Today’s Scrip-Bit   25 April 2022 Ecclesiastes 3:1.

25 Apr 2022 Leave a comment

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

Ecclesiastes 3:1.      To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.

And on this last Monday of April 2022, the second one after Christ’s triumphant resurrection at Easter, although the sun is shining under a slight cloud cover, we are not in any doubt of our past, present or future. And why is that you ask? Well, obviously because we are alive and kicking through the awesome mercies and compassions of our great God, which are new every day! And all God’s children gave out a loud, proud and grateful ‘Glory Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Praise His Holy Name!’ 

And yes, we ought to be everlastingly grateful that He’s not consumed us in our iniquity, but even more so that He gives us a brand new start every day! Wow! Yes mih bredrin, our great God doesn’t believe in stale, left over stuff, so He gives us a new burst of His spiritual energy every single day of our lives, just enough to get us successfully through that particular day. And some of us might be greedy and want more than a day’s worth, but He knows just how much is sufficient for us. 

Remember Jesus’ words in the prayer He taught the disciples? ‘Give us this day our daily bread.’ Yes, all we need is one day of God’s provision at a time, like He did with the manna He gave to the Hebrews in the wilderness. If they picked up more than a day’s worth, it was spoiled by the next day. (Ex. 16) And we must learn to be satisfied with what God gives us every day, don’t try to go running ahead of Him, because then we only screw up all His well laid plans for us. And sadly, our impatience, and our ability to wait on God and His impeccable timing is exactly why so many of us are getting nowhere fast. 

One commentator puts it simply and succinctly: ‘For us, God’s timing often feels like a long, desperate delay. God’s perfect timing does two things: It grows our faith as we are forced to wait and trust in God and it makes certain that He, and He alone, gets the glory and praise for pulling us through.’ That’s gospel truth my people! And Bruh David said it in Psalm 31: “My times are in Your hands …” (Ps. 31:15) More gospel truth! 

And there are so many scriptures in the Good Book that teach us about waiting on God’s perfect timing. So, this Monday morning, let’s remind ourselves of a few of them nuh. It can’t possibly do us any harm, and it will certainly do us much good. (smile) And we begin with this marvellous and true statement from Cousin Sol writing as the preacher in Ecclesiastes, where He wisely declares: ‘To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.’ (Eccl. 3:1) And that’s no lie, for God has planned His universe with perfect perfection (smile) and nothing happens outside of His plan. 

And we ought to remember that, for as Cousin Sol writes in Proverbs 16: ‘A man’s heart deviseth (plans) his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.’ (Prov. 16:9) And the Lord is indeed sovereign over man’s planning and scheming, as so many of us have found out to our detriment. 

But these marvellous words from the prophet Jeremiah on God’s behalf, ought to boost our faith and trust in God, although they don’t seem to do so, otherwise we wouldn’t be as impatient and disobedient as we are. ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil (calamity), to give you an expected end (a future and a hope).’ (Jer. 29:11) Now, if God gives such a great promise, why would He do anything contrary to it eh? No reason whatsoever! 

And if He does allow us to go through hardship it’s only to test our faith and to grow us. And for that, He’s given us this magnificent and everlasting promise. ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.’ (Rom. 8:28) So as children of God, we ought to know and believe that He will indeed work out everything for our good eventually and wait patiently for His awesome timing. But our current behaviour doesn’t reflect that promise enough. 

And these words of Peter remind us that our God works on an entirely different timeline than us. ‘But beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.’ (2 Pet. 3:8) Now that should make us put on our thinking caps. (smile) And furthermore, as Peter continues: ‘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.’ (2 Pet. 3:9) 

That explains why we’re not consumed but receive new mercies and compassions every day. If the Lord wasn’t long-suffering, that’s patient, we would have been destroyed long ago. So please let’s give much thanks that patience is one of His many virtues. And I think that these words from Jeremiah in his Lamentations is a wonderful scripture to close on. ‘The Lord is my portion, saith my soul: therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.’ (Lam. 3:24-26) 

Now friends, there’s absolutely no way we can doubt those scriptures because they are the indisputable truth of God’s word. So please, let’s get ourselves together nuh, for our sakes and those of our children, and begin truly believing in what we read and waiting patiently on God’s timing, because He always has what’s best for us. There’s absolutely no doubt about that! And in keeping with all that we’ve said today, let’s go to our wonderful God in prayer, right now nuh, letting Him know our wants and desires through our Monday Morning battle Hymn. 

As one strong and confident but humble voice. ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You this Monday morning for life and strong faith in Christ, despite the mass confusion in our world. We desperately need Your divine help, for You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems. 

