Today’s Scrip-Bit    24 September 2023 Matthew 24:30b.

24 Sep 2023 Leave a comment

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

Matthew 24:30b.       and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

And it’s Sunday once again my people, which means we’re all invited to the Lord’s sanctuary to fellowship and worship with other believers, as our Christian faith demands! And though sometimes it’s hard to meet that demand, most of us do so gladly as the benefits of worship with other believers far outweigh those of worshipping alone, or no worship at all. (smile) Anyway, today we’re opening with an interesting Christian contemporary bit of music, titled ‘These are the Days of Elijah (No God Like Jehovah), a song written around 1994-95 by Robin Mark, a Northern Irish Christian singer, songwriter and worship leader. It’s a song we all know and like and that has become popular all around the world. 

So let’s sing it now in a mid-tempo, soulful rocking version with all the bells and whistles at our disposal. And as the music opens, we come up with some handclapping for a few bars. Then we joyfully raise our voices to heaven in sacrificial praise. ‘These are the days of Elijah, Declaring the word of the Lord: And these are the days of Your servant Moses, Righteousness being restored. And though these are days of great trial, Of famine and darkness and sword, Still, we are the voice in the desert crying ‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord!’ 

(Chorus Behold He comes, riding on the clouds Shining like the sun, at the trumpet call! Lift your voice, it’s the year of jubilee And out of Zion’s hill salvation comes! These are the days of Ezekiel, The dry bones becoming as flesh. And these are the days of Your servant David, Rebuilding a temple of praise. These are the days of the harvest; The fields are as white in Your world! And we are the labourers in Your vineyard, Declaring the word of the Lord! (Chorus Behold He comes, riding on the clouds Shining like the sun, at the trumpet call! Lift your voice, it’s the year of jubilee And out of Zion’s hill salvation comes! 

(Bridge There is no God like Jehovah. There is no God like Jehovah! There is no God like Jehovah! (11 times) (Chorus Behold He comes, riding on the clouds Shining like the sun, at the trumpet call! Lift your voice, it’s the year of jubilee And out of Zion’s hill salvation comes! Behold He comes, riding on the clouds Shining like the sun, at the trumpet call! Lift your voice, it’s the year of jubilee And out of Zion’s hill salvation comes! (Repeat).’ 

Beautiful worship my people, with a beautiful and complex song. And according to the author, he didn’t go to great lengths to make it complex, it was just what the Holy Spirit inspired him to write after watching some television programming reviewing the year 1994. And instead of trying to figure out the meaning of the song for ourselves, let’s instead use the author’s own words,. He writes: ‘This was the year of the Rwandan civil war tragedy which claimed 1 million people’s lives, and also when the first ceasefires in Northern Ireland were declared. On this TV review were a lot of daft stories, happy stories, serious stories, and then absolutely devastating stories like the Rwandan situation. 

As I watched the review unfold, I found myself despairing about the state of the world and, in prayer, began asking God if He was really in control and what sort of days were we living in. I felt in my spirit that He replied to my prayer by saying that indeed He was very much in control and that the days we were living in were special times when He would require Christians to be filled with integrity and to stand up for Him just like Elijah did, particularly with the prophets of Baal. “These are ‘Elijah’ days”. Elijah’s story is in the book of Kings, and you can read how he felt isolated and alone in the culture in which he lived. But God told him to stand up and speak for Him.’ 

And my people, nothing has improved since then, in fact it’s all gotten worse. Thus, more than ever we Christians need to be filled with integrity in these disconcerting and evil times, as well as stand strong and steadfast up for the God we claim to believe in. Then Mark continues: ‘We also needed to be a holy and just people and hence the reference to the “days of your servant Moses”, meaning that righteousness and right living was important in all our attitudes and works. Now, we are under grace and not under law, but the righteousness that comes by faith can be no less than the moral law that Moses brought direct from God. It has not been superseded. 

In fact, Jesus told us that our “righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees”, who were the most ardent followers of God’s laws as presented by Moses. Jesus was after righteous, servant hearts, of course, that desired to live holy lives for Him.’ But, unfortunately, in these current days of chaos and dissatisfaction, not too many of us have righteousness that exceeds that of the Pharisees. That’s one of the reasons why our world is so evil and ungodly; there’s no true faithfulness and righteousness in we supposed believers. Too many of us are behaving just like the world, adhering to its lusts and desires for material wealth and comfort, instead of caring about the righteousness of God’s kingdom, of being in the world, but not of the world. 

