God’s Purpose for the Bible …That Man can Live Righteous Lives!

28 Apr 2025 Leave a comment

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

2 Timothy 3:16.       All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

And the rigmarole continues, as another work week opens with a warm and sunshiny Monday with temperatures in the high teens. And many of us wonder, will this ever end? Unfortunately, not for a long while, if you’ve just begun the work life journey. And I’d be lying if I told you that you’d eventually get accustomed to it. But the amusing and sad thing is that when you retire after forty years of constant work, ofttimes you end up missing the early morning get up and get out to a job you never liked. 

Now that especially happens when you don’t have a hobby or something to keep you occupied during the long days of retirement. That means in planning your retirement you ought to ensure that your days are occupied with some kind of productive activity, otherwise you tend to die early from boredom and a lack of physical activity and social interaction. And please don’t plan on using social media to occupy your time, for inexplicably, although we have so much activity and connections through all the many social media platforms, people are lonelier and more depressed than ever. 

That’s possibly because the social media hook ups are not true friendships, but rather tenuous and superficial relationships, which cannot be trusted and are liable to change and /or deteriorate at the proverbial drop of a hat. And it’s somewhat amusing, but oh so sad when you see four supposed friends around a dinner table, supposedly out to spend valuable face time with each other, but each one is more focused on the phone in their hands than on their friends next to them. That’s what the social media foolishness has brought us to. 

And to make matters even worse the latest invention, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is sweeping the world like crazy, so that now it’s more difficult than ever to know what is true and what is artificial; what is actually a human’s work and not that of a machine. And that once celebrated thing called truth, is now carelessly bandied about, apparently with there being more than one truth possible in these confusing times. But thankfully, to us Christians, there’s still only, and can ever be only ONE TRUTH; that of the Lord’s Word! 

And it will do us good to remember that the Bible is God’s Word to us, and though it’s been around for ages, yet it’s still fresh as the day it was written, and if we read it, we will find God’s wisdom and truth on its pages. And Bruh Paul’s words to Timothy corroborate that statement. ‘All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished (equipped) unto all good works.’ (2 Tim. 3:16-17) 

Yes friends, the Bible, God’s Word is the only tome that can provide all that mankind needs to live a good life, and sadly if many more of us would read and put it not practice, our world would be a much better place to abide in. And Peter in talking about the disciples being eyewitnesses to Jesus’ majesty, reinforces Bruh Paul’s statement to Timothy, when he writes: ‘Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation (origin). For the prophecy came not in old (any) time by the will of man: but the holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.’ (2 Pet. 1:20-21) 

But of course! The prophets of old did not just write the Bible on their own, but were directed and instructed by the power of the Holy Ghost. Then Peter continues to make another invaluable statement: ‘But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily (secretly) shall bring you in damnable (destructive) heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.’ (2 Pet. 2:1) 

And that’s the gospel truth, for there have always been false teachers, and these disruptive and troubled times are filled with a numerous amount of them, false teachers, who are leading God’s people astray. And Peter certainly knew what he was talking about when he continues. ‘And many shall follow their pernicious (destructive) ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of (blasphemed). And through covetousness shall they with feigned (deceptive) words make merchandise of (exploit) you: whose judgement now of a long time lingereth not (has not been idle), and their damnation (destruction) slumbereth not.’ (2 Pet. 2:2-3) 

Oh my fellow believers, these greedy, covetous, deceitful and blasphemous times fit those words to a T! Too many of us are following false teachers whose destruction is already lined up. And I like how Peter makes his point for the destruction of the false teachers and those who foolishly follow them, by using the examples of Satan and his fallen angels, the destruction of the ungodly world by flood, with the only humans saved being the righteous.

Then he makes this monumental and true statement. ‘And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow (destruction), making them an ensample (example) unto those that after (afterwards) should live ungodly.’ (2 Pet. 2:4-6) Oh my people, those words should cut right to our very hearts, because all through the Bible the Lord has faithfully promised to save the righteous and to destroy the wicked and ungodly, and there are several examples where He did just that, so why do you think He will not do the same to our very evil and ungodly world today eh? That’s the wisdom of a fool! 

So please, let’s get to seriously studying God’s Word and putting it into practice, so that being righteous and godly, we will be saved from God’s destruction. And for help to do that, let’s go to the throne of grace, through our Monday Morning battle Hymn, seeking divine aid. Altogether: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You this Monday morning for life and strong faith in Christ, despite the mass confusion in our world. Heavenly Father, You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems. 

