Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 June 2014 Acts 14:22

04 Jun 2014 Leave a comment

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

Acts 14:22.    Confirming (strengthening) the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

‘Morning Neighbuh, morning! May the great and wonderful God of our fathers be with you this new day, showering you with His ever-flowing mercy and abundant blessings, while keeping you and yours safe from harm.’
 
And all God’s people declared a loud and grateful ‘Praise the Lord! Amen.’
 
Oh Friends, I guess I’ll never be a good weather forecaster, because I said that yesterday was going to be a rainy day Tuesday. Hn! But which rain fell eh? None! For by the time the sun rose the rain abated, and it turned out to be a hot, windy day Tuesday instead. I even had to turn on the A/C. Note, just to see if it was working after the long, harsh winter it endured. (smile)
 
What a life eh! A couple weeks ago we badly wanted heat, but now that we’re getting some of the natural stuff, we’re already crying out for cooler weather. Chuh! I guess though that that’s the nature of the human animal – when we have one thing we want something else, and vice versa.
 
But my people, I’m here to tell us that this earthly life is not a bed of roses… or rather, it is a bed of roses! That’s because one of the most beautiful of all God’s creation, the rose, grows at the end of a long, thorn riddled stalk, and to get to one, you have to carefully navigate the thorns on its stem.
 
Life is just like that my brethren. To get to the top of the ladder, or to the most beautiful parts of life, you have to carefully navigate through thorny paths, covered with brambles and all sorts of other obstruction. There is no clear, unobstructed path to our glorious destination of heaven and eternal life with Jesus Christ.
 
As our Bit tells it, in the immortal words of Bruh Paul to his protégé Timothy: ‘Confirming (strengthening) the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.’
 
And that’s no lie Friends, for all sorts of obstacles and stumbling blocks will crop up in a believer’s life, and it’s only with God’s help are we able to successfully navigate them. And we’re going to end this series of messages with a couple of scriptures pertaining to both the first and last parts of our Bit.
 
As to the first part; ‘Confirming (strengthening) the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith,’ let’s look at Acts 11, regarding the church in Antioch, where believers were first referred to as Christians.
 
After Stephen was stoned to death in Jerusalem, the disciples were scattered all over, teaching the gospel, but to Jews only. However, some of them, when they came to Antioch, began preaching the Lord Jesus also to the Gentiles.
 
The Good Book tells us: ‘And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. Then tidings (news) of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
 
Who, when he came and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted (encouraged) them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto (continue with) the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.’ (Acts 11:21-24)
 
Yeh Friends, we all need help and encouragement to keep on keeping on in our walk of faith, because it is not an easy row to hoe. And that fact is borne out later on when Barnabas brings Bruh Paul back to Antioch, where envious Jews did not want the gospel taught to the Gentiles.
 
‘And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought (begged) that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes (Gentile converts to Judaism) followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.’ (Acts 13:42-42)
 
But the opposition never ceased. ‘And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against (opposed) those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
 
Then Paul and Barnabas waxed (grew) bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you (reject it), and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
 
And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.
 
But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable (prominent) women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts (region). But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.’(Acts 13:44-52)
 
Glory be! Ah mih people, what a beautiful example of when opposition comes against us, that we nonetheless stand strong in preaching the Word, and we will be strengthened and filled with the joy of the Lord and His Holy Spirit! That’s because the Word contains power, the greatest power on earth!
 
But jealousy and envy can move us to do evil, if we’re not very careful. The Jews at first didn’t want to hear about Jesus, and then they didn’t want the Gentiles to hear about Him either, so they stirred up false info to the powers that be, and had them run Barnabas and Bruh Paul out of town.
 
And unfortunately many Christians are behaving the same way, though not through jealousy, but through apathy, fear and simply not caring enough to share the good news of the gospel with others. Remember though my people, that that’s our Great Commission; to spread the good news of Jesus all over the globe. (Matt.28:19-20)
 
But it wasn’t easy back in those first days, and it certainly isn’t easy either in these last days. But with perseverance, strong faith, trust and surrender to our helpful and ever-LOVING God, we CAN, and we WILL proselytize the ENTIRE WORLD, just as Jesus commanded.
 