Heavenly Father, we admit that we have all sinned and seriously disobeyed Your Word, but we know that You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, who has faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face. That’s why we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading with You to give us wise guidance and direction to alleviate our problems.  

And Father, we pray that you will ease the pain of the many who are suffering from negative situations. Please show them Your awesome grace and mercy, and keep Your promise that You’ll hear our prayer, forgive us, and heal our land if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again, we say: Amen!’ 

Now it’s time to show our sincerity by living the way we promised…provided we want to receive a positive answer from God. Much LOVE!

…living this earthly life is very simple…simply obey God…and leave all the consequences to him… (Uncle Charles – Dr. Charles Stanley)                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

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Today’s Scrip-Bit 6 February 2020 Proverbs 3:5.

06 Feb 2020 Leave a comment

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

Proverbs 3:5.    ​Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
 
Oh friends, the weather forecasters got it right this time! It’s out there, in decent enough proportions; white and cold and beautiful, but extremely dangerous! (smile) We talking about a snow storm that hit the area last night and has most likely made and is still making a mess of the morning commute. But what to do eh? It’s all a part of the life scene in the northern climes, so we just have to grin and bear it and ask the Lord to help us get through it safely. 

And would you believe this is the day that I have to go into the city for a cat-scan on my head? Steups! I haven’t quite made up my mind if I’m going, but it’s not until late afternoon, so we still have time to make a decision. Cancelling it though could mean another couple of months to get another appointment. And it’s all for my benefit, to make sure the tumour they removed from my pituitary gland almost two years ago is not growing back. But not to fear, the Lord will help me to make a wise decision. (smile) 

And talking about wise decisions, this most appropriate scripture just came to me: ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.’ Oh my people, wiser words were never spoken! It ought to be a no-brainer to trust securely in the One who made the universe and all therein, but unfortunately it isn’t! Mankind feels because his Maker gave him dominion over the earth and all within it, that his own wisdom is sufficient to handle all his affairs. Heifer dust! 

And as he’s grown more prosperous and technologically intelligent, so has his foolish pride in his own superiority increased. But what he’s foolishly not realized is that although the Lord gave him free will, He stills holds the reins, though somewhat loosely, and still controls the bit in his mouth. (smile) And Cousin Sol reminds us of that in two verses of Proverbs: ‘The preparations (plans) of the heart in (belong to) man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.’ (Prov.16:1) And the scholars explain that thus: ‘16:1. The Lord is sovereign, even over a man’s thoughts and words.’ 

And later in the same chapter, Cousin Sol tells us: ‘A man’s heart deviseth (plans) his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.’ (Prov.16:9) And the scholars explain: ‘16:9. The Lord is sovereign over man’s scheming and planning.’ So yuh see friends, our God whom we consider omnipotent and can do anything, is in reality the ruler of our thoughts, words, schemes and plans. He just allows us to make them, but He does the final directing. And until we wake up and realize that awesome truth, and stop trying to make decisions in our own strength, we will never really enjoy all that the Lord has prepared and planned for mankind. End of story! 

And the next few verses after our Bit are probably some of the most important and wisest in the Good Book, meaning that if we follow them sincerely, we will never go too wrong, or fall off the straight and narrow path. Listen to these amazing words of truth and wisdom nuh from the writings of Cousin Sol. ‘In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct (make smooth or straight) thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear (reverence) the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel (body), and marrow (strength) to thy bones.’ (Prov.5:6-8) 

Oh mih people, yuh see the awesome benefits to our health and strength from listening to the Lord, from asking for His direction and guidance! And then there are these two amazing verses that deal with our prosperity: ‘Honour the Lord with thy substance (possessions), and with the first fruits of all thine increase. So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses (vats) shall burst out with new wine.’ (Prov.3:9-10) Mamacita! 

Friends, it’s all laid out right there for us in black and white: Give to the Lord of the first fruits of your bounty, and He will enlarge you! But for some foolish reason(s) we refuse to give to the Lord what is actually His. Yes, ALL that’s in the heaven and earth and sea belongs to Him! We are only stewards of His business. That’s what we forget, or don’t know. And how often do the scriptures recommend that we give eh? Very often! 

The Lord even complained that the Israelites robbed Him by not giving their tithes like they should, and that led to a lot of their ‘sufferation.’  However if they did, He would open the windows of heaven and pour down a blessing that they wouldn’t have room for. (Mal.3:8-10) And friends the same direction applies to us nowadays. But like the foolish and greedy Israelites, we too refuse to give to God what’s His rightful due. 

