Today’s Scrip-Bit 29 June 2018 1 Samuel 30:6b.

29 Jun 2018 Leave a comment

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

1 Samuel 30:6b.   …but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

Well who would have thought it eh? That in these supposedly modern times the days of the Wild Wild West would reappear again, when killing each other was a more or less normal way of life. 

But it has resurfaced with numerous shootings all over, especially in the U.S. including the latest in Maryland where a man rampaged through a newspaper yesterday with a shotgun, killing five journalists. Apparently he had a feud with the newspaper, sued them in court and lost, so that was his way of getting even. 

Ah Lord eh! When are we going to learn eh, that if you live by the gun, you’ll most likely die by the gun? And unfortunately guns are proliferating all over the world now! No wonder there’s so much killing and mayhem. 

But as Christians we cannot afford to allow this negative state of affairs to bring us down. In fact we should be trying even harder to spread the word of God and His awesome LOVE, which mitigates such situations, bringing more togetherness, rather than the current separation we’re seeing in our turbulent world. 

And to bolster that fact, let’s remember that it’s Friday, a long weekend in Canada, where we celebrate Canada’s birthday on Monday, so celebrations are in the air everywhere, including the freed workingman’s song. ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday yes! I don’t know if I could have made it another day nuh! And thank God especially that this is the Canada Day long weekend! 

Mama Yo! Even though ah tired, I’m going to be celebrating we country birthday in fine fashion! How could I not eh, when I live in such a fine country! And who don’t like we celebrations…. yuh know where they could go eh…straight to where Lucifer and his boys live yes! Thank God for Fridays and weekends, especially the long ones and them!’ 

Yes friends, this is the Canada Day long weekend and obviously the celebrations will be plentiful, uproarious and somewhat overboard, but please let’s remember Granny’s words of wisdom as we celebrate: ‘Sonny boy, please, ah beg you, drunk or sober, please mind yuh business.’ 

And all we believers will do well to adhere to that bit of wise advice this long weekend. For, unlike the workingman, we can’t afford to let the enemy get even one toehold in our business. So let’s chant our Friday Chant and remind ourselves of our responsibilities this weekend. 

Altogether 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 precious people, serving Jehovah, improving His kingdom must always be at the forefront of our minds, though not in a severe and overly religious way. And I know that that is not always easy to do, what with the normal pressures of life and the constant bombardment of ungodly things and situations that the world enjoys firing at us. And it gets even more disheartening when we are alone to face the calamities coming against us. 

As Bruh Paul told Timothy: ‘At my first answer (defense) no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding, the Lord stood with me and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.’ (2 Tim.4:16-18) 

Ah mih breddren, we need to remember that we’re never alone, for even when no one is with us, God is always there. That brings us to another solitary situation, when Bruh David was living in Philistia, running from his enemies, and returned to his town of Ziklag and found it burned to the ground by the Amalekites, and all the women and children taken away captive, including his wives and children. 

But the Good Book says: ‘And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people were grieved (bitter), every man for his sons and daughters:’ (1 Sam.30a) Yuh see how we can be selfish and peeved when we’re suffering, and want to do others harm, even when they are suffering like us. 

Bruh David’s men apparently couldn’t care less that he had also lost his wives, his sons and daughters. They just wanted someone to blame, to take out their anger and grief on, and he was the most appropriate one at the time. They forgot all the times that they had endangered their lives for him, and how he had treated them well. But yuh know what friends, the Good Book continues: ‘…but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.’ 

Yeh mih people, when there’s no one around to encourage us, we have to find the necessary strength and energy to encourage ourselves in our God, who is always there for us. It’s not easy, but we know that when we call on Him with a sincere heart, He will answer and come to our rescue. That’s His promise, and He ALWAYS keeps them. 

So right now, if you’re in a situation somewhat like Bruh David’s, I encourage you to call out to your heavenly Father, and receive His divine encouragement, which no human’s can even approximate! Much LOVE!

…you’re NEVER alone…for the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit are ALWAYS with you…wherever you go…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 21 May 2016 Psalm 46:1

21 May 2016 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 46:1.    God is our refuge and strength, a very present (an abundantly available) help in trouble.