Yes, we have all sinned and seriously disobeyed Your Word, but You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, who has faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face. So, we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading for wise guidance and direction to alleviate our problems. 

Oh Father, please ease the pain of the many suffering from negative situations, show them Your awesome grace and mercy. And faithfully keep Your promise to prosper us if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again, we say: Amen!’ 

And we know what’s necessary to receive divine aid; for a start, let’s try humility, prayer, repentance, and sincerely seeking God’s face. Much LOVE!

…God gave us His Word to live by…and if we don’t…then we’ll suffer the consequences…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

Today’s Scrip-Bit   12 June 2023 Ephesians 5:8.

12 Jun 2023 Leave a comment

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

Ephesians 5:8.       For ye were sometimes (once) darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.

Well, the weekend’s over, and a new week of the never-ending cycle called work has begun. And it’s strange how we go through that seemingly everlasting cycle dreaming of the day of retirement, when we don’t have to answer the clock’s early morning alarm anymore. However, in the long-planned for retirement, many of us turn around and miss those work filled days when there’s nothing to occupy our freedom filled, but oh so boring days. 

Now that simply tells us that doing absolutely nothing in this life is definitely not an option. We need to have something constructive to take up those empty days that work once filled. And if we don’t have it, then we just wither away and die all the sooner. That means we have to make some constructive plans for after retirement, if we want to continue enjoying a positive life, when that time comes. It’s therefore necessary to take up a useful hobby, get a part time job, or do some volunteer work to fill some of the idle time. 

But strictly speaking, retirement is not for believers. And I see many of you open your eyes wide and sigh audibly at such an unlikely comment. Now don’t go getting your shorts all tied up in knots. All that means is that believers should always be willing to tell others about Jesus, regardless of our age or physical capacity. Those around us should always be able to see the light of Jesus reflecting in us, regardless of our circumstances. So, whether we’re nineteen or ninety, the LOVE of Christ ought to be constantly flowing out of us in the hope of bringing someone else to His glorious salvation. 

When Jesus said that we are the salt of the earth and light of the world, (Matt. 5:13-14) He didn’t put any time limit on it. He meant from the time we were saved until the time He took us home, we were to be advocating on His behalf. Likewise, when He said: ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ (Matt. 5:16) There was no timeline given, like before retirement and not after. No, that was a lifetime commitment, in whatever state we found ourselves. And that’s why I said that believers never retire, we just keep on going, keep on labouring for Christ, right down to the very end. 

The same thing goes for when Jesus was talking about discipleship and said: ‘If any man will (desires to) come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.’ (Luke 9:23) That doesn’t mean until retirement, but until the end of life. Thus, we can see that in Jesus’ kingdom there’s no such thing as retirement, His disciples are always involved in something useful for the kingdom. 

And I guess this prophecy of Malachi, re the destruction of the wicked, helps us understand what the Lord expects of us. ‘But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall (grow fat like stall-fed calves). And ye shall tread down (trample) the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord.’ (Mal. 4:2-3) 

And Jesus Christ came as that ‘Sun of righteousness,’ the Messiah to bring light to all those who are in darkness and healing to all those who are sick, and He expects us, His followers to help do that same work that He begun down here on earth; to guide those in darkness and who are sick to Him, so that they can receive divine light and healing. 

No wonder Bruh Paul wrote thus to the church at Corinth: ‘For God, who commanded the light to shine out of the darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.’ (2 Cor. 4:6) Yes friends, the good news of the gospel, was given to us by the Lord, through Christ Jesus, and we need to live it as truthfully and sincerely as we can so that others can see the amazing benefits and desire to know Christ. 

Likewise, these words Bruh Paul wrote to the Ephesians, emphasize the light shining analogy in Christians. ‘For ye were sometimes (once) darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.’ (Eph. 5:8) Now hear this explanation from the scholars. ‘Darkness indicates that the readers used to be spiritually unenlightened, and accompanying this ignorance was immorality with its resultant guilt and misery. Light denotes that the recipients are now to be religiously informed. Their knowledge of the truth is attended by moral purity and happiness.’ 

