Today’s Scrip-Bit   25 February 2024 John 20:29b.

25 Feb 2024 Leave a comment

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

John 20:29b.        blessed are they that have not seen, and yet believed.

It’s Sunday friends, can you hear the church bells ringing, inviting you to worship in the Lord’s sanctuary on His special day? It’s so sad that the young people don’t know about that tradition, but that was a time when church going was a normal part of your Sunday activities, and the bells would ring at certain times to tell you how much time was left to the start of church. But can you imagine churches ringing bells nowadays. It would cause such and uproar. The cops would soon be at the church door telling you to cease and desist. And back then I don’t believe people were so put off by the tolling of bells as they would be now, because that’s what they grew up with, and you just got accustomed to it. 

Anyway, my brethren, tolling bells or not, it’s Sunday and time to gather in fellowship with other believers and spend time, praying, praising and giving thanks to our great God Jehovah. And as always, we’ll begin with a song of praise. This one’s simply titled ‘One More River to Cross,’ a Negro Spiritual that’s been very popular down through the years and recorded by numerous people. And today we’ll raise our sacrifices of praise in a soulful, down home Southern, hand clapping blues version, that ought to have heaven singing and clapping along with us. And we’ll open with an intro borrowed from the song ‘One More Mountain to climb,’ which sounds very appropriate for our song too. (smile) 

So here goes: ‘(Hey Lord, my troubles never seem to end, Tell me, are you still my friend? I got such a heavy load. When will I reach that glory road?)  (Chorus: One more river to cross, one more mountain to climb One more valley that I’ve gotta go thru then I’m leaving my troubles behind One more battle with the devil, then I know he’ll understand I’m going thru with Jesus, Hallelujah, Holding to His nail scarred hand, holding to His nail scarred hand.) I’ve had a lot of troubles and trials, in my little life span When I’m standing alone, and the battle gets hard, I always do the best I can I’ve crossed a million valleys, and shed a million tears, But when I come to the River of Jordan, Hallelujah, then I’ll have no fear (repeat) 

(Chorus: One more river to cross…) Yes, There’s been a lot of people talking ‘bout me since I’ve walked this narrow way But that’s just another little valley, I came thru it when I prayed, I’ve climbed a lot of high mountains and crossed a lot of little streams But when I see ol’ Jordan cold and dark, that’ll be the last for me (repeat)  (Chorus One more river to cross, one more mountain to climb One more valley that I’ve gotta go thru then I’m leaving my troubles behind One more battle with the devil, then I know he’ll understand I’m going thru with Jesus, Hallelujah, Holding to His nail scarred hand, holding to His nail scarred hand.) repeat.’ 

Oh my people, that was wonderful, and we had heaven clapping and jiving just like us, because they could feel the sincerity and strong faithful emotions in the music, as we all look heavenward to the glorious day we’ll show up at the pearly gates to meet St. Peter, then Jesus and the Father face to face! Wow! What a day that will be! There’ll be no greater day before or after that!  But let’s look now and see what scriptural references we can find in the song. The first thing that comes to mind is the part of the chorus that talks about holding on to Jesus’ ‘nail scarred hand.’ The nail scars in Jesus’ hand were the main way he confirmed to His disciples that it was truly Him, in the same body, now risen and transformed.  

The first time Jesus appeared to the disciples after His resurrection, was after He revealed Himself to the two followers He found walking along the road to Emmaus, who hustled back to Jerusalem to tell the eleven about their experience. (Luke 24:13-35) ‘And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted (frightened), and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? And why do thoughts (doubts) arise your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and feet.’ (Luke 24:26-40) 

But that wasn’t the end of the story, because one of the disciples, Thomas was not there with them when Jesus first appeared, and when told about it, refused to believe, saying, ‘Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.’ (John 20: 25) And eight days later, Thomas got his wish, for Jesus appeared to them all, coming as before through the locked doors. And He again said unto them, ‘Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless (unbelieving), but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet believed.’ (John 20:26-29) 

Those last words of Jesus were meant for us friends: those who haven’t seen Jesus in person; neither his nail scarred hands nor the other injuries on His body, but yet believe! And that’s the kind of person Jesus desires to be His disciple, one who can believe without seeing, for that’s what His kingdom is all about, believing through faith and not by sight. As Hebrews tells us: ‘Now faith is the substance (realization) of things hoped for, the evidence (conviction) of things not seen.’ (Heb. 11:1) We believe until we see! And we see that very clearly in the next scriptural references, that to ‘But when I come to the River of Jordan, Hallelujah, then I’ll have no fear…  But when I see ol’ Jordan cold and dark, that’ll be the last for me.’ 

Those are references to the crossing of the river Jordan by the Jews, under the leadership of Joshua to enter the Promised Land. The slaves likened that crossing to their entering heaven. Once they got to the Jordan River, they’ll have no more fear, or nothing to fight about, no more troubles to face, mountains to climb or valleys to go through, because it will mean they are going home to heaven. That other famous parting of water is recalled in Joshua 3. ‘And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee (make you great) in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee. And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan…. 

