Today’s Scrip-Bit 23 June 2021 Isaiah 43:19a.

23 Jun 2021 Leave a comment

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

Isaiah 43:19a.     Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?

So now it’s Wednesday, another beautiful day in the life! Thank the Lord for His goodness to the children of men! Especially when it comes to His wonderful Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour; the most beautiful, powerful and LOVING gift ever bestowed in this universe! And the saints of Christ, all lifted their heads, hearts and voices and sincerely declared: ‘Jesus! Jesus! The light of my life, my salvation and my glory! Thank You heavenly Father for giving Him to us. We LOVE You dearly, and we praise and bless Your Holy Name! Amen!’ 

Ah friends, what a momentous and joyful experience it is when Jesus comes into our lives! There’s nothing in the world to compare to or outclass it! You just simply feel a different vibe in your spirit, body and soul. Nothing like you’ve ever felt before. And you’re just astonished that such a remarkable transformation is possible, and wonder why you never experienced it before. But that’s just part of Jesus’ mystique; nothing happens before it’s time, before He is ready to come into your life. And it’s nothing to be afraid of; for He’s never late or early, always right on time with His well-drawn up and executed plans for each of his creations. 

As the Father said so long ago, through the prophet Jeremiah. ‘For I know the thoughts I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil (calamity), to give you an expected end (a future and a hope).’ (Jer. 29:11) That’s a very pertinent scripture in the lives of all believers my people. It means that whenever you accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, that is the exact right time, the time that He had planned from eons ago to come into your life. There’s nothing vikey-vie or wishy-washy in God’s economy. It’s all well laid out and executed. Every possibility and consequence have already been considered and plans made to countervail them. 

The prophet Isaiah declared it thus: ‘Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.’ (Is. 43:18-19) Yes friends, when Jesus comes into our lives, it’s a whole new story, a rebirth! To all intents and purposes, we are born again, like He said to Nicodemus: ‘Verily, verily (truly) I say unto thee, Except a man be born again (from above), he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ (John 3:3) 

And when Nicodemus looked surprised and asked: ‘How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily (truly), I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirt is spirit.’ (John 3:4-6) Yes my people, the rebirth we are talking about here is one of the spirit, one of life-changing attitudes, opinions and behaviour. 

And here’s how Bruh Paul explains this rebirth. ‘Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature (creation): old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.’ (2 Cor. 5:17) And it’s of the utmost important that we understand the meaning of those words. Basically, it means that we give up the old lifestyle we lived and adopt a new one where Jesus, through His Holy Spirit that comes to indwell in when we receive Him, is our guide and leader. We now consider His ways and means as the guiding light of our lives. 

Sin, or the rejection of it, now becomes of much more importance. We no longer live after the flesh, or as the world dictates, because then we are merely IN the world, but not OF the world! We take our direction, our orders from Jesus and the things He desires, not from what the world says. We now live life in the Spirit, not in the carnal and sinful desires of the flesh. As Bruh Paul puts it to the church at Rome. ‘There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.’ (Rom. 8:1-2) 

Yes friends, when we come to Christ, the influence of the Holy Spirit in our lives guides us in a new direction, to obedience and good works in Christ, not back to the old, carnal lusts and desires we once had. Oh precious people, receiving Christ brings us into a whole new ball game. Here is how Bruh Paul describes it to the Ephesians. ‘That ye put off concerning the former conversation (conduct) the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.’ (Eph. 4:22-24) 

And the scholars offer these explanations re those verses. ‘4:22-24. Christianity taught the addressees to (1) put off…the old man, to renounce their pre-conversion life and sins; (2) be renewed in…your mind, to be constantly changed, being brought more and more into line with God’s own viewpoint; and (3) put on the new man, that is, to assume a new nature (character) and conduct (life) at conversion.’ And yes, we all discover that changing our lifestyle in mid-stream is not an easy, or always a delightful task. But as true believers in Christ, it is absolutely necessary that we give it our all! And never fear, for Jesus is always there to help us! 

