Today’s Scrip-Bit 19 November 2012 Psalm 18:30

19 Nov 2012 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 18:30.     As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

‘Mornin’ neighbuh!’ A bright and breezy tone.    ‘Mornin’…’ Sour and surly.    ‘Is a nice morning eh…’    ‘Steups! What so nice about it eh? Is Monday morning, that means I have to get up and go to the stupid government work!’    ‘So?”    ‘Ah Lord eh! Ah don’t know what wrong with you nuh woman. You always so bright and bubbly on a Monday.’    ”That’s because the Holy Spirit of Jesus is living in me, and He makes me happy EVERY morning!’    ‘Well good for you and Jesus yes! I wish all yuh the best of luck in all yuh happiness.’     ‘Thank you neighbuh. Jesus and me wish you the best of luck too.’     ‘Steups! Jesus, Jesus…that is all she could talk about yes, especially on a Monday morning, when a body have to get up out of bed so early to go and labour for a pittance. Steups!’  Ah Friends, I hope you all see the difference in attitudes caused by the difference in perspectives. Followers of Jesus should always have the bright positive approach, regardless of what day it is, because we know that with the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, EVERY day is a GOOD day. Trouble is, not all of us believers actually feel that way, and some days, particularly on Mondays, we fall into a blue funk, and need a spark, a boost to get up and get a move on. So with one voice, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn to get the adrenalin flowing nuh. All together 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!’ Yes Friends, now that our engine is purring smoothly, in perfect sync with that of the Holy Spirit that’s guiding us, let’s go out into the ungodly world with plenty vim and vigour and wage serious battle against Beelzebub and his evil cohorts nuh. And to help us stay in that Jesus groove, let’s use our Bit as a catalyst, a ‘strengthener’ to help us remember our earthly purpose – to help bring lost souls to the Saviour. ‘As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried (proven): he is a buckler (shield) to all those that trust in him.’ Awesome words of wisdom and truth my people! Now yesterday we looked at some scripture that verified the first half of our Bit, today we’ll look at some that verify the second half. ‘…the word of the Lord is tried (proven): he is a buckler (shield) to all those that trust in him.’ And we don’t have very far to go to find corroboration of those facts, for in Psalm 12, Bruh David proudly proclaims: ‘The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.’ (Ps.12:6) Ah mih breddren, how many things of the earth can we purify in fire seven times and have them remain, unbroken, unvarnished, vibrant and ever-resilient eh? Not many.  But the Lord’s Word can certainly stand that rigorous test. Then in Psalm 17, a prayer for protection against oppressors, Bruh David invokes the Lord to ‘Show thy marvellous LOVING-kindness, O thou that savest (delivers) by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.’ (Ps.17:6)  Meanwhile, in Proverbs 30, Agur also declares with great confidence: ‘Every word of God is pure (tried and found pure): he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.’ (Prov.30:5-6) Oh my brethren, please note that last verse very carefully. We’re not to add our two cents worth to God’s Word, as has become very prevalent nowadays, where we slant the Word to suit our own selfish purposes. And going back to the Psalms, we have the psalmist declaring in 119:140: ‘Thy word is very pure (refined or tried): therefore thy servant LOVETH it.’  How can we not LOVE the Word if it’s so pure, true and wise eh Friends? Now let’s close with some more encouraging words of truth and wisdom. ‘For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.’ (Ps.84:11-12) And all God’s people exulted with a loud ‘Praise the Lord! Amen! And it really couldn’t be put any better than that Friends, so let’s grab hold of it all and diligently run the earthly race of glory laid out for us. It will be most worthwhile in the end. Much LOVE!…everything hinges on the WORD…it created the universe…controls it…and will eventually destroy it…in God’s perfect time…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 5 November 2012 2 Peter 3:9

