Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 January 2013 Isaiah 39:8

18 Jan 2013 Leave a comment

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

Isaiah 39:8.    Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days.

Oh Friends, it seems that the white stuff’s been flying around in places it doesn’t usually fly, like parts of the U.S South. In the last week or so, it’s been battering places like Texas and Maine, now Virginia and other southern states are seeing snow, to which they’re not accustomed. Unfortunately, the white powder has also blanketed parts of Eastern and Western Canada. Thankfully though, it hasn’t done much in my area, until yesterday evening. Before that, we were having some spring like temps, and what snow was on the ground was melting. And even now, the snow we have is not a lot. ‘Praise the Lord!’ I’m sorry for the many, all over the continent, who will get caught up in the woeful traffic conditions on their way to work this morning. But just remember that it’s Friday, give a joyful shout of ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ then take your time driving on the snow covered, icy or slushy roads. But yuh know, it’s unfortunate and somewhat unfair that in places like T&T, this Friday will be truly very joyful with all the pre- Carnival activity that’s taking place down there. However, we up here in the cold northern climes know that though life is not fair, our God is good, and He will look after us in whatever untenable or unpalatable situations we find ourselves in. And to give credence to that belief, let’s chant our Friday Chant with as much enthusiasm as we can manage. ‘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 should serve to quell whatever anxiety we felt and give us the right perspective in handling the weekend. And our Bit today is a rather interesting one. ‘Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good (Just) is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For (at least) there shall be peace and truth in my days.’ Now why would Hezekiah, king of Judah, make such a reply eh? According to the scholars’, the story goes like this: A former king of Babylon, Merodach-baladan, apparently trying to wrest Babylon back from the new Assyrian ruler, Sennacherib, sends an ambassadorial delegation to Hezekiah, with a present, letters and congratulations on his recent recovery from illness. Now the king was also possibly looking for allies in his quest to retake Babylon, and Hezekiah, somewhat impressed by this attention, showed the king’s messengers all his treasures. The Good Book declares that: ‘there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah showed them not.’ (Is.39:2) Shortly thereafter, the prophet Isaiah shows up and asks Hezekiah about the men and their business. Hezekiah tells him that they came from Babylon. ‘Then said he (Isaiah), what have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All that is in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not showed them.’ (Is.39:4) Ah Friends, obviously vanity and pride had something to do with Hezekiah’s behaviour; showing total strangers all his treasure. But that’s not so strange since even today we do it too. When friends come to visit, and even virtual strangers, we take them around our houses or businesses to show them our treasure, not knowing what’s in their minds. That sort of boasting or showing off of our earthly possessions, has often proven to be disastrous, for unawares we have entertained thieves and scoundrels, who have subsequently caused us grief, in one form or another. In Hezekiah’s case, Isaiah used the incident to prophesy the imminent Babylonian captivity of Judah. ‘Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the Lord of hosts: Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the Lord. And thy sons that shall issue (descend) from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’ (Is.39:5-7) And our Bit today, is Hezekiah’s answer to Isaiah’s prophetic vision. Now can you imagine giving that sort of meek, well if the Lord says so, is so, response to such a catastrophic prophecy? I doubt very many of us would, because we’d be too concerned about our children and our earthly possessions. We’d possibly slap Isaiah upside the head and run him out of our house. But Hezekiah took it coolly enough, possibly because he realized his serious error in judgement that his pride and vanity had caused. Then, sensing that there wasn’t anything he could do to change the situation, decided to calmly accept God’s will, whatever it turned out to be. He was at least heartened by the fact that there would be peace and truth during his reign. Oh Friends, perhaps we can learn something today from Hezekiah’s acceptance of God’s will, especially when we’re wrong. Instead of acting out, as we tend to do when it doesn’t coincide with our desires, we can repent, apologize or admit the error of our ways, and ask for the Lord’s forgiveness. It’s much better than making a fuss or trying to fight the Lord’s will. Ah my brethren, please let’s remember that earth is not our true home, just a way-station on our journey to that marvellous resting place Jesus has promised. That means we cannot afford to let the earthly possessions in our stewardship take us away from the true reality, that heaven’s our home, and what’s really important is the treasures that we store there, not the undistinguished things of the earth. Much LOVE!…for where your treasure is…there will your heart be also…  (Matt.6:21)

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 27 November 2012 Ephesians 5:14