Now, here are a few practical pointers that Bruh Paul gave to the Ephesians, which are still helpful to us today in this topsy-turvy, deceitful, evil and godless world. They run from 4:25 -32, 5:1-2, you can read them at your own leisure, (smile) but to save time and space, I’ll just list them as the scholars’ explanations. ‘4:22-5:2. …practical guidelines as to how “the old man” (vs. 22) can be laid aside and how the “new man” (vs. 24) can be assumed in daily living. The passage specifies five sins to be discarded, the virtues that are to replace them, and the motive for such an exchange: 

(1) Lying is to be replaced by truth-telling, since Christians are fellow members (vs. 25). (2) Sinful anger is to be replaced by (briefly held) righteous indignation, that the Devil may not be given opportunity (vs. 26-27). (3) Theft is to be replaced by honest work, in order that one may have the means to meet the needs of others (vs. 28). (4) Foul language is to be replaced by gracious speech, that it may edify others and not grieve the Spirit (vs. 29). (5) Resentment and wrath are to give way to kindness and forgiveness, since God has forgiven us (vs. 31-32).’ 

That’s it in a nutshell friends! Nothing exotic, but very practical guidelines that we can all implement as we walk in LOVE, as Christ desires of us. Now let’s go home declaring (yeahhh!!!) our Wednesday Wail letting the world know of our wonderful position on Christ Jesus. 

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

And believe me, if we walk that narrow path right to the very end, then that future will be even more glorious than we ask or imagine! Much LOVE!

…to walk in step with Jesus…oh…what a joy divine…                                                                                

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 November 2020 Isaiah 43:19.

11 Nov 2020 Leave a comment

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

Isaiah 43:19.     ​Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

Well it’s another bright and sunshiny day out there, but probably the last warm one in this long run of Indian summer days! But yuh better believe that we in the north country up here are very thankful for them, for it’s been a long time since we’ve seen so many consecutive warm days in November! Thank You Lord! 

And today is Remembrance Day, where we stand and acknowledge and remember the many who fell in the crazy wars of the last century. ‘Remembrance Day was first observed in 1919 throughout the British Commonwealth. It was originally called “Armistice Day” to commemorate the armistice agreement that ended the First World War on Monday, November 11, 1918, at 11 a.m.—on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.’ Yes, that was supposed to be the war to end all wars. 

Hn! What a joke! For twenty something years later, another mighty world war broke out! What a waste of human life eh? And sadly, nothing much has changed. There are still way too many strife-filled countries in our world, and still way too much religious, economic and political differences that only lead right back to warring words and the modern term ‘terrorism,’ cowardly attacks on innocent, unsuspecting people. But I guess from the first killing, that of Cain on his brother Abel, man’s lust for blood has taken centre stage. 

But since this is Remembrance Day, let’s remember; first with as someone puts it: ‘The most sacrosanct and central element in Remembrance is the Two Minutes of Silence.’ – Silence  

And now, let’s really remember through the immortal poem‘In Flanders Fields’ written by Canadian physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae. He was inspired to write it on May 3, 1915, after presiding over the funeral of friend and fellow soldier Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, who died in the Second Battle of Ypres.  

Read with me: ‘In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,LOVEDand wereLOVED, and now we lie,  In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw  The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.’ 

What can I say eh? Not a whole lot nuh! But here’s this tidbit of info. ‘The symbol of Remembrance Day is the red poppy, which grows on the First World War battlefields of Flanders (in Belgium) and northern France. As the artillery barrages began to churn the earth in late 1914, the fields of Flanders and northern France saw scores of red poppies appear.’ 

Now is that symbolic or what? Death and Birth at the same time! Only an amazing and awesome God like ours could frame such a situation. And with our world currently in a state of pandemic and strife, we need that awesome and amazing God even more than ever, for without His grace, mercy,LOVEand forgiveness, our world willNEVERreturn to some sort of calm. It willNEVERbe like it was before, but some form of peace with less anxiety and frustration and uncertainty won’t return until we make peace with Jehovah God, until we return to His fold, until we give up our sinful, evil, wicked ways and start being obedient and obeisant to Him! 