Oh Friends, I got so caught up in the first part of our Bit, (smile) that I went on longer than I expected. So like we’ll just have to leave the other stuff till tomorrow, God in favour.
 
Till then, please stand strong in the faith, and fearlessly and unashamedly spread the good news of Jesus to all and sundry, because that is indeed wisdom of the highest order! Much LOVE!
 
…in the world ye shall have tribulation…but be of good cheer…I have overcome the world…  (John 16:33)

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 30 March 2014 Ecclesiastes 7:20

30 Mar 2014 Leave a comment

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

Ecclesiastes 7:20.     For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
 
So how is the Scrip-Bit family this Sunday morning eh? I hope we’re all standing strong and steadfast in faith, and giving God all the glory, as we should.
 
And as always, we expect those who celebrate the Sabbath on a Sunday are going to get to God’s house, at sometime today, to fellowship with other believers. That’s one of the best ways to share our faith and keep it strong.
 
Now I want to share an interesting quote from one Abraham Mazlow (1908-1970), an American psychologist, considered the Father of Modern Management Psychology. He states: ‘This confrontation with death… makes everything look so precious, so sacred, so beautiful, that I felt more strongly than ever the impulse to live it, and to let myself be overwhelmed by it.’
 
Wow! How true that is my Friends! For I’m sure you’ve noticed that whenever we become really sick, unto possible death, or have been in a life threatening accident, or narrowly escape serious injury from whatever circumstances, how we suddenly become very concerned about our lives?
 
And it doesn’t even have to be us who has the close call with the grim reaper, but just someone we know, and it forces us to consider our own mortality. Then we suddenly wake up and realize how wonderful life is, and begin to, or promise ourselves to enjoy it more fully.
 
Ah mih people, why wait till we come face to face with death before we truly appreciate life eh? Life is indeed beautiful, and despite the many negatives in our world, none of us really want to go over to the other side just yet. (smile)
 
So regardless of our circumstances, let us buck up and start enjoying this mortal life today nuh! This life that Almighty God has so generously breathed into our bodies. That was His original purpose for doing so yuh know. And if we don’t enjoy and appreciate it, means we’re being disobedient to His wish.
 
Now here is another interesting proposition, namely our Bit: ‘For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.’
 
And that, most of us realize is indeed gospel truth! Our sinful nature began when our forefathers Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, against God’s very specific command not to do so. Hn!
 
And since then, that sinful nature has just become more sinful and despicable with each passing day. Until now, in this wealthy, modern technological society, sin is the number one box office draw, being totally rampant in its many forms and fashions.
 
And though some of us might try to do good, try to be righteous, unfortunately the seeds of sin have been so deeply sown in our souls, and have sprouted up in so many different ways to make that virtually impossible. No wonder Bruh Paul could write to the Romans: ‘For all have sinned, and come (fall) short of the glory of God.’ (Rom.3:23)
 
And to help us understand that, here are some thoughts from the scholars. ‘3:23. A personal sin may be one of commission (doing something that is prohibited) or a sin of omission (failing to do what is required of us). It may also express itself in either an act or attitude.
 
Illustration: Sin is portrayed in Scripture as falling short of God’s glory (v.23), going astray like a wandering sheep (Is.53:6), transgressing or overstepping the law (Ps.51:1; Luke 15:29), and trespassing, which means exercising our own wills in the realm of divine authority (Eph.2:10).
 
Sin brings hideous results, affecting not only our relationship with God, but also our relationship with others. If not checked, sin will destroy the natural process of every person.
 
Application: Christians should not sin, but if they do, they should remember their Advocate (Jesus Christ), and confess their sins in order to restore fellowship with God (1 John 1:9-2:2). (First Ref. Gen.3:6; Primary Ref. Rom 3; cf. Ps. 51:5).’
 
Yes Friends, I surely hope that gives us a better appreciation of what sin is, and what it can do. Please check out those reference verses too. If we’re not careful, sin can, and will totally destroy us, as well as those associated with us.
 
That’s why we keep stressing not to let the ole crook, the wily deceiver Beelzebub to get even a fingernail hold in our lives. We have enough sinful nature already, no need to encourage him and make it even worse.
 