There we have it friends, a brief discourse on light and darkness in the human soul and how we are expected to handle that warm and welcome light of Jesus. And on this wet Monday morning, let’s turn to the Lord for help in living the life of light in this dark and evil world. As one voice, let’s offer up our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You this Monday morning for life and strong faith in Christ, despite the mass confusion in our world. We desperately need Your divine help, for You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems. 

Heavenly Father, we admit that we have all sinned and seriously disobeyed Your Word, but we know that You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, who has faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face. That’s why we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading with You to give us wise guidance and direction to alleviate our problems. 

And Father, we pray that you will ease the pain of the many who are suffering from negative situations. Please show them Your awesome grace and mercy, and keep Your promise that You’ll hear our prayer, forgive us, and heal our land if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again, we say: Amen!’ 

And now, it’s obvious that if we truly want divine help, then we need to change our evil ways and live in obedience to God’s will and word. Much LOVE!

…light is much more powerful than darkness…the smallest ray of light will illuminate the biggest patch of darkness… 

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit   3 October 2022 Nehemiah 8:10.

03 Oct 2022 Leave a comment

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

Nehemiah 8:10.         …the joy of the Lord is our strength.

One more time on the merry-go-round called the workweek my friends. Yes, I know, it can get somewhat tiresome doing the same thing week after week for thirty or forty years, then looking forward to a dreary retirement of doing absolutely nothing. (smile)  But unfortunately, that’s the way our world system is set up, and the sooner we stop allowing the same old, same old, bland way of life to get us down and depressed, the sooner we will be able to go about enjoying the abundant life Christ died for us to have. 

We can’t always have exciting new stuff to boost our spirits, because that’s just not the way life runs. And besides, in today’s world of numerous technological inventions, we have so many amenities, opportunities and toys to occupy our time, that we should never be bored. Sadly though, despite all those joys and toys, I don’t think there’s ever been a time before where boredom has afflicted so many people. The problem might just be we have too much stuff, too many opportunities and options at our fingertips, and we don’t have to work as hard as in earlier times to satisfy our selfish desires and pleasures. 

And the best way to get to that point where the worries, problems, boredom and misfortunes of the world aren’t stealing our hard-earned joy, is by having Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, Guide and Good Shepherd! That’s because, with Him as our foundation stone, the life we build will be as solid as a rock, and the world will not be able to touch our Christ-like spirits. 

Now let’s look at a few scriptures that prove our point nuh. As per Jesus being our strong foundation, the Good Book tells us that Jesus Himself quoted these words of Psalm 118:22-23 to the chief priests and Pharisees when they dismissed Him as a son of the devil and not the Son of God. ‘Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner (chief cornerstone): This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?’ (Matt. 21:42)  

Jesus was referring there to Himself, whom the Jewish leaders were rejecting as the Messiah, thinking that He wasn’t a good enough subject on which to build God’s kingdom, especially since He came preaching LOVE and peace rather than the war and hate they expected the Messiah to bring, so that they could get out from under the servile conditions of Roman rule. But little did they know that it would be the same rejected figure of Jesus, despised, brutally beaten and horribly abused who would indeed bring salvation and reconciliation to the world. 

And that all falls into sync with Jesus’ parable of the two foundations. He warns: ‘Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a (the) rock. And the rain descended, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was built upon a (the) rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.’ (Matt. 724-27) 

Oh my people, that just goes to show that if we build our lives on the strong rock that’s Jesus, if we hear His words and do them, then nothing in this world will be able to destroy us, for He is always there to help, to look after, to lead and guide us through the indwelling of His Holy Spirit. But if we don’t follow Him, then the world and all its evil doings and doers will simply tear us apart like rain washes away sand. And that’s why the Good Book also tells us that ‘the joy of the Lord is our strength.’ (Neh. 8:10) 

So, if you don’t have the joy of Christ engulfing your weak and sinful spirit, then the enemy will be able to control you, causing you to do all sorts of things that are against God’s will. And that’s how you begin guarding against the boredom and sinful lusts of this evil world. Accepting Jesus Christ as the foundation stone of your life is the first move. Then you begin building upon that foundation by reading His Word and doing what it says. 

Now, it doesn’t all happen overnight, or is it easily done, but it’s a lifelong journey, fraught with problems, but also filled with learning, with meditating, with tests of our faith, but all of it faithfully promised to be eventually worked out for our good, to those who are called and who sincerely LOVE the Lord. (Rom. 8:28) 

Thus, living for Jesus is a lifestyle very different from that promoted by the enemy and the world. And one of the most important aspects of that lifestyle is prayer; sincere communication with our Lord and Saviour. It’s always our best first line of both offence and defense, where we go to our wonderful God for help in whatever situation we find ourselves, with whatever problem we have, be it big or small. So, since there’s no time like the present, let’s do that right now nuh, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. 