05 Nov 2012 Leave a comment

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

2 Peter 3:9.    The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
 
Oh Friends, it’s Monday…! And all true believers in Jesus lustily declared, ‘Thank You Lord!’ Okay, so by the world’s standards I’m missing a few screws by being glad to see Mondays roll around. But Friends, in Jesus’ domain, we are called to welcome every day, to see each one as a blessing, especially Mondays, because it gives us more opportunities to get out into the wicked, godless world and help bring the heathen hordes to repentance. Remember that’s our main purpose here on earth, re the Great Commission. (Matt.28:19-20) So to whine and complain and feel hard done by just because we have to go out and labour on Mondays, is plain un-Jesus-like. Now let’s see if we can’t become more Jesus-like by singing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with lots of vim and vigour. As one earthly based, but heavenly sounding choir 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!’ That was beautiful my people! Lots of clapping and calls for an encore in heaven. (smile) And now that the adrenalin’s running, let’s get out there and make a difference for Jesus! But why the rush you ask, since our Bit clearly states that: ‘The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.’ Ah Friends, please understand that at some stage even the Lord’s patience will run out and He will set the mighty conflagration He’s promised in motion. And the problem is that none of us know when that will be, it could be today, tomorrow, or even another two thousand years from now. When yuh see, even Jesus didn’t know, you must understand how close to His chest the Father’s playing that card. ‘But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels in heaven, but my Father only.’ (Matt.24:36) And Peter solemnly warns in the verse after our Bit: ‘But the day of the Lord will come as a thief (robber) in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that were therein shall be burned up.’ (2 Pet.3:10) Oh my people, I’m sure that none of us want to be involved in that fervent heat nuh! That means we have to be in a state of constant readiness; working righteousness in true faith, filled with hungry hope and great expectations, fully relying on the awesome promises of God. As Peter continues: ‘Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation (conduct) and godliness, Looking for and hasting (hastening) unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless.’ (2 Pet.3:11-14) Now isn’t that something to look forward to Friends? Most definitely! And we’ll end with some clarification from the scholars, re that scripture. ‘The day of the Lord here refers to the return of Christ in judgement, not the Rapture, since this day results in final apocalyptic judgement. The heavens that shall pass away with a great noise are the atmospheric heavens. The elements shall melt with fervent heat certainly could refer to a nuclear holocaust. Thus Peter urges his readers to look beyond this present world to the new heavens and a new earth characterized by righteousness.’ Oh Friends, the only way to avoid that fervent heat is by getting in with Jesus as soon as possible, meaning RIGHT NOW, because we don’t know when we’ll give up the mantle of this earthly life, and once we do that, there’s no going back and changing our minds. So please, let’s all sit down today and seriously contemplate our personal situations, vis a vie Jesus and our eternal salvation. It’s the MOST IMPORTANT matter on earth for us to consider. Much LOVE!…to be with Jesus till eternity…or not to be with Jesus…that is the question…

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 October 2012 Jude 3

22 Oct 2012 Leave a comment

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

Jude 3.    Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

Aye Friends, mercy, peace and LOVE be unto you this chilly, autumn, Monday morning, or whatever the weather is like in your area. The fact of the matter is that it’s time to go out and labour once again. And since our spirits are usually lethargic and full of rebellion on Monday mornings, we need to uplift them, so that we can fight a good fight in Jesus’ name, in the evil, ungodly world that constantly tries to batter and bully us and steal our joy. But since the JOY of the Lord is our strength (Neh.8:10) we certainly can’t afford to have that stolen. Therefore, in order to boost our tired, unenthusiastic, ebbing spirits, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn in strong voice with sincere hearts. As one big, harmonious earthly choir 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!’ Wow mih people! That was wonderful; definitely energetic and exhilarating! All the heavenly host stood with mouth-opened awe, then gave a rousing ovation of ‘Hallelujah!’ at the end. Now let’s carry that strong, enthusiastic, faithful, battle hardened attitude out into Lucifer’s domain, and let him and all his wicked cohorts sit up and take notice nuh. But please note, we can’t just run on adrenalin alone, we also have to be ‘wiswise’ (use wisdom), as we live in accordance with our Bit. ‘Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once (for all time) delivered unto the saints.’ Ah Friends, it’s what I’m also trying to get us to do, don’t know with how much success though. (smile) Jude here, is reputed to be Jesus’ half brother. ‘Is this not the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?’ (Matt.13:55)  In Greek, Jude is really Judas, but it’s translated as Jude to avoid confusion with Judas Iscariot. And it’s interesting as one scholar notes, that instead of being a name dropper and saying he was Jesus’ brother, Jude instead opens his missive as ‘Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James…’ (Jude 1) He shows real humility. But I have to laugh at the mysterious ways in which our God certainly moves, re how Jesus’ family rejected Him when He walked on earth with them, but afterwards that same family, in particular James and Jude found the faith and had successful ministries. Just like Jesus said, two verses later, when the crowd in His hometown were offended by His Messianic claims. ‘A prophet is not without honour, save (except) in his own country, and in his own house.’ (Matt.13:57) And that’s the gospel truth my brethren! But getting back to our Bit, here’s the scholar’s general take on it. ‘Beloved indicates the close relationship between Jude and his readers. Jude was evidently planning to write a less urgent doctrinal letter but was forced by developments to pen this earnest exhortation. Jude conceives of Christian faith as having a definite, unchanging and unchangeable content.’ One scholar believes that Jude had intended to write about ‘common salvation,’ it’s joys and benefits, but was steered by the Holy Spirit towards the more pressing problem of believers diligently fighting to protect and further their faith. And that’s quite possible and very plausible, as I have received such change of direction many times over the years. And by the way, ‘common salvation’ doesn’t mean it’s common in a derogatory or negative sense, but rather that it was meant as a gift that could be received by everybody. As Bruh Paul greets Titus: ‘Titus, mine own (my true) son after (in our) common faith:’ (Titus.1:4a) Ah Friends, I sure hope that the Bit makes sense because I have so much information I want to share, but since you’re all wise believers, I know you’ll be able to fathom it all. (smile) Now let’s end with a similar exhortation from Bruh Paul to the Philippians. ‘Only let your conversation (conduct) be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or also be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel; And in nothing (no way) terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token (a proof) of perdition (destruction), but to you of salvation, and that of God.’ (Phil.1:27-28) Yes Friends, that’s the only way to go! More on this tomorrow, provided we’re still alive and kicking. Till then, may God bless and keep us, so that we can walk worthy of Him. Much LOVE!…a true believer’s earthly walk must show confidence…since he’s assured of salvation…through Jesus Christ…