And we’ll close with some verses from Cousin Sol’s prayer when he dedicated the temple. ‘If they, (Israel) sin against thee, (for there is no man which sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them over before their enemies, and they carry them away captives unto a land far off or near;
 
Yet if they bethink themselves (come to their senses) in the land whither they are carried away captive, and turn  and pray unto thee (repent) in the land of their captivity, saying, We have sinned, we have done amiss, and have dealt wickedly;
 
If they return to thee with all their heart and soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captives, and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name: 
 
Then hear thou them from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive thy people which have sinned against thee.’ (2 Chr. 6:36-39) That speech can also be found in 1 Kings 8:46-50, with a few variations.
 
However my people, in this oh so sinful world of ours, what we desperately need to do is what Cousin Sol advised; sincerely repent and turn back to Jehovah God so that He can forgive us of our abundant sins. That Friends, is the ultimate in wisdom! Much LOVE!
 
…so what’s it going to be eh…forgiveness and eternal life…or stupidity and eternal death…
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 21 April 2013 Isaiah 40:18

21 Apr 2013 Leave a comment

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

Isaiah 40:18.     To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?

Oh Friends, it doesn’t seem as though the ole fella has a preamble for this supposed spring, but feeling more like winter Sunday morning in the last half of April. (smile) All I can say is that those of us, who celebrate the Sabbath on Sundays, ought to find ourselves, if at all possible, in church, to fellowship with other believers, praising and worshipping our most magnificent God. That’s because only in true fellowship can we get that rejuvenation of spirit, that hope and confidence and faith we so badly need to make it through the days ahead. So please, let’s get out there today and show the Lord that we truly care, by raising the level of LOVE in our hearts for Him and for each other, and also raising the roofs of the places we congregate, with much joy, song, praise and worship. Ah mih people, our God truly amazes me everyday, especially when I come to write the Bit. Just now I didn’t have a preamble, but by His awesome faithfulness and help, there’s one now! That’s why I keep stressing the importance of looking for God in the bland, banal, simple everyday things of life, for that’s where He’s most active. Let’s stop looking for the big miracles, because those are few and far between nowadays. Instead, let’s focus on the many small ones that He performs everyday. And enough now with the ‘preambling’, (smile) it’s time for our Bit: ‘To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?’ And as we said yesterday, will say again today, and everyday if necessary, there’s NOBODY or NOTHING to compare to our most wonderful Jehovah God!!! That statement definitely needs more than one exclamation mark. Now today I want to look at a few instances of God’s greatness as expressed by people of faith from the Old Testament. And we’ll start with the plagues, in particular that of the frogs, which the Lord caused to overrun Egypt when Pharaoh refused to allow the Israelites to go and sacrifice to the Lord as He requested. (Ex.8:1-7) Pharaoh then tells Moses to ask the Lord to first remove the frogs, and then he’ll let the people go. ‘And Moses said unto Pharaoh, Glory over me: when shall I entreat for thee, and for thy servants, and for thy people, to destroy the frogs from thee and thy houses, that they may remain in the river only? And he (Pharaoh) said, Tomorrow. And he (Moses) said, Be it according to thy word: that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the Lord our God.’ (Ex.8:9-10) And it was done exactly as Moses promised. The Lord removed the frogs from everywhere except the river, when Moses cried out to Him. (Ex.8:11-13) Oh my fellow believers, is there any other supposed Deity who has ever done, or can do such a mighty deed? Absolutely not! Only the great God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has such omnipotence! Next we’ll turn to the song of Moses. And if anybody had good reason to verify and glorify the might, power and faithfulness of the Most High God of Israel, Moses was certainly the one. Listen to some of his praise in song. ‘Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods (mighty ones)? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them. Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.’ (Ex.15:11-13) Oh Friends, there’s never ever been another situation like the Israelite Exodus from Egypt; with plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, the slaughter of Pharaoh’s army, and the trek through the wilderness with manna, clouds and pillars of fire as guides, where clothing and shoes did not wear out for forty years. Hn! And only the ONE TRUE DEITY, the Creator of the universe and all therein could have successfully accomplished such a feat…our God! Now listen to the opening of Hannah’s song of praise, after she’d prayed for a child and the Lord opened her barren womb and blessed her with the prophet Samuel. ‘And Hannah prayed and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn (strength) is exalted in the Lord; my mouth is enlarged over (smiles at) mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none besides thee: neither is there any rock like our God. Talk no more exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy (arrogance) come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.’ (1 Sam.2:1-4) So then my brethren, let’s put forth the Lord’s question again: ‘To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.’ (Is.40:25) And all God’s people proclaimed in a loud, strong, sure, and confident voice: ‘NOBODY or NOTHING!!!’ Yes Friends, only the Lord God Jehovah has the amazing and ultimate power to create and destroy as he desires or sees fit! So please, let’s all surrender our lives to Him, place our futures in His strong, capable, LOVING hands, so that we’ll live eternally with Him and not die, not perish in utter damnation with the evil Lucifer and his heathen hordes. Now that’s wisdom at its most excellent! Much LOVE!…in Him we live…we die…and are raised renewed…to fly on angel’s wings…till eternity…
 