27 Nov 2012 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Ephesians 5:14.     Wherefore  he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
Ah Friends, I can’t believe that I’ve already been in Paradise for a whole week! Time sure does fly when you’re having fun! I can’t say that I had much fun  though yesterday, because all I did was write, eat, sleep, talk on the phone, read, eat and sleep again. But that’s good, for sometimes the body does need a day of rest and relaxation. However, too much of that is just as bad as too little. We need to find a happy medium, so we can both rest and rejuvenate our bodies and minds, but also be up and doing God’s work. As our Bit today warns: ‘Wherefore  he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.’ Yes Friends, we’re still on the very important topic of getting out of the Lucifer induced darkness to the brilliant, salvation filled light of Christ. Hear the scholars on our Bit: ‘Since exposing sin is beneficial, God invites the unbeliever (thou that sleepest) to turn from his sin (arise from the dead), with the promise that he will be granted the spiritual enlightenment and help needed (Christ shall give thee light). And is that ever so true! The enemy just delights in keeping us in darkness, so that we can’t see and rejoice in the glorious light of Jesus. But Friends, we need to fight, with all our might, that evil, cloud-like darkness that wants to keep us in subjugation to Beelzebub and his wicked cronies. And though many of us consider the Old Testament to be like its name; old, out of date, and of no use, that’s a terrible fallacy. It’s there to be an important example to us, a reminder of how it used to be. Both Jesus and Bruh Paul quoted the Old Testament extensively. And in today’s Bit, Bruh Paul is referring to Isaiah’s hymn of praise, where he confidently declares: ‘Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.’ (Is.26:19) Bruh Paul was also quoting from Isaiah’s future glory of Zion. ‘Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.’ (Is.60:1-3) And according to the scholars: ‘Isaiah foresees a time when Israel will arise out of her darkness and shine with God’s glory. Then the Gentiles shall come to her light. Thus the sons of strangers described in this chapter will come to Jerusalem to worship the Lord.’ And my people we’ve lived to see that prophecy come to pass with Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection! Yes Friends, we cannot ignore the teachings and prophecies of the Old Testament, but must use it in conjunction with the New Testament, for if you don’t know where you’ve been, or are coming from, you cannot plot a good and wise path for your future. And the Old Testament gives us the rich history of our faith, which in these days we desperately need to build on and keep going. Wherefore, Bruh Paul challenged the Ephesians to; ‘See then that ye walk circumspectly (carefully), not as fools, but as wise.’ (Eph.5:15) Unfortunately though my brethren, too many of us are not walking circumspectly these days, but walking as certain fools, ignoring the rich Word of God, to foolishly embrace the worldly pleasures that Lucifer is tempting us with. However our need to walk carefully is becoming more important every day, especially with the recent explosion of the communications media and the ease with which every Tom, Dick and Harry can put forth their own biased, false and conniving views. We can be so easily led astray in these modern times it’s not funny, but  sadly, many of us are not taking the situation as seriously as it warrants. Fellow believers, I’m imploring us to wake up and smell the roses, see the destruction and disgrace that both the spiritual and physical forces of evil are planning and perpetrating upon our faith and those who embrace it. No wonder Bruh Paul continued by cautioning the Ephesians: ‘Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.’ (Eph.5:16) And I like what the scholars say about that verse: ‘Redeeming the time (or, “making the most of every opportunity”): Contextually, the specific opportunity in view is that of exposing the sins of the lost and being a witness to them. Because the days are evil assigns a reason to seize each opportunity. It is because the sins being committed these days are so evil.’ Oh my people, that’s pure, pure gospel truth! These are some of, if not the most wicked and evil days in the entire history of mankind. In times gone by, we were rough and barbaric and didn’t know any better. Hn! But now…now when we’re claiming to be civilized, we’re even more brutal and evil than before, if that’s at all possible. We just do it in a more underhanded, subtle manner. We’ve turned evil into both an art and a science,  a field that too many are desirous of studying and becoming very accomplished in. Friends, oh Friends, it’s only through the strong, diligent, faithful and continuing efforts of believers that this world will ever see any positive changes. So if we truly desire to see it improve, if we truly desire a better world for our children and theirs, then let’s work together in the name of Jesus nuh, with each one of us, really trying to make some small difference in our own way, beginning in our own neighbourhood. That’s the only way any positive changes will ever come about. Much LOVE!…it’s time for ALL true believers…to stop the fruitless talking…and instead step up to the plate…and make a worthwhile, even though small difference…  

