Today’s Scrip-Bit 5 April 2016 Matthew 25:40

05 Apr 2016 Leave a comment

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

Matthew 25:40.   And the king shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Ah friends, thankfully the mess and muck of yesterday’s precipitation should have been mostly cleared away from the roads, so the trip to work this morning shouldn’t be that bad. But it’s cold, beastly cold, so please dress warmly, possibly your long johns (smile). 

Then let’s put a smile in our hearts which shows up on our faces and our conduct as we face the evil and godless world and evoke the gospel of Christ, and hopefully bring others to the truthful realization that He ONLY, is the way to salvation. 

And since today is Tuesday, it’s only mete and right that we declare our Tuesday Mantra. So as one now: ‘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’ 

Oh yeah, my brethren! We are indeed not what we do or what people say about us, but the beloved children of God! Glory Hallelujah. Once we believe in Jesus and surrender our lives to Him, we are immediately adopted into God’s fold and become joint heirs of the kingdom with Christ. 

What a bam bam! Joint heirs of the kingdom of God with Christ… Mama yo! Nothing could be better than that my people! So please let’s stop allowing the world to define us and have us foolishly running around like chickens with our heads cut off to live up to its standards. 

Remember we are working for our FRIEND Jesus to share His LOVE with a sinful world! That’s what defines us. Now I want to share something from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin. It’s titled ‘Walking Together.’ 

And it says: ‘It would be sheer mockery, Lord It would be subtle hypocrisy For me to kneel Anguished and weeping Before Your cross Unless – As I walk with You now Down my personal Emmaus Road I introduce You With singing joy To the broken and bound The weary and worn The depressed and defeated Whom we meet on the way. And, Lord, I observe That as we walk together Foot traffic thickens.’ 

Oh friends, what glorious truth! As we walk together with Christ along our earthly path, and we meet the broken and needy and share the good news of Christ’s gospel with them, as well as any material help we can offer, we are indeed joined by others in our journey and Christ is indeed more glorified. 

Remember Christ said that He came to save the lost, to feed the hungry, to heal the sick and broken, and take care of the stranger, the widows and orphans. So it is necessary that we too, as brothers and sisters with Christ, look after the lost and needy. 

That’s why in our Bit, and also the Bible promise for the poem above Jesus declared: ‘And the king shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.’ 

Yes my fellow believers, it’s all about how we react to those who are suffering in this ungodly and evil world! If we spread Christ’s message and His material benefits amongst them, then we’ll be set on His right hand with the sheep… Oh glory to God for His goodness to the children of men! 

But if we spurn and/or ignore the lost and needy, regardless of all our other so-called good deeds, we’ll end up on Christ’s left hand with the goats… How sad! Because hear what He’ll say to that group. ‘Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. 

For I was an hungered (hungry), and ye gave me no meat (food): I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.’ (Matt.25:41-43)  

Brother! We certainly don’t want to be in that lot my precious people, because as we keep saying, eternal separation from Almighty God is the worst thing that can happen to a human soul. 

And Jesus spelled it out earlier on in Matthew when talking about rewards. ‘He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 

And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.’ (Matt.10:40-42) What glorious promises my brethren! 

And the scholars have this to say about those verses. ’10:41-42. In the name of a prophet (i.e., “as a prophet”). The meaning of this statement is that those who are not prophets themselves may share in the labour and reward of the prophets by willingly supporting their ministry. One of these little ones is a reference to the fact that even the smallest service done to the most insignificant of Christ’s servants shall be rewarded by the Lord Himself.’ 

Oh friends, yuh see that living and working for Jesus is not rocket science, but simply letting the goodness of our hearts flow to others, especially those in need! 

And we’ll end with these wise words of Cousin Sol from Proverbs. ‘He that oppresseth the poor (needy) reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor (needy).’ (Prov.14:31.’ 

Yes my people, when we honour the needy, we honour our God and Maker. So please let’s go out and do that with a sincere heart today nuh, and thus help our cause in Jesus’ eyes. That’s nothing but the wisdom of the ages! Much LOVE!

…being a Christian means…being a servant…a helper…a friend to the poor and needy…

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 6 December 2014 Genesis 15:6

06 Dec 2014 Leave a comment

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

Genesis 15:6.  And he (Abraham) believed in the Lord, and he (God) counted it to him for righteousness.  

  
‘Sleeping in, sleeping in – All God’s children are sleeping in, this chilly Saturday morning!’ 
 
Now sing it with me, to the tune of ‘At the Cross.’ ‘Sleeping in, sleeping in – All God’s children are sleeping in, this chilly Saturday morning!’
 
