Today’s Scrip-Bit   21 October 2023 Ephesians 1:22.

21 Oct 2023 Leave a comment

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

Ephesians 1:22. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

Well a good lazy-day Saturday morning to you my Scrip-Bit friends and family. And I do hope that you will enjoy a restful, lazy-day Saturday surrounded by the goodness and wellbeing of our wonderful God! Let’s remember that without Him we are nothing, for He is the vine and we are the branches, and if the branch doesn’t stay attached to the vine it’s of no use, because all the necessities for bearing fruit begin and end in the vine, the branch can do nothing of itself. (John 15:1-10) And so, to help us stay rooted and grounded in the vine, let’s declare (yesss!!!) our Lazy-Day Saturday Prayer with a sincere and grateful heart. 

As one voice: ‘Lord, I want to be with You now. Please slow my thoughts and quiet my soul. Let my muscles relax, my breath deepen. You are here with me – Your peace and LOVE are present. I marvel to think You can’t be contained, that Your LOVE both surrounds and fills me. Thank You for this tenderness, Lord. I praise You for Your unceasing nearness. Increase my awareness of You today, that I may know You all the more. Amen!’ 

And hopefully, as we offer up that simple but heartfelt prayer to heaven, all of our souls will be quietened, our muscles relaxed, our breaths deepened, and we’ll feel the overwhelming presence of the Lord enveloping us with His LOVE, mercy and grace! Wow! What a wonderful God we serve my fellow believers! And all God’s people said a rousing ‘That’s for Sure! There’s no God like our Jehovah! No! There’s no god like our Jehovah!’ and that’s the gospel truth! There’s no Infinite Being like, or except Yahweh! He’s the ONLY living God. all the other supposed God are dead, inanimate creations of man, and thus cannot do anything to help mankind. Matter fixed! 

And it’s indeed refreshing to have a rousing Lazy-Day Saturday Bit! (smile) Now let’s get to the heart of the matter; that’s the prayer of Bruh Paul on behalf of the Ephesians that we were studying yesterday. It’s where he prayed that the Lord would give them the spirit of wisdom and revelation, with enlightened minds so that they would truly know Him, the hope of His calling, the riches of the glory they have inherited, and His mighty power that gives them the strength for godly daily living. (Eph. 1:17-19) 

Now, since Bruh Paul was somewhat longwinded and worked towards perfection (smile) he didn’t just stop there, he went on to explain ‘the mighty power of God. ‘Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set (seated) him at his own right hand in the heavenly places. Far above all principalities, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world (age), but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth it all.’ (Eph. 1:20-23) 

What powerful scriptures my fellow saints! Yes! But what does it all mean? (smile) Let’s hear what the scholars have to offer. They say: ‘Principality, and power, and might, and dominion refer to various classes of angelic beings. See note on Colossians 1:16.’ And for our further understanding, Col. 1:16 says: ‘For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in (on) earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities (rulers),or powers (authorities): all things were created by him and for him.’ 

And the scholars point out that ‘this verse provides the reason Christ is called the ‘firstborn’ in verse 15. Paul’s rationale is this: Since by him were all things created, then (1) Christ must have existed before the universe, and (2) He must be greater than all He made. Meanwhile “thrones” refer to angels who sit on thrones as rulers; “dominions” refer to domains or kingdoms over which these heavenly beings reign; “principalities” refer to rulers, and “powers” refer to angelic monarchs who wield regal power. Since Christ created these various ranks of angels, He is supreme over them. Striking a blow at the Colossian heresy advocating angel worship (2:18), this text forbids Christians to pay homage to angels or other heavenly beings created by God.’ 

Heavy stuff that friends. But it’s oh so important because sadly, today many people still pray to angels and all sorts of other terrestrial and extra-terrestial beings, who have no power or authority whatsoever. So we hope you understand that although there are all kinds of angelic beings, NONE are worthy of worship; ONLY the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit carry such eminence. 

And as we get back to the scripture in Ephesians, the scholars continue by telling us that per verse 21, ‘God’s power has exalted Jesus far above all these spiritual creatures. And per verse 22, which says: ‘And gave him to be the head over all things in the church means God appointed Him head (ruler) over all things for the benefit of the church. Jesus is the divinely appointed ruler over the entire universe for the church’s benefit.’ 

Then, as per verse 23, the  scholars say, ‘that paraphrased it reads, “For the church is His body. It is the fullness belonging to Him who fills the universe with all things.” That is, Jesus, who so wisely and skillfully fills the universe with all material elements necessary for its existence, also wisely and skillfully infuses His people (the church) with His own life and character. 

This verse, then, explains why in verse 22 God made Him head over all things for the benefit of the church: the church is in such an intimate relationship with Him, and is of such character, that she is considered His own body. So it is for her good that Christ is the divinely appointed ruler of the universe. Since He filleth the church with His own life and character, she is a receptacle containing the graces and virtues of God Himself.’ 

Oh brother! Today’s certainly not one for milk, but for plenty meat and spuds! And yes, some of these scriptures can be difficult to understand, but only, if and when we keep reading, studying and meditating on them will we ever understand them and thus grow in spiritual maturity, exercise God’s divine plan that we all grow into Christ-likeness. Remember what the Lord told Joshua when he made him the Israelite Leader after the death of Moses? 