Today’s Scrip-Bit 16 November 2012 1 Timothy 6:10

16 Nov 2012 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

1 Timothy 6:10.     For the LOVE of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Oh Friends, it’s Friday, the day we’ve all been anxiously waiting for!  And according to our old nursery rhyme, Friday’s child is LOVING and giving! Now that’s the truth of not only those born on a Friday, but even more so of all Jesus’ followers. And in light of all the recent disasters, Sandy et al, the tone of Friday celebrations has been lowered somewhat. Not as many people are joyfully shouting ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ And those who are, their joy is a tad subdued, because they know or can appreciate the feelings of those undergoing the sad ‘sufferation’ that’s gripping so many parts of our world. Now that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the life the Lord’s provided for us, but out of our plenty, we have to share with the less fortunate, and even more importantly pray for them. Ah mih people, if ever there was a time that mankind desperately needed prayer, IT’S NOW! As we said a couple days ago, prayer is the most potent weapon we have. So please, please, let’s get on our knees, or whatever position best suits us, and offer up, serious, diligent, heartfelt prayers for our world and any individuals we know that are really experiencing an unusually rough time. Oh my brethren, we need prayers so rich in honesty, compassion, mercy and righteousness that the Lord has no other option but to grant them, to help His hurting children down here. That’s one of the great benefits and privileges of being a believer. Now let’s chant our Friday Chant as loudly as we can, but also with a truly prayerful heart. As one exceptional choir 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.’ Yes Friends, that’s to set the tone for the weekend; not too high or low, but with a heart full of joy, understanding and LOVE. That brings us to our Bit, hopefully the last message based on it. (smile) Don’t blame me, I’m only the messenger. I had planned to write one message on it, but obviously the Good Lord in His infinite wisdom thought we needed more on one of the topics that is driving our world into the ground, and its people into the evil arms of Lucifer. Bruh Paul was ever so right when he warned Timothy that: ‘For the LOVE of money is the root of all (kinds of) evil: which while some coveted after (in their greediness), they have erred (strayed) from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.’ And we all know that’s the living truth, though many of us don’t have the parts to admit it. Today though, I want to share one more gospel story about money and the serious problems it can cause. This story happens in Acts 8, when Philip (the evangelist, not the apostle) went down to Samaria and preached Christ to them. However, the great joy that followed Philip’s preaching seriously cut into the business of one Simon ‘which beforetime in the same city used sorcery (practiced magic), and bewitched (astonished) the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one. To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.’ (Acts 8:9-10) As unlikely as it seems, Simon became a believer, and hung out with Philip, being amazed at the miracles and signs that were happening in the Christian community. Finally, when the brethren at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had become a hot bed of repentance, they sent Peter and John, ‘Who when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.’ (Acts 8:15-16) The scholars describe the situation thus: ‘The ministry of Peter and John must be understood in the light of the unique historical situation. As at Pentecost, God is initiating a new work – the beginning of the church amongst a distinct ethnic group. The Samaritans were Jews of mixed blood whom the other Jews despised. At Pentecost, no human instrument was involved in the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Here God delays the outpouring until after the arrival of Peter and the laying on of his hands. Thus the Jerusalem church and the Samaritan church are united into one work, one body. Without Peter’s involvement, this work may not have been accepted by some Jews. Thus schism was avoided from the start.’ Chuh! If we could heal some of the serious schism we now have in Christ’s church eh! Anyway, to continue the story: ‘Then laid they (Peter, John) their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot (portion) in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of (poisoned by) bitterness, and in the bond of (bound by) iniquity. Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.’ (Acts.8:17-24) Ah Friends, once again money raised its ugly head, causing Simon to think he could buy the power of the Holy Spirit with man made wealth. And the scholars have a very good word on that. ‘Simon the sorcerer made an outward profession of faith (v.13), but his response demonstrates his lack of spiritual life. Early Christian writings substantiate this fact. Simon, like Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, (2 Kin. 5:20-27) sought to use God’s miraculous gift for his own benefit.’ And don’t laugh or criticize Friends, because today many of us still believe we can buy anything with money, which is a complete fallacy. So please, in closing, let’s stop making money our number one priority nuh. Let’s write it indelibly in our hearts and minds, that though money is important, it is definitely not as important as worshipping and serving Almighty God. It NEVER WAS, and NEVER WILL BE! Much LOVE!…money can buy many things…but not the MOST important…LOVE…Salvation…and Eternal Life…
 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 12 October 2012 Psalm 39:1

12 Oct 2012 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Psalm 39:1.    I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
 