That brings to mind this awesome scripture from the prophet Isaiah to his people, Israel, on behalf of the Lord their Redeemer, in one of their times of ‘sufferation’ for gross disobedience. ‘Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.’(Is. 43:18-19) 

Oh friends, that was always God’s desire for Israel, and He showed them it as He moved them through the wilderness to the Promised Land. But all along they stumbled and turned away from Him and were subsequently afflicted. Now we are in the same godless, sinful position, and the Lord is putting forth that same standing promise for true believers and obedient nations. He is willing to do a new thing in our lives and countries if we are willing to turn back to Him and truly live in obedience and obeisance to His will and word! 

And I never thought it was possible for people to be more foolish than the Israelites of old nuh, but I’m ashamed to say that this generation is so. In times of prosperity, the Israelites often turned away from God, but when they found themselves between a rock and a hard place, they quickly turned back to Him and were received with opened with arms. But we, this proud, knowledgeable, know it all, but yet illiterate generation, refuse to do that, even though nothing we try in our own strength is working! 

As Bruh Paul prayed for the Colossians: ‘we desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his (God’s) will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.’ (Col. 1:9b) Yeh friends, that’s how Bruh Paul usually prayed for the churches he dealt with. Not that they had less problems or such stuff, but that they would be filled with wisdom and knowledge of God. That His will would be revealed in their lives. And that is exactly what we need to pray for in these turbulent and uncertain times: ‘That in everything ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge.’ (1 Cor. 1:5) 

Oh my people simply praying for God to heal us and our land is not enough, will never be enough! We need to pray that we know Him, the One and Only True God more and more, both personally and societally! That will lead us to better, more godly behaviour: ‘That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.’ (Col. 1:10) 

Friends, we need to seek God very deeply and very sincerely RIGHT NOW, if we want our world to improve. That’s just the simple truth! And for those of us, the relative few, who are endeavouring to do so, let’s go home now declaring (awright!) our wonderful position in Christ through our Wednesday Wail! 

All together now: ‘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!’  

Now let’s see that through the eyes of faith and endure till the end, because our future will indeed be more glorious than we can ask or imagine! Much LOVE!

…only when we sincerely seek the Lord…will a new thing spring forth… 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 14 June 2016 Psalm 57:8

14 Jun 2016 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 57:8.   Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery (lute) and harp: I myself will awake early (awaken the dawn).

Good morning my fellow believers! It’s a wonderful day, a great day to be alive, so let’s begin with a little praise and worship to show our gratitude. Please sing with me this beautiful song by Don Moen, titled ‘God Will Make A Way.’ 

‘God will make a way Where there seems to be no way He works in ways we cannot see He will make a way for me God will make a way Where there seems to be no way He works in ways we cannot see He will make a way for me 

He will be my guide Hold me closely to His side With LOVE and strength for each new day He will make a way, He will make a way Oh, God will make a way Where there seems to be no way He works in ways we cannot see He will make a way for me 

He will be my guide Hold me closely to His side With LOVE and strength for each new day He will make a way, He will make a way 

By a roadway in the wilderness, He’ll lead me And rivers in the desert will I see Heaven and Earth will fade but His Word will still remain And He will do something new today 

Oh, God will make a way Where there seems to be no way He works in ways we cannot see He will make a way for me.

 He will be my guide Hold me closely to His side With LOVE and strength for each new day He will make a way, He will make a way With LOVE and strength for each new day He will make a way, He will make a way.’ 

And that is the God-awesome truth my people! Oh my breddren, with unfailing LOVE and almighty strength our great God will make a way for us through any and every situation we face! Please remember that! 

And as proof of that, this song was apparently written when Don Moen was going through a period of grief for a sudden and unexpected death in his family. The Lord put those faithful words in his heart as a reminder that He is always with us regardless of what we are going through. 

So today friends, as we go out to face the crazy world out there, let’s remember and be assured that our God is always with us, and will make a way to alleviate our concerns, so we need not fear what may come against us. 

And to be even more assured, let’s declare our Tuesday Mantra with a strong sense of purpose and passionate belief. 

All together now: ‘I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world.  Amen.’ 

More gospel truth my people! Our destiny is all wrapped up in being beloved children of God and friends of Jesus! Glory Hallelujah! 

So the world can say whatever they want about us, but that’s what defines us! And friends that’s something we need to desperately remember and put into action, because the world is always trying to demean and belittle us just because we believe in Jesus. 