 
 

 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 8 March 2013 Philippians 1:11

08 Mar 2013 Leave a comment

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

Philippians 1:11.     Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the praise and glory of God.
 
Oh my wonderful Friends, neighbours and co-workers, it’s Friday! And a joyous shout of ‘TGIM! Thank God is Friday yes!’ rises up to heaven as the words register. Yes mih people, we’ll soon be released from bondage for a couple of days. But by the same token, we have to use the short time off wisely. So let’s chant our Friday Chant, which helps us to keep the weekend in its proper perspective. With great joy, enthusiasm and sincere praise, let’s chant. ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’ Now let’s settle down and try not to overdo anything over the weekend, but make sure we find time for the most important aspect; fellowship with other believers, regardless of what day you celebrate the Sabbath. And it’s certainly true that wonders never cease, but daily they increase, for when I looked outside awhile ago, the lane was snow-covered as well as all the driveways … except mine. It’s not plenty snow, but mine was pitch black, the asphalt totally bare. What’s amazing is that usually mine is the one that’s covered with either snow or leaves, or whatever is blowing around the neighbour hood. But we all know that our God moves in mysterious ways, too high for our simple brains to understand, and that’s why He IS God! And that finally brings us to our Bit. ‘Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the praise and glory of God.’ Now in Bruh Paul’s usual highfalutin style, that verse can be a challenge to understand, so we’ll use the simpler translation the scholars gave us. ‘Filled with the fruit that is righteousness, which comes through Jesus Christ for the purpose of glorifying and praising God.’ That should make it much easier for all of us to understand. Yesterday we ended by looking at corroborating scriptures, and today we’ll continue to do so. And believe me, there are quite a few. So let’s go way back to Moses, who, in the course of telling the Israelites about clean and unclean food, reminds them: ‘For thou art a holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people (special treasure) unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.’ (Deut.14:2) Oh Friends, we need to remember that because as believers, followers of Jesus Christ, we also are a chosen gathering, a special treasure, blessed by Almighty God on Jesus’ behalf! That means we also have to behave as a specially chosen and blessed people. But that’s something I don’t think we’re doing too well, otherwise so many people wouldn’t have such a bad opinion of us as Christians, often considering us hypocrites, which is often true. And until we change our lifestyle, until we bring it into true accordance with God’s Word and the principles found therein, we’ll never be filled with that righteousness that sincerely causes us to praise and glorify the Most High God Jehovah. So that’s something we’ve seriously got to work on. Now we’ll turn to Colossians, where Bruh Paul is writing to them about his prayer for their spiritual wisdom. And for us to understand what’s happening, I’ll quote from the beginning of that passage to the verse that actually corroborates our Bit. ‘We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you. Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the LOVE which ye have to all the saints. For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth.’ (Col.1:3-6) And we’ll get some amplification from the scholars of most of it. According to them: ‘Evidence of a person’s faith in Christ Jesus is his LOVE…to all the saints. Hope is salvation, as it refers to the object for which one hopes. Word of the truth of the gospel could be rendered as “the message of the gospel which is true.” This is meant to contradict the Colossian heresy: unlike its false teaching, or “vain deceit” (2:8), the gospel is true indeed. The universal spread and effectiveness of the gospel verify the assertion in verse 5 that it is the truth. The Colossian heresy is merely local; while the gospel has come to the Colossians, it has gone beyond them in all the world. And it bringeth forth fruit; that is, when embraced by faith, the gospel produces godly character and noble conduct in its converts.’ There we have it my brethren; when through faith, we sincerely embrace the truth of the gospel, it leads us to right thoughts and actions in Christ. And we’ll end with some words from Psalm 100; A call to praise the Lord: ‘Make a joyful noise (shout joyfully) unto the Lord, all ye lands (all the earth). Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.’ (Ps.100:1-3) And that’s more gospel truth Friends! Now let’s read, mark and inwardly digest all those things, then go out and do what is right in the sight of God, as our Lord and Saviour, Jesus expects of us. That’s wisdom at its zenith! And only then can we be called true believers. Much LOVE!…to sin is human…but the righteousness of God is given to believers…to help us keep our transgressions to a minimum…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 23 September 2012 Proverbs 21:2