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 15 October 2012 Psalm 39:1

15 Oct 2012 2 Comments

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

Psalm 39:1.        I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue; I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. 

Oh Friends, it’s Monday, that wonderful day! And all God’s people responded with a rousing, ‘Yeah! Thank God it’s Monday, and we get to go out to work!’ Wow! What wonderful believers! (smile) Okay, so I’m a tad on the crazy side, but that’s how our LOVING, Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ wants us to react on a Monday morning, not with the moaning and groaning, the pity party and foul moods we usually exhibit. And foolishly or otherwise, I’ve promised Him that I will eventually get us to be as enthusiastic about Mondays as we are about Fridays. Now I’m sure you all don’t want to see me break my promise to Jesus. So please help the ole fella here nuh, help me by changing the gloomy Monday morning outlook, starting RIGHT NOW, as we sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, with plenty vim and vigour. All together 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!’ Most excellent my people, most excellent! Jesus was proud of us. Now let’s go out into the evil, ungodly world and win some souls for Him, as He commissioned us to do. (Matt.28:19-20) And what shall we talk about today eh? I don’t have a clue. (smile) Okay Lord, okay, if that’s Your wish, I’ll finally obey. And I’m referring to a couple of things that have been bugging me for the last few days, but I’ve resisted the urge to say anything. However the Lord seems to want me to bring it up. Regular readers will remember that a couple days ago we were dealing with not talking or writing as much as we do in general, but even more so in the social media that’s chocked full of negative consequences. Well after the second day, I read about a couple things that greatly disturbed me about our ever so wonderful Internet, but I pushed it aside. However, it kept coming back through the newspapers and the television, and I guess now’s the time for me to get it off my chest. By the way, if we’re going to talk about talking too much, we can use the same Bit, since it’s still very appropriate. ‘I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue; I will keep (restrain) my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.’ Oh Friends, if what I’m about to say displeases you, then too bad, but it’s at sad times like these we, especially parents, have to take a serious look at our selves and our methods of rearing the children God gave us. Our society has sadly plummeted to rather deplorable and dumb standards, but what else can we expect from our general behaviour? Anyway, it seems that a couple of years ago, a grade 7 female student in British Columbia, Canada’s western coast province, in concert with supposed friends, published a picture of her breasts on Facebook. Steups! Right there the stupidity began! What in heaven’s name are you taking half-naked pictures of yourself and putting them out there for, especially at such a tender age? She must have been around 12 or 13, because she’s fifteen now. But unfortunately, a year later some evil type sent her a note that he wanted her to take more pictures of herself and send them to him, otherwise he was going to spread the old one all over the place. She claims she didn’t know who he was, or how he got hold of her earlier picture. But that’s relatively easy if you know how the systems work. But to make a long story short, he ended up doing exactly what he’d promised; sent the stuff to her friends, school mates etc. etc. That resulted in her being ostracised by all and sundry. Changing schools and cities didn’t make any difference the evil followed her everywhere she went. She was even physically beaten in addition to the jeers and verbal abuse. When she couldn’t take it anymore, she put out a warning to others using flash cards, then apparently committed suicide this week. Oh she’d tried it before, by drinking bleach, but fortunately she was saved. And here’s the headline on the story in Saturday’s Toronto Star newspaper. ‘Death by anti-social media.’ And as is our usual habit, we’re nicely calling that kind of criminal blackmail, cyber bullying, and everybody’s up in arms about it. Steups! When are we going to learn eh people? Everyday we hear about more and more criminal activities being perpetrated through and over the Internet, and it’s difficult to find the culprits, but yet still we go ahead and put stuff out there that has no reason whatsoever to be out there. And the sad part is that even after Amanda Todd’s terrible demise, many people are still gloating and happy and calling her terrible names. Now is that a nice society? I wouldn’t even ask about it being godly, because you don’t have to be godly to be nice or sympathetic. Oh Friends, we’ve run out of time and space, so I’ll leave the rest of my rant for tomorrow. But please, please learn from this disastrous mistake, that the Net is not all that the evil perpetrators and financial benefactors want us to believe it is. It does have it uses, but one of them is certainly not spreading your life history in cyber space for every Tom, Dick and Harry to see and be able to use and abuse. Much LOVE!…anything man-made…can always…and WILL eventually be used for evil…against society in general…or another man in particular…