We simply cannot afford to let them put us down. We need to hold our heads and shoulders up proud, look to the heavens and know that our Lord and Saviour has already overcome the world, and will help us to overcome it too. 

And all of that assurance brings us to our most fitting Bit: ‘Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery (lute) and harp: I myself will awake early (awaken the dawn).’ 

Yeh friends, we believers ought to be in praise mode early in our day, so that our spirits can be light and confidently looking to Jesus as we make our journey through this evil and ungodly world! 

Hear how Bruh David continues this prayer for deliverance when he fled from Saul in the cave. ‘I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations (Gentiles). For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.’ (Ps.57:9-11) 

Yuh see what’s happening here my brethren? Though Bruh David is running for his life from the wicked Saul, he is so immersed in and assured of the might and mercy of the God of his fathers, that instead of moaning and groaning and pleading for help, he declares praise and exalts Him! 

Now that’s not always easy to do when adversity comes against us, but I can assure us, that offering praise and thanksgiving in those unfortunate times, lightens the load in our souls. It might not change the circumstance or the situation, but we will indeed feel more peaceful, and be better able to handle the situation. 

Now let’s end with some more glorious words from Bruh David, this time from Psalm 16, where he’s again seeking preservation and blessing. ‘I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope (dwell securely).’ (Ps.16:8-9). 

Yes friends, that’s how we ought to be as true believers! So today, please let’s feel that strong sense of purpose and raise up our passion for Christ as we embrace His promises and His truth and go about exalting Him, and turning mountains into molehills in His glorious name! Much LOVE!

…faith and trust in Jesus awakens the believer…and lends him wings to fly…  

P.S. It’s late, but it’s good! (smile) Just another early morning to bed. Much LOVE!

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 21 January 2012 Isaiah 43:19

21 Jan 2012 Leave a comment

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

Isaiah 43:19.     Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

Oh Friends, this Saturday morning, as the universe unfurls as it should, let’s give our God a loud, hearty and grateful, ‘Thank You Lord!’ for safely bringing us through the long, dark night into a bright new day, filled with His blessings and unconditional LOVE. What an amazing God we serve! Unfortunately too many of us don’t see, understand and appreciate the amazing stuff He does in our lives every day. That’s because we’re always thinking in terms of big miracles, of selfish wants and needs. Meanwhile, His bounty is constantly being poured out in small amounts, on small problems, in so many different parts of our lives. Oh Friends, it’s the little things, the little everyday miracles that keep us so amazed by and enthralled with God, which keep us LOVING Him and wanting to give our all, do our best for Him. He’s faithfully kept all the promises He’s ever made, and in this YEAR OF JESUS, He’s reiterated one found in our Bit: ‘Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.’ Oh my brethren, what an awesome promise! Now yesterday we looked at some of the scriptures pertaining to doing new things in the lives of believers, and there are more, but instead to day I want to check out some pertaining to the last part of our Bit: ‘I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.’ This is the practical application of the promise. First up is water being miraculously supplied for the Israelites in the wilderness to appease their whining and complaining and wanting to return to Egypt. ‘And the Lord said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest (struck) the river, take in thine hand, and go. Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. And he called the name of the place Massah (Tempted), and Meribah (Contention), because of the chiding (contention) of the children of Israel, and because they tempted (tested) the Lord, saying, Is the Lord among us, or not?’ (Ex.17:5-7) The second scripture also deals with the Israelites complaining about the lack of water. Moses and Aaron prayed to the Lord for guidance outside the tabernacle entrance. ‘And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth water to them out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink. And Moses took the rod from before the Lord, as he commanded him. And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also. And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify (hallow) me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.’ (Num.20:7-13) Now Friends, not only were the Israelites worrisome, but here Moses was also disobedient to God’s direction. In the first passage He told him to strike the rock with the rod, but in that last one he was supposed to speak to the rock. But in his anger he struck the rock twice instead, and by not carrying out God’s instruction, he failed to sanctify, elevate, honour Him in the Israelites eyes, and consequently forfeited the privilege of leading them into the Promised Land. Then later on, the Lord warned them to not get too big for their breeches and forget’ Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove (test) thee, to do thee good at thy latter end. And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.’ (Deut.8:15-17) Ah Friends, but the Israelites turned out to be a bunch of selfish, stubborn, ignorant people and did exactly what the Lord warned them not to do, several times too. And sadly we have followed in their foolish, selfish, egotistical footsteps and have thus found ourselves in the current mess we’re in. Please Friends, let’s not adopt the ‘what have you done for me lately credo’ that the Israelites had. The Lord is working for us everyday, and this year He wants to do many new things in our lives, set us up as never before, give us the wherewithal that we so badly need to further His glorious kingdom. So let’s be fully attentive and appreciative. Now let’s end with a most fitting ending: ‘And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst (who thirsts) of the fountain of the water of life freely.’ (Rev.21:5-6)  Please Friends, let’s thirst for that water of life, let’s listen to what the Lord’s saying in our hearts today, and allow Him to uplift and enlighten us and bring us closer to Jesus. That’s wisdom at its highest. Much LOVE!…this year, let’s purposely…LOVE our God…SPREAD His Word…and LIVE our Faith…as diligently as we ought…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 20 January 2012 Isaiah 43:19‏

