Today’s Scrip-Bit 28 June 2018 Job 37:23.

28 Jun 2018 Leave a comment

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

Job 37:23.   Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgement, and in plenty of justice (abundant justice): he will not afflict (oppress).

Once again, during the night, the Lord blessed the earth in my area with showers of blessings. As the Good Book says: ‘He watereth the hills from his (upper) chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works. He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and the herb (vegetation) for the service of man; that he may bring forth food out of the earth; And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart.’ (Ps.104:13-15) 

Oh friends, our God is so wonderful that He gives us all that we need to survive, and not only survive, but to prosper on this bountiful earth that He has created for us to dwell on. Why then are we so lax, so ungrateful in thanking Him for His ongoing grace and mercy eh? And why instead do we feel it necessary to vilify, to defame and debase Him? 

On this side of the world we’ve gotten so used to prosperity that we’ve come to take it for granted, and even to believe that it is of our doing. But are we ever so wrong my breddren. Remember the questions that God asked of Job, when Job got a li’l too bright with himself. 

‘Gird up now thy loins like a man (prepare yourself); for I will demand of thee (question thee), and answer thou me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding.’ (Job 38:3-4) 

Obviously Job could not answer. Neither could he answer any of the whole host of questions that God poured at him in both chapters 38 and 39. The scholars say the questions number about 83. ‘The significant thing about these questions is that Job cannot answer a single one! God was driving home the point that Job must let God be God, the sovereign and omnipotent Creator who answers to no one.’ 

Ah mih breddren, the very same thing applies to us today. We cannot answer any of the questions the Lord posed to Job back then either, we just have to know that God is great and is always around and is always doing His thing and conform to whatever He desires and declares. 

Thus we come to our Bit, the immortal words of Job’s friend Elihu: ‘Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgement, and in plenty of justice (abundant justice): he will not afflict (oppress).’ Yeh friends, our minds are too small and limited to understand all that God is about, therefore we ought to fear Him. 

As Elihu summarizes: ‘Men do therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart.’ (Job 37:34) And isn’t that the gospel truth my people! God respects, have no use for, abhors those who let their foolish pride make them feel superior to Him. And remember the seven deadly sins that Cousin Sol declares are an abomination to God? (Prov.6:16-19) Well the first one is ‘a proud look (haughty eyes).’ 

And Bruh David tells us of the Lords purpose in Psalm 101: ‘Whoso privily (secretly) slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off (destroy): him that hath a high look and a proud heart will not I suffer (endure).’ (Ps.101:5)  

And with all of that, I think we need to be reminded of Bruh Paul’s words to Timothy, re fighting the good fight of faith, staying strong and steadfast in ‘the daily struggle with sin in the Christian life and the hardships and adversities in the ministry.’ ‘But thou, O man of God, flee these things (shun the LOVE of money and material wealth): and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, LOVE, patience, meekness. 

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed (confessed) a good profession (confession) before many witnesses. I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth (gives life to) all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession. That thou keep this commandment without spot (blemish), unrebukable (blameless), until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 

Which in his times he shall show (manifest), who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see; to whom be honour and power everlasting Amen.’ (1 Tim.6:11-16) 

Yeh friends, living the true Christian life is not easy, but if we are serious about it, with God’s help we can do it. Remember NOTHING is impossible with God! And also we can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us. So let’s get with the programme nuh. And to help us do that, let’s acclaim our Thursday Blessings in strong voice with sincere hearts. 

As one now: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! 

I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and everyday! Amen!’ 

And in true Christian fashion, let’s go out and share all those blessings with the less fortunate, as Jesus so greatly desires of us. Much LOVE!

…when Jesus returns…do we want to be numbered amongst the sheep…or the goats…that’s the eternal question…

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 March 2016 Psalm 77:13‏‏‏‏

04 Mar 2016 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 77:13.   Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary (holiness): who is so great a God as our God?