23 Sep 2012 Leave a comment

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

Proverbs 21:2.      Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.
 
Oh Friends, we’re still alive and kicking this Sunday morning! Wow! Praise the Lord for continuing to keep the breath of life in us, along with all the other goodies He blesses us with daily! And for those of us who celebrate the Sabbath on a Sunday, let’s all endeavour to go to church and get in some invaluable praise and worship with fellow believers nuh. Remember Jesus’ promise: ‘For where two or three are gathered together in my name; there I am in the midst of them.’ (Matt.18:20) So please my people, let’s gather together today, as much as possible, and thus allow Jesus to come into the buildings and our hearts in a serious way, so that we can also glorify Him in a serious manner, as we ought to. Remember too that there is strength in numbers, so the more of us gathered in sincere celebration and worship, the bigger footprint we’ll leave, and shadow we’ll cast, both here on earth, and in heaven too. Now here are a couple lines I recently heard in a song – I don’t remember its name or the singer – but these two lines from the chorus struck me as being real meaningful. They claim that: ‘Knowledge is the root of survival. Truth is the way of life.’ And I tend to agree, because if you don’t have knowledge; first of what you want to do, and also of what’s going on in and around you, your chances of survival are slim. We cannot live in a world, especially such a turbulent and troubled one as ours, without knowing what’s happening in it, else we’d soon be swept up and/or away by the evil, ungodly forces that are running rampant right now. And there’s no doubting that for a believer, living in truth is the ultimate lifestyle for us. For if Jesus is the WAY, the TRUTH, the LIGHT, and the LIFE, and we’re not living in truth, then we’re just make-believe followers, and have no true calling. And our Bit today talks about just that. ‘Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth (weighs) the hearts.’ Yes Friends, most of us believe that whatever we do is right and thus truthful, and oftimes that’s correct. But in many cases we’re just fooling ourselves and those around us, but not God. That’s because He simply doesn’t take our outward actions as being gospel, since He knows how deceitful and sinful we truly can be. And that’s why He chooses to look at our hearts, at our true motives before dealing with us. As Cousin Sol says in an earlier chapter; ‘All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits.’ (Prov.16:2) Or as the scholars put it: ‘The Lord is the great discerner of motives.’  And if the Lord wasn’t smart enough to first check our hearts and spirits, can you imagine the great amount of stuff we’d do and get away with based on wrong motives? But Friends, the Lord created us, and I know of no creation that’s smarter or wiser than its creator. By the same token, I don’t know when some of us will smarten up and realize that, and stop trying to pull the wool over His eyes, because it foolishly hampers our communication and thus the tenor of our earthly lives with our heavenly Father. Even computers that do such miraculous stuff nowadays need to be programmed, guided, told what to do and how to do it, otherwise we’ll end up with the wasteful situation of garbage in, garbage out. And that’s unfortunately what’s happening to a lot of us today, my brethren. We’re filling our lives, our hearts, minds and spirits with the garbage, the wickedness and ungodliness of the world. So what else can we expect to come back out but wickedness and ungodliness eh? Remember Jesus said it’s not what we put into our stomachs, that’s like eating with unwashed hands, that defiles us, because that’s passed out in the draught, but it’s the evil that comes out of our hearts and mouths that defile us. (Matt.15:17-20) And with our basic sinful nature, plus what’s currently happening in the world, we have to be very careful of what we say and do. As Cousin Sol states later in Proverbs: ‘If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth (weighs) the heart consider it? And he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? And shall he not render to every man according to his works?’ (Prov.24:12)  Yes Friends, that sounds like many of us, claiming we didn’t know, when we very well knew. Now we might get away with that on other men, but definitely not with God, for He knows all, and first digs deep into our souls to discern our true motives before compensating or rewarding us for our works. And if the motives aren’t right, then sorry, there’ll be little or no compensation or reward. So Friends, please let’s stop being like the Pharisees; hypocrites, men-pleasers, who put on a nice outward show, making it seem we’re so righteous and wonderful, but on the inside we’re really just stink and evil. Sadly, that attitude is ever so prevalent in these corrupted and troubled times. So please, I implore us to be very careful not to fall in that trap of Lucifer’s, for it will only put us in God’s bad books, a place we certainly don’t want to be. Much LOVE!…only from a truly righteous heart…can a man reap true righteousness…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 29 April 2012 Psalm 146:5

