Today’s Scrip-Bit 1 November 2018 Ephesians 3: 20-21.

01 Nov 2018 Leave a comment

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

Ephesians 3:20-21.   ​Now unto him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
 

Oh friends, this early going to bed and early morning waking up is for the birds yes! I can’t stand the emotional pain of waking up at 7 a.m and seeing outside still dark. Chuh! And by this weekend it will be even worse when we turn the clocks back one hour in the senseless ritual of Daylight Savings Time. 

And since I can’t lie in my bed for many hours like some of us, because the ole bod tightens up on me, the only solution to cover both aspects of the problem is to return to my old habit of going to bed late! Glory be! And those were also the days when I got much more work done during a twenty-four hour period. 

What a pleasure it will be to get up and see the sun out and about. It will also give me some get up and go. Oh I know it might make the Bit a tad later than usual, but that’s a small price to pay for the ole fella’s happiness eh. (smile) 

And though I try to limit the poems from Our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin to one a week, I just could not resist sharing this one that I read yesterday, because it’s so appropriate and enlightening for these troubled and worrisome times. It’s titled ‘Enormous Rewards.’ 

So please pray with me. ‘O dear God Thank You for teaching me The enormous rewards Of walking obediently with You: There is joy without guilt Freedom without fear Satisfaction without sordidness Purpose without confusion Friendship without compromise Forgiveness without penance Fulfillment without disappointment.’ 

Oh mih breddren what glorious rewards can be had from walking in obedience to God’s will! No other faith or Deity can promise and produce that extraordinary stuff for being faithful to them. Wow! So why aren’t we all just dying to walk in obedience to God eh? 

 I really can’t answer that question nuh, except by possibly saying that we’re foolish and unwise, proud and narcissistic, worshipping the angel of this world, Satan, rather than Christ, and thus catering to the whims, fancies, pleasures and treasures of the evil world in which we dwell. How else can we explain not intentionally walking obediently with God, the Creator and Controller of the universe, when so many rewards await us eh? 

However we explain it friends, walking obediently with Almighty God is the only approach that makes sense, that’s why I had to share this poem today! It was just crying out to be shared! (smile)

And the Bible Promise for this poem is also our Bit; a most moving and reassuring piece of scripture. ‘Now unto him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.’ 

Ah mih people, what powerful words relating to a most powerful God. Yuh see, Bruh Paul says that our God can do even much more than we can ask or think! Our minds are small and finite but the Lord’s is infinite, and that’s why He solemnly declares in Isaiah:

‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than yours, and my thoughts than your thoughts.’ (Is.55:8-9) That says it all my brethren! 

And why did Bruh Paul make those statements in our Bit? Because he had just prayed for inner growth in the Ephesian church: That they would be granted ‘the riches of his glory…strengthened with might by his Spirit…

That Christ may dwell in their hearts by faith; that they be rooted and grounded in LOVE; and be able to comprehend the vastness, the enormity, the height and breadth, length and depth of that LOVE; while knowing the peace and LOVE of Christ which passes all human understanding, and that their lives would be fully developed with all the wonderful characteristics of God.’ (Eph.3:16-19) 

Now friends, please tell me who would be able to do all of that in sinful men eh? None but the Lord of Hosts, our Maker and Provider, our Omnipotent Godhead! That’s why Bruh Paul was so confident that his prayers would be answered. And as he tells the Corinthians, paraphrasing a couple of verses from Isaiah (64:4, 65:17) ‘But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that LOVE him.’ (1 Cor.2:9) 

Oh my people, my people, in light of that statement, why aren’t we falling all over ourselves to worship and be obedient to God eh? We must have a screw, or a couple of screws missing yes! Otherwise we’d be all over God like white on rice! (smile) And would He ever LOVE that! Heaven would mash up with rejoicing! 

So let’s get wise and turn to God nuh, for He is the ONLY one able to provide us with ALL that we need. And that is sincerely and faithfully shown in our Thursday Blessings, which we will now declare, because a blessing isn’t a blessing until it’s declared over someone. 

So in full voice and heartfelt truth: ‘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!’ 

Glory to God my brethren! And the other side of that coin is for us now to go out and share those blessings with others, for that’s why we were so graciously granted them. Much LOVE!

…living under God’s amazing and LOVING grace…brother…it just can’t be beat nuh…

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 24 June 2018 Ephesians 3:20.

24 Jun 2018 Leave a comment

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

Ephesians 3:20.   Now unto him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

Ah mih breddren, it’s another rainy day in my area. Now that’s good for the plants and the animals, but it will force our church picnic to be held indoors, for a second consecutive year, if I’m not mistaken. However as usual, I went to the early service, that’s why the Bit is so late, and hopefully will go back later to get some of the good food that’s always present at our picnic. (smile) 

Anyway, please don’t let the rain keep you from attending the Lord’s sanctuary today. You know, for some reason, Christians use the simplest excuse to not go to church. But whom do you think suffers, God? No, we mortal fools do. Anyway, let’s open the proceedings with some praise and worship to soften up our hearts and make them more receptive to God’s word. 

