Today’s Scrip-Bit   14 December 2022 John 1:12.

14 Dec 2022 Leave a comment

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

John 1:12.       But as many as received him, to them gave he power (the right) to become the sons (children of God), even to them that believe on his name:

Unfortunately friends, Wednesday didn’t open as bright and sunshiny as Tuesday, but it’s not totally overcast, the sun is still making a valiant effort to come out and overcome the dark clouds. And that’s how we believers in Jesus ought to be; making valiant efforts to shine like Jesus in the darkness of this evil world! That’s supposing we want to spend eternity with Jesus and not with the devil in sinful and fiery bondage. It seems though, that many of us are intent on doing just that, because so many of us are shamefully turning away from God, from our Creator and Provider to live the evil and ungodly life that Satan promotes. 

Why is that eh? I really don’t know, but I guess it’s because we’re angry with God since He didn’t give us what we wanted, when we wanted it, and we haven’t seen the goodness and LOVING-kindness that’s been so bandied about. But what we’ve failed to realize is that Almighty God is not our doting grandfather, who is just there to cater to our every whim and fancy. Instead, He is a just and righteous God, who cannot stand sin, and we are supposed to be obedient to His will, not Him to ours. 

We’ve got the slave and Master relationship all backward. In fact, the Lord is not bound to give us anything at all, unless we are obedient to His will. Oh yes, He does LOVE us unconditionally, but that doesn’t mean He’ll spoil us like we’ve spoilt our children by falsely thinking that we’ve got to make life easy for them and give them everything they desire. His Son Jesus didn’t have it easy down here on earth, and most of us parents didn’t have easy growing up either, but that’s what built our sense of godliness and responsibility. We had to learn to depend on God! 

And that’s where our generation of parents have fallen down and done a grave injustice to our children, so much so that they don’t have a clue about the word responsibility, and furthermore, think that they are entitled to whatever catches their fancy, and are thus rather sinful and godless. And we’ve no one to blame but ourselves. The simple fact of the matter is that too few of us are willing to do as Jesus says: ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto us.’ (Matt. 6:33) We want all these things added to us before we seek the Lord’s kingdom and His righteousness, but there’s no guarantee that we will if He gives us all we ask first. 

Anyway, we all know that we’ve screwed up as parents because our children are as far removed from God as they can be, but it’s not too late for us to try and bring them back into God’s LOVING fold. And remember yesterday we were talking about the choices available for the next life; either with Jesus in heaven, or with Satan in the lake of fire. We finished up with Daniel’s prophecy of what would happen at the end times. And I know some of you think that’s all hogwash, everybody is going to heaven because the Lord is such a LOVING and merciful God. 

But friends, please remember what John said of Jesus’ first coming. ‘He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power (the right) to become the sons (children of God), even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.’ (John 1:11-13) Yes, Jesus’ people, the Jews, rejected him, but He gave the power to anyone, Jew or Gentile to become a child of God by sincerely believing in Him. And those who don’t believe will die a sad eternal death. That’s just how the cookie crumbles. There’s not much any of us can do about it. 

And if you didn’t believe Daniel yesterday, then hopefully you’ll believe Jesus today, when He says: ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation (judgement); but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself. 

And hath given him authority to execute judgement also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth: they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation (condemnation). I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgement is just (righteous); because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.’ (John 5:24-30) 

Ah my fellow saints, all the way down through the Good Book it’s the same story, of eternal life and eternal condemnation according to our choices in this life. Jesus doesn’t lie, neither does the Good Book, so let’s boost our spirits and faith by looking at what it says will happen at the end. 

John writes in Revelation of seeing the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven. ‘And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.’ (Rev. 21:3-4) 

Oh my people, isn’t that a wonderful ending! It surely is, but we will only get to enjoy it if we accept Jesus and live the way He desires of us. Please believe that and turn to Him RIGHT NOW! And for those of us who already believe and are doing our best to live for Him, let’s go home declaring (awright!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting all and sundry know of our wonderful position in Christ Jesus. 

As one strong and sincere voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’ 

And believe me my fellow saints, if we endure to the very end with Jesus, then that future will be even more glorious than we can ever ask or imagine! So please let’s use that as encouragement and incentive to endure with Jesus for the long haul nuh! Much LOVE!

…living for Satan is extremely foolish…living for Jesus is the epitome of wisdom… 

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Today​’s Scrip-Bit 17 March 2019 Philippians 2:9.

17 Mar 2019 Leave a comment

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

Philippians 2:9.    Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name.

Sunday, O Sunday! Wherefore art thou O Sunday! Thou art the Sabbath: the day of rest, the day of fellowship, praise and thanksgiving, of souls being refuelled with LOVE, confidence and assurance in the promises of the One True God, He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! What a blessed day you are Sunday, O Sunday! (smile) 

And since we’ve said all that friends, we’ve got to make it come true by going to the Lord’s sanctuary to renew our vows of faith and trust and receive His blessing so that we can keep that faith and trust alive and well for at least another week, before returning to His sanctuary for refuelling. Ah friends, it sure is a steady cycle, but we need it, if we are to keep our faith in Jehovah God strong. 