29 Apr 2012 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 146:5.      Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God.

Ah Friends, it’s our weekly fellowship time again with other believers! And all God’s people said a loud and hearty ‘Amen!’ Now getting together with others to praise and worship our omnipotent Creator is a very important part of our Christian journey.  It’s a decree from our God that we set aside one day a week to spend time with Him as a holy family. And as all His other decrees, it should not be taken lightly since it brings all parts of the body of Christ’s church together to make a powerful whole. This is one of those times when the whole is indeed greater than the mere sum of the parts. Not to mention the fact that there’s power in numbers. And remember Jesus specifically said: ‘For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them.’ (Matt.18:20) So you can imagine the power of the Holy Spirit moving and working in a bigger congregation; the joy, praise, thanksgiving, faith, trust and LOVE that emanates from a crowd of Christians in true worship mode! Wow! No wonder Psalm 146, from which our Bit comes, is called, The blessedness of trusting God. And after the psalmist has opened by praising the Lord, and committing that praise for his lifetime, and also warning us not to put our trust in man whose breath, body and thoughts perish, he blesses us with our Bit: ‘Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God.’ Oh my people, that’s a wonderful bit of advice, as well as an undeniable fact! So why can’t others, especially those who so badly need some peace and joy in their lives discover that fact too eh? Maybe it’s because we who have found joy and happiness in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob aren’t doing a good enough job of passing on the message? Maybe we’re not living it out in our everyday lives, so that others can see how Christ affects us as we walk with Him? We obviously are doing something wrong, or simply not doing enough, because there are too many lost souls out there, who either never heard of Jesus, or did and refuse to embrace His glorious LOVE because of our inability or lack of showing a true sense of joy in living for Him. Yes mih people, there’s nobody to blame but us, if others don’t see the joy we claim to have, because we don’t show it. We can’t be selfish and just keep Jesus to ourselves. We have to share the good news with all the world as He requested, that’s our bounden duty.’ (Matt.28:19-20) Another problem is whether we truly believe the words of our Bit. Yuh know we say plenty stuff, but a lot of it is merely talk for talk sake, and it really doesn’t come from the depths of our soul. However Friends, the facts that our Bit state should be indelibly imprinted in our whole being, if we’re true believers and expect to enjoy the fruits of a relationship with Christ. That means we obviously have to do a better job of portraying real Christian living in our daily walk, as well as telling Christ’s story to more people, spreading the wonderful news of what He’s so selflessly and sacrificially done for us undeserving sinners.  Remember too Friends, that live examples work better than mere spoken words. And now that I’ve harangued and tongue lashed us (smile) for not doing enough to spread Jesus’ LOVE Revolution, let’s look at some scriptures that corroborate the gospel truth of our Bit. First off is a wise word of warning from the psalmist: ‘Kiss the Son (an act of homage and submission), lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.’ (Ps.2:12) Yes brethren, we need to be in tight with the Son, if we want to lie in pastures green with Him. Now hear Cousin Sol’s take on the matter. ‘He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.’ (Prov.16:20) And we’ll give Jeremiah the last word: ‘Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see (fear) when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful (anxious) in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.’ (Jer.17:7-8) That my Friends, is the total, unalterable, living truth of the Word of God, which doesn’t change or lie! Therefore, let’s take it to heart and then put it into action nuh, for the times they are a troubled. Our world is seriously hurting and in need of the peace, joy, calm and LOVE that only living with, in and for Jesus can bring. Nuff said mih breddren! More on this tomorrow if we see the blessed light of day. Much LOVE!…only by truly LOVING our God…LIVING our Faith…and SPREADING God’s Word…can believers positively influence non-believers…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 April 2012 Hebrews 6:15