Furthermore, Mark says: “Days of great trial, of famine, darkness and sword” is a reflection of the apparent times in which we live when still thousands of people die every day from starvation, malnutrition and war. In the midst of it all we are called to make a declaration of what and who we believe in.’ And we all know the terrible situation so many of our fellow men are facing today because of those same things, famine, darkness and sword, especially when there’s more than enough in our world to feed and clothe everyone, but the distribution is totally skewered towards the rich! 

And according to Mark, ‘The second verse refers to the restoration of unity of the body, what Jesus prayed for – “that they may be one even as I and the Father are one…” by reference to Ezekiel’s prophetic vision of the valley of the dry bones becoming flesh and being knit together. There are lots of interpretations of this picture, but one of a united church rising up in unity and purpose, is a powerful call on us in these days.’ 

Now friends, that’s perhaps our biggest failing; the disunity of our faith, with numerous denominations and sub-denominations and all sorts of other disunified gatherings. How can we ever fight the enemy when we’re foolishly fighting among ourselves eh? And over a lot of petty and unimportant stuff too. We will never be successful until we unite and fight the enemy from strength of numbers and consistency of beliefs. And there’s a whole lot more that Robin Mark said, but sadly time and space has run out on us, and we’ll close with these last explanations. 

He writes: ‘These are the themes of the verses – Declaration, Righteousness, Unity and Worship. I chose to express these thoughts by reference to the characters that represented these virtues in the Old Testament. It is in essence a song of hope for the Church and the world in times of great trial… The chorus is the ultimate declaration of hope – Christ’s return. It is paraphrased from the books of Revelation and Daniel and the vision that was seen of the coming King and refers to the return of Christ and the year of Jubilee.’ 

And to end, we have the words of Christ himself, explaining that marvellous event. ‘And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together the elect (chosen ones) from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.’ (Matt. 24:30-31) 

Yes, my fellow saints, Christ is going to return eventually, and we had better be ready for it, and be found among His elect, or chosen ones, or else crapaud smoke we pipe! Much LOVE!

…he that hath ears to hear…let him hear…for he that doesn’t hear will certainly feel… 

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit   2 July 2023 Ecclesiastes 5:5.

02 Jul 2023 Leave a comment

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

Ecclesiastes 5:5.      Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than thou shouldest vow and not pay.

Awright friends, it’s that time again, Sunday! Time to gather round in sincere fellowship, giving thanks and praise to our wonderful God on His holy day! And there’s absolutely no excuse for it on this Canada Day holiday weekend. It’s of the utmost importance that we show our eternal gratitude for all the good things that He’s bestowed on our blessed country! We might be far from perfect, but we’re doing far better than most countries! And today we’re going to open with a popular song titled ‘The Days of Elijah (No God Like Jehovah). It was written in 1994 by Northern Irish Christian singer Robin Mark. There’s an interesting story behind the song which we will look at briefly after we sing it. 

So, in an up-tempo, soulful, scintillating version of the song, let’s raise those sacrifices of praise to heaven on this Sunday, as we celebrate our country’s birthday. Singing: ‘These are the days of Elijah, Declaring the word of the Lord: And these are the days of Your servant Moses, Righteousness being restored. And though these are days of great trial, Of famine and darkness and sword, Still, we are the voice in the desert crying ‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord!’ (Chorus Behold He comes, riding on the clouds Shining like the sun, at the trumpet call! Lift your voice, it’s the year of jubilee And out of Zion’s hill salvation comes!) 

These are the days of Ezekiel, The dry bones becoming as flesh. And these are the days of Your servant David, Rebuilding a temple of praise. These are the days of the harvest, The fields are as white in Your world! And we are the laborers in Your vineyard, Declaring the word of the Lord! (Chorus Behold He comes, riding on the clouds Shining like the sun, at the trumpet call! Lift your voice, it’s the year of jubilee And out of Zion’s hill salvation comes! (Bridge There is no God like Jehovah. There is no God like Jehovah!’ (which we repeat some 11 times)

 (Chorus Behold He comes, riding on the clouds Shining like the sun, at the trumpet call! Lift your voice, it’s the year of jubilee And out of Zion’s hill salvation comes! Behold He comes, riding on the clouds Shining like the sun, at the trumpet call! Lift your voice, it’s the year of jubilee And out of Zion’s hill salvation comes!’  Oh my people, that was indeed a rollicking version of the song! Even heaven rollicked along with us. (smile) 

Now, let’s hear some of what the author has to say about the song. I’ll have to paraphrase it, because it’s pretty long. According to Robin Mark, ‘The song is principally a song of ‘hope’ which came from watching a television “Review of the Year” at the end of 1994. This was the year of the Rwandan civil war tragedy which claimed 1 million people’s lives, and also when the first ceasefires in (Northern Ireland) were declared. On this TV review were a lot of daft stories, happy stories, serious stories, and then absolutely devastating stories like the Rwandan situation. 

