Today’s Scrip-Bit 30 November 2015 Colossians 3:2

30 Nov 2015 Leave a comment

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

Colossians 3:2.  Set your affection (mind) on things above, not on things on the earth.

Ahoy there mates, it’s our favourite day, Monday! Oh thank the Lord for it! (smile) And I know that some of you are thinking, has he lost his mind? How could Monday ever be our favourite day eh? 

Ah mih people, it might not be, but it possibly should be, because Mondays bring the most opportunities for truly serving God, out in the busy, open world, where we have many more unbelievers to witness to. 

And remember that serving God is our first priority down here on this earth. So, though you don’t like having to get up and go back to work, there are silver linings to the black clouds you see every Monday morning. 

And as always, to help us get through that difficult time, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with much gusto. Look for our choirmaster, Jesus’ direction now. 

And as one: ‘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, not too bad a rendition Friends, especially after Thanksgiving weekend, and on Cyber Monday, when the online sales are supposed to go crazy. Ah Lord eh! What next commercial day are they going to come up with? 

Although I recently read that Cyber Monday is slowly morphing into Cyber Friday, because so many people have smart phones now and can order stuff whenever they like. Good for them yes! Chuh! It’s just all about material stuff! How much material stuff can we use eh? Not much! 

I’m sure all of us can look around our houses and see stuff that we thought we must have, then soon after we bought it, something else caught our eye, and the first thing was relegated to some corner, just left sitting there in limbo, unused. Ah mih breddren, when are we going to learn eh? 

Listen to how Bruh Paul spells it out to the Colossians. ‘If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection (mind) on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.’ (Col.3:1-3) 

Yes Friends, if we have been born again, become new creations in Christ, then our priorities should not be earthly things, but heavenly ones, where Christ is now seated beside the Father. That’s why our Bit clearly states that our minds ought to be on things above, not those down here on earth. 

But I guess with our fallen nature and the coercion of the world, that’s much easier said than done. However, as faithful believers, that’s what is expected of us. Our old ways and habits, values and vices, interests and sins are to be left behind. And we should seek those things which are above. 

The scholars explain that thus: ‘These “things” include deeper knowledge of Christ, closer fellowship with Him, experience of His resurrection power, victory over sin (vv.5-11); the development of godly virtues (vv.12-17); the fulfillment of domestic and social responsibilities (3:18-4:1); an effective prayer life (4:2); fruitfulness in witnessing (4:3-6) – in a word, the attainment of Christian maturity, and all the spiritual benefits God has for His people during their days on earth. To have been raised with Christ and not to seek these blessings would be a contradiction.’ 

Oh my people, the important things in this life are all right there, all laid out for us in Bruh Paul’s letter to the Colossians. It might be to our advantage if today, we spent some time pondering that letter and all the wonderful advice it has to offer to true believers in Jesus Christ. 

There’s no way we’ll lose if we did that. It’s one of those win- win situations. So that’s our homework for today. And don’t think you can get away with not doing it, because tomorrow I’m going to question us on it. (smile) 

Therefore my brothers and sisters in Christ, let’s go out boldly and confidently today nuh, and make our Lord and Saviour proud of us, by thinking of heavenly things and then putting them into action in our earthly lives, for that is indeed wisdom of everlasting proportions! Much LOVE!

…spiritual beings ought to concentrate on spiritual things…

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 29 November 2015 Psalm 130:4‏

29 Nov 2015 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 130:4.  But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared (reverenced with awe).

Well then my fellow believers, it’s that glorious day called Sunday, when we are expected to gather together in the Lord’s sanctuary to offer up our sacrifices of praise and thanks and worship! Glory to God! 

And remember this is still Thanksgiving Weekend, so even more praises and thanks are expected. Today ought mostly to be about glorifying our wonderful Creator and heavenly Father, so please, let’s not make a mockery of it and get out there in our numbers and do what we know is right. 

And all God’s children declared a loud and proud: ‘Praise the Lord!’ 

Now here is something from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin, which I think we all should place close attention to this November Sunday. It’s called ‘Fiery Trials.’ 

Listen up. ‘God is teaching me incredible lessons regarding growth. I see with undeniable evidence that growth means pruning, and pruning means pain. I confess, I’m actually a coward about pain. I certainly never pray for it. I don’t anticipate or look for it. I do only one thing. I ask God to steady me, since the Bible so clearly states that trials are a part of our lifewalk with him. 

In all honesty I would prefer to escape the testing. I don’t like the pain of emotional trauma, which can be so overwhelming and baffling. I don’t like the deep cutting pain that goes on and on without relief. The pain of loneliness frightens me, the pain of losing someone dear to me grieves me. 

Nevertheless, I am praying for an open heart. I can’t begin to contemplate what fiery ordeals God may choose for my testing and growth, but I do long for my yieldness to prove my willingness to be conformed to the image of his dear Son.’ 

Oh Friends, I read that yesterday, but it’s only just now as I copied it that it really hit home. I’m talking about the agonizing pain I’ve been going through this past week. It was just supposed to be a simple procedure…

Ah Lord eh, thanks for painkillers yes. At least they ease up the pain some. If this is merely testing, then I’m not very thrilled about it nuh. But I guess I’ll just have to grin and bear it, although it’s getting harder to do with each passing day. I’ll surely have to check out the medics tomorrow, because this just doesn’t seem right. 

And the promise to which that poem is attached is: ‘Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trials which try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as (to the extent that) ye are partakers of Christ’s suffering; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.’ (1 Pet.4:12-13) 

Ah mih people, it is a great scripture, but certainly not an easy one to put into action. But since we are a continual work in progress, we’ll obviously try our best to do so, with God’s wonderful help of course. 

