Today’s Scrip-Bit   12 March 2023 Matthew 10:31.

12 Mar 2023 Leave a comment

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

Matthew 10:31. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Well friends, we’ve gone and done the dastardly deed again! (smile) What’s that you ask? We’ve set the clock one hour ahead in the Daylight Saving Time Routine. Why we keep on doing it, I just don’t know, because very few people seem to like it, and its negative repercussions outweigh whatever unknown advantages it might have. And a lot of places, even right here in Canada, don’t do it, and they get along just fine! So why we have to go through the drudgery, lack of sleep, anxiety and lateness caused by this unnecessary procedure is a bafflement to me. 

But what do I know about these weighty affairs of state, and how much pull do I have eh? Not much, so I’ve just got to accept it and say, the Lord be praised, and get in line. (smile) But I do know someone that knows a whole lot about everything and won’t ever let me down or lead me astray; that’s Jesus. So, because of His wisdom and faithfulness, I can put my sincere trust and faith in Him. And the song we’re going to sing this morning as we gather in His sanctuary to give Him praise and worship, with thanksgiving, exemplifies His wisdom, faithfulness and LOVE to the nth degree. It’s appropriately titled ‘His Eye is on the Sparrow.’ 

One commentary says this of the song: ‘Throughout life, we may feel discouraged and down. But always remember that He is by our side and watches over us through it all. Just like the lyrics of ‘His Eye Is On The Sparrow’ remember that He is with us in all that we do. And when you hear how this popular hymn came to be written, your heart will be touched. Do not be troubled because we have the King of kings on our side!’ And is that ever the indisputable truth! 

But before we sing it, let’s hear how it came to be. The marvellous lyrics were born out of a springtime visit in 1905 by lyricist Civilla D. Martin and her husband to a couple, Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle, whom they had befriended in Elmira, New York. Apparently the couple were ‘true saints of God,’ for Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nearly twenty years, while her husband was an incurable cripple, who got around in his business matters by means of a wheelchair. Now, despite their serious afflictions, they appeared to live happy lives, giving inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. 

On this particular day while the Martins were visiting, Mr. Martin commented on their bright hopefulness and asked their secret. Mrs. Doolittle simply replied, ‘His eye is on the Sparrow, and I know He watches me.’ The hymn was born out of that simple but oh so moving experience, with the music later added by composer Charles H. Gabriel. So now, having learned how the song came to be, let’s raise our voices in sweet sacrificial praise, in a soulful, heartfelt, mid-tempo version. And we’ll begin with the chorus, because that seems to stir us up more than when we begin with the first verse. (smile) 

Singing: ‘(Refrain: I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free; For his eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me.) Why should I feel discouraged, Why should the shadows come, Why should my heart be lonely, And long for heav’n and home; When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is he; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me. (Refrain) 

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear, And resting on his goodness, I lose my doubts and fears; Though by the path he leadeth, But one step I may see; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me.  His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me. [Refrain] 

Whenever I am tempted, Whenever clouds arise; When songs give place to sighing, When hope within me dies, I draw the closer to him, From care he sets me free; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me. [Refrain: So I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free; For his eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me.) Yes, His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me.’ 

Wow! Isn’t that magnificent my people! As well as encouraging, reassuring and comforting! It’s ever so good to know that our heavenly Father watches over us like a hawk, or like an eagle does her young ones. And it’s not me who says that nuh, but Jesus, who should know what He’s talking about. Listen to how He wove it into His passage on worry in the Sermon on the Mount. He said to the crowd: ‘Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?’ (Matt. 10:26) We would certainly think so. 

Then later on, when Jesus warned the disciples about not fearing those who could kill the body, but not the soul, but to fear God who could kill both. (Matt. 10:28) He specified: ‘Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing (a copper coin)? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.’ (Matt. 10:29-31) Now friends, if that doesn’t encourage us greatly, I don’t know what will. (smile) 

But let’s try this other scripture from before Jesus’ time here on earth. This from Psalm 32, Bruh David’s words on the blessedness of confession and forgiveness, which lead to divine instruction. ‘I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.’ (Ps. 32:8-9) 

Yes friends, that’s just another of the many instances in the Word of God where we find His great faithfulness towards us, His adopted children, the only creation made in His image, whom He predestinated to become as righteous and perfect as His first-born Son, Jesus Christ!! That ought to give us great reassurance and confidence as we journey out into the evil world this week to do His earthly work. Much LOVE!

