Today’s Scrip-Bit 25 August 2021 Micah 7:7.

25 Aug 2021 Leave a comment

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

Micah 7:7.      Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.

 Oh my, it’s the mid-week blues day…Wednesday! Yes, only two days of the working week have gone by, and there are two more still left to go, which leaves you in a sort of no man’s land, in limbo, not knowing whether to be happy that half the week’s gone, or sad that there’s still another half to go. Thus the blues day of Wednesday! 

Ah mih people, we can be so trifling and petty! Instead of thanking the Lord for another day on His beautiful earth with His many blessings, and that we at least have a job to go to, unlike so many others in these troubled and trying times. Although we may not like or appreciate our job, the hard, cold fact of the matter is that it takes care of our basic necessities, putting bread on our tables and a roof over our heads. But no, too many of us would rather lol around and do nothing all day. How could we ever get any satisfaction from constantly doing nothing eh? Especially when you don’t even have the funds, or the wherewithal to do fun nothings! (smile) 

In our rush to achieve material things and earthly power, our society has reached such immoral and evil heights that we no longer have a heart for God nor each other. It recalls the prophet Micah’s lament over the moral sins of Israel way back when. In his despair, he laments: ‘The good (loyal, faithful) man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net. 

That they may do evil with both hands earnestly (successfully), the prince asketh (asks for gifts), and the judge asketh for a reward (bribe); and the great man he uttereth his mischievous (evil) desire: so they wrap it up (scheme together). The best of them is as a brier (thorny or prickly plant): the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen and thy visitation (punishment) cometh; now shall be their perplexity.’ (Mic. 7:2-4) 

And if we are truthful friends, we will admit that’s a very good and accurate description of our current society! Things like loyalty and faithfulness have gone out of style. Some of our young people don’t even know the meaning of those words, having never encountered the situations and behaviour to which they refer. Too many of us are just out for blood, just out to get whatever we can from whomever we can, and be it family, friend, or foe, it doesn’t matter in the least. We just want whatever we think should be coming to us. Even the best of us is sharp and prickly like a thorn bush, which isn’t a good recommendation! 

And we have gone so far along the wide and winding path to destruction, like Israel did, that Micah’s advice and warning now stands us in good stead, just like it did Israel. It’s so sad when he warns: ‘Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide (companion): keep (guard) the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house.’ (Mic. 7:5-6) 

Yes friends, it’s all true! You can’t be too careful, because nowadays everyone seems to have some nefarious scheme up their sleeves. And if you can’t trust your lifelong friend, or your wife, who can you trust then eh? In actual fact NOBODY! And we are seeing an increase in family quarrels and sibling rivalry, as well as increased litigation over petty and unimportant stuff. Fraud, or as we so nicely label it, ‘white collar crime’ is so rampant that we can’t keep up with it, even if we dared to try. 

And the sad part is that all these fraudsters are doing with the money they get by fraudulent means is spending it wastefully on lavish living. You can only own and enjoy so many, houses, cars, boats, yachts and planes, as well as indulge in only so much wine, women and song. Your body will eventually give out, if your funds don’t depart first. But friends, there is good news… yes good advice from Micah. Despite all the immorality and evil around him, he unabashedly declares: ‘Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.’ (Mic. 7:7) 

And that my brethren is the only hope for our society. If we don’t turn to the God of our forefathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob very soon, like right now, our society will keep plunging into the dark abyss of depravity and sin, and will eventually become of no account, or extinct, like so many other immoral and depraved ones that have gone before. That’s the long and short of the story my people! Without our turning back to Jehovah God, and allowing His Son Jesus Christ to come into our hearts and show us the way to the Father, we’re done, like dinner. 