 

 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 1 October 2012 Psalm 67:4

01 Oct 2012 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 67:4.    O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth.   Selah.
 
Oh Friends, mankind is really something else yes! We’re like chameleons, constantly changing from one minute to the next, to suit our current desire. I’ve been thinking about how joyful most of us were on Friday, high-fiving each other and shouting ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday!’ But today, on Monday, only a couple days later, all I can hear is a set of moaning and whining: ‘Yuh mean to say is really Monday already? Ah really have to go to work today boy? Ah wonder how much sick time I have left eh…or which of mih family hasn’t died yet…? And besides, just look at the rain pelting down out there nuh…or the snow and the sleet…Mama Yo! And yuh see how the wind blowing crazy out there? It must be a hurricane or something yes! And they want me to go out there in that kinda weather…Steups!’ Hn, hn, hn! Yes Friends, that’s the way many of us behave, come Monday morning. We’ll use every trick in the book, find every excuse not to go to work. But you know, as true followers of Jesus, we’re not supposed to do that, especially in these precarious times when jobs are scarce and hard to come by, plus many of us are in debt way above our heads. But to help us overcome our lack of enthusiasm for work this morning, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, loud and strong, as though we really mean it, and eventually it will become the reality. As one now, let’s make Jesus proud of us: ‘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!’ Now doesn’t that make us feel better? The natural adrenalin, plus the deep LOVE for Jesus has awakened the sleeping, tired tiger in us, so that we’re just rearing to get out into the evil world and clean up those evildoers! (smile) Ah mih people, I wish it was that easy, but we all know it’s not. However, to enable us to keep our light, enthusiastic frame of mind, I’ve found an uplifting, positive Bit, and some uplifting, positive scriptures to back it up. So let’s get into our Bit. ‘O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth.   Selah.’ Yes my brethren, let’s pause and consider that statement for a moment. It’s just chocked full of truth; all nations ought to sing and jump for joy because we have such a just and righteous leader in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, or Elohim, the God of all people! Now hear these moving, positive and truthful words from Psalm 93. ‘The Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself; the world also is stablished, that it can not be moved (shaken). Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.’ (Ps. 93:1-2) And if you don’t believe that, then listen to this from Psalm 96; A call to praise God. ‘O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear (tremble) before him, all the earth. Say among the heathen (Gentiles) that the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be (is firmly) established that it shall not be moved (shaken): he shall judge the people righteously.’ (Ps.96:9-10) Now listen to this from Psalm 68, God has gone before his people. ‘Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol (praise) him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH (Lord), and rejoice before him. A father to the fatherless, and a judge (defender) of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.’ (Ps.68: 4-5) Words of absolute truth my people! And we’ll end appropriately with the words that follow our Bit. ‘Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase (give her produce); and God, even our own God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him.’ (Ps.67:5-7) And that’s gospel my brethren! So please, I implore us to encourage ourselves and each other in our wonderful God, today and everyday, to do our best to sincerely live our faith in this evil world that surrounds us, so that the heathen will see our great joy in the Lord of Hosts, and thus desire to know and LOVE Him too. That’s our purpose down here on earth. Much LOVE!…to know, know, know Him…is to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Him…

 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 27 August 2012 Psalm 106:36

27 Aug 2012 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 106:36.          And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them.