As one strong and sincere voice. ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You this Monday morning for life and strong faith in Christ, despite the mass confusion in our world. We desperately need Your divine help, for You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems. 

Heavenly Father, we admit that we have all sinned and seriously disobeyed Your Word, but we know that You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, who has faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face. That’s why we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading with You to give us wise guidance and direction to alleviate our problems.  

And Father, we pray that you will ease the pain of the many who are suffering from negative situations. Please show them Your awesome grace and mercy, and keep Your promise that You’ll hear our prayer, forgive us, and heal our land if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again, we say: Amen!’ 

Now, my fellow saints, let’s not forget that to get God’s blessings, we need to have right motives in our hearts and be good examples of godly living. Much LOVE!

…a word to the wise is sufficient… 

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit 29 January 2020 John 14:1.

29 Jan 2020 Leave a comment

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

John 14:1.    ​Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
 
Well it’s Wednesday; the middle of the work week, the hump day, where we feel like we’ve finally gotten hold of, gotten over that invisible hump, where work takes up most of our time. But work certainly takes up most of our time in this life yes! Most of us work five days a week for an average of forty years, then we retire, thankful that there’s no work on the horizon, the early mornings and late nights are finally done! 

But yuh know what? After doing something for forty years it’s hard to get accustomed to not doing anything, to not have to get up and go to work every day, although we complained most days about having to get up and go to work! Hn! And if we just loll about in retirement and don’t keep busy, then our bodies give up and we head back to the dust from which we’ve come, sooner than expected. We’re creatures of habit. That’s the contrariness of the human animal! (smile) 

And I finally finished watching the second half of the movie ‘Gone with the Wind.’ And it is indeed an epic story. But if the truth be told, nothing has really changed in our world since then nuh; that civil  war didn’t solve a whole lot, possibly besides the end of slavery, because there have been several bigger and more brutal wars since then, there’s still too much racism, overt and covert, still too much avarice and greed and jealously and strife, too much poverty and sickness and advantage, too much injustice and discrimination, be it by race, colour, class or creed, despite all the supposed advances we’ve made! 

Yes friends, our world is still a hotbed of dissension and disagreement! And yuh know what? It’s getting worse! Just look around at all the discontent between friends and families, between neighbours and nations…we’ve come closer together in terms of distance and communication, but we’ve gotten further apart in terms of true fellowship. There are more lonely people around now even with the advent of cell phones and social media, because that communication is basically impersonal; half the time you don’t even know who you’re really dealing with. 

Oh my people, the ONLY true solution to what ails our world is JESUS! He is the ONLY ONE who can truly bring us all together and give us the peace, LOVE and joy that we all seem to clamour for, but are far from experiencing! But strangely enough, Jesus is also one of the biggest factors of contention in our world; you either LOVE Him or hate Him with a passion! 

But let me ask you a few questions? Who is the ONLY ONE that came down from heaven, was made man, made in our image and lived amongst us like us eh? JESUS CHRIST! Who is the ONLY ONE who died on a cross to take away our sins, to give us another option besides hellfire and damnation with Satan eh? JESUS CHRIST! Who is the ONLY ONE who died and rose from the grave and ascended back into heaven with the promise to come back for us when we have made disciples of all the nations so that nobody will be lost to Beelzebub eh? JESUS CHRIST! 

Oh precious people, who said these momentous words with this awesome promise? ‘Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my father’s house are many mansions (dwellings): if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.’ (John 14:1-3) 

Oh friends, Jesus had no cause to lie. They saw Him do numerous miracles. They saw Him crucified on the cross at Calvary, then rise up again. Yuh think if the early believers didn’t see Christ after He rose from the dead, they would have believed him and done what He asked and waited for Him? No way Jose! 

Hear the scholars: ‘14:1. Let not your heart be troubled refers to Peter, Jesus having just told him of his imminent denial of his Lord (13:38). But the larger reference is to all the apostles, through whom Jesus is going to lay the foundation of the church. His comfort also includes instruction about His departure, the sending of the Holy Spirit, the promise of spiritual power, of answered prayer, and of peace, but especially the promise of His return.’ And a great shout of ‘Praise the Lord!’ echoes far and wide across the land in anticipation of that most wonderful promise! 