Are the blinkers put over our eyes by Satan so strong that we can’t see the gradual, but ever quickening demise of our society, even the earth we inhabit? When have we ever experienced so many disastrous natural disasters all at once eh? Right now, we have wildfires burning all over the world. Many are suffering from drought and famine, while many more are suffering from excessive rainfall and floods. And we also have volcanoes going off all over the world like crazy. But we are fighting over climate change, instead of seriously dealing with it. 

Look at the pandemic that’s so suddenly hit us and doesn’t seem like it’s going away any time soon because we can’t agree on what it is and how to handle it. And I won’t even mention the widespread strife and many wars that are currently taking place in so many divided places around the globe. And if you want to, you can also consider the enormous state of poverty and economic suffering that currently exists in a world that has enough for everybody, because a few have too much, while many have too little. 

And it’s so cruel and heartbreaking to see that even in this time of pandemic that the rich are getting richer, while the poor are getting poorer. And what really hurts is that the rich have no conscience, they go around boasting about their increase in material wealth, while they keep the poor in economic sufferation! But as Micah said so long ago: ‘the day of thy watchmen and thy visitation (punishment) cometh; now shall be their perplexity.’ Yes people, we all shall get our comeuppance sooner or later, and if we don’t repent and turn away from our evil deeds now, there will soon be much weeping and gnashing of teeth. End of Sermon. 

Now for those of us who are sincerely trying to make a difference, let’s go home declaring (awright!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. Altogether 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!’ 

And though it’s difficult under our current circumstances, please, let’s never forget that if we endure to the very end, that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine! Much LOVE!

…to God the Father be the glory…through Jesus Christ the Son…                                                                                                                               

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit 28 July 2021 Isaiah 30:21.

28 Jul 2021 Leave a comment

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

Isaiah 30:21.      And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

Where is the week running off to eh friends? I feel like it’s leaving me behind. (smile) Can you believe that it’s already Wednesday, and I’m only now getting myself in gear? When I should be catching my second wind, I’m only now capturing my first. But I am thankful for small mercies…at least I am catching my wind, late though it may be. (smile) 

However, that’s the wonderful think about our God; though you may come late to His party, He makes sure that you don’t miss out on anything. All He has is always on display for you to check out. And all you have to do is talk to Him about whatever concerns you. He doesn’t try to brow beat or force you to do anything, just gives you the options and allows you to make up your mind. 

Now which other supposed god is like that eh? NONE! All those other false gods try to instill their will upon you and make you do what they want, but the One and Only True Living God, He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob gives you free will to do whatever you want. That doesn’t mean there are no repercussions for unwise decisions and obstinate disobedience, but you have the right to choose, He will not involve Himself in your affairs unless you ask Him to. 

He will however keep knocking on your door, that’s the door of your heart, seeking entrance to come in and dine with you. But it’s all up to you whether you let Him in or not. Obviously, it’s wise to allow Him to enter your heart, because He can do so much good in your life, but that’s your personal decision…to allow, or not to allow Him into your heart, your most private of private spaces. That’s what He really wants, because He works best from the very inside. 

And I just espied this wonderful and most appropriate scripture for what we are talking about. When the Lord enters your heart, the Good Book says: ‘And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.’ (Is. 30:21) 

Ah mih people, that’s the beauty of our God; He doesn’t try to control, He desires to lead, and He leads you from the inside through His Holy Spirit that comes to dwell within you when you answer His knock on your heart door and allow Him to enter therein. But you have to listen, ofttimes very carefully, because He doesn’t shout either. It’s usually a still, small voice that He leads with, so unless you are paying serious attention you will often miss His awesome directions and thus suffer dire consequences. 

So, once you allow Almighty God to enter your Sanctus sanctorum, your most private place, through your belief in His Son Jesus Christ, who paid for your sins on the cross at Calvary and the indwelling of His Holy Spirit, it then becomes your responsibility to listen for His guidance. If you don’t, then you stand to lose out on some of the wonderful plans, adventures and good times that the Lord has in store for you. And you say that you didn’t know He had good things in store for you…But of course. 