Oh Friends, I really tried. I went to bed around eleven something and had no intentions of getting up before 8 o’clock. Hn! But my old back was screaming so loudly about being in bed for so long, that I finally got up around 6.20. Steups!
 
Ah Lord eh, if it isn’t one thing, it’s another! The truth is that the body is not accustomed to being in bed for such long periods of time. And anyway, my conscience was bothering me a tad, because my late rising would make the Bit considerably late, which I don’t like.
 
And I know too that some of you like to read it early in the morning to get an early morning lift. Yuh see how I’m taking your interest into consideration. (smile)
 
And today we’ll share a very important and timely message from the One Year Book of Bible Promises, entitled ‘The Time Is Now.’ And it says: ‘Lord I see with startling clarity That life is never long enough To put you off Until tomorrow. The things that are before Are all too soon behind. I can never pick up The years I have put down If I intend To walk with you tomorrow I must start today.’
 
And that’s gospel truth, if there ever was any, my Friends! We can’t wait around, put off coming to God, seeking Jesus Christ for the way to salvation and eternal life. We must begin TODAY!
 
For what happens if He suddenly comes back and we’re not prepared eh? Then crapaud smoke we pipe! That’s for sure. Like the five foolish virgins who didn’t by oil for their lamps and were locked out of the wedding feast when the bridegroom came back at a late hour. (Matt.25:1-13)
 
That’s why our parents kept drumming it into our young, stubborn minds to not put off for tomorrow, anything you can do today. And that’s eternal wisdom, my brethren!
 
And the scripture verse for that poem was: ‘Another said, Yes Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say goodbye to my family. But Jesus told him, Anyone who puts a hand to the plough and then looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God.’ (Luke 9:61-62, NLT)
 
More gospel truth, my people! Once we embrace Jesus, there’s no looking back, all roads lead forward to the good life He has planned for us. And to live in union and unison with out wonderful heavenly Father, we must have faith and trust like the Good Book says of Abraham.
 
‘By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went (where he was going).
 
By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange (foreign) country, dwelling in tabernacles (tents) with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; For he looked (was waiting) for a city which had foundations, whose builder and maker was God.’ (Heb.11:8-10)
 
Yes Friends, we also have to seek a place that God’s built, and where He resides. Hopefully, that will eventually turn out to be our hearts, minds, souls and bodies. Abraham might well have been looking for a physical entity, but we are definitely seeking a spiritual one.
 
With the coming of Jesus and the imbuing of all believers with the Holy Spirit, we now don’t have to look far to find Jesus, for He is always with us, dwelling deep within us. That should make it way easier for us to live a life fuelled by His dictates.
 
Ah Friends, what enormous faith and trust Abraham showed, when he packed up and left Haran, his family home at seventy five years of age, on only God’s promise, to go to places unknown, to only God knew where! Do we have such faith? We ought to! Are we willing to pack up and move if the Lord so desires? We ought to be!
 
Remember, all God had told Abraham was to pack up and go: ‘And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.’ (Gen.12:2-3)
 
Now imagine yourselves at age seventy-five, hearing that from God, would you pack up and move? I doubt that many of us would do it, especially if we didn’t have a clue about where we were going. But that’s why faith and utmost trust in Almighty God is so important my brethren! Without it, we’re totally lost and alone.
 
So though Abraham wandered sort of aimlessly in the land, naturally with some doubts about how all the Lord’s promises would come true, especially since his wife Sarah and him were way past normal childbearing age, deep down he always knew that there was a Higher Power controlling his fate.
 
And when he enquired of the Lord how all that would happen when he was childless, and had only the son of his servant Eliezer as an heir, the Lord told him: ‘This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.
 
And he brought him forth abroad (outside), and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell (count) the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he (God) said unto him, so shall thy seed be. And he (Abraham) believed in the Lord; and he (God) counted it to him for righteousness.’ (Gen. 15:4-6)
 
Yuh see Friends, yuh see what trust, faith and belief in God can do? Our Bit says, God counted it as righteousness. Likewise, we too have to trust in, have faith in and believe the promises of our ever-faithful and trustworthy God, if we want to prosper in this cruel, evil and ungodly world.
 
So today, let’s try and ramp up our faith, trust and believe in Jehovah God nuh, so that we can enjoy the fruit of His faithful promises. That’s not only logic, and common sense my people, but also heavenly wisdom! Much LOVE!
 
…our purpose here on earth…to LOVE our God…LIVE our Faith…and SPREAD God’s Word…
 
P.S. The Bit’s pretty late Friends, and might be somewhat confusing, but I guess that’s just a reflection of my state of my liver this morning. But as I keep saying, you all know how to pick sense from nonsense. (smile) Much LOVE!