Oh friends, it’s such a wonderful feeling when you look through the obits and don’t see your name or your picture, especially on a beautiful and restful Saturday morning like this one! 

Hn! It just makes you want to jump and shout for joy: ‘Glory Hallelujah! Glory to God! Praise His Holy Name! Long may He reign! Yes my people, it is a delight to be alive, despite all the negative and ungodly things happening in our world. 

But remember though, that if the Lord saw fit to give us His breath of life for another day, that means He has work for us to attend to in His name. 

And talking about that, here are two interesting and appropriate quotes from our friend Anselm, who always tries to inspire us for a better tomorrow. And the first quote wisely advises: ‘Stop thinking. Start doing.  To think too long about doing a thing often becomes its undoing.’ And that’s no lie friends! Ofttimes we think about something for so long that we end up not doing it, or doing it haphazardly. 

And the second bit of wisdom from Anselm is: ‘Don’t blow a task out of proportion.  If you want to make an easy job seem mighty hard, just keep putting off doing it.’ Now that too is no lie! And I can testify to it, because every day I have stuff to do that seems somewhat difficult, and I keep opting to do the easier stuff first, till eventually the harder stuff just keeps lying by the wayside. 

And believe me too, when I do get around to the supposed difficult stuff, it’s never really as difficult as I thought. So please let’s get a move on with the stuff that the Lord has planned for us to do.  What’s that old saying; I believe its procrastination is the thief of time, and none of us knows how much time we do have down here on God’s great earth, so we can’t afford to waste any of it. 

And we have more wise words of advice to share on the subject, this time from Gramps Schuller’s (Dr. Robert H Schuller) Hour of Power Devotional, something he titles ‘Not a Problem – an Opportunity.’ 

It says: ‘God is going to give you a problem that will be your opportunity. He will give you challenges. That will be your mountain. That is God’s greatest gift to you. Face your mountains instead of cutting out or coasting. You’ll experience the greatest joy of life: the joy of self-esteem that comes when you know you did what you had to do.   Every time one door closes, another door opens.’ 

Ah my people, that is indeed God’s modus operandi; He gives us challenges, which if we accept them fairly promptly, without fear, and having the bountiful faith that He won’t give us more than we can bear, and will also help us, then we will face those mountains with equanimity, mental calmness and true composure. 

Yes fellow believers, that’s how the Lord builds courage, faith, strength and maturity in our lives. We cannot become Christ-like if we don’t have potholes and problems strewn along our earthly journey.  And you will indeed notice that along life’s journey, when one door closes, another one eventually opens. 

That’s our God moving in His mysterious and miraculous way in our lives. At the moment our world is being turned upside down, we don’t always see or appreciate His movements, but with hindsight, we definitely see His awesome hand moving in our affairs.  

And why not eh, since our Bit so strenuously proclaims: ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present (an abundantly available) help in trouble.’ And that’s the awesome truth my fellow believers! So if we worship the omnipotent, omniscient, omni-present Creator of the universe and all therein, then there’s nothing to fear, and everything to look forward to! 

As Bruh Paul told the Philippians: ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’ (Phil.4:13) And that’s an indisputable fact friends! Whatever we need to do in the Lord’s name, He WILL enable us to do it. 

The problem though is that sometimes the challenge or the problem looks so big and our faith isn’t as big, so we get somewhat anxious and fearful. But please remember that our merciful and ever-LOVING God will never allow us to carry burdens or do stuff that He knows we cannot do. So please believe that anything He throws our way, with His help, we can and will be able to accomplish it. 

Now let’s turn to some scripture that verifies or supports our Bit. Listen to the prophet Jeremiah as he talks about confession of sin. ‘Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the Lord our God. Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains; truly in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel.’ (Jer.3:22-23)  

Yes friends, salvation is ONLY possible through our Lord Jesus Christ!  So all who are looking for it elsewhere are looking in vain. Now hear Bruh David from Psalm 28 – A prayer for God’s help. 

‘The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.’ (Ps.28:7) Oh friends, that’s the awesome truth; if you trust in the Lord, He will help you and you will rejoice. 