20 Jan 2012 Leave a comment

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

Isaiah 43:19.     Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
 
Oh Friends, it’s Friday, the start of the weekend, and I hear you rejoicing: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday!’ Now nothing’s wrong with declaring TGIF, Thank God is Friday, but we have to be sober and sensible about our ensuing thoughts and actions. Please, let’s not fall back into the bad habits of yesteryear. The Good Book says; ‘Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.’ (Is.43:18) And Bruh Paul righteously informed the Corinthians: ‘Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature (creation): old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.’ (2 Cor.5:17) This is a new year my people, 2012, with new beginnings, and if we want to experience the Lord’s best, we have to step up to the plate and make improvements in our lives. The Lord’s plaintively beseeching us in our Bit: ‘Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.’ Yes Friends, our God is doing, or wanting to do new things in all of our lives this year. So why don’t we listen to what He’s saying, then allow Him to do whatever new things He desires? Remember, whatever He does is always for our good, for our benefit, not His. Everyday He’s trying to mould us closer to the image of His wonderful, obedient Son, Jesus. Now who wouldn’t want to be like Jesus, even in some small way eh? Only the evil and foolish! It’s not an easy thing to do by any means, especially with all the fiery darts of the enemy being constantly let loose on us. But with our focus on Jehovah, the constant prayer, praise and reading of His Word, we can, and will come out victorious, if we stay the course. And here’s another scripture I want us to remember: ‘Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that LOVED us.’ (Rom.8:37) Friends that means that anytime we work sincerely and diligently with Jesus we’re assured of success. But without Him on our side, in our plans, be they big or small, our chance of success is drastically lessened. So to get us into the frame of mind where the Lord can work His miracle working powers on us, let’s chant our Friday Chant in strong unison: ‘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 if we chanted that sincerely, gratefully and enthusiastically, then Friends, I believe we set the Holy Spirit of Jesus moving in our souls with purpose, presence and eventual prosperity in all aspects of our lives. Remember prosperity is not simply money, but encompasses everything that happens in both our private and public lives. It includes getting along with friends and family, as well as co-workers, having a job, having good health, doing good in our community, for whatever touches our lives can either be good or bad and make us happy or sad. And since one of the reasons Jesus died was that we could have joy, why foolishly choose sadness as a believer eh? ‘These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.’ (John 15:11) Yes mih people, those are the words of Jesus. He knew that we would be afflicted here on earth, even persecuted for simply believing in Him and even worse for spreading the good news that He was alive and kicking and was the only way to get salvation, free and clear, and there was no earning it. Now let’s end with His promise of cheer and being able to handle the world with all its evil and ungodliness. ‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33) What wonderful news Friends! We don’t have to fear what the world brings against us, once He’s safely ensconced in our hearts, for He’s already put the world at His feet, and therefore all who truly believe in Him should have peace, joy and contentment in their hearts, though the going be rough. Yes my brethren, let’s buckle down this new year and stir up a wild and crazy storm for Jesus, so that all we come into contact with will want to know where we found our strength and joy and want to partake of it with us. Remember Friends, THIS IS THE YEAR OF JESUS! This is the year that His LOVE Revolution takes off for soaring heights, and I’d like all of us to be a part of it. Much LOVE!…in the joy of Jesus…believers find their strength…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 1 January 2012 John 6:27‏

01 Jan 2012 Leave a comment

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

John 6:27.    Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
 HAPPY  NEW  YEAR  MY  SCRIP-BIT  FAMILY!
 