And the day that the working people LOVE so much, Friday, has finally rolled around again. That’s why there are so many glorious and joyous shouts of ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday yes! I couldn’t make it even one more day in this slave work nuh! At last the weekend! My time to play and do whatever I want! Oh thank you ever so much Lord for Fridays! Glory Hallelujah!’ 

And in these trying times of early waking up and much travelling to get back and forth to work with all the traffic jams and otherwise, you can understand the sentiment of the ordinary working man. And though we are entitled to do whatever we want with the weekend, there is a wise and a foolish way to use it; the latter involving excessive partying and frivolity. 

But listen to the better and wiser way to use our weekends as we chant our Friday 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 doesn’t that make much more sense as to how we use our weekends? It surely does! We get a better balance of life, including the strength and refreshed spirit so that we can work diligently the following week. 

And today my fellow believers in Christ, I want to share with you a prayer from Gramps Schuller’s (Robert H. Schuller) Hours of Power Devotional. This one is titled, ‘A Prayer for Change.’ And I know that many of us are in dire need of change (s) in our lives. So please pray with me. 

‘O God, when a life has been so richly blessed as mine has been, it’s not right for me not to be laughing! I confess that I am responsible for my moods. I have no right to selfishly indulge in negative feelings of self-pity. 

It’s time for me to change my mental dial, Lord. You are helping me. This will be the moment when the sun breaks through the parted clouds, and the springtime returns after winter. Thank you, Lord! 

The dreary, depressing, disconsolate mood disappears like the morning mist in the glowing sunshine of your LOVE. And joy moves in! And hope begins to build up within me! And a beautiful feeling of LOVE starts to surround me! Thank you, God, for the great things you are doing within me now in this moment of prayer. Amen.’ 

Oh friends, oh friends, I do hope that depressing mood has lifted and the hope, joy and LOVE of our heavenly Father has once more captured our lives, because it’s definitely what we need to confidently face the challenges and calamitous circumstances of this dangerous and evil world! 

Now let’s turn to our Bit, which shows us that that very change in our moods and thinking are quite possible because of the outstanding, magnificent and omnipotent God we serve and worship. ‘Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary (holiness): who is so great a God as our God?’ 

And I know that some of you are tired hearing about how great our God is, but my brethren, that’s exactly what makes Him our God; His greatness! And until we fully understand just how great and wonderful He is, we will never be fully able to surrender, to give our entire beings into His wonderful care. So just bear with the ole fella nuh, (smile) you know I’ll never lead you astray. 

And we’ve seen over the past few days how our God played with Pharaoh until he let the Israelites go, and all the wonders the Lord did during their exodus from Egypt and those in the wilderness too. Now we come to one more marvelous wonder where water was miraculously supplied. 

As usual the Israelites were complaining, this time about the lack of water. And as was his wont, Moses cried out to the Lord for guidance and direction. The Lord told him to take his rod and the elders with him and go on before the people. 

‘Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shall smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

And he called the name of the place Massah (lit. Tempted), and Meribah (lit. Contention), because of the chiding (contention) of the children of Israel, and because they tempted (tested) the Lord, saying, Is the Lord among us, or not?’ (Ex.17:6-7) 

Oh friends, what a foolish and ignorant people! After all the signs and wonders that the Lord had done in their sight, they still doubted His presence and His power! Chuh! 

The truth of the matter though is that we can’t be too harsh on the Israelites, because we are doing the exact same thing right now. We are doubting and turning away from God in droves, aided and abetted by the wiles and deceitful half-truths of the prince of darkness, who rules this current evil world. 

The only difference here my people, is that the Israelites saw God’s miracles first hand, but we only have second hand accounts of them. But nonetheless, we have seen our Christian societies grow and prosper when were a truly Christian people. 

So what has happened to change our outlook so drastically eh, that we’re now trying our best to take God completely out of our lives? Oh friends, that is indeed a fool’s wisdom! 

How many times during the course of history have we seen societies that have grown great while serving and worshipping the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and when they got too big for their britches, the Lord took away His favour and protection and they eventually wasted away, ignominiously fell into the bowels of history? 