Yes friends, Jesus is the ONLY ONE who desires to build a group of people, His church, on the basis of LOVE, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness (kindness), goodness, faith (faithfulness), meekness and temperance (self-control). And if you didn’t recognize them, they are the fruit of the Spirit, seeds of which are planted in our own spirit when we do the wise thing and receive Christ as our Lord and Saviour. It’s then left up to us to water and nurture them and let them grow in and through us, by reading His Word and sincerely living it. 

That’s why Jesus said: ‘Wherefore by their fruit ye shall know them,’ speaking of false prophets and evil deceivers. (Matt.7:20) A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit. And we need to also remember these famous words of Bruh Paul to the Corinthians: ‘And now abideth faith, hope, charity (LOVE), these three; but the greatest of these is charity (LOVE).’ (1 Cor. 13:13). 

Yes brothers and sisters, LOVE is indeed the greatest, because God is LOVE, and LOVE does no harm, but covers a multitude of sins, neither is there any fear in LOVE! And if  God first LOVED us, then we should also LOVE Him, and LOVE one another too: those are His two greatest desires! And now that all of that is indelibly written in our hearts, minds, bodies and souls, let’s go home celebrating our position in Christ by declaring (chuh!) our Wednesday Wail. 

Altogether now, in strong voice and sincere hearts: ‘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 in light of all Jesus has promised, friends, it will certainly be a glorious future indeed! Much LOVE!

…JESUS…the answer to EVERYTHING…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 27 August 2018 Matthew 21:22.

27 Aug 2018 Leave a comment

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

Matthew 21:22.   And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

So the whole new workweek rigmarole begins again today eh friends! I know it gets rather tedious and frustrating sometimes, doing the same thing every week, like you’re on a merry-go-round that never stops. But that’s just the way of life in our Western Society. 

And then, after numerous years of merry-go-rounding, you’re put out to pasture, nicely termed retirement, when you are allowed, or expected to sit at home and do nothing, and consequently so many of us just waste away and die of boredom and inactivity. Something’s wrong with that picture, isn’t it? 

But I guess that those in control of wealth and power in our society don’t care too much about us lesser mortals, so they work us like slaves when we’re young, then when our bodies can’t handle the slave labour any longer, they just cast us on the scrap heap with a few measly dollars, nicely termed a pension, on which we’re seldom ever able to maintain our accustomed standard of living. But again, that’s Western Society for you! 

And if you want to be able to collect the measly few pension dollars somewhere down the line, you’d better get up and get yourself out to labour this Monday morning, because the end amount depends on your consistency now. 

Ah friends, I’m chuckling as I write this tongue in cheek, but it’s serious business. The decisions we make today will affect our lives and lifestyles in our waning years. So please, let’s do the wise and sensible thing nuh; hie thee hither to labour. (smile) 

And if your spirit is willing, but your flesh is weak, then join us in trilling our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, which is a sure antidote for anything that ails you on this first day of the new workweek. Altogether now, with whatever enthusiasm you can muster. 

‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together. 

We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies. 

But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. 

Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’  

Yes my people! I know we’re all beginning to breathe easier and more positively, because the Holy Spirit is working its blessedness in us. So take heart, for once the Holy Spirit refills our spirits with God’s grace and mercy, we WILL go out and do an excellent job in Jesus’ name! 

And why is that? Because Jesus assured us of it in our Bit: ‘And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.’ And we just asked for it in prayer above. Why pray, if you don’t believe that your prayers will be answered eh? 

The disciples were amazed at the simple words Jesus said to a fig tree that had no fruit. ‘Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever,’ (Matt.21:19) and it just dried up and withered in a day’s time. Then Jesus solemnly informed them: ‘Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto the mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.’ (Matt.21:21) 

Faith, friends, is the great mover and shaker in a believer’s life. If you have it, you can move mountains, but if you don’t then times will be even rougher and tougher for you in this abysmal world in which we currently live. And remember when the disciples could not remove a demon from a child and they asked Jesus why? 