As I watched the review unfold, I found myself despairing about the state of the world and, in prayer, began asking God if He was really in control and what sort of days were we living in. I felt in my spirit that He replied to my prayer by saying that indeed He was very much in control and that the days we were living in were special times when He would require Christians to be filled with integrity and to stand up for Him just like Elijah did, particularly with the prophets of Baal. 

“These are ‘Elijah’ days”. Elijah’s story is in the book of Kings (1 Kings chapters 16-19) and you can read how he felt isolated and alone in the culture in which he lived. But God told him to stand up and speak for Him.’ And that’s exactly what God is saying to us right now my people! These are special times and He expects His followers to stand up strong on His behalf and fight the enemy tooth and nail, not run from them, as so many of us are doing. 

Mark continues by saying ‘We also needed to be a holy and just people and hence the reference to the “days of your servant Moses”, meaning that righteousness and right living was important in all our attitudes and works. Now, we are under grace and not under law, but the righteousness that comes by faith can be no less than the moral law that Moses brought direct from God. It has not been superseded. In fact, Jesus told us that our ‘righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees”, who were the most ardent followers of Gods laws as presented by Moses. Jesus was after righteous, servant hearts, of course, that desired to live holy lives for Him.’ 

The full quote is: ‘For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case (by no means) enter into the kingdom of heaven.’ In other words, Jesus is “contrasting the external righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees with the interior righteousness that proceeds from the heart and which is to characterize his followers. Jesus is telling his disciples how to be righteous–not how to look righteous.” And unfortunately, that’s how many of us behave; we look righteous on the outside, but inside we’re like the Jesus described the scribes and Pharisees, ‘whited sepulchres filled with dead men’s bones.’ (Mat. 23:27) 

Meanwhile, Mark informs us that “Days of great trial, of famine, darkness and sword” reflects the apparent times in which we live when thousands of people still die every day from starvation, malnutrition and war. In the midst of it all we are called to make a declaration of what and who we believe in. The second verse refers to the restoration of unity of the body, what Jesus prayed for – “that they may be one even as I and the Father are one…” by reference to Ezekiel’s prophetic vision of the valley of the dry bones becoming flesh and being knit together. (Ezek. 37) There are lots of interpretations of this picture, but one of a united church rising up in unity and purpose, is a powerful call on us in these days.’ 

And my fellow saints, the call for ‘a united church rising up in unity and purpose’ and fully doing Christ’s work has never been louder and more necessary, as we see our world continually sinking into the mire of death and destruction because we believers are not doing our best to keep it afloat and alive! And the “days of the Harvest” point towards the purpose of the Christian to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations.’ That’s our bounden duty, our Great Commission, and there’s no doubt that we are failing at it.

 And the reference to “The fields are as white in the world” refer to the ripe harvest of unbelievers, which we, as supposed labourers of the harvest, are not harvesting, because we’re either afraid or couldn’t care less. But let’s remember the Judgement Day, when we stand before the Lord and give an account of our lives. There’ll be no room for excuses or blame sharing then. That means for our own sakes we ought to get up and get together and do the Lord’s work like we promised to do when we became believers. 

And we’ll close with these wise and most appropriate words from Cousin Sol writing as the Preacher in Ecclesiastes. ‘When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer (delay) not to pay it: for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than thou shouldest vow and not pay.’ (Eccl. 5:4-5) Please let that be a serious warning to us my fellow Christians! Much LOVE!

…the unbelieving and idolatrous days of Elijah…have come back to haunt us…once again…let’s stand strong and conquer them…like they did in the days of old… 

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit 21 July 2019 Revelation 19:16.

21 Jul 2019 Leave a comment

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

Revelation 19:16    ​And he hath on his vesture (robe) and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

 

That day friends, the most important day of the week, the Lord’s Day, Sunday, it’s here! And we all know what that means: a joyful journey to the house of the Lord to praise and worship Him, to fellowship with other believers, to hear His Holy Word, and be refreshed and renewed with His strength, confidence and vitality to keep on fighting the good fight in which we’re engaged. And as always, we begin the day’s proceedings with a song of praise and thanksgiving, both to show our gratitude and to soften up our hard hearts, so we can receive His Word with more effectiveness. 