…why worry…when the Creator of the universe is looking out for us… 

 Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ       

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Today’s Scrip-Bit   12 January 2023 Mark 4:9.

12 Jan 2023 Leave a comment

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

Mark 4:9.        And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let hm hear.

Now what shall we say today eh? That it’s a wet and cloudy morning with a bit of drizzle in the atmosphere. Well, that’s nothing new. ((smile) Neither is the fact that Jesus, our Lord and Saviour is in the wings watching it all and keeping it all under control! That’s one of the many great things about our Jesus: He always has things under control. They might seem out of control to us, but we know that there’s method to His apparent madness, because His thoughts and ways are higher than ours. 

We are just the finite created beings while He is the infinite Creator, that’s why we don’t worry when circumstances come against us, when our whole world feels like it’s falling apart and the unbelievers are holding their heads and bawling. No sir! We, the followers of Jesus, stay calm and unruffled in the storms of life, because we know that we have the most able pilot around…in fact the one who creates and controls the storms, so we can just go about our business, rejoicing and giving thanks to Christ and the Father for their unconditional LOVE, amazing grace and never-ending mercy. 

Wow! And if you agree with and sincerely believe that, then shout out a loud and grateful ‘Glory Hallelujah! Amen!’ (smile) 

Now, here’s an interesting and important parable of Jesus that pertains to faith and belief in Him, to staying strong in His word and bearing good fruit. It’s the parable of the Sower. But before we get into it, let’s get a quick explanation of ‘a parable’ from the scholars. They say ‘a parable is a brief story that makes a comparison. It typically uses an illustration from everyday life to bring out a spiritual truth.’ 

So listen as Jesus weaves this parable to bring out the spiritual truth He desires to share. He said: ‘Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow. And it came to pass, as he sowed, some (seed) fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. And some (seed) fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. 

And some (seed) fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other (seed) fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth some thirty, and some sixty, and some and hundred (fold).’ (Mark 4:3-8) 

Oh friends, don’t you just enjoy Jesus’ parables. No one can spin a tale like Him. He’s definitely the greatest storyteller ever! But His stories are ever so important to mankind. And it’s also very interesting how He ends them with some noteworthy statement, like He did with this parable of the sower. Mark writes: ‘And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let hm hear.’ (Mark 4:9) 

Now, the scholars tell us that that statement ‘goes beyond physical hearing and implies an inner spiritual reception of truth.’ This led the disciples to ask: ‘Why speakest thou unto them in parables?’ (Matt. 13:10) ‘Before Jesus had used parables to illustrate His messages, now they formed the basis of the message.’ 

‘And He said unto them, Unto you is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God (secret or hidden truths): but unto them that are without (outside), all these things are done in parables. That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.’ (Mark 4:11-12) Jesus was referring there to Isaiah’s prophecy about the rejection of His message, that the people should hear but not understand, and see but not perceive.(Is. 6:9-10) 

Then Jesus said unto the disciples: ‘Know ye not (don’t you understand) this parable? And how then will ye know (understand ) all parables?’ (Mark 4:13) Consequently, He explains: ‘The sower soweth the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. 

And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground, who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and have no root in themselves, and so endure for but a time: afterward when affliction (tribulation) or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended (caused to stumble). 

And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts (desires) of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. And these are they which are sown on good ground, such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.’ (Mark. 4:14-20) 

Oh my people, we have seen all those types in our walk with God. At one stage some of us might have even been in one of those unfruitful categories, but eventually we truly heard, and now we are good ground, the word has been sown deeply in us, it’s rooted and grounded, and we are bringing forth good fruit! Glory to God! 

And our God is so good that He’s bestowed blessings on us so that we can be even more fruitful. We call them our Thursday Blessings, but they need to be activated by declaring (steups!!!) them out loud. So let’s do that right now. As one strong voice: ‘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 every day! Amen!’ 

And the corollary to that is we use those blessings just as generously as God gave them to us, to go out and bear good fruit for Him! Much LOVE!