And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest.) That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from (at) the city of Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho. And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until the people were passed clean (completely) over.’ (Josh, 3:7-8, 15-17) 

Yes friends, that was another of God’s major miracles in the story of the Israelites Exodus from slavery in Egypt. But please note that the Jordan did not part until the feet of the priests who bore the ark of the covenant were immersed in it. That just goes to show that if we don’t believe God’s instructions and adhere to His dictates, we will not see His awesome power of great mercy and grace in our lives. So please, let’s start raising our faith and trust level in Almighty God, so that we can enjoy all that He has planned for us. Much LOVE!

… in the world…seeing is believing…but in the kingdom…believing comes before seeing…

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Today’s Scrip-Bit   9 March 2022 Psalm 27:10.

09 Mar 2022 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 27:10.      When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up (take care of me).

Another bright sunshiny day on God’s great earth, with Jesus at the helm of our lives! Wow! What a mighty privilege my people! For as the song so rightly says, He’s our reason for living, He’s our source of survival, the One we look to when things and times are tough! 

That’s why we need Jesus in the morning, in the evening, in the midnight hour, in fact every minute of every day we badly need Him, because He’s the only One who can lift us up when our souls and spirits are cast down, when we are forsaken and lost without a strong and trusted guide and a safe harbour to anchor in when the storms of life batter and bruise us. 

And we cannot find a better promise than this magnificent one from Psalm 27 – The Lord is my light and my salvation – where Bruh David trustingly declares (chuh man!!!): ‘When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up (take care of me). (Ps. 27:10) 

Now does any other supposed God offer such a magnanimous promise? Obviously not! Because they are dead like doorposts and thus don’t have the power to do it! But our wonderful living Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ indeed has the awesome power to do that, as well as any other promise He’s made! All glory and honour to the One True God my faithful brethren, He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! 

Oh friends, that most reassuring promise of never leaving nor forsaking His people, was one promise that all the prophets down through the ages knew for certain and spoke of to all who would listen. And if you don’t believe me, let’s check out a few appropriate scriptures. And the first one is this famous verse from the prophet Isaiah, where he proclaims on the Lord’s behalf. ‘Can a woman forget her suckling (nursing) child, that she should not (and not have) compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven (engraved, inscribed) thee upon the palm of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.’ (Is. 49:15-16) 

Oh what a blessed promise! For as the scholar’s say, that speaks to, ‘reveals the eternal security of the salvation of God’s people. They are inseparably united to Him.’ And we all know that inscribing of our lives in God’s palms was physically portrayed by the nail marks in Christ’s hands where He hung from the cross for our deliverance, the atonement, the payment for our abominable sins. 

Remember when Thomas, one of Jesus’ disciples doubted that his fellow disciples had seen the risen Jesus, and refused to believe, saying unto them: ‘Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.’ (John 20:25) And we all know what happens when we doubt Jesus. He will prove us wrong. 

Eight days later, He again shows up before the disciples, once more coming through the shut doors. This time Thomas is with them, and after saying ‘Peace be unto you,’ He accosts the doubting Thomas with these words. ‘Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless (unbelieving), but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen me, and yet have believed.’ (John 20:27-29) 

Yes friends, it’s all about belief; belief in Jesus Christ, that He has done what He says, and can do what He promises! And we won’t see Christ in living colour until He comes back again, but based on His Word, we know that He is the indisputable One True God, who will never leave nor forsake us, and if we are wise, having heard His Word, we will put our total trust in Him. And yes, I know we meandered some, (smile) but it was absolutely necessary to ensure that we had some physical proof of God’s enormous caring and compassion, seen through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus on our behalf. 

So, let’s go back to some of those scriptures on God’s eternal fatherly image. The prophet Malachi said it thus on the Lord’s behalf: ‘And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels (special treasure); and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.’ (Mal. 3:17) 

Please note though my people, the last part there which specifies servanthood. It’s what Christ came to do, as He said to the disciples when they were striving as to who would be the greatest among them. ‘And whosoever will be chief (first) among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto (to be served), but to minister (serve) and to give his life a ransom for many.’ (Matt. 20:27-28) 

Now that’s exactly what He also expects of His followers, and said it in plain terms after He washed the disciples’ feet. ‘For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.’ (John 13:15) And the truth is that no leader is worthy to be thus, until he or she can serve with a pure heart, or come under the authority of others without balking at the experience. 

And the last scripture on God’s non-forsaking of His people comes from Psalm 103 – Thanksgiving for God’s mercy – more marvellously reassuring words from the pen of Bruh David, where he proclaims: ‘Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame (understands our constitution); he remembereth that we are dust.’ (Ps. 103:13-14) 

Yes my fellow saints, the Lord remembers that He created us from the dust of the earth and thus we are somewhat frail and fragile, and not able to bear a whole lot of trials and tribulations on our own, so He comes to the aid of those who revere and honour Him through His One Son, Jesus Christ. It’s as simple as that! And for those of us who sincerely try to do it, let’s go home now, telling all and sundry about our blessed position in Christ Jesus, through our Wednesday Wail. 

As one strong, sincere and determined voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’

 And yuh better believe that if we endure to the end, that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine. So, let’s stand strong and endure to the end with Christ’s help my brethren! Much LOVE!

…only believe…only believe…that’s all it takes…sincere belief… 

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