Listen to this other marvellous scripture of promise from the prophet Jeremiah. ‘For I know the thoughts that 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) And He kept that promise when He sent His Son Jesus Christ into the world to die for our sins, and pay our sin debt in full! Glory Hallelujah! 

Yes friends, Jesus is our future and our hope. He is the One that leads us to the Father, to salvation and eternal life! Only through Him do we get that glorious future the Lord promised. And all it takes is sincere belief in Him and living a life of peace, LOVE, helpfulness and selflessness like He did when He was down here on earth. Now how hard can that be eh? 

To be truthful, that can be very hard, because there are all kinds of people and spiritual powers who don’t want you to live a life that’s worthy of Jesus, so they throw up all sorts of roadblocks and temptations in your way. But please remember, that the Lord, through His Holy Spirit has given us the power to refute and refuse all those evil and ungodly things that come against us. 

And like God told Bruh Paul after he pleaded with Him three times to remove some affliction in his body: ‘My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength (power) is made perfect in weakness (weaknesses).’ (2 Cor. 12:9) Yes my fellow saints in Christ, the Lord’s amazing power does show out in times when our weaknesses show up. His grace, His anointing, is upon us all, as we walk worthy of Him. 

And as Bruh Paul reminded Timothy, and I want to remind us now of this magnificent scripture: ‘For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of LOVE, and of a sound or disciplined mind.’ (2 Tim. 1:7) Please, let’s never forget that. As long as we are walking with Christ, we will always be able to overcome whatever comes against us, for His grace empowers us to do whatever we need to do in His name. 

So, for those of us who truly believe, and try to walk faithfully, let’s go home declaring (awright!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. Altogether 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!’ 

And this last thing to remember…if we endure to the end with Jesus, then the future will be even more glorious than we can ask or even imagine. Now isn’t that something to look forward to? It certainly is! Much LOVE!

…when fear comes knocking…send faith to answer it…                                                                                               

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

Today’s Scrip-Bit 27 January 2021 Isaiah 35:3.

27 Jan 2021 Leave a comment

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

Isaiah 35:3.     ​Strengthen ye the weak (sinking) hands, and confirm (make firm) the feeble knees.

And then Wednesday arrived, the much awaited hump day! Yeh, once we get over hump day we know we’re in the clear, off and running towards Friday and the weekend. 

At least that’s how it used to be. But since Corona and its cousins took over there is no more really looking forward to Friday and the weekend, because for too many of us, everyday seems like Friday; no work, nowhere to go, etc. etc. 

Therefore, there currently exists a lot of fear, doubt, anger, uncertainty and a whole lot of negative emotions in our society, making too many of us feel inadequate, unnecessary and of no use. 

But friends that’s a total lie! We are the children of the Most High God Jehovah, so how can we be ever inadequate and unnecessary eh? No way! 

And I just saw this poem on the wall of my young daughter’s old room, which admirably handles the situation. There is no title or author, but the expressive words say it all. Don’t remember if I have ever shared it before, but if so, it’s definitely worth another go round. (smile) 

So please read with me: ‘Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? 

You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are born to make manifest the Glory of God that is within us. 

It’s not just in some of us, it’s in everyone, and as we let our own light shine, we consciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.’ 

And my people, I don’t think that there’s ever been a period in this generation that the children of God need to be more liberated than now! We are the ones who are supposed to show the way, to be the salt and light of the world! Believers in Christ are expected to lead the way when fear, anxiety, doubt and all those other negative emotions show up in abundance. 

Remember what the poem says: ‘We are born to make manifest the Glory of God.’ And that’s the gospel truth! As ambassadors of Christ in this evil and fearful world, we are expected to show strength, to show others what Christ, what true Christianity is all about. 

We’re not supposed to be hiding in fear and compromise, but standing strong so that the unbeliever can also gain strength from our resistance and composure. That’s what Christ expects of His followers! 