Ah Friends, you don’t know how many of us have been dying to see this day, this day called Friday! Some of us have been focused on it since leaving home on Monday morning to go to work. So much so, that by lunchtime on Monday, we’re asking, ‘Isn’t it Friday yet?’ And you wouldn’t believe the note of disbelief in our voices, that Friday could be taking so long to come. (smile) But that’s how much we seem to value Fridays. Well Friends, I come bearing good tidings, today is Friday. At last Friday has arrived. And all the worker bees joyfully declare: ‘Yeah! TGIF! Thank God is Friday yes!’  So to celebrate the universal looking-forward to the day before a short freedom from the drudgery of the workplace, let’s joyfully and enthusiastically chant our Friday Chant. As one beautiful voice 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.’ And now that we’ve straightened out our focus and perspective for the weekend, let’s have a gander at our Bit: ‘I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep (restrain) my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.’ And sadly, that’s something we all need to try and accomplish, especially in these times of so much easy and quick communication. The technology is encouraging us to talk a lot more than we should, and behold, the wicked are often the providers and controllers of the technology we use to communicate in this accelerated age of mass communication. Now what does that mean to the believer? In terms of our Bit, it means first of all that we shouldn’t become too deeply involved with, or totally entrenched in the social media apparatus, because they all have built in features to grab your private information and spread it to whomsoever they will, often for a price. So when we put too much of our private information out there, it’s scary to think of the places it could end up and the dishonest uses it could be put to. This social media set up is being used for a lot of fraudulent and criminal purposes. But then, if you can’t resist the temptation of the social media juggernaut, then please, I implore you again, be very careful what you say or write, because as we see everyday, somebody is getting in trouble for the info they shared. It’s also a matter of simple logic Friends; the more we say or write, the more opportunities we have to say or write the wrong thing. Remember what James says about the tongue? ‘Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold how great a matter (forest) a little fire kindleth (sets on fire). And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue (set) among our members (bodily parts), that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature (existence); and it is set on fire of hell.’ (James 3:5-6) Yes Friends, that’s the living truth, for our tongues have either directly or indirectly caused the majority of the problems in our world today. And in these times of plenty written communication, the tongue is now also wagging the finger when it writes. The sad part is that most of us don’t have much of real importance to say. Or if we do, it can often be communicated in seconds. So why keep on eh? Because we have been conditioned to think that the social media stuff is so great, the greatest thing since sliced bread, and if you’re not totally involved in it, then you’re outside the mainstream of society. Ah mih people, the evil, ungodly followers of Lucifer are just pulling our strings like a puppet, and we are allowing them to do so. Our Bit comes from a psalm of Bruh David, where he’s praying for self-understanding, and I’d like to suggest that we should all be searching for that, instead of just thoughtlessly expatiating in the new medium. It’s time for us to look inside ourselves to see what’s wrong in there, rather than outside, where there’s a lot of heartache and trouble to be found. Bruh David continues after our Bit: ‘I was dumb (mute) with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred. My heart was hot within me; while I was musing (meditating) the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue, Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.’ (Ps.39:2-4) Yes Friends, it’s to our God we should be turning, not the evil stuff that’s sprouting up all over our world, nicely called the social media. Don’t get me wrong, it has it’s useful purposes, but too many of us are being too easily caught up in its all consuming web of lies and deceit. That’s enough for us to ponder today. More on the subject tomorrow if the Lord sees it fit to give us life. Till then, please, let’s keep our talking and writing to a minimum, so that we stand less chance of getting in trouble, and if we have a problem, please, let’s look to our Great God first. That’s as it ought to be. Much LOVE!…words of wisdom…stop…listen…and think…before talking or writing…  P.S. I sure hope I did that. (smile) Much LOVE!
 
 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 31 August 2012 Galatians 5:1

31 Aug 2012 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Galatians 5:1.    Stand fast therefore in the Liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 

Oh Friends, sorry the Bit’s a bit late, but I had a late night last night, which made it all the more difficult to get up this morning. In any case it’s Friday… And a glorious chorus of ‘Hallelujahs’ burst forth from God’s people and rise to heaven! Yes, we know the weekend is here! And this a special Friday my people. First off, because it’s the 50th anniversary of the Independence of that wonderful Republic of Trinidad and Tobago! Yes Friends, T & T has now gone through a half century of self-rule! Wow! I remember the early heady days when Independence was on the tip of everybody’s tongues, was all that mattered. Never thought I’d live to see 50 years of it. Today is also the 1st anniversary of my Mother Molly moving on to be with the Lord in the green pastures in the sky. I also remember hearing of her passing while on vacation in California. But as the Lord promised, He helped me to get through it without too much emotional upheaval. Now I was grieved and all that, but early in the proceedings my spirit took on a sort of calm that I didn’t understand at the time, and I was comforted by the realization that she had gone to a better place, where she was free of all pain and tears. I still talk to her every day though, especially when I’m reading the prayers I read for her over the phone. In hindsight, I now realize that that was one of God’s mysterious movements, preparing me for writing the Bit. You can’t write about what you haven’t read. This Friday is also the beginning of the Labour Day weekend, the last real weekend of the summer. I miss the good times I once had on the Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, New York, every Labour Day. But I also remember the last time I was there, about five years ago, when my Aunty Anne and I had to walk miles to the parade route, after luckily finding a parking spot in the afternoon way off the beaten path. We also had to walk it back later that night after all the festivities, when we were both dead tired and the night had gotten somewhat chilly. I don’t know what it is about Labour Day and the weather, but as soon as it’s over, a noticeable chill develops. Anyway, to get us off to a good start on this special weekend, let’s chant out Friday Chant, in loud, sweet voice, give the angels a run for their money. Hn, hn! I LOVE it when we do that. (smile) 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.’ And having put the right perspective on the weekend… oh don’t forget too, that drunk or sober, to mind your business this long weekend, so Beelzebub doesn’t get a chance to infiltrate our defences. Now, belatedly, let’s see what our Bit has to offer. ‘Stand fast therefore in the Liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.’ Yesterday we saw that basically it meant that using the law of man to get into God’s good grace was impossible, because the two operate in opposite realms. The law of man is fleshly, demon inspired, while that of God is spiritual and depends solely on the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, with the resultant indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And we need to stay strongly attached to the Holy Spirit so that we walk in faith and derive the numerous blessings involved in following Christ. Hear how Bruh Paul tells it to the Philippians: ‘Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and my crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow labourers, whose names are in the book of life.’ (Phil.4:1-3) Yes my people, it’s all about standing strong in Christ in fellowship with each other. We won’t always agree, but there shouldn’t be anything that causes us to disagree so strenuously that it negatively affects Christ’s church. But sadly, a lot of it is happening in the local, as well as national and international church. Oh Friends, there’s more to be said on this sad topic of wrangling amongst Christ’s followers, but we’ll leave that for tomorrow, God willing. I don’t want to burden our short attention spans with too much stuff this long weekend. So till tomorrow, provided we don’t see our names in the obits, pleas walk safely with God and in harmony with each other. That’s my prayer for us today. In Jesus Name. Amen! Much LOVE my people!….to truly walk with Christ…we must also walk as one body…one church…  P.S. The Bit’s not as late as I thought it would be. (smile) All praise to God whose miraculous hand was certainly involved. Much LOVE!

