Today’s Scrip-Bit   19 March 2022 Romans 5:8.

19 Mar 2022 Leave a comment

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

Romans 5:8.     But God commendeth (demonstrated) his (own) LOVE towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

It’s a rainy Saturday morning, most excellent for sleeping in, which I must confess that I did. (smile) Unfortunately, when one is getting on in age, it becomes much harder to burn the candle at both ends, meaning to achieve early rising with a late bedtime. But nonetheless, I’m still working to prove the naysayers wrong. (smile) Anyway, without further ado, that’s more talk, let’s turn to our usual Saturday program, that of checking out the quotes that our friend Anselm sent us this past week, as he aspires to inspire us for a better tomorrow. 

And the first quote relates quite nicely to our Christian situation. It says: ‘Don’t ever promise more than you can deliver, but always deliver more than you promise.’ Yes friends, that’s a Christian tenet that should be ingrained in all of us. However, since promises nowadays don’t hold the weight they once held, we don’t pay as much attention to them as we ought to. Currently, the prominent thought on promises is that they are made to be broken. No longer do we keep our word, as best as possible, and if we can’t, then notify the promisee of our inability to do so. 

Sadly, broken promises litter our world today like no other time in history. And why is that? Because there is so little accountability on promises, and thus, to achieve our own selfish ends, we very often make promises we know we can’t keep. Oh, hifalutin promises do look and sound good, and better yet, because of the greedy and selfish tendencies now proliferating in our society, they tend to inveigle others to believe and agree to even the most outlandish promises. That’s why broken promises, or the many tentacles of fraud are spread so wide and deep in today’s society. 

But all of that is a total repudiation of the Christian doctrine of keeping our promises. Cousin Sol, writing as the preacher in Ecclesiastes, puts it quite clearly. ‘Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.’ (Eccl. 3:5) Yes my Christian brethren, it’s always better not to promise than to make promises we know we can’t keep. And it’s even better when we can deliver more than we promised, like Jesus says regarding LOVE for enemies in the Sermon on the Mount. ‘And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain (two). ‘(Matt. 5:41). 

The scholars offer this explanation. ‘In ancient times government agents were able to compel forced service upon a subjugated people. A Roman soldier, for example, could compel a Jewish native to carry his armour or materials for one mile. Jesus now states that if someone compels you to walk a mile, go with him twain. The believer is to be willing to “go the extra mile.” Doing double our duty not only proves our loyalty to human authority, but likewise proves the spiritual intention of our heart.’ And I can hear many of us laughing at that crazy notion, since today we don’t even want to do our basic duty, much less double! 

That takes us to the next quote which also has some strong Christian content. ‘The strong-minded rise to the challenge of their goals and dreams. The weak-minded become haters.’ That’s oh so true! Strong -willed people, which Christians ought to be, always rise to the occasion. They face challenges rather than run from them. And that’s what Christ is asking of those who consider themselves His followers. As He said. ‘If ye LOVE me, keep my commandments.’ (John 14:15) That’s simple enough to understand. 

And we know what Christ’s dream is for us; in a few words, to be the salt of the earth and light of the world. To stand up strong against the enemy and spread His gospel, the good news of His free gift of salvation. As Bruh Paul encouraged Timothy: ‘Thou therefore endure hardness (hardship), as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.’ (2 Tim. 2:3) That also pertains to us my brethren, especially in these rough and tumble times, when our world is turned upside down, and many of us don’t know our A from our E. (smile) 

No, we cannot be weak minded or fearful, because that only leads to negative stuff like insecurity, resentment, anger and strife. It’s absolutely necessary that we do like Bruh Paul said: ‘I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course (race), I have kept the faith.’ (2 Tim. 4:7) Oh my fellow saints, that should be our goal: to fight the good fight in Jesus’ name, to show forth His glorious kingdom to the unbelievers by the way we live, with LOVE and compassion for others, filled with the peace and joy, only found in Christ! 