Greetings my people! I come bearing good news. That day which we’re all growing to LOVE, namely Monday, well it’s here, it’s finally arrived! Yuh know the old Mamas and Papas song should have said: ‘Monday Monday! Oh how I LOVE that day!’ Okay, okay, I got the message, you don’t have to kill the messenger. I’m going to stop while the going’s good, because I’m hearing too much moaning and groaning, along with spectacular language not fit for a family Blog. (smile) So Friends, we free paper burn now, why do we have to let it get us down every week eh? We know that every Monday we have to go to work, and have every opportunity to plan and prepare ourselves for it. But like clockwork, come Monday morning, a whole lot of us still end up singing the blues. Fortunately though, I’m here to help us get over that lazy, bluesy feeling, and instead turn it into a diligent, enthusiastic driving force for Jesus! So let’s get that adrenalin up and running nuh, by singing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with plenty vim and vigour, such that the angels won’t be able to laud it over us with their much practiced choir, but will open their mouths wide in wonder, and turn to Jesus and ask in amazement. ‘Is that really your people down there on earth singing so loudly and sweetly?’ And Jesus, with a big, proud, pleased grin will enthusiastically reply; ‘You bet!’ Now altogether Friends, let’s sing, let’s give the angels a run for their money. ‘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!’ And now that we’ve put the angels to shame, let’s take a look at our Bit: ‘And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them.’ Oh my brethren, that verse of scripture also fits us today like a hand and glove! The Israelites did not destroy all the nations the Lord commanded them to destroy when they conquered the Promised Land. Thus the verse before our Bit tells us: ‘But they were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.’ (Ps.106:35) What else can be expected then? As the old people would say; if you play with the pups, you’ll get bitten by the fleas. Gospel truth Friends! Consequently the Israelites adopted the ways and works of the people they lived amongst. ‘Yea, they sacrificed their sons and daughters unto devils (demons). And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood. Thus were they defiled with (made unclean by) their own works, and went a whoring (played the harlot, were unfaithful) with their own inventions (by their own deeds). Therefore was the wrath of the Lord kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance. And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them. Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.’ (Ps.106:37-42) Now doesn’t that sound exactly like what’s happening to us today Friends? We’ve blatantly disobeyed God. Instead of worshipping Him in faith and truth, we’ve tried our best, and are still trying, to kick Him out of our society by banning Him from our schools and public places. We’ve certainly bowed to the idols of the world, making things like cars, houses, the amassing of earthly possessions, an insatiable greed for power, celebrity status, fleshly lusts and pleasures, and all that’s evil our focus, our priority, while relegating Almighty God, our Creator and Provider to the back benches, the nether regions of our society. So what else can we expect, but the wrath of the Lord eh, which we’re experiencing more and more every day? Not a day goes by without a new disaster or new theatre of strife occurring. Our enemies are taking us over, not necessarily by might or physical force, but by financial strength and subtly, stealthily having us fighting amongst each other over petty, unimportant things. Just look at the state of our politics nowadays. It surely is a disgrace, with loads of money been spent on mostly negative personal jabs and certainly not enough time or money on the true problems of our society. It’s all about power! What’s the age old strategy? Divide and conquer! We’re foolishly allowing that to happen with no concern for the overall health of our nations. And last but not least, though we haven’t physically sacrificed our children to the idols of the world, we surely have done it psychologically and emotionally. We haven’t given them proper guidance or discipline, haven’t thought them the Word as we’re supposed to. Consequently they have gone astray even more than we did, and are ever more debasing and destroying themselves at the altar of Lucifer and his worldly idols. Oh Friends, we have to stop this bowing down to Lucifer before it’s too late. And only we believers are going to do it, with Christ’s help of course. So for the sake of our children and their offspring, let’s get a grip and do something serious about retaking our world nuh, otherwise our descendants will lead truly abominable, abhorrent lives. And I’m sure none of us want to se it come to that.  Much LOVE!…when the Lord speaks…His people ought to obey…for disobedience brings calamity…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 9 July 2012 Galatians 6:7