But enough talk! Right now I want to sing! And today’s song is a thrilling anthem to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! We sung it before on the Bit, but it just rose up in me this week, calling out to be sung once again! (smile)  It’s a gospel song written by one Will Reagan, and I listened to two powerful, moving versions on You Tube; one by Tasha Cobbs and another by Jesus Culture Lyrics. It’s titled ‘There is Power in the Name of Jesus,’ or ‘Break Every Chain.’ 

I’ve taken the liberty to add a couple of extra lines from each version, as well as a li’l touch of my own. I’m sure the original songwriter will also be overjoyed to hear our version this morning. So without further ado, let’s tell the unbelieving world the way it is, as we raise our voices in sweet harmonious gospel song. 

‘O There is power in the name of Jesus There is power in the name of Jesus There is power in the name of Jesus To break every chain, break every chain, break every chain To break every chain, break every chain, break every chain (Repeat) There’s an army rising up There’s an army rising up There’s an army rising up To break every chain, break every chain, break every chain To break every chain, break every chain, break every chain. 

All sufficient sacrifice, freely given, such a price. On our redemption Heaven’s gates swing wide, That’s why we believe that There is power in the name of Jesus There is power in the name of Jesus There is power in the name of Jesus To break every chain, break every chain, break every chain To break every chain, break every chain, break every chain. We believe that there is power, power, wonder-working power in the name of Jesus. 

And that’s why There’s an army rising up There’s an army rising up There’s an army rising up To break every chain, break every chain, break every chain To break every chain, break every chain, break every chain! Oh He’s our Jesus, Jesus – the Mighty Conqueror! That’s why we hear the chains falling, the chains are falling! 

Shout it out! I hear the chains falling I hear the chains falling!  I feel the freedom, freedom from the bondage of sin! Yes! He has set us free, because there is power in the name of Jesus, power in the name of Jesus, power to break every chain, break every chain, break every chain…’ 

Mama Mia! What wonderful singing my faithful brethren! All Heaven was held spellbound by it! A big, proud grin split the Father’s face, as He nodded in approval, raised His closed right fist and said a hearty ‘Yeah!’ Meanwhile, Jesus sat quietly nearby and smiled His shy, boyish smile at the enormous amount of praise we were lavishing on Him. But that shouldn’t surprise us, because He’s always shied away from taking any praise for Himself, diverting it all to the Father. 

And that’s exactly why the Father, in exceedingly great appreciation for His selfless sacrifice and obedience here on earth did what He did: ‘Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of (those) things in heaven, and (those) things in earth, and (those) things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ (Eph.2:9-11) 

Oh friends, how could that kind of exaltation not add tremendous power to the name of Jesus eh…to be able to break chains, set us free from the bondage of sin and save our lost souls! And today all I want to do is look at a couple of scriptures which also lift up the name of Jesus. But before we do that listen to this story about me and that song. 

Early one Sunday morning last year, I was on my way home from having an MRI of some part of my body, don’t remember which one, I’ve had so many done over the last few years, but the Tasha Cobbs version was playing on the Gospel Music Machine Radio Show broadcasting from the University of Toronto Radio Station. There was little traffic on the three-lane road, but I got in the right lane, who knows why, but me and Tasha were singing up a storm as we went along. 

All of a sudden I heard a loud bang and the car veered off to the left! And was I ever surprised at those unexpected actions. On checking, I discovered that the right lane I was driving in, ended at the traffic light I’d just gone through, and I’d rammed the right wheel of the car against the curb, as there were now only two lanes. Thankfully there was no damage to the car or myself. But that just goes to show the power of Jesus’ name; it can get you so carried away, that you lose your mental perspective! (smile)  

Now let’s check out some scriptures like I promised. Hear the angel of the Lord to Joseph on the birth of Jesus. ‘And she (Mary) shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus (Saviour): for he shall save his people from their sins.’ (Matt.1:21) And John says: ‘But as many as received him (Jesus), to them gave he power (the right) to become the sons (children) of God, even to them that believe on his name.’ (John 1:12) 

Yes friends, yuh see the kind of power in Jesus’ name! Believe on it and you become the child of God! Wow! Why then are so many people refusing to believe in Him eh? And we’ll give the last word to Peter when he appeared before the high priest. Filled with the Holy Ghost, he proudly proclaimed: ‘Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.’ (Acts 4:12) That says it all my people! 

As the scholars explain: ‘4:12. The name of Jesus Christ is the centre of contention (vs.7, 10, 12) and ever will be. Salvation for Jew and Gentile alike is exclusively through the name of Jesus Christ (cf. John 14:6).’ And that’s all there is to the argument! So let’s be wise and get on the good foot with Jesus nuh! (smile)  It’s the only option that makes any sense! Much LOVE!

…I am the Way…the Truth…and the Life…no man comes to the Father…but by ME…  (John 14:6) 

P.S. Yes, it li’l bit long and late, but fellowshipping after church kept me back, and shortening it would have lost the special flavour. And if yuh can’t spend a li’l extra time on Jesus’ Word on a Sabbath Sunday…in Lent to boot, then why bother to spend any at all eh? (smile ) Much LOVE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 
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