That’s why these next two quotes should be important in our lives. The first one says: ‘Spend your time with those who LOVE you unconditionally, not with those who only LOVE you under certain conditions.’ That’s the gospel truth! For nowadays we tend to LOVE others only under certain conditions. If they behave in certain ways, or do things we approve of. But that’s not how God LOVES us, or Jesus teaches us to LOVE each other. The Good Book tells us: ‘But God commendeth (demonstrated) his (own) LOVE towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.’ (Rom. 5:8) 

Oh friends, that means God didn’t wait for us to become saints before He LOVED us, but showed His unconditional LOVE by allowing Christ to die for us despite our sinful condition. Now shouldn’t we show the same kind of LOVE to those around us, with no strings attached, and even though our expectations are not met? Of course! It’s not easy, because that’s how our selfish sinful nature operates. But with the true Spirit of Jesus working in and with us, we can certainly move on to higher ground, a more Christ-like kind of LOVE. 

And these words from Bruh Paul to the church at Corinth contain possibly the best explanation of unconditional, Christ-like LOVE. ‘LOVE is patient and kind; LOVE does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. LOVE bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.’ (1 Cor. 13:4-7) 

And it’s only when we come to that kind of understanding, can we become what this last quote declares. ‘Fake friends are like shadows: always near you at your brightest moments, but nowhere to be seen at your darkest hour. True friends are like stars, you don’t always see them but they are always there.’ Now we all know that to be the truth of all truths, because we have all experienced the betrayal and disappointment of fake friends. People who abandon you when troubles come, or your situation changes, and you can no longer give them what they need. 

Unfortunately, our world today is filled with many more fake than true friendships. Oftentimes too, what we call friendships are in truth mere acquaintances. For as Cousin Sol so wisely says in Proverbs: ‘A friend LOVETH at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.’ (Prov. 17:17) Or as the scholars explain: ‘A true friend has unquenchable LOVE that is not diminished by adversity.’ Now that’s the kind of stuff Jesus expects from us as His followers, His earthly agents and ambassadors. Please, let’s not disappoint Him more than we have already done nuh. Much LOVE!

…by definition…Christians…are true friends…filled with unconditional LOVE… 

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Today’s Scrip-Bit 25 July 2015 Proverbs 17:17‏

25 Jul 2015 Leave a comment

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

Proverbs 17:17.  A friend LOVETH at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Ah Friends, one more day, one more day on God’s planet earth this Saturday morning! Praise the Lord! He allocates them one at a time, which means we have to enjoy each one as it comes along, because we don’t know if we will see another one tomorrow. In His infinite wisdom He might just decide that we have enjoyed enough of His breath of life down here, and it’s time to move on to higher matters and heights.

So please, let’s all give our Creator, Provider and heavenly Father a rousing shout of ‘Thank You Lord! Thank You for Jesus and all that You have done for us unworthy humans. We are Your creation and though we rebelled against You, Your LOVE for us was so great, You found a way through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross at Calvary to reconcile us to You. We can never repay Your LOVING-kindness, but we will be forever grateful! Thank You Lord! We LOVE You and Praise Your Holy Name!’

Yes my people, it’s ever so wonderful to serve and worship such a magnificent and magnanimous God!

Now here is a quote attributed to one of our early church fathers, St. John Chrysostom (349-407). He was born in Antioch and became the Bishop of Constantinople. Constantinople was founded by the Roman emperor Constantine on the already existing city of Byzantium, part of the Byzantine Empire. It is now known as Istanbul, part of modern day Turkey.  

St. John was well known for his writings, public speaking and influence on church affairs, including his denunciation of abuse of authority by both ecclesiastical and political leaders.  Anyway, his quote says: ‘A friend is clearer than the light of heaven, for it would be better for us that the sun were extinguished than that we should be without friends.’

Ah mih breddren, I don’t know if I would go so far nuh, (smile) but Friends definitely are useful and necessary, especially in these very trying and deceitful times. And according to my One More Day Devotional for People with Chronic Illness: ‘Friendship is our greatest achievement and reward. Our friends are people to care about, celebrate with, and count on.