09 Jul 2012 Leave a comment

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

Galatians 6:7.    Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 

Oh Friends, it’s Monday, the day we all LOVE! And I suddenly hear a whole lot of hissing, booing, and cursing. ‘What, LOVE Monday! Are you crazy man? What have you been drinking or smoking?’ Unfortunately Friends, all I’ve been doing is drinking water. (smile) Oh I know how we all hate to get up and go to work after a fun-filled weekend, but there’s a good logic towards LOVING Mondays. Sadly though, it comes from that same getting up and going out to work, for that causes us to go out amongst the heathen hordes where we can propagate the gospel, which we all know is our bounden duty. Note that some of Jesus’ last words to His disciples were: ‘Go ye therefore, and teach (make disciples of) all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.’ (Matt.28:19-20) And where else can we teach others about Christ eh, if not in the world, outside of our comfortable homes? So my people, if we’re true, devoted, diligent and faithful followers of Christ, we should be just dying for Monday to roll around, so that we can get back out there amongst the numerous unwashed, passionately broadcasting the most excellent, never-ending benefits of embracing Jesus Christ, the One and Only Superstar, as our Lord and Saviour! And Friends, I know we all want to do just that, but though our spirit is willing, our fallen flesh is weak. Anyhow, we also know that where there seems to be no way, our Saviour will always make one. And for Mondays, it’s through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, where we lively up ourselves in the Lord, give our willing spirits a boost, that jumpstart it requires to get us rolling. So all together now, in one loud, brash, defiant, but yet humble and worshipful mood. (smile) ‘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!’ And now that we’re all set and rearing to go my brethren, let’s check out our ever so important Bit: ‘Be not deceived; God is not mocked (outwitted, outfoxed): for whatsoever a man soweth (does) that shall he also reap.’  Oh Friends, that is the gospel of all gospel truths, for it’s the very foundation, the overriding principle on which God has built His Word and His Universe! As you should all know by now, we cannot outwit or outfox God, for He is all powerful and all-seeing. The scholars give this example: ‘To disobey God’s commands and then escape divine punishment would be to outwit God, thus making a mockery of Him and His Word.’  That will NEVER happen Friends! Therefore, whatever we practice or do, be it good or evil, we will eventually reap a harvest of the seed we’ve sown. I like to think of it as a boomerang; no matter how far you throw it, it will eventually come back to you. Likewise, our deeds will come back to prosper or haunt us. So Friends, if we want to reap things like happiness, prosperity and generosity, then we first have to sow seeds of happiness, prosperity and generosity. The Lord will not give them to us unless, like the farmer, we first plant a seed. So let’s get out there and plant plenty good seeds nuh, so that we can reap an exceedingly abundant harvest of good! Now here’s an appropriate scripture for us to ponder on today: ‘For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth of the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.’ (Gal.6:8) More gospel truth Friends! Please let’s pay close heed to it. Much, much LOVE, mih people!…the wise will sow seeds of LOVE…while the wicked those of hate…but both will reap their reward in the same currency in which they sowed…for you can’t plant peas and expect to reap corn…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 25 June 2012 Jeremiah 29:11