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 24 August 2012 Colossians 3:1

24 Aug 2012 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Colossians 3:1.     If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

Oh Friends, it’s Friday! And I hear all the tired and weary sighs of ‘Thank God.’ Yes my people, a beautiful weekend is in store for us. But before we get to that, I’m a little worried about all these beautiful sunny summer days we’ve been getting recently, sans rain. I sure hope we’re not going back to the drought situation we had a short while back. My grass though is green and beautiful, as it should be, with the constant watering it’s been getting. Almost every morning at 4.a.m. I hear this swishing noise, and it takes me a few seconds to realize that it’s the grass been watered. It’s out there swishing now. Since we’ve put in this automatic, in-ground watering system, we’ve used approximately a quarter more litres than we’ve ever used. And the Water Bill certainly wasn’t wallet friendly! (smile) But wonder of wonders, I never got angry and made a fuss about it. I just mentioned that it was unacceptable. Wow! I must be getting old, or more mature in the faith! Let’s hope it’s the latter yes. (smile) Anyway let’s hope and pray that we don’t regress to that drought like situation we had earlier, cause it took a serious toll on everything; from grass to flowers to fruits to the negative emotions of many. And to help assuage all our doubts and fears this Friday morning, let’s chant our Friday Morning Chant with glowing enthusiasm and sincerity. As one voice 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.’ And now that we’ve set the right pattern for the weekend, let’s turn to our Bit: ‘If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.’ My Friends, that’s just a simple, logical, though powerful truth. If we have a new life with Christ, then shouldn’t we be concerned with the things of Christ? And if Christ is sitting at the right hand of God in heaven, then that means the things of Christ are in heaven, therefore those are the things we should be mostly concerned with, not the disposable things of the earth. And Bruh Paul clearly states that to them in the next verse. ‘Set your affections (mind) on things above, not on things on the earth.’ (Col.3:2) Now let’s get some deeper insight into our Bit from the scholars. ‘If ye then be risen (or, therefore since you were raised): The word therefore infers a corollary truth from 2:20 (“you died with Christ”) – not only have the Colossian believers been freed from sin, they have also turned to a new life, leaving behind old ways, habits, values, vices, interest and sins. Seek those things which are above: These “things” include deeper knowledge of Christ, closer fellowship with Him, experience of His resurrection power, victory over sin (vv.5-11); the development of godly virtues (vv.12-17); the fulfillment of domestic and social responsibilities (3:18-4:1); an effective prayer life (4:2); fruitfulness in witnessing (4:3-6)  – in a word, the attainment of Christian maturity, and all the spiritual benefits God has for His people during their days on earth. To have been raised with Christ and not to seek these blessings would be a contradiction.’ A great contradiction indeed Friends, like the way we still say one thing and do another. Oh my people, I implore us to turn to Colossians, preferably right now, while reading this, so that you can follow along with the scholar’s statements, and thus get a fuller understanding of those things above that we’re supposed to pay close attention to. And I’m chuckling here because I’m going to end with some more info from the scholars, which some of us are definitely not going to like. This time they are detailing some of the things of the earth from verse 2, with which we should not be overly concerned. ‘Set your affection on things above: The Greek word literally says, “Set your mind on things above.” The readers are not to be preoccupied with things on the earth, such as current heretical philosophies (2:8), legalistic practices (2:16, 21-23), and vices (v5); nor are they to dwell on things that are not wrong in themselves (houses, jobs, careers, ambitions, etc.), but can be wrong should they become priorities above Christ.’ That least part is of vital importance my brethren, since many of us place those earthly things before Christ. We turn the acquisition of these material things, like cars, houses, jobs etc. into idols because we make them the be all and end all of our lives. We chase them with such a burning desire and passion, that if we only used a small portion of that drive we have for earthly things, in pursuit of Christ, we’d be so much further ahead. Remember Christ’s admonition on this topic: ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt.6:33)  True Words of Wisdom! Anyway Friends, that’s enough for us to think about today. And please, let’s seriously think on them nuh, and check the verses the scholars quoted against those in your Bible. That’s the only way we’ll ever improve our Biblical knowledge and mature our faith walk. Much LOVE!…wherever your heart and mind are…there shall your treasure be…