And we’ll end with these most appropriate words from Psalm 46 from which our Bit is taken. ‘Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.   Selah.’ (Ps.46:10-12) 

And if we believe that friends, then the Lord will bless and keep us and pour our His mercy and LOVING-kindness upon us, we shall want for nothing. Much LOVE!

…be strong and faithful all who hope in the Lord…for He will eventually reward you…

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 25 July 2014 Matthew 6:19

25 Jul 2014 Leave a comment

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

Matthew 6:19.      Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt (ruin, destroy), and where thieves break through and steal.
 

And then it was Friday… ‘Oh praise the Lord! Glory Hallelujah! Thank God the weekend is upon us! Backbreaking labour soon cease! Oh Thank God is Friday yes!’ 
  
Now that’s the kind of joyful shout that’s being heard around the world this Friday morning. And it’s really amazing and amusing that though we still have to go and labour on Friday, just the thought of it being the last day of the workweek, seems to instill a joy, an expectation that promotes a sense of – ah well, it soon over – and we get a renewed strength to bear this one day.
 
However, the question is, why can’t we get that renewal of strength to bear all the working days and non-working days alike eh? I guess it just has to do with the eccentricities, abnormalities, or whatever of our human nature. (smile)
 
Anyway, to gain some added insight into the proper use of the weekend, let’s chant our Friday Chant with the same verve and fervour that we shout ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’
 
As one chanting voice 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 Friends, that’s a much better way to handle the weekend. And we’ll continue today with that most significant Bit of advice from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on the subject of worldly riches. ‘Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt (ruin, destroy), and where thieves break through and steal.’
 
Ah mih people, if only more of us would just heed that august warning, so many more lives would be peaceful and contented. Our world would also see so many less problems, like the insatiable greed and the crazy, hurtful distractions that the rush to accumulate earthly wealth bring with it.
 
As the author of Hebrews so wisely declares in these two memorable verses of scripture. ‘Let your conversation (conduct) be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall (can) do unto me.’ (Heb.13:5-6)
 
But unfortunately too many of us listen to our naturally sinful nature, as well as the siren call of the purveyors of evil, who dangle the frivolous possibilities of earthly wealth under our always sniffing noses, at every turn we take.
 
In the earthly realm, the more wealth we accumulate, the more we’re considered successful. And the foolish pride and show-boating of that wealth only makes matters worse, leading to jealousy and envy, resentment and others killing themselves to earn that wealth, to keep up with the Jones’.
 
What a sad tale we weave by the voracious pursuit of earthly wealth my people!
 
Now nothing’s wrong with having earthly wealth, in fact most of us could use some right now, (smile) but it’s the way we accumulate it, and then the way we use it that sets us apart.
 
Listen to Bruh Paul’s advice to Timothy. ‘Charge (command) them that are rich in this world (present age), that they be not highminded (haughty), nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
 
That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute (give), willing to communicate (share); Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.’ (1 Tim.6:17-19)
 
Oh Friends, oh Friends, what wonderful advice, what correct scriptural procedure! How can we ever ignore it eh? But sadly we do, at our own peril.
 
And we’ll end with some good info from the scholars’ re those verses. ‘6:17-18. Paul charges wealthy believers (1) not to be proud and look down on those who are not rich, (2) to confide in God, rather than in unstable riches, (3) to be rich in good works by generously sharing their surplus of financial resources with the needy. To be ready to distribute is to be generous in sharing. To be willing to communicate is to be liberal in giving.
 
6:19. When wealthy believers generously share (v.18), they secure an assurance (laying up in store for themselves a good foundation) that in the future (against the time to come) they will indeed enter heaven (lay hold on eternal life).
 
Salvation is not purchased by the giving of money, but generosity demonstrates the reality of one’s faith. Since the believer trusts God and not money, he gives. This giving shows where his heart is and that he views his wealth in light of eternity.’
 
Oh my people, my people, I couldn’t put it any better! We certainly need to view wealth in the light of eternity! For then and only then will that wealth not drive us to distraction and make us do foolish, unwise, ungodly things.
 