But unfortunately, in these troubled times, I don’t think we have been doing enough of that. We have also been too intimidated by the virus and all that comes with it. Oh, we do need to take it seriously and do what we’re required to do to slow it down, but we don’t have to be fearful and exhibit that fear because then we’re making of naught all the promises of God. 

What don’t we remember about, I will never leave nor forsake you? Do not fear, for I am with you wherever you go. What about: ‘Strengthen ye the weak (sinking) hands, and confirm (make firm) the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense, he will come and save you.’ (Is. 35:3-4) 

That’s exactly what we believers ought to be doing in these troubled and dangerous times my brethren. But I don’t believe we’re doing it at a sufficiently high level, otherwise there wouldn’t be so much doubt and fear in our society. And sadly, there is also too much supposed bravado and foolishness from those who disregard the virus out of hand and keep doing what they ought not to do. 

When you sit and think about it, mankind is indeed a different breed yes. Some of us are so afraid that we don’t know whether we’re coming or going, while a handful are being respectful and careful, and a whole bunch is making light of the situation and causing even more damage than necessary. 

Even some believers are taking the situation to foolish lengths believing that since we’re God’s children nothing can harm us, and thus behaving like spoilt children, refusing to adhere to the rules, despite the sickness and death of many of their colleagues. Steups! 

Oh friends, it’s wonderful to have faith, great faith, but that faith must be tempered with wisdom, great wisdom, else we become even more foolish than the unbelievers. 

Why do you think James told us: ‘If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and unpbraideth not (without reproach), and it shall be given him. 

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering (not doubting). For he that wavereth (doubts) is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.’ (James 1:5-8) 

Oh my people, just like faith comes by hearing and all of that, wisdom also comes by seeking it from the Lord…and being sensible about it. Not because He says He will protect us from the fire and storm means that we ‘re going to jump willy-nilly into the fire or the stormy sea. 

All God’s promises need to be addressed with godly wisdom and common sense, two things that seem to be very sparse in our society right now. But we of this now generation have the ability, and are expected to build it up. It’s for this particular time that we were made, so let’s buckle down and do what the Lord expects of us nuh. We have all the parts to do it. 

And so, with all that good inspiration under us, (smile) let’s go home declaring (yes!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the world know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus and inviting them to join us. 

Altogether 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!’  

And I guess I need to remind us that we’re in it for the long haul, and if we endure to the end, the future will be even more glorious than we ask or imagine. And that’s the indisputable truth! Much LOVE!

…faith conquers fear…light conquers darkness…and wisdom conquers stupidity…the undefeatable tools of the believer… 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 May 2016 Proverbs 17:10

04 May 2016 Leave a comment

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

 Proverbs 17:10.  A reproof entereth more into (is more effective) to a wise man than a hundred stripes (blows) into a fool.

And then it was Wednesday – that good, old, solid and steady day in the middle of our workweek, where we catch our second wind and continue joyously moseying along with Jesus beside us. 

But friends, have you ever really considered how close our Lord and Saviour is to us? First of all, He dwells within us as the Holy Spirit, but then He also watches our back to ensure that the enemy doesn’t come upon us unknowingly. 

Then as we said earlier, He walks beside us, holding our hands so that we don’t trip and fall along the way. And finally He walks in front of us, leading and guiding us on the right paths on the way to a victorious life here on earth, then in the mansions of heaven with Him forever. Glory Hallelujah! 

Oh bless His holy name my people! Bless the wonderful name of Jesus Christ, to whom all knees shall bow, and all tongues declare Him Lord and King. Yes friends, our Saviour is indeed worthy and deserving of all the praise, honour, glory and thanksgiving that we can bestow on Him! 

Oh my people, Jesus is indeed a safe harbour for our souls! Praise him my brethren, praise him for there is NO ONE as great and wonderful as Him! 