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 10 August 2012 Exodus 20:3

10 Aug 2012 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Exodus 20:3    Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Oh Friends, it’s Friday, the day when we all shout ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ because we’re headed for the weekend and a couple days off work. But yuh know the loudest thanks for today being Friday is going to be in J.A, where Usain Bolt won the 200 metres gold medal again! And not only that, Jamaicans also won the silver and bronze medals in that race. So Jamrock must be in a mess of celebrations now. But as I keep saying, please be careful to mind your business whether you’re drunk or sober, because it’s in those times of celebration that we’re most susceptible to the wiles and lies of Lucifer. So party on J.A. but be on your p’s and q’s for the enemy’s looking for any foothold he can get. And before we go further, let me share a quote from a kaiso by Shadow that I heard the other day that shows true wisdom and Christianity. I don’t know the song, but Shadow truthfully sings in it: ‘Everybody is a somebody. Nobody is a nobody.’ And Friends, that’s exactly the way Jesus looks at all of us! Whether we’re rich or poor, educated or not, sick or healthy; to Jesus we’re all somebodies. Please remember that and let’s act like it. And even more importantly, let’s treat others the same way, regardless of whether they’re considered the dregs of society or not, they’ve all been made in God’s great and LOVING image and deserve to be treated as such. Now let’s chant our Friday Chant with great enthusiasm, in loud voice and sincere hearts. 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.’ And now that we’ve reigned in some of our exuberance (smile) and set the parameters for the weekend, let’s look at our Bit: ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before me.’ And we all know that if we’re to have a successful walk with Jesus that’s the number one rule. But I also hope that through reading it so often these last few days that it has been renewed in our hearts, minds, bodies and souls, and we’ve truly realized that our Creator MUST ALWAYS TAKE FIRST PLACE IN OUR LIVES! There are absolutely no ifs and buts about that. And if you want to play the devil’s advocate and ask why, the answer’s very simple: Because we belong to Him. Hn! He created us, controls our lives, LOVES us so much that He sent His only Son Jesus to die for us, and wants us to LOVE Him too. There couldn’t be any better reasons than those my people. And wonder of wonders, as I’m writing this, I’m actually hearing the rain fall outside. It fell for a good part of yesterday, but mostly as a drizzle. Anyway, turning to the scriptures, listen to Bruh Paul’s take on the subject, where he concludes that there is none righteous. And he shows his vast knowledge of the Old Testament by extracting appropriate bits and putting them together as one. ‘As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre (grave); with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes.’ (Rom.3:10-18) Now here’s a quick brief from the scholars: ‘Paul quotes scriptures to prove universal guilt. Scripture, not Paul, is the judge. See Psalm 5:9, 10:7, 14:1-3, 140:3; Isaiah 59:7,8).’ That’s the different places the foregoing scripture came from. And Friends, if you think that that was a damning situation in Bruh Paul’s time, believe me, it’s even worse in ours, for God has been legislated out of, relegated to the lowest rungs, and almost totally removed from our society. But fortunately, where there’s a warm body, there’s hope, and we have enough warm bodies rooting for Jesus that we can make a difference. But my people, all I can do is encourage us to follow and obey Almighty God. Each individual still has to make that decision seriously, and then diligently pursue it. And to try and solidify my case, I’ll leave us with the definitive word on the subject by our Lord, Saviour, Master, Leader, Brother and Friend, Jesus. ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt.6:33) Yes Friends, that’s gospel truth! If we seek God first in all we do, then all the things we need will be granted us. The Lord’s promised that, and we all know He faithfully keeps His promises. So please, lets get our act together and start making things happen nuh. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Much LOVE!…in God’s Book…obedience brings prosperity…disobedience brings destruction…it’s as simple as that…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 May 2012 Matthew 7:7