He said to them: ‘Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove (move); and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out by prayer and fasting.’ (Matt.17:20-21) 

And remember also, these applicable words of Jesus earlier on. ‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.’ (Matt. 7:7-8) 

Ah friends, yuh see the same basic things are important in each believer’s life; praying, fasting, asking, seeking, knocking and believing. And I guess the saying that faith moves mountains is derived from the words of Jesus on the subject. So let’s try and build up our faith, today and everyday we’re alive nuh. It will provide enormous and outstanding benefits. Much LOVE!

…without faith…it is impossible to go to God…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 19 March 2017 Matthew 6:19.

19 Mar 2017 Leave a comment

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

Matthew 6:19.   Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt (ruin), and where thieves break through and steal.

Sunday O Sunday: The day of the Lord, when we gather together to worship and fellowship and praise and give thanks to our magnificent and magnanimous God!  One who is omnipotent, all- powerful; omniscient, all-seeing and knowing; and omni-present, everywhere at the same time! 

What a thrill it is my people to be gathered in the Lord’s sanctuary, or anywhere at all, to hear His wondrous word and exalt and glorify His holy name! For all that He’s done, is currently doing, and has promised to do for us, let’s now raise our voices in joyful song, extolling not only His might and power, but also His mercy, compassion, grace and LOVING-kindness! 

And the song of praise for today is the old hymn of assurance and the joy of salvation, ‘Christ the Solid Rock.’ So as one harmonious choir, let’s raise our voices in the sacrifice of praise in heartfelt sincerity and truth. 

‘My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand. 

When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace; In every high and stormy gale My anchor holds within the veil. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand. 

His oath, His covenant, and blood Support me in the whelming flood; When every earthly prop gives way, He then is all my Hope and Stay. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand. 

When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh, may I then in Him be found, Clothed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne! On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.’ 

And that’s the indisputable, gospel truth my fellow believers! Any other ground beside the foundation of Rock that’s our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is simply sinking sand! On Him and Him ALONE, are we assured of standing strong and walking tall in this misguided universe! 

But you know what friends? That last verse of the hymn is also very important: that we should be found clothed in His righteousness on His Second Coming, to stand faultless before Him. If we’re not found in that state then crapaud smoke we pipe! As simple as that. 

And the only way we can have some assurance of that situation is by living out His words of warning in our Bit. ‘Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt (ruin), and where thieves break through and steal.’ 

Yes friends, the treasures of the earth are basically worthless when your physical body is returned to the dust from which it was made. Then what is going to happen to your spiritual body that will be left, that will live on eh? You’ll endure ‘sufferation’ and eternal death with that ole fool Lucifer in Hades, or wherever God decides to discard him. 

Now to me, that doesn’t look like such a good idea, although a lot of us are unwisely clinging to it. In my humble opinion, Jesus’ suggestion seems much more profitable and amenable. ‘But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.’ (Matt.6:20)  

Ah mih people, I don’t understand why we fight so hard to accumulate the world’s riches nuh, when we know that we can’t carry any of it with us, especially when doing so just produces so much stress and strain and we don’t get to enjoy them. And it’s not like you can’t get rich in earthly wealth following Christ. There are numerous rich Christians around the world; it’s just that they don’t display it as a badge of honour and use it in a more godly way. 

Hear how James addresses the wealthy, unsaved Jews of his day. ‘Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted (have rotted), and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver is cankered (corroded); and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. 

Behold the hire (wages) of the labourers who have reaped down (mowed) your fields, which is of you kept back (you have kept back) by fraud, crieth (cry out): and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton (indulgence); ye have nourished (fattened) your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just, and he doth not resist you.’ (James 5:1-6) 

Now hear some explanations from the scholars. ‘5:1-6. Ye rich men: James’ common address “brethren,” is not found once in this section. By contrast, it occurs four times in verses 7-12. James is now addressing wealthy, unsaved Jews who have poor Jews working for them. They have mistreated the poor, so God’s judgement will fall on them.’ 

‘5:3. Ironically, they have stored up treasure for their last days (retirement), which God will use against them in the last days.’ ‘5:4. The Lord of Sabaoth, meaning the Lord of Hosts (i.e. of Armies), describes the omnipotent, avenging character of God who sees and hears this injustice.’  

Ah mih breddren, the same injustice is being meted out to the poor and needy today by the wealthy, unsaved heathen. But just as those earlier Jews were promised God’s judgement, likewise the current crop of robber barons will receive their comeuppance in God’s time. Please, let’s not be found counted amongst them. Much LOVE!

…heavenly rewards…must be accumulated from earth…