, we’ll get back to it tomorrow. Much LOVE!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 November 2013 Genesis 22:18

22 Nov 2013 Leave a comment

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

Genesis 22:18.    And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
 
Aye mih people, it’s Friday morning, and I hear you loudly shouting ‘TGIM! Thank God it’s Friday! The weekend is here, and no more work for two big days! Pappy oh! That means it’s party time!’
 
But hold on a minute mih people, that’s the way the world looks at it. True followers of Jesus ought to look at it in a different light though; the light that our Friday Chant extols. So please let’s chant our Friday Chant instead, so that we can bring the right attitude, the correct perspective to the wonderful weekend ahead of us.
 
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, my Friends and fellow believers is more in keeping with what our response to the weekend ought to be! And the time has come to turn to our Bit, the same one as yesterday: ‘And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.’
 
We saw yesterday where the Lord commanded Abraham to go to the land of Moriah and sacrifice his son Isaac as a burnt offering. No doubt Abraham experienced great internal stress, since the Lord’s command deviated substantially from His promise to make him the father of many nations through Isaac.
 
However, on the outside, Abraham remained calm and did what the Lord commanded. And when he was about to slay Isaac, the Lord stopped him, then provided a lamb for the purpose, and in honour of the Lord’s faithfulness, Abraham called the place Jehovah-jireh (the Lord will provide; for He did indeed provide in Abraham’s time of want. (Gen.22:1-14)
 
Now that whole episode makes me wonder what effect it had on young Isaac. How he must have fretted eh, especially after asking his father about the animal to be sacrificed, being told that the Lord would provide one, then having his father bind him upon the altar to use him as the sacrifice. (Gen.22:7-8)
 
The Good Book doesn’t say anything about it, but one way or the other, it must have had a great impact on Isaac, a mere youth at the time. But that unselfish act of Abraham must be considered as one of the greatest acts of faith ever shown by a believer, especially in those first days when the Lord was trying to put His chosen people together.
 
The Lord must also have been greatly moved, for as the Good Book tells it: ‘And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:
 
That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed (descendants) as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the seashore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
 
So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beer-sheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba.’ (Gen.22:15-19)
 
Yes Friends, that’s the magnanimous, ever-faithful God that we serve! When we are faithful to obey His commands, especially those real deep, soul searching one, He honours us superbly! You can certainly see why He eventually made Abraham the father of many nations; his faith and trust were exceedingly great!
 
Now here are some relevant thoughts on the situation from the scholars. ’22:1-14. God did tempt Abraham: The word tempt is better rendered as “proved or tested.” God does not tempt anyone with evil (James 1:13), but in certain instances, He does test, try, or prove us (James 1:2; 1 Pet 1:6-7). Therefore we must assume that the command to sacrifice Isaac was not evil. God knew what He would do in the end. He had no intention to permit the murder of Isaac.
 
The reason God prohibited the Israelites from following the example of the Gentiles who offered their own children as sacrifices to their gods (Deut.12:31) was that such monstrous deeds were in contradiction to the character of the true God. Abraham’s faith was being tried. This was the entire purpose of the episode.
 
Moriah was in the general area that included the hills on which Solomon later built his temple in Jerusalem (2 Chr. 3:1) The journey was about 50 miles. God will provide is a phrase that would be immortalized in the name of the place in verse 14.
 
Now I know that thou fearest God indicates that God was certain that Abraham feared (reverenced) Him more than anyone else, since he was willing to offer Him his son. So God provided a ram as a substitute for Isaac. (cf. John 1:19)’  
 
Ah my brethren, our great God does move in mysterious ways, but He’s never reneged, or will He ever renege on any of His promises! That’s the point that we’re trying to make.
 
He promised Noah a rainbow as a token of His covenant, and even to this day, thousands of years later, the beautiful rainbow of God’s promise still graces our skies every so often.
 
Likewise Abraham, though he experienced a lot of negatives on his journey of faith in and for God, today, most of the world, Jews, Christians and Muslims are all considered descendants of Abraham through Isaac, Jesus and Ishmael respectively. 
 
Wow! The Lord indeed kept His awesome promise, making him a father of many nations, and his heritage known around the world. That just goes to show my people that we can faithfully trust the God of Noah and Abraham to keep His promises to all and sundry, without any exceptions.
 
So Friends, if the Lord is talking to you today, please listen closely, then do as he asks. You’ll cause yourself less problems in the long run, for if He really wants you, He’ll eventually get you, the hard way. I can tell you that from personal experience.
 
So whenever he comes a-calling, just say, ‘Yes Lord! How high Lord?’ And then jump to it. That’s wisdom at its zenith. Much LOVE!
 
…as per Uncle Charles (Charles Stanley)…the wisest move we can ever make…is simply to obey God…and leave all the consequences to Him… 
 
P.S. Yes Friends, I know it’s a tad long, but I just wanted to finish the messages on Abraham’s promise today. So please bear with the ole fella, since it’s all for your enlightenment and edification. (smile) Much LOVE!