So please, today let’s sit and ponder, you can also lie down or stand up (smile), let’s consider our deepest and most intimate attitudes towards material wealth, and ultimately turn to Almighty God to help us with any problems we might have in that area. Now that’s the certain wisdom of heaven! Much LOVE!
 
…what’s the purpose of having wealth if we can’t take it with us eh…and we only leave it for others to fight over…might as well share it… and in the process…get some kudos from heaven…

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 29 September 2013 Psalm 135:15

29 Sep 2013 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 135:15.    The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
 
Oh Friends, on this glorious, but a tad chilly morn, the last Sunday in September 2013, I think we should begin our message with a hymn of praise to our wonderful God, Jehovah. So please sing this old, but ever timely hymn with me.
 
‘Praise Him, praise Him, all ye little children, God is LOVE, God is LOVE; (repeat). LOVE Him, LOVE Him, all ye little children, God is LOVE, God is LOVE; (repeat). Thank Him, thank Him, all ye little children, God is LOVE, God is LOVE; (repeat) 
 
Oh yes my people, there’s no better way to start our day than with some thanks and praise to our ever-LOVING God! Now let’s hope that all of us who are able to, will get out some time today and fellowship with other believers, for we need that strength and reassurance that fellowshipping brings.
 
That’s why the Lord gave us ONE day each week, regardless of which one you choose, to get together and worship and celebrate His Holy Name. That’s a chance to get away from the evil world and all the ungodly things it has to offer and filter some godly stuff into our precious souls with praise and worship. And all of that fits in very nicely with our Bit: ‘The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.’
 
Ah mih Friends, during our work week, we’re constantly bombarded by all the idolatrous things the world has to offer, so we’ve got to make the most use of the opportunity on Sundays, or whenever you celebrate the Sabbath, to put replenish our souls by reasserting that the Lord God Almighty is the ultimate mover and shaker in our lives. 
 
Now for the last two days, we’ve been looking at scripture that supports our Bit, and today we’ll continue to do the same. There’s plenty scripture on idolatry my Friends, and we need to get it all into us, so that we can resist the attractive siren call of the idols of the world.
 
And we’ll begin with Moses’ warning the Israelites. In Deuteronomy Chap. 4, from verses 15-27, he warns them about turning to the worship of idols when they go into the Promised Land and become prosperous and successful.  Letting them know that it would provoke God to anger, and He would then scatter them amongst the heathen.
 
‘And there shall ye serve gods, the work of men’s hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell. But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
 
When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy father which he sware unto them.’ (Deut.4:28-31) 
 
And Friends, we all know that the Israelites did not heed Moses’ warning and eventually turned to idol worship, not once, but several times. And God, being the faithful keeper of His promises, dutifully scattered them amongst the heathen. But by the same token, each time they woke up from their stupidity and repented, He was also faithful and merciful to restore them to their land and prosperity.
 
Oh my people, please remember that our God doesn’t change, and like the Israelites, we have a covenant with Him, through Christ Jesus to stay away from idols and graven images. However, like the Israelites again, we’re not fulfilling our part of the contract, but instead are heavily into worshipping the things of the world. No wonder so much calamity and disaster are currently plaguing our world. 
 
So it’s obvious that if we want to eliminate the catastrophe in our world, then WE have to change. We have to get out of the worldly rat race, CUT OUT the pre-eminence of worldly things in our lives. We can see from the Israelites’ example that all is not lost, that while there’s life, there’s always hope, for our God is a most merciful and forgiving Deity.
 
Thus, if we sincerely repent and turn from our evil ways, He will once again, enfold us in His LOVING embrace, but it all depends on us my people. We hold the key to both our earthly and eternal destiny, and His name is Jesus!
 
So let’s use it to unlock the door to righteousness, salvation and eternal life, like we’ve been taught nuh. It’s the only wise, sane and sensible thing to do, provided we want to save and improve our world. You don’t have to be rocket scientist to figure that our Friends.
 
So, though I have more stuff to share, taking into consideration our busy schedules and already overworked mental systems, (smile) I’ll leave us to ponder on those things that make for a godly and righteous life. Much LOVE!
 
…God’s world doesn’t change…He who is disobedient….will ALWAYS pay a stiff price for their disobedience…