22 Apr 2012 Leave a comment

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

Hebrews 6:15.     And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

Oh Friends, many of you are going to fellowship with other believers this Sunday morning, or have already done so, if you celebrate the Sabbath on another day. Now many of the physical churches will be, or were crowded, but how did you feel? Did you feel as though you had ample room to interact with God? Or were you sort of stifled? You know the saying that an empty church seems to have more room for God. I believe it’s true. When the church is full, all the bodies take up so much space, that there’s less for God. Hn! Okay, I’m just being facetious, a bit foolish, because as Jesus told the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well: ‘God is a Spirit, and those that worship him, must worship him in spirit and in truth.’ (John 4:24) Therefore, His spiritual presence doesn’t take up any physical space. But the saying is true in the sense that an empty church, or one with only a few people, allows us a closer and often more meaningful interaction with God because there are fewer distractions. And if you don’t believe me, just try it for yourself sometime. Find an empty church, sit down, kneel, or whatever, and see if your communication with the Father isn’t much smoother with less static and external disturbances. That’s why Jesus always went to a quiet place to pray, to talk to the Father. This brings me to what I want to share. Last year in the Gethsemane watch on Holy Thursday night, by myself in the church, around midnight, the Lord advised me to listen. I took that to mean listen to Him more closely and often for guidance, as well as listen to others; do less talking and more listening. Well I believe I’ve improved a fair amount in listening to Him, but definitely not as good in listening to others. I still think I talk too much. Shut up children and stop smirking! (smile) But that’s because of my passion for whatever I’m talking about. However, I’m working on it. Like building faith, it’s a work in progress. Now this past Holy Thursday, the message I received during the Gethsemane watch was; abide in me – with patience. Please note the proviso Friends – with patience. Abiding in the Lord is surely worthwhile, but if we don’t do it patiently, we’ll lose most of the benefits of abiding, for we can’t be faithful and trusting without that important element of patience. We all know that God’s time does not always coincide with ours. We always want everything now for now. But He challenges us to wait on Him, testing us, while building our Christ-like character. But unfortunately, patience is not something on which our society places a high premium. Rather, our world has become very impatient, what with the advanced technology and the numerous, almost immediate ways of communication, we tend to want everything like yesterday. However my people, God’s Word, from beginning to end, stresses patience. Now that could mean mere waiting on Him, or persevering through adversity, or being steadfast and true in faith, basically enduring, but always letting God lead in His time. And one of the biggest tests of patience comes from our Bit: ‘And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.’ The author of Hebrews, whom most scholars consider to be Bruh Paul, is there referring to Abraham, to whom God promised a son when he was seventy five years old, by his wife Sarah, who was around sixty something, way past normal childbearing age. (Gen.12) In the natural that seemed impossible, and they both had their doubts, Sarah even laughed, but they persevered in faith, and twenty five years later, when Abraham was one hundred, and Sarah about ninety, the promised son, Isaac, was born. Thus Bruh Paul could confidently say: ‘Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience (endurance), that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.’ (Heb.10:35-36) Oh my brethren, strong faith with plenty patience is a must if we truly want to serve the Lord God Jehovah! And as Bruh David so eloquently puts it in Psalm 37: ‘Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices (schemes) to pass.” (Ps.37:7) Therefore Bruh Paul could also write this famous passage to the Romans, re the results of justification through Christ. ‘And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience (produces perseverance); And patience, experience (character); and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed (does not disappoint); because the LOVE of God is shed abroad (has been poured out) in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.’ (Rom.5:3-5) And I’ll stop there for today my people, because I don’t want to try your patience too much, (smile) seeing that we live in this very impatient, ungodly world, and many of us have sadly been thus programmed. But we’ll renew our acquaintance with patience tomorrow, provided the Lord sees fit to continue breathing life into our bodies and souls. Till then, please go safely, in peace, hope, LOVE and patience, as Christ Jesus desires. Much LOVE!…I waited patiently for the Lord…and he inclined unto me…and heard my cry… (Ps.40:1)

 

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