And to show and solidify our strong and special attachment to Him let’s declare our Wednesday Wail with much enthusiasm, conviction and truth. 

Wailing 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!’ 

Oh precious people, true believers in Christ, it sure is wonderful to be alive and kicking this Wednesday morning! There’s no better feeling than awaking to a brand new day, filled with sunshine and the light that’s Jesus. 

But to fully enjoy the blessings and benefits of our covenant relationship with Him, we need to be strong, steadfast and looking straight ahead to the glorious future that He promises. We can’t afford to have too many lapses in faith and unfounded doubts about His everlasting kindness and LOVE for us, otherwise we will miss the most wondrous time of our lives. 

Now let’s turn to our Bit which highlights the wisdom of Cousin Sol from Proverbs. ‘A reproof entereth more into (is more effective) to a wise man than a hundred stripes (blows) into a fool.’ 

And that is an awesome truth my brethren! When the wise person is corrected, they acknowledge the truth of the situation and do whatever is necessary to right it. They can see the error of their ways and use wise judgement to rectify it. 

However, to the unwise, to the fool, correction is a waste of time. According to Cousin Sol you can give him a hundred lashes and he still will not learn the error of his ways. 

Now how many of us are like that today eh my people? I can’t say for sure how many, but I do know that there are too many fools walking around God’s great world today and not enough wise ones. If there were a greater amount of wise men and women than foolish ones, our world would not be in such a mess. 

We would not be trying to overthrow, to get rid of Almighty God, our Creator and Provider, from our society and lives as desperately as we are doing. That just goes to show that unchristian fools rule the world. 

And as Cousin Sol so wisely says earlier on in Proverbs: ‘He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth (goes astray).’ (Prov.10:17) 

And that’s no lie my fellow believers! When we don’t listen to wise advice we go astray. As the old people use to say; when you don’t hear, you going to feel. But some of us are so foolish and stubborn that despite all signs to the contrary, we persist in going about life in our own small-minded, misguided way. 

And we’ll end today with some wise words from the Lamentations of Jeremiah, words that direct us to true and wholesome behaviour. Even in his sorrow, Jeremiah is able to wisely discern: ’This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 

The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.’ (Lam.3:21-26) 

Oh friends, those are indeed words of great wisdom! And I’ll paraphrase some explanations from the scholars on those verses. 

‘3:22-23. These verses embody the central thesis of the book. When God dealt with His sinful people He exhibited His compassions. The word translated mercies conveys God’s LOVE for His covenant people. The word faithfulness comes from a root meaning “be permanent, secure, reliable.” 

From this comes the associated idea of genuine faith; hence the verb can be translated “believe” (Gen.15:6) The word here is often translated “faith” but literally means “firmness” or “faithfulness.” Thus, it is used of the faithfulness of God Himself (Ps.36:5; 40:10; Lam 3:23), and of the need for the believer likewise to be faithful in his life and in his service to God (2 Chr.19:9; Ps.119:30; Prov.12:22). 

The word root stresses that real faith is more than inner belief, even more than whole-souled committal. It is a condition of the soul marked by such a stable character and an attitude of total trust that the believer’s whole life is imbued with consistent, responsible service to God. (cf. 1 Sam.26:23; Ps.37:3-6). From the biblical standpoint, true faith results in faithfulness in one’s life.’ 

More words of awesome truth my people! And please check out the scripture passages that the scholars referenced, I just did, and they are truly interesting and uplifting. 

Now let’s go out and put all that we have learned today into action, so that we can glorify and be faithful to our wonderful God, for that is wisdom of the most immense proportions! Much LOVE!

…lying lips are an abomination to the Lord…but they that deal truly (truthfully)…are his delight… (Prov.12:22) 

P.S.  Please excuse the Bit’s lateness, but some unexpected stuff intervened last evening, and by the time I got to bed, the birds had already begun singing their morning praises. (smile) But as always, better late than never. Much LOVE!

 

 

 

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