And having said all of that, let’s turn to our Bit.  ‘But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared (reverenced with awe).’ 

Yes friends, we’re continuing with the theme of forgiveness. Today however, we’re just going to look at scriptures which talk about, which trumpet the forgiveness of our heavenly Father. And what better scripture to begin with than this one from 1 John. 

‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.’ (1 John 1:9-10) And we definitely don’t want to call God a liar! 

Then listen to Daniel as he prays for his people Israel. ‘To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against him.’ (Dan.9:9) 

Never were truer words spoken my brethren, because as Jeremiah so wisely tells us in Lamentations: ‘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.’ (Lam.3:22-23) 

And all God’s people gratefully declared: ‘Thank God for His mercies and compassions! Thank God that they are new everyday!’ Yes friends, we certainly have to be thankful there, otherwise we’d be mercilessly swept aside because of our sinful nature and behaviour. 

Now hear Isaiah: ‘Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.’ (Is.55:7) More words of undisputed truth! 

And Bruh David in Psalm 86 – Teach me thy way, O Lord – puts it this way. ‘Rejoice (make glad) the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For thou Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.’ (Ps.86:4-5) Gospel truth my precious people! 

And we’ll end most appropriately with words from our God Himself, when Moses went back up Mt. Sinai to have the tablets of the Ten Commandments rewritten, after he had broken them. 

‘And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.’ (Ex.34:6-7) 

Yes my fellow believers, our God is a most forgiving God; in fact the ONLY such one amongst all the other supposed deities. Please remember that and act accordingly. Much LOVE!

…forgiveness is certainly ours for the asking…but it all depends on our forgiveness of others…

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 October 2015 Psalm 130:5‏

11 Oct 2015 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 130:5.   I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

Ah mih people, our ancestors were surely right when they said that after one time was two, and what hadn’t passed you hadn’t met you, or vice versa. Steups! Just trying to put it in proper language, although it does lose some of the flavour when taken from the vernacular. 

The long and short of the story though is that this big Thanksgiving Weekend the ole fella is holed up at home with an intravenous needle in his left forearm connected by some clear plastic tubing to a pump and some antibiotics in a bag that I’m carrying around my waist or my shoulder. Hn, Hn, Hn! 

I just have to chuckle at the picture yes. I can’t even go to church because of the inconvenience of the situation, but the Lord understands. And I guess you all are wondering what brought on that situation. 

Well about a week ago, the duchess noticed this small red spot on my left calf. It was in a position that I couldn’t even see it unless I turned my foot around. We tried doctoring it ourselves, but it only got bigger and redder, until yesterday morning I decided to take in front before in front took me and went to the Emergency Department in a nearby hospital. 

Unfortunately I learned that I had an infection in my calf, caused by what, no one really knows. There are theories that it came from a bite or a sting, which I don’t remember receiving, or even some circulation problems. But the best way to remedy the situation was with antibiotics administered intravenously. 

So here I am, waiting expectantly for a nurse to come everyday to change my dressing and the medication in the bag. Hn, hn! 

But yuh know Friends, even in this time of adversity there is stuff to be thankful for, i.e., there’s no broken skin or any pain in the infected area. Praise the Lord! Our God is so wonderful that He knew the ole fella couldn’t bear any more pain along with his already full load from the arthritis, thus fulfilling the promise that He does not give you more than you can bear. Glory to God!  

So that’s my story…and it won’t stop me from participating in the Thanksgiving programme planned by the family, I’ll just be traipsing along with my little bag and clear plastic tubing, trying not to get it hooked up into anything. (smile) 

Ah Friends, it’s good that I’m at a stage of maturity in Christ where I can laugh at the situation, otherwise it would just drive me crazy. I have enough faith and confidence to know that this too shall pass, it’s just another inconvenience, another test along my pilgrim’s journey. 

That’s why my people, it’s ever so important to have the Word of the Lord, especially His promises stored deep down in our hearts, so that we can raise up whatever is needed to help us in times of adversity. 

And our Bit is a very good example of that situation. ‘I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.’ Yes Friends, we surely do need to hope in the Lord, and then wait expectantly in faith with that hope. 

Now let’s look at a few scripture passages that uphold our Bit. And we’ll go right to the beginning, when Jacob blessed and prophesied concerning his sons. At one point during his prophecy, he soulfully proclaimed: ‘I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord.’ (Gen.49:18) 

And we all know Jacob’s story. If he could be turned from an ole crook into one of the father’s of Israel, then there’s hope for all of us, if we sincerely put our trust and faith in the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 

Meanwhile, Isaiah, in his hymn of praise boldly and confidently declares: ‘The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh (make level) the path of the just. Yea, in the way of thy judgements, O Lord, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. 

With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgements are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.’ (Is.26:7-9) 

Oh Friends, how I long to see that day when we down here on this forlorn planet earth truly learn the righteousness of God! 

And we’ll end today with these excellent words of advice from Bruh Paul to Titus, re the Christian life. ‘For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world (age); 

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar (his own special) people, zealous of good works.’ (Titus 2:11-14) 

Yes my brethren, having received salvation through the redemptive death of Jesus, we must now wait with hope and faith, while living righteously amongst the heathen horde, looking expectantly unto the return of Jesus with all might and power to claim His rightful place as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 

And though that may seem difficult with the constant bombardment of the world and it’s unrighteousness, we can certainly accomplish it if we place all our fears and cares in the Lord God Jehovah, who has faithfully promised to help all those who turn to Him for succour. Now that is undisputed wisdom for each and every age! Much LOVE!

…I can do all things through Christ…who strengtheneth me…  (Phil.4:13)

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