Within the closest friendships we find the best of each other at all times. Friendships enrich our lives… It is no accident that we become close and maintain our contact. We offer help and hope. We share each other’s pain and enhance each other’s growth. We appreciate our friend’s unique qualities.’

It’s all true my people, but it’s ever so hard to find one of those real friends nowadays, where distrust, deceit, fraud and all kinds of evil are rising to the forefront of our society, where trust is no longer the rule, but rather the exception. 

All of that eventually brings us to our Bit. ‘A friend LOVETH at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.’ What awesome truth my people! And how lucky, or rather blessed we are, if we can find even one person to fit that bill in our earthly lives!

The scholars explain it thus: ‘17:17. A true friend has unquenchable LOVE that is not diminished by adversity.’

Ah Friends, do we have that kind of LOVE for anyone in our lives, or does anyone have that kind of LOVE for us? I certainly do hope so, otherwise we’re missing out on a most important part of life.

And what I want to do now is to quote some scripture from Proverbs, where Cousin Sol writes a lot about friends and friendships. Don’t know how many we’ll get in, because there quite a few. We’ll do it by chapters, beginning with 14. ‘The poor is hated even of (by) his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends (the LOVERS of the rich are many.’ (Prov.14:20) And that’s gospel truth!

The scholars put it this way. ‘14:20. Social standing is improved with riches, but the good neighbour will have concern for all, regardless of their status.’ That’s how it’s supposed to be, but there aren’t a whole lot of good neighbors around these days nuh.

In Chapter 16, Sol writes: ‘A froward (perverse) man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief (the best of) friends.’ (Prov.16:28)

And the scholars simply say of this: ‘16:28. Gossip destroys friendships.’

Now we all know that is an indisputable truth since we all have experienced it to some extent. And it hurts like the dickens!

And in chapter 17, early on, Sol says almost the same thing. ‘He that covereth a transgression seeketh LOVE; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very (the best of) friends.’ (Prov.17:9)

Now that’s the real difference between a true friend and an imposter! One will keep quiet about certain private matters, while the other will go and broadcast them to the world.

Meanwhile in chapter 18, Sol pens this highly interesting and oh so true proverb. ‘A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.’ (Prov.18:24)

Now that doesn’t mean exactly what it says. Listen to the scholars. ‘18:24. A man that hath many friends must show himself friendly may also be translated, “A man of many friends comes to ruin.” In other words, a man must not spread himself too thin among many superficial relationships. Far better it is to have (a few) genuine friends who become like family and LOVE at all times (17:17).’ 

And isn’t that the unfortunate truth my brethren! We all know of people who have suffered irreparable damage by having too many hangers on in their lives. Celebrities are a very good example of that. Some of us might even have experienced it.

And these last two come from chapter 27. ‘Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.’ (Prov.27:6)

Hear the scholars: ‘27:6. True criticism from a friend may hurt for a time but may be welcomed, for it issues from his LOVE, whereas the kisses of an enemy are an attempt to conceal his hatred.’

And last but definitely not least: ‘Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.’ (Prov.27:17)

And the scholars explain that thus. ‘27:17. As the proper tool shapes and sharpens iron for its desired use, so a man sharpens his friend morally and intellectually by their personal friendship.’

Now that is the kind of friends we need in these last desperate days! Oh my people, I do hope now that we have a better understanding of what true friendship is all about. So let’s put that understanding into practice nuh, but carefully, for easy does it. Much LOVE!

…I bring myself honestly to my friendships…  (One More Day Devotional).

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 5 October 2014 John 15:13

05 Oct 2014 Leave a comment

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

John 15:13.    Greater LOVE hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
 
And then Friends, it was Sunday, the first day of the week!
 