And today’s song is the well known and popular one titled ‘The Days of Elijah. (No God Like Jehovah).’ It was supposedly written by one ‘Robin Mark a Northern Irish Christian singer, songwriter, worship leader, and recording artist based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Mark has written several songs sung throughout the world. He is best known for his songs “Days of Elijah”, “Revival”, “All for Jesus”, “The Wonder of The Cross”, “Not by Might”’ So let’s get into those Days of Elijah nuh, in a rocking, up-tempo, yet with a soulful feeling. 

All together now: ‘These are the days of Elijah, Declaring the word of the Lord And these are the days of Your servant Moses, Righteousness being restored. And though these are days of great trial, Of famine and darkness and sword, Still, we are the voice in the desert crying “Prepare ye the way of the Lord!” (Chorus: Behold He comes riding on the clouds, Shining like the sun at the trumpet call, Lift your voice, it’s the year of jubilee, And out of Zion’s hill salvation comes.) 

These are the days of Ezekiel, The dry bones becoming as flesh, And these are the days of Your servant David, Rebuilding a temple of praise. These are the days of the harvest, The fields are as white in Your world, And we are the labourers in Your vineyard, Declaring the word of the Lord! (Chorus: Behold He comes riding on the clouds, Shining like the sun at the trumpet call, Lift your voice, it’s the year of jubilee, And out of Zion’s hill salvation comes. 

Oh, there’s no God like Jehovah, there’s no God like Jehovah; Yes there’s no God like Jehovah; there’s no God like Jehovah; there’s no God like Jehovah! Believe me, There’s no God like Jehovah; There’s no God like Jehovah! (Chorus: Behold He comes riding on the clouds, Shining like the sun at the trumpet call, Lift your voice, it’s the year of jubilee, And out of Zion’s hill salvation comes. (Repeat)’ 

What a rocking tune, filled with loads of truth! And we certainly did it justice! All heaven was rocking along with us! Wow! When you can get heaven to rock with you, you must be singing good! (smile) Ah mih people, though our world is in a sad and miserable state, filled with all kinds of disasters, poverty, sickness, strife and dissension, of great trials, we’re still hear declaring (steups!) the Word of the Lord. And we’re gladly looking forward to the next coming of Jesus, hearing that heavenly trump sound the good news, and see Him coming in the clouds on His magnificent white steed… ‘shining like the sun!’  What a wonderful day that will be! 

And John, the Revelator saw it all in his vision. ‘And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed in a vesture (robe) dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture (robe) and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.’ (Rev.19:11-16). 

Yes friends, that’s how it’s going to be when Christ comes back for the last time to rule with and iron fist for one thousand years! And just a few explanations from the scholars. ‘19:14-16. The armies may be (1) angels (cf. Zech.14:5; Matt.26:53); (2) the raptured church or (3) all the inhabitants of heavenly Jerusalem: angels, the church, and spirits of the Old Testament and Tribulation saints (cf. Heb.12:22-24) They will share in Christ’s victory and glory (cf. Rom.8:18-19). The linen symbolizes righteousness (cf. v.8). The sword from His mouth depicts judgement through His spoken Word (cf.1:16; 2:12, 16; Is. 11:4; 2 Thess. 2:8). 

Smite the nations: Christ will destroy all unbelievers (cf. 19:21; Matt.25:41, 46; 2 Thess.1:8-9). Rod of iron: Christ will subject all nations to Himself, and destroy all His enemies (cf. Ps.2:8-9; 1 Cor.15:24-25). Winepress: See 14:17-20. Words relating to wrath and anger are found 15 times in Revelation. KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS: Christ has universal sovereignty. He is King over all who call themselves kings, and Lord over all who call themselves lords (cf.17:14; Deut.10:17. Dan.2:47; 1 Tim.6:15).’ 

Ah friends, lots of explanations and scriptures for you to check out. (smile) But I thought it important to give you the info so that you will be better able to understand what the Good Book is talking about. And that’s the magnificent ending we have to look forward to once we stand strong and endure the race. So please, let’s all remember, and write it indelibly in our hearts, minds, bodies and souls, that there’s No God like our Jehovah! 

As Bruh David said so long ago: ‘The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods (rivers)…So Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.   Selah.’ (Ps.24:1-2; 9-10). That says it all! So please have a blessed Sunday my fellow saints in Christ, as you ponder and ruminate on all that we’ve said! (smile) Much LOVE!

…JEHOVAH…the One, True, Living God…the Alpha and Omega…the First and the Last…