We tend to overlook, forget, or simply ignore this seminal bit of scripture, the Lord’s advice to Joshua, when He made him leader of the Israelites after Moses’ death. 

‘This book of the law shall not depart out of (shall constantly be in) thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.’ (Josh.1:8) 

That my friends, has been, and will always be a society’s guideline to success. We see it in the very behaviour of the Israelites; when they adhered to God’s Word, they prospered; when they didn’t, they suffered serious calamity. 

May we today understand this principle and do our best to adhere to the Word of our great, mighty, sovereign and omnipotent God, because that is wisdom to the nth degree. Much LOVE!

…it’s ever so foolish to turn away from the ONE who created you…in His…might, power and image…

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 22July 2013 Psalm 102:12

22 Jul 2013 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 102:12.    But thou, O lord, shall endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.
 
And the crier cried: ‘Lo, behold, it is Monday!’ And all God’s children responded with a joyful shout of  ‘Glory Hallelujah! Thank the Lord it is Monday, and we can go out to earn a living and win souls for Jesus! Amen.’
 
Now Friends, that’s the correct response to the notification that Monday’s rolled around once again. Look at it this way nuh, if there was no Monday, then there’d be no Friday for you to get all excited about. Elementary eh, my dear Watson!’  (smile)
 
Oh Friends, I just want us to get out of this ridiculous, negative and unproductive habit of being tired and blue and miserable on Mondays, because it just colours our entire week in negativity. Yuh know when you begin one way, it’s difficult to finish another, and all we’re doing here is falling prey to Lucifer’s guile and falsehood, which only keeps us in bondage and subservience.  
 
Anyway, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with passion and enthusiasm nuh, so that Jesus will know that at least we’re trying to get out of the slump that we’re in.
 
As one voice now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together.
 
We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies.
 
But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle.
 
Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’
 
Oh Friends, I hope that woke us up, and we’re now ready to join the battle with much gusto. And if that woke us up, then listen to our Bit, which will keep us strong and steadfast in faith. ‘But thou, O lord, shall endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations.’
 
And that my fellow believers is the truth in spades! Our God will certainly endure for evermore! Remember He’s declared that He’s Alpha and Omega, the FIRST and the LAST (Rev.1:11), and our God does not lie. That means He’s been eternally sovereign since the beginning of time, and will be till eternity.
 
He made this clear to Moses when He commissioned him at the burning bush (Ex.3). Moses claimed He didn’t know God’s name. ‘And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the Children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.’ (Ex.3:14-15)
 
And re the scholars: ‘The significance of the name of God given in verse 14, I AM THAT I AM, constitutes that idea that the ‘I AM” in Exodus 3 reveals God as the Being who is absolutely self-existent, and who, in Himself, possesses essential life and permanent existence.’
 
And with all the miracles He’s worked and the faithful promises He’s kept down through the ages, there’s no need for us to be afraid of anything or anyone, for our God has proven that He is alive and indeed mightier than all the idols and graven images mankind chooses to worship. And you’ll also notice the truth that the remembrance of the Lord God Jehovah has been passed down to every generation until now.
 
However my brethren, I am worried about that aspect of our Bit, because our generation has not done such a good job in educating our children about God and all that He stands for, being too busy to acquire the material things of the world. We’re also allowing the workers of iniquity to take God out of our schools and public places without a fight, more negative reinforcement for our children.
 
And sadly, if it keeps going like it is right now, in a couple of generations, the very memory of the ONE TRUE GOD might be lost forever. And that would certainly be a blight on our generation, because we would have been the ones who began the downfall.
 
Anyway Friends, enough for today. I’ll leave us to contemplate the unfortunate situation we find ourselves in, and hope that we’ll seriously consider improving our godly work, because it’s of the utmost importance in our lives and our legacy to those of future generations. Much LOVE!
 
…in every age…the current believers are responsible…for keeping God’s Word and His memory alive…