That means it is supposed to be a restful kind of day, including a trip to the Lord’s sanctuary to worship and fellowship with other believers, give God His praise and thanks that’s so well deserved, and get encouragement and strengthened faith from the gathering to keep on keeping on in Jesus’ name.
 
It also should encompass some quality family and/or friend time; all the while keeping our souls open to Jesus. As I keep reminding us, the way we spend the first day of the week, is usually a harbinger of how the rest of the week will unfold.
 
So if we have a busy, stressful /Sunday, then Monday will no doubt open with stress and fatigue, complaining and whining, as we have to get up and go out to labour, and the week will probably go all downhill from there.
 
However, if we spend Sunday in prayerful peace, we at least wake up rested and renewed on Monday. Then, at least we’re starting from the top and going downhill, which is always easier than starting from the bottom and having to trudge up hill.
 
And with those words of wisdom (smile) – hope you adopt them – let’s get to our Bit, the same as yesterday. ‘Greater LOVE hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’
 
And again, I will remind us, that not as servants, but as valued Friends, Jesus then went out and died for us on Calvary’s cross!
 
I therefore can’t emphasize enough, how important it is that we recognize and truly appreciate His selfless sacrifice at Calvary, for it was indeed the beginning of all our good fortune, which stemmed exclusively from the great LOVE of our heavenly Father, who desperately wanted us to be brought back in to right standing with Him.
 
It’s just like we bend over backwards sometimes with our wayward children whom we LOVE dearly and want to see get back to the right path and right standing with us.
 
Now today we’ll deal with some scriptures that highlight friendship; what it is supposed to be, and as time permits, also look at some friendships, both good and bad, from the Good Book.
 
And first off is the wisdom of Cousin Sol, telling us from Proverbs, what a friend, and friendship ought to be. Listen up closely my brethren. (smile) ‘A friend LOVETH at all times, and a brother is born of adversity.’ (Prov.17:17)
 
And that’s exactly how it’s supposed to be my people! As the scholars declare: ’17:17. A true friend has unquenchable LOVE that is not diminished by adversity.’
 
But today, unfortunately, as we all know, that kind of true friendship doesn’t exist as much as it used to. Now friends are only friends when times are good. When they are rough and you need support, you’ll usually find yourself alone, because all you really had were good times friends.
 
However my people, let’s look at what a true friendship ought to be like. It begins with Jehovah God’s covenant with Abraham in chapter 17 of Genesis, where He establishes Abraham as the father of His Chosen People.
 
And we all know the story of Abraham’s tumultuous but interesting pilgrimage throughout the land, and how throughout it all, he stayed faithful and true to God, and God also remained faithful and true to him.
 
It was such a great friendship that centuries later, king Jehoshaphat of Judah, when besieged by foreign armies, could cry out to God: ‘Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend forever?’ (2 Chr.20:7)
 
Then Isaiah, in talking of the final restoration of Israel, declares: ‘But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham, my friend.’ (Is.41:8)
 
And later on, James, the half-brother of Jesus, who only believed at the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry, in talking about faith without works, boldly proclaims: ‘But wilt thou know (but do you want to know), O vain (foolish) man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
 
Seest thou how faith wrought with his works (was working), and by works was faith made perfect (complete)? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed (accounted) unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.’ (James 2:20-23)
 
Yes my brethren, that is what a true friendship ought to be like. Abraham is so revered, that even when we speak of God, and we qualify it by saying, the God of Abraham, everyone knows whom we’re talking about.
 
So today my people, as we fellowship and worship, peacefully rest in prayerful meditation, let’s consider the words ‘friend and friendship.’ Let’s ponder what they mean to us, then on that basis, ponder who our true friends might be in this earthly life, as well as who we might be true friends to.
 
And lastly, let’s ask the Lord for his help, so that at the end of our earthly pilgrimage, our faith and works will be of such excellence and integrity, that we too will be called the Friend of God! That’s the zenith of wisdom! Much LOVE!
 
…oh…to be considered…a Friend of the Lord…and a Man after His own heart…that is my greatest desire…