‘This book of the law shall not depart out of (be continually in) thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous , and then thou shalt have good success.’ (Josh. 1:8) And if the Lord said it my brethren, then it must be true. So please, let’s get wise, wake up and see that unless we sincerely read and study God’s Word, then put it into action in our lives, we will NEVER be as successful and prosperous as He desires us to be! Much LOVE!

…if Jesus Christ is the church…then the church should reflect the nature and character of Christ…   

Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ       

Today’s Scrip-Bit 26 July 2020 Ephesians 1:18.

26 Jul 2020 Leave a comment

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

Ephesians 1:18.     ​The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints
 

And the summer days pass by…steadily and stealthily. Meanwhile the situation in our world seems to be getting worse rather than better. The pandemic is resurging in places where it seems to have been brought under control while ratcheting up its profile in other areas. And the strife and protests in our streets…well they continue unabated. Hn! So what’s a body to do eh? 

The first thing is to stop being afraid, worried and panicked because the Creator of the universe still sits upon His throne and has everything under control! And in His good time our problems will be solved. Don’t ask me how or when? (smile) I just know that like all problems these too will pass at some juncture. In the meantime, it’s our job to pray and be strong, fruitful, generous and encouraging, and do whatever is necessary to stay safe. 

So this Sunday morning let us have church nuh. Come let us worship the Lord by any means possible, either individually or corporately. Let us sing out our sacrifices of praise. And today’s song is a li’l soulful ditty I discovered this week, although it seems to have been around for some time. It’s titled: ‘Drinking From My Saucer.’ So in soulful harmony with sincere hearts, let’s allow our praises to rise to heaven on high. 

‘I’ve Never Made A Fortune And It’s Probably Too Late Now Oh but I Don’t Worry About That Much Cause I’m Happy Anyhow And As I Go Along Life’s Journey I’m Reaping Better Than I Sow, I’m Drinking From My Saucer Because My Cup Has Overflowed. I haven’t Got A Lot Of Riches And Sometimes The Going’s Rough But I’ve Got a friend in Jesus And That Makes Me Rich Enough I Thank God For all His Blessings on me And The Mercies He’s Bestowed, I’m Drinking From My Saucer Because My Cup Has Overflowed. 

I Remember Times When Things went Wrong And my Faith Wore Somewhat Thin But All At Once The Dark Clouds Broke And the Sun Peeped Through Again So Lord, Help Me Not To Grumble and complain About The Tough Rows That I’ve Hoed, I’m Drinking From My Saucer Because My Cup Has Overflowed. 

And If God Gives Me Strength And Courage to go on living When The Way Grows Steep And Rough I’ll Not Ask For Other Blessings I’m Already Blessed Enough And May I Never Be Too Busy To Help Others Bear Their Loads, Then I’ll Keep Drinking From My Saucer Lord Because My Cup Has Overflowed! Yes, I’ll keep drinking from my saucer Lord, Cause my cup has overflowed, Oh my cup has overflowed…. Yes Lord, thank You, My cup has overflowed…’ 

Oh my people, are those ever-true words for so many of us! I know they’re very true for me because I’ve been so blessed despite the hard times I’ve been through. And many of us will acknowledge it too, if we seriously sit and consider all the dark times we’ve experienced but how the Lord brought us safely through them with renewed strength and even greater faith. And I just LOVE the analogy, drinking from my saucer because my cup has overflowed. A lot of young people won’t understand that because they don’t know anything about cups and saucers. 

In my day, you’d never give a person a cup of anything without placing it in a saucer – a small plate. That was just the way it was done. It was also a good way to catch any spillage or overflow. Some people even drank from their saucer if the liquid in the cup was too hot. But unfortunately, nowadays saucers have gone the way of the dinosaurs; extinct. We no longer use the small, dainty cups and matching saucers, but talk instead about mugs, etc. Now I need to find a scripture passage to tie that all together… Soon come. (smile) 

Oh friends, I’m back, after about five or six minutes…and I’m not sure if this is the most appropriate scripture, but it’s the one that keeps speaking to me. (smile) So here goes. It’s Bruh Paul’s prayer for knowledge and understanding for the Ephesians. ‘Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and LOVE unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you making mention of you in my prayers; 

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him ( a disposition consisting of wisdom and revelation in knowing Him): The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 

And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set (seated) him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world (age) but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.’ (Eph. 1:15-23) 

And what does all of that mean, you ask? The scholars offer some explanations. ‘1:18-19. When the figurative terms are removed from the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, the clause means that “your mind’s understanding may be fully enlightened.” This clause further explains verse 17. That ye may know signifies that the believer comes to know three things upon being enlightened: 

(1) what is the hope of his calling; that is, he realizes how sure and certain is his heavenly destiny; (2) what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints; that is, the illuminated Christian recognizes more and more both the priceless value of his salvation, and what a priceless treasure he is to God; and (3) what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe: perceiving how God’s power has changed him since conversion, he experiences to a greater extent this divine strength in daily living.’ 