…what kind of soil are you…unresponsive, stony, thorny or good…

 Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ      

Today’s Scrip-Bit 6 March 2016 Psalm 77:13‏‏‏‏‏‏

06 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?

Oh friends, it’s the day of the Lord, as celebrated by a majority of Christians! So I do hope that we have all gotten, or are in the process of getting our weekly celebration, gathering with other believers to worship and praise and give thanks to our great God and receive his encouragement and strength and peace and wisdom to endure the vicissitudes of life for another week! Praise His holy name, for He is indeed a great God! 

Now please note that the Bit is not late. (smile) That’s just the way God planned it. You see I was up early this morning, participating in some devotions, then got ready and went to church. 

And you know on this paradise island of Tobago, like everything else, church is also laid back and does take some time. I read the first reading and I shook my tambourine and sang as loudly as I could, given my current asthmatic condition! Glory Hallelujah! 

Then I came home and had breakfast, some bake and saltfish, and the obligatory nap came after. (smile) Only thing is it turned into a little more than a nap, since I had not had a decent night’s sleep last night.  So you see everything is indeed working out according to God’s plan; I’m up now bright and beautiful and rearing to go! 

And talking about bright and beautiful, I see some dark clouds massing up over the southern horizon, seemingly portents of rain which we desperately need in this continuing dry season. 

But I won’t hold my breath because over the last few days it has been particularly cloudy, but nary a drop of heavenly blessing has fallen. The strong winds seem to blow them away at the last minute. But then again that might just be God’s plan, and indeed His prerogative. 

And this Sunday morning, or rather afternoon, I want to remind us of one thing; it’s a quote attributed to the renowned British playwright and novelist, William Somerset Maugham (1874-1965). He reputedly declared that ‘The unfortunate thing about this world is that good habits are so much easier to give up than bad ones.’ 

And isn’t that the gospel truth my people! We all have been plagued by habits, both good and bad, at some time(s) in our lives and unfortunately, or in some cases fortunately (smile) the bad ones were always the hardest to give up. 

Now why is that eh? I suspect that it has something to with our fallen nature, because most of the bad habits are usually associated with the wrong thinking and beliefs of the lustful and deceitful world which we ofttimes seem to cherish more than the good habits of our wonderful God. 

Now that’s just a reminder to be very careful of those bad worldly habits. When they come a calling, or rear their ugly heads in our lives, we need to resist them with every ounce of our beings, through prayer and fellowship, or else they will most certainly lead us down the garden path to more confusion and corruption in our lives than is necessary. End of sermon. (smile) 

Now let’s turn to our Bit which espouses the greatness of our God Jehovah. ‘Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary (holiness): who is so great a God as our God?’ 

And for all true believers, we know that there is NOBODY as great as our God! As I keep asking, how could there be, when He is the one who created the universe and all therein basically through the spoken word. Who, or what, could be mightier than that eh, to just talk the world into existence? 

NOTHING or NO ONE! 

And we’ll continue looking at some scripture that proves our contention, beginning with the patriarch Abraham, who left his family at seventy-five years of age and wandered out into the unknown because of God’s promise to magnify Him if he obeyed His will. (Gen.12) 

And we all know that God did magnify him, because today, thousands of years later, we talk about and worship the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 

And how about the Lord’s promise that Abraham would have an heir out of his own loins with his aged wife Sarah? (Gen.18, 21) Who but a great and mighty God could fulfill such a promise when one party was a hundred years old and the other ninety eh, both way past childbearing age? 

The Lord God Jehovah is His name! 

And again when the prophet Samuel’s mother, Hannah, beseeched the Lord to end her barren womanhood, because she was having a hard time with the mocking of her husband Elkanah’s other fruitful wives, what happened? 

Having promised to give the child into His service, the Lord looked down with favour and granted her her heart’s desire, and made him a great prophet amongst his people. (1 Sam.1) 

And who caused Bruh David to kill the mighty Philistine giant with five small stones and a sling shot (catapult) eh? Nobody else but the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! 

Now listen to these immortal words that Bruh David spoke to Goliath. ‘Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 

This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite (strike) thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 

And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hands.’ (1 Sam.17:45-47) 

And it happened just as he declared it! 