25 Jun 2012 Leave a comment

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

Jeremiah 29:11.    For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
 
Well hello there mih Lovelies! Rise and shine to greet a brand new beautiful day, full of joy and unconditional LOVE! Unfortunately it’s called Monday, (smile) which means that we have to go back out and labour for massa to earn a paltry living. Now that’s the bad news Friends. But here’s the good news, the gospel news: It’s simple, but oh so powerful! All of us who are staunch, true, faithful believers in Jesus Christ, the ONE and ONLY SUPERSTAR, have nothing whatsoever to worry about, because He’s already taken care of everything for us. He’s paid for our disgusting sins by sacrificing His holy, sinless life on the cross at Calvary, even though we didn’t, and will never deserve it! He’s promised us His perfect peace, very different and much more refreshing than that of man! He’s called us to lay down our heaven burdens at His nail scarred feet, and instead offers His easy yoke and light burden! He’s promised to be always with us, wherever we go, and to never leave or forsake us, which He’s faithfully done by sending His Holy Spirit, His Comforter to live within us, to lead and guide us along the straight, narrow, righteous but difficult way! And above all He’s promised the magnificent but free gift of grace through salvation and eternal life! Wow! A place where there’s no more pain, suffering, sorrow, darkness, hatred and tears, but till eternity, His brilliant light will light our golden paths, with joy, fellowship, and an exceedingly good life filled with  LOVE! Mama Mia! And all we have to do to receive His generosity is believe in Him; believe that He is indeed the WAY, the TRUTH, the LIGHT and the LIFE, and that no one can come to Father God besides through Him, the SON, the SACRIFICIAL LAMB, our LORD and SAVIOUR, to whom ALL Power has been given, both on earth and in Heaven, and to whom ALL knees must eventually bow. And all God’s people raised a mighty shout to Heaven! ‘Praise be to Jesus Christ, who is indeed worthy to be praised!’ Yes Friends, what awesome promises, most of which have already been fulfilled and are continuously being fulfilled every single day in our lives! How much more do we need before we can trust Him, surrender our lives totally to Him eh? How much better can it get? The gospel truth is that it cannot get any better than that mih breddren! So with all those great things going for us, why are Christ’s people still so sad, miserable, scared, resentful and lacking true joy? Because we either don’t truly believe His Word, or we’re allowing the enemy, the evildoers to bamboozle us with false info. Anyway, on this historic Monday morning, let us all rise up and remember that the joy of the Lord God Jehovah is our strength! Yes, ALL God’s people, let’s rise up and reclaim that joy that so many believers have sadly lost, or simply set aside because of their rough and unfortunate circumstances! Let’s let the whole wide world know that Jesus’ people are ready to ride into battle, even to the death, for Him! And we can start the process by singing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with overwhelming exhilaration, in loud, tuneful, soaring voice. All together 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 was looking for something to stir up our spirits today, something to get us actively participating in the ongoing LOVE Revolution, and this is where the Spirit led me. I sure hope it has the desired effect, of encouragement, hope, trust and faith, and that we’ll readily and gladly accept, without any reservations, the awesome promised contained in our Bit: ‘ 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 (hope and a bright future).’ And I want to testify here Friends to the Lord’s true and awesome power, because I wrote all that stuff without a Bit in mind, then within a few seconds of contemplating what would be an appropriate one, the Spirit flashed that one in my mind, and not only that, I knew exactly where to find it. (smile) So please put all your trust and faith in Him, for He will NEVER LET YOU DOWN! Much LOVE mih beautiful people!…STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS…THE TRUMPET SOUNDS OBEY…TILL EVERY FOE IS VANQUISHED…AND JESUS HOLDS ETERNAL SWAY…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 June 2012 Ephesians 6:4

18 Jun 2012 Leave a comment

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

Ephesians 6:4.   And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
 
Oh Friends, it’s Monday; that fateful day which unfortunately means, to labour, to labour, once again to labour. Chuh! We don’t like it, but it’s a condition of earthly life, so we just have to grin and bear it. Now if I didn’t know better, sometimes I’d think the Lord takes pleasure in afflicting us for no apparent reason yes. For example, yesterday morning I left home to go to church, as bright and bouncy as ever (smile). On the way, I stopped and put some gas in my ole limo, then continued to church without any mishaps. However, as I got out of the car in the church parking lot, a sudden excruciating pain ran through my left knee. Friends, I swear that if I wasn’t holding on to the car door, I would have crumpled to the ground from both the surprise and pain. At first I thought it was a cramp, but after massaging it for about a minute, it didn’t go away, so I limped into the church. And would you believe that all through the service it pained me, making my attention to the Lord’s business less than optimal. Now I’m pretty sure I didn’t do anything physical to bring that on, so it was possibly just my arthritic nemesis simply acting up. But when I cried out to the Lord for some sort of answer, I obviously got no reply. So the long and short of the story is that I said, thank you Lord, went home, iced and rested it, which reduced the pain somewhat. In my humble opinion, that was another unwarranted affliction to grin and bear. And the sad part is that I had taken the arthritis medication about an hour before, so there shouldn’t have been that kind of sudden pain. But them’s the breaks, Friends! As believers, we need to accept that whatever happens to us usually has a higher motive than we can understand, and we know that the Lord will use whatever comes against us for good and not evil, as He promises in Jer.29:11, and Rom.8:28. Anyway, enough of my pity party. (smile) Let’s get ourselves together to go out and do God’s will by singing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with plenty gusto. All together 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!’ Yes mih people, that should boost our enthusiasm, raise our passion for Christ and enable us to take on the enemy without any fear. Now let’s check out our Bit: ‘And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture (training) and admonition of the Lord.’ And not because Father’s Day has passed, means we can’t talk to, reach out to the fathers. In fact, the state of fatherhood in our anything goes society is so bad, that we should be talking to them everyday. Today though, I just want to share some appropriate scriptures, so that we can understand how important fatherhood is, was, and always will be in the eyes of our God. And what better place to start that at the very beginning, where Moses tells the Israelites: ‘And these words (the Ten Commandments), which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.’ (Deut.6:6-7) Later on, in basically the same words, Moses again reminds them of the importance of teaching their children the laws of God. (Deut.11:19) Then in Psalm 78, Asaph’s reminder of God’s goodness to Israel, he declares that the old stories they heard from their fathers: ‘We will not hide them from their children, showing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.’ (Ps.78:4) Meanwhile, in Proverbs’, Cousin Sol proclaims in no uncertain terms: ‘Train up a child in the way he should go: and (even) when he is old (mature), he will not depart from it.’ (Prov.22:6) And finally, listen to Bruh Paul’s words to Timothy: ‘And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.’ (2 Tim.3:15) Yes Friends, parents have an awesome responsibility to raise their children on the Word and ways of God, especially fathers, who are considered the nominal head, the guide, the leader of the household. Anything less on the part of parents is a sin against Almighty God, because that’s the only way the Word and will of God will continue from generation to generation. So let’s get serious and do our duty nuh people! It’s about time, don’t you think? Much LOVE!…when believers don’t teach their children about God…they’re shirking their greatest responsibility as parents…and doing both their children and society irreparable harm…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 June 2012 Acts 1:5