Oh Friends, it’s 2012! It’s a NEW YEAR! Glory Hallelujah! So let’s do something new nuh! Let’s bring some positive change(s) to our lives this year of 2012! As the Good Book says: ‘Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.’ (Is.43:19) And all God’s people enthusiastically shouted: “Yes Lord, we see you doing something new!’ Well Friends, this year let’s all do a new thing too nuh! And that new thing I want us to do is to rededicate ourselves to Christ; find a new passion, a new zeal, a new longing for Jesus! Remember when you first found Jesus? Remember how passionate you were, and wasn’t afraid to talk about Him? In fact they had a hard time stopping you from talking about Him. Well mih people, let’s see if we can’t regain that now seemingly lost feeling please. I find lack of zeal and passion for Christ to be one of our biggest downfalls, and it’s only as we get back that enthusiasm and confidence that the Lord’s kingdom will be furthered. We’re still going to be kind, generous, LOVING, faithful, merciful, trusting, forgiving, unselfish, considerate and gracious, all those wonderful attributes of Jesus, but in this year of 2012 we going to do it with a new flare, a rekindled fire, a renewed passion, and it’s going to fill us all with such joy, peace, calm and contentment that whenever people look at us, they’ll just see the light of Jesus shining out from us, they’ll know and realize that we’re in a different space, a different zone, one where Jesus is No.1; El Numero Uno. And then we can tell them that all they have to do to get what we have is to accept Jesus into their hearts and lives as Lord and Saviour, which will set them on the right path to joy, peace and fulfillment. That’s my New Year’s wish for all believers this year. And yuh know that’s when we’ll truly begin doing as our Lord desires in our Bit: ‘Labour not for the meat (food) which perisheth, but for that meat (food) which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.’ Oh Friends I want so much for us this new year to rise up and be true disciples of Christ, that He’ll be proud of us, for the world is currently such a wicked and rotten place and only as believers work seriously and tirelessly can it be improved, since the iniquity workers like it the way it is, and are even trying to make it more evil, if that’s at all possible. Now here’s a quote on the New Year from Hal Borland (1900 -1978) the well-known American author and journalist. It says: ‘Year’s end is neither an end or a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instil in us.’ Now that’s very true my brethren, and in light of that, I want us to use all the wisdom that life’s taught us so far to raise the profile of Jesus and His kingdom this new year. I want 2012 to be a breakthrough year for Christianity, where we put aside our petty, selfish grievances and work together to magnify the Lord Jesus Christ, to worship and glorify our Heavenly Father with such passion that the evil doers of the world will just have to stand by and watch in jealousy and envy, with their mouths wide opened, so surprised that Jesus’ army has finally risen up and taken a stand for Him. And it can be done Friends, if we’ll just decide to do it, invoke Jesus’ name for help, then buckle down together and do it. Now we’ll end with an excerpt on Peace from an editorial by Anne Daly Goodwin which appeared in the St. Paul Pioneer Press Dispatch on December 31 1986. It’s quite appropriate for these trying and troubled times. ‘Peace rises like dawn in the hearts of hope… Peace reaches from warm and welcoming houses when workers go home. Peace wraps congregations as worship comes to comforting conclusions…  Peace floats like music through cabin windows to porch-sitters outside. Peace shimmers from lake water on star-dashed extravagant nights… Peace blesses the day’s end, in the Dylan Thomas way: ‘I turned the gas down. I got into bed. I said some words into the close and holy darkness, and then I slept.’ And so the last page turns to the new page, and we wish the world a happy new year. In peace.’ Oh my people, I implore us to take those words to heart, see them through our eyes of faith and work on them until they become reality, for that’s what our world needs more than anything right now…a modicum of PEACE. Much LOVE!…we can do it…if we only try…with Jesus’ help of course…
 

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