Ah friends, the long and short of the story is that the Father has raised Christ above everybody and everything except Him, and it’s only when we become illuminated believers, mature Christians, that we truly understand the importance of Christ in both our lives and the world, and can thus turn to Him in ALL situations, be they good or bad, full-well knowing that He will look after us, and allow us to drink from our saucers because our cups are overflowing. (smile) Much LOVE!

…Jesus is the fixer of any and every problem…call on Him at any time…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 20 June 2019 Philippians 2:9.

20 Jun 2019 Leave a comment

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

Philippians 2:9.    ​Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
 

And it looks like it’s going to rain today… Hn! The whole truth though is that it has already rained today, sometime in the early morning hours. And if we do get some rain today, we really can’t complain because we’ve gotten such beautiful warm weather for the last few days. 

And anyway, we’re down to the penultimate day of the workweek, and our souls are all bursting with the heavenly fire of Jesus as we mingle in the evil, ungodly world, His assured ambassadors, bringing peace, LOVE, joy and the good news of His wonderful gospel to all and sundry. That’s why we can all declare: ‘I am ONE with God’s perfect order, I am calm and poised, knowing that all is well with my life.’ 

And that’s only because ‘the Light of God surrounds me. The LOVE of God enfolds me. The Power of God protects me. And the Presence of God watches over me! That means All is Well!’ Glory be my precious people! That’s what happens to us when we become true disciples of Jesus! 

Though circumstances may not be the best, there is a radiant joy, an uplifting and encouraging attitude, a supreme peace, one which surpasses all of man’s understanding, alive in our souls and spirits placed there by our Leader, Lord and Saviour – Jesus Christ! 

Give Him some sincere thanks and praise ye saints of God, for all that He’s already done for us – sacrificing Himself on Calvary’s cross so that our sins could be forgiven and we’re made right with God the Father, plus making us entitled to salvation and eternal life. 

And let’s remember to also thank and praise Him for what He is doing right now – sitting at the Father’s right hand interceding on our behalf. Then there’s the Big One, what’s He’s promised to do in the future – come back for us and take us to dwell in the mansions of heaven with him and the other parts of the Holy Trinity…for ever and ever and ever…! 

Wow! What’s there not to like about all that eh friends? Who else has even thought about doing anything like that for us lowly humans eh, much less actually doing it, like Jesus has done? Not a single supposed god! And that’s simply because there is ONLY ONE GOD; He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the Living Deity; the Triune combination of Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Creators and Rulers of this awesome universe! 

That’s why nobody else can do what Jesus has done, is doing and has promised to do for us. And that’s why we need to glorify and exalt His Holy Name: that awesome name that’s set above every other for His selfless sacrificial work As Bruh Paul declared to the Philippians: ‘And being found in fashion (appearance) as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:’ (Phil.2:8-9) 

Mama Yo! Yuh see how the Father exalted Jesus mih people for obediently doing His bidding! It’s the same way He’ll exalt us if we humbly and obediently do His holy will. Obviously our names won’t be as exalted as Jesus’, but we will be recognized enough by the saints. (smile) 

And just think about the awesome recognition that Jesus’ exaltation wrought nuh: ‘That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of (those) things in heaven, and (those) things in earth, and (those) things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ (Phil.2:10-11) Yeh friends, that’s how important the Father made Jesus for His obedience and sacrifice! 

And Bruh Paul says it thus to the Ephesians in talking about his praying for them to acquire knowledge and understanding: ‘according to the working of his (God’s) mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set (seated) him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 

Far above all principality, and power and might, and dominion, (various classes of angelic beings), and every name that is named, not only in this world (age), but also in that which is to come: and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.’  (Eph.1:19a-23) Wow mih breddren! Jesus couldn’t get any higher than that! 

Now hear these explanations from the scholars: ‘1:22. And gave him to be the head over all things to the church means God appointed Him head (ruler) over all things for the benefit of the church. Jesus is the divinely appointed ruler over the entire universe for the church’s benefit.’ 

‘1:23. Paraphrased, this verse reads, “For the church is His body. It is the fullness belonging to Him who fills the universe with all things.” That is, Jesus, who so wisely and skillfully fills the universe with all material elements necessary for its existence, also wisely and skillfully infuses His people (the church) with His own life and character.’ 

Yes friends, the church represents the body of Christ, and we are the church, not the buildings, which means that whatever is in Christ is also in us. Therefore we need to work together for His benefit, as one body though with different parts, because that’s the only way we will ever overcome the evil that’s currently ruling the world. And in His utmost wisdom and generosity, He has also given us wonderful blessings to use as tools in our earthly work. 

So let’s go home declaring (Steups! wrong again!) them out loud with real gusto and true sincerity. As one now: ‘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!’ 

Now two last things to remember (smile); our words have awesome power, so when we speak them, we bring them to pass, and secondly, those blessings are not to be hoarded but to pass around generously as we do Christ’s work. Sermon done! Much LOVE!

…His servants shall see the Lamb’s face…and His name shall be written…on their foreheads… (Rev.22:3 & 4)