18 May 2012 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

 Matthew 7:7.     Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
 
Oh Friends, it’s Friday, that day of joy, where we all shout, ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday! That’s because the weekend cometh and our labours shall cease for two paltry days. No more sitting in traffic jams twice a day, for a whole two big days. Wow! And to give us the right perspective on how to use those two extraordinary days, let’s chant our Friday Chant. As one loud voice 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 let’s do our part in that equation, so that come Monday, we’ll indeed be fresh and eager to again go out and battle in Jesus’ name. But talking about being fresh and eager, since I’ve come back from J.A. I’ve been anything but that. I’ve been weak and listless, all my aches and pains have returned, neither have I been sleeping properly or getting enough sleep. Just been feeling real lousy, with no energy at all, unlike my time in Jamaica, where I was active and energetic. For some reason my ying and yang just can’t seem to get back in sync now that I’m home. However, there is some hope on the horizon. I went out for a walk last evening, and did a little physical stuff around the house, got some sleep and am not feeling as lousy now. But hear the greatest news of the day mih Friends! I have two car keys; one on a ring by itself, that I use most of the time, and another on a bunch with my house keys, that I keep for emergencies. Now since I had no need for the single key in J.A. I left it at home. But yuh think I could find it when I got back? Not on yuh life! From Monday night, right back to Thursday evening, with the help of the Duchess, I looked all over the house for it. Then yesterday, while in the laundry room ironing a shirt and thanking the Lord for making me feel a little better physically and mentally, I also asked for a bligh to find the key, since I could think of nowhere else to look. A few seconds later, I got this zeppo to look in a particular pants pocket in my clothes closet. I chuckled, because that didn’t ring a bell, putting it there didn’t sound familiar at all. Sometime later though, I went up to my clothes closet and checked that particular pants pocket. Hn! Lo and behold Friends, there was the car key in living colour! And it wasn’t like I hadn’t already checked other stuff and places in the clothes closet, with the pants in full sight, but it never even registered on my mental screen. I immediately called out to the Duchess to let her know how good and great is the God we serve! Yes mih people, we serve a real, a living, powerful and LOVING God, who through His Holy Spirit, interacts personally with those who trust and obey Him! Ah mih breddren, everyday the Lord does something amazing in my life. Not big miraculous doings, but small, everyday helpers, like pointing me to where I’d hidden the key. That’s the kind of stuff that I keep telling us to take note of and pay attention to as we walk with God, for it’s those little things that truly build our faith. And if anyone dares to tell us that our God isn’t alive and real, we can easily disprove it through our daily interactions with Him, for He truly is interested in everything, in all aspects of our lives. Oh Friends, who says our God doesn’t move in mysterious ways eh! I’m still chuckling over the incident. I guess I would have eventually found the key, whenever I wore the pants. But the beauty of the whole thing is that I was directed to this particular pants, that I never even considered looking in. That finally brings our Bit into play: ‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.’ And that’s the gospel truth my people! Our Saviour doesn’t lie, has no cause to since He can do all things. The problem lies with us believing and doing what He says; ask, seek, knock: ‘For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask for bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?’ (Matt.7:8-11) Oh Friends, the logic is simple but irrefutable! And you have my testimony that it does indeed work, so please let’s get in sync with our great God nuh. We talk plenty talk, but our actions don’t reflect that talk, and we are the ones who therefore suffer because of it. Let’s start talking seriously to our God today please. Not simply asking Him for material things, but also having serious conversations about our very lives with Him. More on this tomorrow, God willing. Till then, let’s truly LOVE our God, with heart, soul, body and mind, so that the fruits from such behaviour will be clearly seen and make an impact on others, hopefully causing them to come to Jesus for His free gift of salvation and eternal life. Much LOVE!…talking to God…is like…no it’s not like…it IS talking to your best Friend…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 May 2012 Psalm 71:22

11 May 2012 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Psalm 71:22.   I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.

Oh Friends, it’s Friday and plenty of you are trilling: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday! TGIF! Thank God is Friday!’ But here’s a better mantra, one I overhead yesterday afternoon while waiting in the supermarket parking lot for the Duchess and the Lady of the Manor. I didn’t see the lads involved because they were hidden by a wall behind me, but their voices came through loud and clear, and from the timbre, they had to be between five and ten years old. The loudest one was saying to the other: ‘Mi nyar give up! Mi cyan give up!’ I smiled to myself when I heard that, thinking; ‘Son, you don’t know what words of wisdom you’re speaking nuh!’ Yes my people, never give up should be the motto of Jesus’ followers! How can we be intimately associated with the most powerful Being in the universe, the Creator of all things bright and beautiful and talk about giving up eh? Not at all Friends! The two things just don’t go together, especially after Jesus so selflessly sacrificed His sinless, holy life so that we could be redeemed and reconciled to the Father. Chuh! We can’t even think about giving up, much less talk about it. And to help us stay strong and devoted, let’s chant out Friday Chant. ‘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.’Ah Friends, most of you are overjoyed at the two days off coming up, but I’m not so happy though, because Friday means my holiday is almost over. Anyway don’t worry for I’m still making memories, and today I’m writing from a little mansion in Jack’s Hill, looking out over the sprawling city of Kingston, having travelled by the Knutsford Express Bus this morning. It’s certainly good to have well to do Friends in each area eh! (smile) And the Lord’s been so good to me  this past week in J.A that I’d be rather ungrateful to complain. I might be many things, but ungrateful is certainly not one of them, thus the choice of our Bit for today: ‘I will also praise thee with the psaltery (lute or lyre), even thy truth (faithfulness), O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.’ Yuh know my brethren, we don’t give our wonderful God as much thanks as He really deserves. We quick to cry out to Him in times of trouble, but thanks and praise don’t seem to figure into our lives as much as they ought to. Who you think enables us to have good times eh? It’s the Lord God Jehovah! But when life is good we’re too busy with the things of the world to bother with God. And that’s totally wrong my brethren, for when trouble comes and you call out to God, He’ll ignore you, just like you ignore Him. And I’m sure you don’t want that to happen, so please pay attention to the Lord when times are good as well as when they’re bad, cause it’s all in your best interest. Remember a couple days ago we were saying that we need to commune with the Father especially in the rough times; we need to praise and thank Him for sending the troubles, which inevitably strengthen us and continue the makeover of our character into the likeness of Jesus. Now here’s what our attitude should be like at all times. The psalmist rightly declares: ‘It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High: To show forth (declare) thy LOVING-kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night, upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn (harmonious, melodious) sound. For thou Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.’ (Ps.92:1-4) And all God’s people joyfully shouted: ‘Praise the Lord for His goodness to men! Amen!’ Yes mih people, until we’re giving continual thanks and praise to our God, living in a state of being where those two things come automatically and continuously, we’re not LOVING our God to the fullest of our abilities! Well that’s about it for today Friends. Time to go and see some old, familiar Kingston sights and people, relive some old memories. Talk to you tomorrow then, if the good Lord’s in favour. Much LOVE!…to truly be a follower of Jesus…LOVING our God…LIVING our Faith…and SPREADING the Word…must take priority in our earthly pilgrimage…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 May 2012 Psalm 41:9