Oh friends, I have to chuckle at Bruh David’s belly and backbone yes! Wish we all could have a little bit of it. Just imagine this little runt of a shepherd boy, talking to the mighty Philistine warrior like that nuh! 

But as I’ve always said, if nothing else, Bruh David knew on which side his bread was buttered, for despite all his mistakes and disobedience, he never forsook the God of his fathers. 

Oh my people, this Sunday, please let’s take all the stuff we’ve talked about and diligently mould it into our minds, bodies and souls nuh, so that we can have the courage, the chutzpah of Bruh David, to stand up strong and declare our great God, when the enemy comes against us. 

This I pray in Jesus name. Amen! Much LOVE my people!

…a believer’s bread is buttered on only one side…that of the Lord’s…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 27 December 2014 Matthew 6:33

27 Dec 2014 Leave a comment

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

 Matthew 6:33.    But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 
 
And then it was Saturday! Another exciting day in the Christmas season Friends! (smile) Oh I know that many of us are tired from all the Christmas activity and just want to lie down and rest. Well what’s stopping you eh? Just do it.

If the body and soul are crying out for respite, then it’s your duty to give them respite. They can’t continue being stretched and stressed out without losing their power and elasticity. Like a rubber band, the more you stretch and pull them, the loser and less effective they become.
 
Anyhow, here’s an appropriate quote from my Friend Anselm, that’s meant to inspire you for a better tomorrow. And this one comes from Abraham Lincoln. It’s simple but full of wisdom. All it says is: ‘In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.’ And that’s oh so true my people!
 
Now here is Anselm’s take on the subject. ‘It doesn’t matter how long you live, but how much you lived during the time that you were here. So many of us get caught up with age and aging and forget that it’s not about turning back the clock or staying young forever, but trying to get the best feeling that you can out of each moment of your life.
 
Abraham Lincoln was known for being handy with words, so it’s no surprise that he was able to make a quote like this, especially since he was able to pack a lot of life in his 56 years.’
 
Now how much life are we willing to pack into our years eh? It all depends on us my people, for we choose the kind of life we want to live, be it positive or negative, filled with the Word and promises of Almighty God or with the ungodly and lustful things of the world.
 
And the smart money my brethren is always on the things of God, because they have more intrinsic value and last longer than the shallow, bright but flimsy and flaky things of the world.
 
That’s why Friends, I’m encouraging us on this last Saturday in 2014, to sit down and quietly and seriously ponder the direction of our lives. Let’s check on how we spent this past year. Did we do a good, bad or indifferent job? Did we make even some small difference in the world around us? Did we reach the goals we set?
 
And most importantly, did we make any headway in our New Year’s Resolution of following Christ more closely? Have we grown in maturity and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour? Remember, that is the ONLY real resolution you need to make, because once you concentrate on following Christ, everything else falls into place.
 
For as Jesus so rightly says in our Bit, which is taken from the Sermon on the Mount: ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
 
Take therefore no thought for the morrow (therefore do not worry about tomorrow): for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil (trouble) thereof.’ (Matt.6:33-34)
 
Yes my fellow believers, when we seek God FIRST, He makes everything else fall into place for us. Now that doesn’t mean we don’t have to work and pay attention to things, but that we don’t need to strive and worry and feel anxious about our lives and livelihood.
 
As Jesus reminded the disciples before our Bit. ‘Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for (do not worry about) your life, for what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not life more than meat (food), and the body than raiment (clothing)?
 
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought (worrying) can add one cubit unto his stature (height)?
 
And why take ye thought for (worry about) raiment (clothing)? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed (clothed, dressed) like one of these.
 
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
 
Therefore take no thought (do not worry), saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.’ (Matt.6:25-32)
 
Matter finished Friends! Jesus spells it our like it is. If our heavenly Father can look after the things of nature so well, why wouldn’t He look after us, His most important creation, just as well eh? Even Cousin Sol, in all his worldly finery, was no match for the simple lilies of the field.
 
So my people, the life affirming choice is now ours to make. Please, I implore us to use the great wisdom and common sense that’s at our disposal to make the correct one, for the colour and tenor of our earthly lives, as well as where we spend eternity depends on the choice(s) we make today. Nuff said. Much LOVE!
 
…a word of advice…one can never go wrong by choosing Jesus…