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 25 April 2104 Lamentations 3:32

25 Apr 2014 Leave a comment

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

Lamentations 3:32.    But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.

 Oh Friends, oh Friends, glory be! Yes, it’s another new day in paradise! Another marvellous and wondrous gift from our magnanimous Creator!

Oh my people, it just stirs me up so much when I consider the wonderful God we serve and worship!

 

Wow! Which other supposed deity gives His people new mercies and blessings every single morning eh? Who shows such undeserved compassion each and every day eh? NONE but our omnipotent God, my brethren!

 

That’s why we ought to give Him enormous thanks and continually praise His Holy Name. Remember, He doesn’t have to do what He’s done and doing for us, neither do our puny efforts deserve His LOVING-kindness. But it’s His unsurpassed unconditional LOVE that causes Him to bless us so richly, in spite of our sinful nature and behaviour.

 

And please remember too, that while we were yet stooges and slaves of Beelzebub, He sent His ONLY Son Jesus to die for us, so that we could be made justified, righteous, and all the other wonderful things that Jesus’ selfless, sacrificial death, resurrection and ascension accomplished.

 

So there are indeed numerous reasons for us to be thankful and grateful! Therefore, instead of trying to belittle Jesus’ importance, or take God out of our society, as we are allowing the evil powers that be to do, we ought to be jumping and shouting, beseeching and pleading, picketing and protesting, advocating and exhorting, to raise up the name of Jesus, just like the Father did after His triumphant victory over death and the grave!

 

We ought to be encouraging ALL knees to bow, and ALL lips to solemnly and sincerely declare that Jesus is indeed the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

 

Oh Friends, we ought to be filled with such a hungry hope and expectant faith, that we can clearly see, totally envision through our eyes of faith, a saved world; a world where Almighty God and Jesus Christ are once again at the forefront of our society!

 

Oh my people, my fellow believers, that’s the ONLY WAY our society will once again prosper, both spiritually and materially. If we don’t feel that way, don’t envision it happening, then we’ll just continue the downward spiral in which we’re now totally engaged.

 

Oh my brethren, the quicksand in the evil and ungodly mire of the world is slowly sucking away our lifeblood, unfortunately causing us to drift further and further away from the ONE TRUE GOD, He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and if we don’t soon put a stop to it, then our children, and their children too, will be the ones to suffer the real pangs of misery and defeat, since we’ll already be dead and gone.

 

Now is that the legacy we want to bequeath to our children, whom most of us LOVE like the Lord LOVES us? I sincerely doubt it.

 

However Friends, it’s also necessary to remember that though we are currently a very sinful people, and that sometimes the Lord will take us to task for our sins, He will not cast us off forever. (Lam.3:31)

 

And all God’s people loudly declared: ‘All glory, praise, thanks and honour be to our magnificent and magnanimous God!’

 

Yes Friends, those are indeed wonderful sentiments, but we need to not only mouth them, but even more importantly put them into action!

 

And as our Bit so wisely and rightly states: ‘But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.’

 

Ah mih breddren, it gives our God no joy, no pleasure to punish us, but as a just and righteous Deity, He has to keep things right. Now listen to the words of Jeremiah, as he laments the state of his people Israel, which very much approximates to our current state.

 

‘For he doth not afflict willingly (with delight), nor grieve the children of men. To crush under his feet all the prisoners of the earth. To turn aside the right of (justice due) a man before the face of the most High. To subvert a man in his cause, the Lord approveth not.

 

Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not? Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil (woe) and good (well being)? Wherefore doth (how then can) a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?

 

Let us search and try (examine) our ways, and turn again to the Lord. Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.’ (Lam.3:33-41)

 

Oh Friends and fellow believers, that bit of scripture both highlights our current situation, and also points the way to our salvation!

 

Please, let’s accept the challenge with a strong faith, and ask God to ‘reignite His image in our hearts, and rekindle His fire in our souls,’ so that we can turn this evil and ungodly world around, and once again walk in the steadfastness of His abounding grace and undying LOVE!

 

Now that my people, is truly heavenly wisdom! Much LOVE!

 

’…the walk of faith is ultimately…a journey of HOPE and LOVE…’

 

P.S.  Those words in inverted commas above, have been taken from a devotional booklet on healing, based on the writings and actions of St. Therese, the Saint of the Little Flower.

 

Please, please, my people, let’s use them to truly reignite the flame and fire of God’s LOVE within us nuh, and thus bring some much needed change to our badly drifting and listing world!  Much LOVE!