04 May 2012 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Psalm 41:9.    Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
 
Aye mih Friends, can you hear the posse coming down the road happily chanting to the accompaniment of a lone banjo? ‘Oh people is Friday…Thank God is Friday! Yes is Friday! The weekend is here. Labour done for two days! Is we time now! Thank God is Friday!’ And soon the whole street is singing the chorus. Some are looking out their windows, some standing at the doors of their work places, possibly with uptight employers in the background, unable to stop it, while others are just hanging out on the corner. But a beautiful chorus of thanks is floating up to heaven from all the disparate voices. Now let us do the same with our Friday Chant. Let’s chant up a storm of praise and thanks to heaven. Altogether 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.’ Yes Friends, there’s nothing like thanks and praise to our great and wonderful God! It brings a feeling of joy and peace to our worried souls, and also helps us to better deal with the troubles of this world, like betrayal, which our Bit highlights. ‘Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against (has betrayed) me.’ Yesterday we saw how friends, family and close working associates betrayed Bruh David and Job. Now that’s really the worst betrayal of all! As Bruh David laments in Psalm 55, if it was his enemy, he could handle it, by hiding from him, but when it’s your bosom buddy, it just hurts terribly. Today, let’s look at someone else of great faith who was also betrayed; poor Jeremiah. He really had it rough yes! First of all the Lord called him to speak on His behalf at a tender age, and despite his valid arguments, the Lord refused to take no for an answer. Ah mih breddren, that’s what happens when the Lord calls us. I can speak on that from personal experience, because when He first approached me about writing this Bit, I laughed and said I wasn’t capable, then hem and hawed until He wore me down with His persistence. So any time He calls you, it’s best to just accept His call right away, because He won’t stop until you do accept it. Regardless of your arguments and your running away or hiding, note Jonah, He will eventually get you to do His bidding. And so it was with Jeremiah. He spoke the Lord’s words to the people of Judah, but they didn’t believe him. They plotted against him and finally imprisoned him, simply for speaking what God had put in his heart. ‘Then Pashur smote (struck) Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the Lord.’ (Jer.20:2) Oh Friends, do you see the irony there? They locked up poor Jerry right close to God’s house. It became so rough that he considered not speaking God’s Word anymore. ‘But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing (of holding back), and I could not stay (endure it).’ (Jer.20:9) Yuh see people, how powerful the Word can be when the Lord puts His anointing on us? Try as we can, we can’t get away from it. And Jeremiah continues: ‘For I heard the defaming of many (mocking or slander), fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars (acquaintances) watched for my halting (stumbling), saying, Peradventure (perhaps) he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him. But the Lord is with me as a mighty terrible (awesome) one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.’ (Jer.20:10-11) Yes Friends, though others defame, betray and/or seek revenge on us, for speaking the Lord’s Word, we need not be afraid of them, for the Lord our ever-faithful God, will stand strong and steadfast beside us through our calamity. Remember that whatever He brings us to, He will also bring us through. It won’t always be easy, but with His ever-present help, we will come through it with flying colours. Note how Bruh David, Job and Jeremiah all suffered serious betrayals and calamities, but all three came out better than before. That’s the Lord rewarding them for their faithfulness, and He will do likewise for us. That I can also testify to through personal experience. So please let’s be careful with whom or what we associate ourselves, for the evil Beelzebub is out there constantly scouring the land for any bodies he can take advantage of. But just in case things do go wrong, we make a mistake or are betrayed, let’s not get too down on ourselves, simply turn to God, admit our problems and ask for His help. He will help us. If you don’t believe, try it, and you’ll see. More on this tomorrow, if the Lord feels so inclined. Till then, please walk safely with Him. Much LOVE!…though betrayals bring hurt and pain…the Lord’s LOVING-kindness and mercy…will surely help to salve them…
 

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