And precious people, all He asks for is ten percent of what we make so that He can have provision in His house for those who do His work and those who come to them for help and succour. And so many of us wonder why our earthly means are so measly…because we don’t give enough and give generously from the heart. Remember the Good Book says the Lord LOVES a cheerful giver! (2 Cor. 9:7) 

And sadly, that’s one of the important factors in churches going belly up these days; many of the congregants are not giving sufficient funds to keep the churches running. They all want to come to church and see everything looking good and hear an uplifting sermon from the pastor, but they don’t think that pastor needs to be paid a living wage, just like them, and the church has bills just like their houses. 

Ah friends, enough for today! (smile) Let’s go home now declaring (yeah!) our Thursday Blessings, blessings that the Lord has provided for those of us who are seriously interested in doing His work. Remember, He doesn’t give us work to do without the tools to do them.  

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

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

And as always, the corollary to that, is for us to go out and generously share those blessings with others, just as the Lord has generously shared them with us. They are definitely not to be hoarded! Much LOVE!

…true wisdom comes from the Lord…give…and it will be given unto you…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 June 2019 Proverbs 27:1.

11 Jun 2019 Leave a comment

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

Proverbs 27:1.    ​Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
 

Oh yes, it was indeed a very ‘riney’ day yesterday – from early morn, right on into the night! But it’s very sunshiny and beautiful today though! Glory Be! Like it’s becoming impossible to have a few bright and sunshiny, warm days in a row. But we’ll take them however we can get them yes! (smile) 

Anyhow, here’s an interesting situation. And you’ll notice how the Lord is so up on things? I’m in the habit of telling the duchess that the week is almost done, but I haven’t done even a half of what I wanted to do. And she replies by telling me that time isn’t waiting on me. Then lo and behold, a few days ago, a friend sent me this message via her what’s app app. 

It says: ‘This was sent to me today and couldn’t help but share, very beautiful, very true….! Hardly the day started and … it is already six o’clock in the evening. Barely arrived on Monday and it’s already Friday… and the month is already over. … and the year is almost up. … and already 40, 50 or 60 years of our lives have passed. … and we realize that we lost our parents, friends. And we realize that it is too late to go back … 

So … Let’s try, however, to take full advantage of the time we have left … Let’s not stop looking for activities that we like …Let’s put color in our greyness … Let’s smile at the little things in life that put balm in our hearts. And yet, we must continue to enjoy serenely the time that remains. Let’s try to eliminate the “after” … I’ll do it after … I will say after … I will think about it after … 

We leave everything for later as if “after” was ours. Because what we do not understand is that: after, the coffee cools … after, priorities change … after, the charm is broken … after, health passes … after, the children grow up … after, the parents get older … after, the promises are forgotten … after, the day becomes the night … after, life ends … And after that it’s often too late…. 

So … leave nothing for later … Because always waiting for later, we can lose the best moments, the best experiences, the best friends, the best family … The day is today … The moment is now … We are no longer at the age where we can afford to postpone until tomorrow what needs to be done right away. So after you read this message…  Please share it with others… And don’t leave it for “later”… Or not share it “ever”….’ 

Well I left it for a li’l later, but not for ever. (smile) Yes friends, that’s why they say time flies, and time waits on no one, and why our parents and teachers drilled it into our heads to not leave for tomorrow what we can do today! But do we ever listen? No sir! We still procrastinate and say, tomorrow, even though tomorrow never comes – because it’s always today! 

So let’s hope that li’l message will help us stop putting off things for later, or tomorrow, because we often miss the best of life when we do so. That’s why Cousin Sol warns us in Proverbs: ‘Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.’ And isn’t that the gospel truth? We don’t have a clue as to what will really happen tomorrow. That’s why we should try our best to do what we have to do today. 

And even when we can’t, we should make this proviso as James warns. ‘Go to now (come now), ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain (make a profit): Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 

For that ye ought to say, if the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice (boast) in your boastings (arrogance): all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.’ (James 4:13-17) All of that is simply gospel truth my people, whether we think so or not! 

And the scholars offer some explanations on those verses. ‘4:13-14. This one is a fool, for he thinks he knows something that he doesn’t. He presumes he has the resources to control his destiny. (cf. Prov.27:1; Luke 12:13-21).’ ‘4:15. This, or that: This verse teaches that God does have something for Christians to do and that they should plan accordingly. James condemns only elaborate planning that omits God (cf. Prov.16.9).’ ‘4:17. To do good here requires including God in one’s plans. Omitting God is not merely bad planning, it is sin.’ Matter fix mih people! 

And if you don’t believe James, then you can check out his brother Jesus, when He told the parable of the rich fool, (Luke 12:13-21) who was only interested in his own aggrandizement and left God out of his plans. But what he forgot was that he had no control over the breath of life in his physical body, which belonged to God in the first place. 