04 Jun 2012 Leave a comment

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

Acts 1:5.     For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
 
Oh Friends, it’s Monday; back to labouring for massa’s crumbs! And don’t fool yuhself, if he has his way, we’ll soon be labouring for crumbs! But hopefully we’ve used the weekend wisely, so now we’re ready, set and able to go out into Lucifer’s cruel, evil world and give him heck. And to further boost our enthusiasm and strength of purpose, let’s proudly sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with much gusto! All together 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!’ And now for the last time, (smile) let’s turn to our wonderful Bit; prophetically promised by Christ, then so amazingly fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost, and since then, down through the ages, in each new believer, in so many different ways. ‘For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.’ And in Bruh Paul’s case, none more mysterious and miraculous, who, after being a serious persecutor of the early Christians, through the intervention of Christ’s Spirit, became the most famous, zealous and expert authority on the subject. Though, as the scholars point out, he was commissioned to work in Christ’s name by a God-appointed disciple, Ananias (Acts 9:15-17), by contrast, his apostolic authority did come directly from Christ, not by succession through one of the apostles. As he says at the beginning of Galatians: ‘Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead.)’ (Gal.1:1) Unlike the other apostles, he received his call from the resurrected, glorified and exalted Jesus. Wow! Yes Friends, in Bruh Paul we certainly see the amazing and mysterious workings of our God. He didn’t know Jesus in the flesh, but yet wrote most of the New Covenant (Testament) that Jesus made with man. How? Through the workings of the Spirit, revealing God’s desire and intent to him. It’s amazing that he preached and wrote about the workings of the Spirit more than all the other apostles, even those who personally walked with Christ on earth. He certainly impacted the lives of the Gentiles, to whom he was commissioned to preach the gospel, with the importance of the Spirit. Today, I just want to highlight some of his extraordinary, but oh so truthful remarks on the ways of the Holy Spirit. And we’ll begin with when he talks about ministers in the New Testament to the Corinthians. ‘Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able (sufficient as) ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.’ (2 Cor.3:5-6) He’s talking here about the difference between the external ways of the Old Testament, as opposed to the internal approach of the New. Bruh Paul bombards both the Galatians and the Ephesians with much talk on the Spirit, but unfortunately we only have time and space for a few of the more famous ones. In Galatians it’s Chapter 5, re walking in the Spirit: ‘This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.’ (Gal.5:16-18) Then there’s oft the quoted one later on in the same chapter. ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness (kindness), goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance (self-control): against such there is no law…If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory (conceited), provoking one another, envying one another.’ (Gal.5:22-23, 25-26) And the last one from Galatians: ‘For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.’ (Gal.6:8) From Ephesians comes first a prayer for inner growth: ‘That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.’ (Eph.3:16)  And re the armour of God; ‘And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.’ (Eph.6:18) And in Colossians, re false teaching he reminds them: ‘For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your (good) order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.’ (Col.2:5) Oh Friends, Bruh Paul talks about the Spirit so much in his writings, that you’ll have to look up the Concordance of your Bible to see them all. However, we’ll end this series of messages on the Holy Spirit with a rather appropriate reminder from Ephesians: ‘And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess (dissipation); but be filled with the Spirit.’ (Eph.5:18) Yes my people, if we have to be filled with, be under the influence or controlled by anything, please let it be the Holy Spirit of Jesus which will leads us aright. And in closing, I sincerely hope that our conversations on the Spirit have been useful, have increased our knowledge and will benefit us immensely in the future. Much LOVE!…remember…it’s the Spirit…the worker bee of the Holy Trinity…that’s been commissioned to lead and guide all believers…but He can’t do it without your conscious permission…
 

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