Today’s Scrip-Bit 15 August 2019 John 1:5.

15 Aug 2019 Leave a comment

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

John 1:5.    ​And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended (apprehended) it not.
 

And then it was Thursday… Wow! The week almost finish already! In one way that’s good because it means that the weekend and rest from work will soon be here. But on the other hand, the quicker August finishes, the quicker summer and the holiday season will also be over, and it seems like it’s just begun! 

Yes mih people, we can’t have it all our way, but through our strong and sincere faith in our wonderful Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we can bear anything that comes against us; yes, we’re able to handle any circumstance that comes our way, be it storm or calm! And when I asked the Lord what He wants me to write about today, He led me to this little card on my desk from the Anglican Diocese of Toronto that has a prayer printed on either side. 

I shared one sometime ago, which began with ‘Sustain us, O Lord, with Your Holy Spirit.’ Now here’s the next one. Please pray with me: ‘O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgement. And light riseth up in the darkness for the godly. Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what thou wouldest have us to do, that the spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices, and that in thy light we may see light, and in thy straight path may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!’ 

Yes my fellow saints in Christ, every day, with our many doubts and fears, we need a recharge of wisdom and grace to save us from making wrong choices in this dark and evil world in which we’re currently living!  And it’s only through Christ, our Guiding Light that we can ever hope to counter that evil darkness with light and find the safe and straight path so that we won’t stumble and fall. 

And in these days of numerous colourful and addictive distractions, that’s often a hard task. But as John so wisely and truthfully tells us: ‘In him (Jesus) was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended (apprehended) it not.’ (John 1:4-5) 

Yes friends, darkness cannot comprehend or apprehend or be superior to light under any circumstance at all! For as Cousin Sol, as the Preacher in Ecclesiastes tells us, during his search for man’s purpose on earth he eventually saw the futility of it all. ‘Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.’ (Ecl.2:13) And that’s the gospel truth! 

Now here’s a note from the scholars. ‘1:4-5. Life…light: See also 8:12; 9:5; 11:25; 14:6. In John’s writings, life represents salvation and deliverance through Christ, and light denotes Jesus’ revelation of God which calls men to accountability.’ 

And friends I’m chuckling here because I had intended to take the rest of the Bit in an entirely different direction, but after checking out those verses that the scholars mentioned I realized that there was only one way to go, and that’s sharing those verses because they are all Jesus’ words, as pertains to Him being the LIGHT in our Darkness. 

So here goes. Jesus said it out loud and clear: ‘I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.’ (John 8:12) He made this immortal statement to the Pharisees who obviously doubted Him because they said He was witnessing to Himself. But Jesus knew who He was and didn’t need the approval of the Pharisees who were darkness personified, as He told them later on in the chapter. 

Then hear Him as He healed a blind man: ‘I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’ (John 9:4-5) And yuh know what my people? Now that Jesus no longer walks this earth as a human being, it means that WE are now the light of the world, as He said in Matt.5:14. Let’s remember that, and shine forth accordingly nuh! 

Now hear the Lord to Martha after He tarried in coming to Lazarus’ sick bed and so he eventually died. ‘Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead (may die), yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?’ (John 11:25-26) 

Oh friends, Jesus Christ is also asking that explosive and monumental question of us this morning? Do we believe that He’s the Giver of Life? Now that’s something we have to very seriously ask ourselves. And hopefully the answer will be a resounding YES! Because if it isn’t, then crapaud smoke yuh pipe! And the scholars tell us: ‘11:25. I am the resurrection is one of Jesus’ greatest “I am” statements, signifying His power to give eternal life.’ 

Now listen to this other immortal statement to Doubting Thomas, when he queried Jesus about the way to go. ‘Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.’ (John 14:6) Oh mih people, mih people, if you don’t believe that then there’s no light in you, only darkness! 

That means there’s no hope of salvation! For as the scholars note: ‘14:6. Jesus does not tell them about the way, nor does He show them the way. He does not even guide them along the way. He says He is the WAY!’ And so He is my faithful brethren! Please, please believe it, because your very existence through eternity depends on it! 

And now, having seen the LIGHT, (smile) let’s go home declaring our Thursday Blessings, that that very same LIGHT has so generously bestowed on us to enable us to do His earthly work. In strong voice and sincere belief: ‘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 if you were sincere, then let’s go out and share those wonderful blessings with others, as Jesus so greatly desires. Much LOVE!

…hoarding of blessings…means you’re living in darkness…generously sharing blessings…means you’re living in the LIGHT…

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 15 June 2017 Psalm 37:1.

15 Jun 2017 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 37:1.   Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

And then it was Thursday; another blessed day on earth so generously granted to us by our magnanimous God! Give Him some thanks and praise people as we gratefully and joyfully declare: ‘This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it!’ 

Unfortunately though several people involved in the fire in London yesterday won’t see today, and in the U.S a couple in the shooting of Republicans at their baseball practice might not see tomorrow. 

What a life eh! What are we coming to? A group of legislators gather to practice for a charity game and then all hell breaks loose! 

But in a country where the gun culture rules and guns are so easy to come by, the gun will be used to settle a lot of scores. As the old adage goes: ‘You live by the gun, you die by the gun.’ 

It’s been reported that a U.S Republican congresswoman from New York received an email that asked what else she expected after her party, which has the majority in both the House of Reps and the Senate, was making the poor even poorer in order to enrich their already rich friends. 

And the current state of confusion that reigns in the U.S between its President and some of the lawmakers, doesn’t help the situation at all. But all I can say is that God is still in control, and nothing is going to happen unless He allows it, for whatever reason. 

So we just need to stay calm and collected, holding on to His ever-faithful promises and run the race that He has assigned for each of our lives. Christians definitely need to look to God more than ever in these turbulent times, where stuff we never dreamed of is sadly happening. 

Friends, this a whole new world, and it’s definitely not a brave one, but we have to have courage, and with the help of Almighty God, we can, and WILL handle whatever comes against us. 

And one of the ways we can handle this new world, is by paying serious attention to the words of Bruh David enshrined in our Bit. ‘Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.’ 

Why, you ask? Because our God will deal with them in His own way and own time! Don’t worry friends, our God said that vengeance was His, and that He would repay it. He’s taking note of all the evil and evildoers, and at the right time, He will cut them down and burn them. Glory to God! 

Meanwhile, what we believers need to do, is to follow the words of Bruh David found later on in Psalm 37. ‘Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgement (justice) as the noonday. 

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices (schemes) to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath, fret not thyself in any wise to do evil (it only causes harm). 

For evildoers shall be cut off (destroyed): but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider His place (look diligently for him), and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.’ (Ps.37:4-11) 

Oh my people, that is the best remedy for whatever ails us: turn sincerely to God and try our best to live in peace and harmony. 

And if you don’t believe me, then listen to these words of Bruh David, found later on in Psalm 37. ‘The steps of a good man are ordered (established) by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. 

I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed (descendants) begging bread. He is ever merciful (merciful all day), and lendeth; and his seed (descendants) is blessed. 

Depart from evil, and do good, and dwell for evermore. For the Lord LOVETH judgement (justice) and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever; but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.’ (Ps.37:23-28) 

There we have it friends; the perfect prescription for earthly living! And when we follow it, then we are continually showered by our Thursday Blessings. Wow! What a wonderful God we serve and worship! 

So let’s declare those blessings now with strong belief heartfelt passion. ‘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 the ultimate factor in blessings is that they must be shared, so let’s go out and do that now nuh, so that we can please our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Much LOVE!…

blessing and sharing…IS the Christian way…