So when the Lord decided to take back His breath of life that very night that he was making big plans, the poor fool had no recourse but to go away and leave all his material wealth for others to blow away. And that’s what is likely to happen to any of us who is not rich towards God. And now, having that lesson written indelibly in our hearts, minds, bodies and souls, let’s go home declaring (yes!) our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know who and whose we are. 

In strong voice and sincere sense of purpose now: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world.  Amen!’ 

And as always, the corollary is to go out and share that special friendship and wonderful LOVE of Jesus with those who don’t have the immense pleasure of knowing Him like we do! Much LOVE!

…a man’s heart deviseth (plans) his way…but the Lord directeth his steps…(the Lord is sovereign…over man’s scheming and planning…) (Prov.16:9)

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 July 2014 Lamentations 3:37

11 Jul 2014 Leave a comment

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

Lamentations 3:37.  Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?

 
And then it was Friday… And all the working people joyfully shouted: ‘Yeahhh Friday! Friday at last! Oh how we LOVE you Friday! TGIF! Thank God it is Friday yes!’ 
 
Oh Friends, it sure is good to welcome Friday into our lives, but please remember it is just another day, one that the Lord laboured on to create, and we need to put the same energy and godly living into it, like any other day.
 
So to help us keep our focus on Almighty God, despite the fascinating worldly invitations of the upcoming weekend, let’s chant our Friday Chant. All together now: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through.
 
Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’
 
Yes my brethren, we need to keep in mind that the weekend is not merely for fun and frolic, but also for fellowship and rejuvenation, which will enable us to do a good job for the Lord in the upcoming week.
 
And today we have a most interesting Bit… Sorry, all of them are indeed interesting (smile) because they are taken from the Good Book; the Word of God.
 
Nonetheless, in his soulful Lamentations, the prophet Jeremiah poses this most important question: ‘Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commanded it not?’
 
And the unequivocal answer to that foolish question is ‘NOBODY!’
 
Yes Friends, no mortal man can make anything come to pass if the Lord declares otherwise!
 
And we just have to look at the awesome Creation, to discover how awesome, how omnipotent is the power of our amazing and magnanimous God. And He’s very forthright in telling us that His thoughts and His ways are way way higher than ours (Is.55:8-9)  So how can we expect to out do Him eh?
 
Now listen to the opening statement of the Good Book: ‘In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.’ (Gen.1:1)
 
Oh my fellow believers, how could a mortal man ever top that eh, especially when it’s that same omnipotent Creator who created him?
 
‘And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness… So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.’ (Gen.1:26a, 27)
 
‘And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.’ (Gen.2:7)
 
So Friends, from those simple bits of scripture, it’s obvious, or ought to be obvious, that man’s power CANNOT ever rival God’s, and whatever God says, that’s the way it will be!
 
Hear how Cousin Sol in his God-given wisdom describes it. ‘A man’s heart deviseth (plans) his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.’ (Prov.16:9)
 
As the scholars so refreshingly declare: ’16:9. The Lord is sovereign over man’s scheming and planning.’
 
And isn’t that the indisputable truth? It surely is!
 
Now listen to Cousin Sol again: ‘There are many devices (plans, schemes) in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.’ (Prov.19:21)
 
Yes my fellow believers, it’s a complete waste of time trying to put plans into place which God does not authenticate or desire to have come to pass. And I can testify to that from hard experience, like most of you also can.
 
And looking back through history, we can see all the failed societies and great pronouncements and plans of men that have not been successful because God was simply not in favour of them.
 
And our world is in its current state of confusion because we have not adhered to God’s plan, as outlined in the Good Book, but are foolishly trying to implement our own. And the more we try to do that, the further down we sink into the mire, the cesspool of ungodliness.
 
The psalmists’ of old wisely recognized the futility of going against God’s will. Hear how the author of Psalm 148 – All creation to praise the Lord – puts it. ‘Praise ye the Lord; (sing hallelujah): Praise the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights. Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.
 
Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created.’ (Ps.148:105)
 
And the writer of Psalm 33 – Praise to the Lord for His creation – declares it thus. ‘Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
 
The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen (nations, gentiles) to nought: he maketh the devices (plans, schemes) of the people of none effect. The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.’ (Ps.33:8-12)
 
Ah Friends, neighbours and fellow believers, what more do we need to convince us that if God does not desire something to come to pass, for whatever reason, it will not do so, regardless of all our puny mortal efforts?
 
So today, let’s be wise nuh, let’s try and bring all our plans into agreement with those of Almighty God nuh, for it is His dictates that will prevail anyway. Much LOVE!
 
…how can the created ever be greater than the Creator eh…that’s nothing but a fool’s wisdom…