And today we’ll sing a soulful ditty from Olivia Newton John’s Album, ‘Grace and Gratitude,’ titled, ‘Let Go and Let God.’ With strong voices and sincere hearts now, let’s sing: ‘When you can’t find your direction, And when your heart won’t guide you home… Let go – and let God. When your dreams are broken in the dust, And you’ve lost the will to trust… Let go – and let God. 

(Chorus: Let the signs remind you, we are passengers. Let the signs remind you to surrender, to surrender. Let go – and let God. (Background vocals – When you’re holding in your…when you’re holding in your…when you’re holding in your…when you’re holding in your…Let go – and Let God.) 

When your faith is a dying fire, and there’s no spark to feed the flame… Let go – and let God. When your courage fails you, and the well of hope runs dry… Let go – and let God. (Chorus Let the signs remind you…etc.  Let go – and let God…Let go – and let God.’ 

Oh my people, those are such excellent and reassuring words for us in all aspects and times of life. It’s the wisest thing for us to do; to just let go and let God be God in our lives, for that’s all He really asks of us. But like stubborn, hard headed children, since He’s given us free will, we want to do our own thing and just make a mess of our lives in so doing. 

That’s why today, we’re going to consider Bruh Paul’s prayer for inner growth in his letter to the Ephesians, for only through inner growth and maturity in our Christian faith, are we fully able to let go, to surrender our all to God and let him control our lives. 

Listen to Bruh Paul: ‘For this cause (Paul’s mission to the Gentiles) I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named (derived), That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye being rooted and grounded in LOVE, May be able to comprehend (understand) with all saints what is the breadth (width), and length, and depth, and height: And to know the LOVE of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled with all the fullness of God.’ (Eph.3:14-19) 

Oh precious people of God, those are exactly the same things we need prayer for today; that we be strengthened by God’s mighty Spirit, so that we can successfully live the Christian life.  And for Christ to dwell sincerely in our hearts rooted and grounded in LOVE, as well as understand the great, the enormous LOVE that Christ has for us. And to be filled with all the fullness of God, ‘that is, that the life, character, and virtues of God Himself may be fully developed in us.’ 

And how do we come by all of that wonderful stuff eh? By doing what Bruh Paul did, praying to Almighty God! As our Bit so powerfully declares: ‘Now unto him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.’ Yeh friends, that’s who is able to make all that wonderful stuff happen to and for us! 

As the scholars tell us: ‘3:20. In making the three above petitions (vs.16-19), Paul has not asked for too much. For he prays unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think.’ Yes mih breddren, the God we serve and worship can indeed do much much more than we can ever ask or imagine. Our finite and puny minds can never come up with something He can’t do. 

Bruh Paul reminds the Corinthians: ‘Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.’ (1 Cor.1:25) Hn! And if you don’t believe Bruh Paul, then listen to the Lord Himself through the voice of the prophet Isaiah. 

‘For my thoughts (purposes, intentions) are not your thoughts, neither are your ways (directions) my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.’ (Is.55:8-9) And that’s the gospel truth my fellow believers! For if God couldn’t do much more than us, why would we need Him eh? No reason whatsoever! 

Unfortunately though, that’s what some foolish men are preaching and too many foolish men believing! But can the same fools guarantee anything to man, their breath of life, or how long it will last? No! That should remind us of Jesus’ parable re the rich fool, who had so much that he thought he’d just big build bigger and better storehouses to provide for his later years. But when his soul was required of him that same night, he was unable to stop it. 

Ah friends, please don’t listen to the false teachers and preachers that abound in today’s society. Please read and meditate on the Good Book for yourself, so you’ll know what’s true from what is not. For the Lord is the One who created us and works all things in our lives. And as Bruh Paul ended that chapter: ‘Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen!’ (Eph.3:21) 

Please enjoy a blessed day! Much LOVE!

…once more I ask…how can the created…ever be greater than the Creator eh…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 1 November 2017 Ephesians 3:20-21.

01 Nov 2017 Leave a comment

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

Ephesians 3:20-21.   Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Cloudy days are here again…But Jesus drives all those dark clouds away when He greets us with His bright and sunny smile, an endearing brotherly hug and a heartfelt ‘I LOVE You!’ 

Oh friends, there’s no better way to wake up each and every day than in the wonderful embrace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Glory Hallelujah! 

And all I can say to those who refuse to have that kind of awakening, is that they are being rather foolish and shortchanging themselves of a most wonderful experience. And in the long run, denying themselves of ‘Enormous Rewards,’ as this poem from our One Year Book of Bible Promises with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin tells us. 

Please pray with me. ‘O dear God Thank You for teaching me The enormous rewards Of walking obediently with You: There is joy without guilt Freedom without fear Satisfaction without sordidness Purpose without confusion Friendship without compromise Forgiveness without penance Fulfillment without disappointment.’ 

Wow, mih people, Wow! Where else can we find such joy and satisfaction than in walking obediently with the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob eh? NOWHERE ELSE! 

And all of that is only possible as Bruh Paul declares in our Bit: ‘Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.’ 

Yeh friends, it’s ONLY the Holy One of Israel who can do such things! And what Bruh Paul was praying there for, is the same thing that I am praying for us all; prayer for inner growth. 

And hear how Bruh Paul puts it. ‘For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in LOVE, May be able to comprehend (understand) with all saints what is the breadth (width), and length, and depth, and height: And to know the LOVE of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.’ (Eph.3:14-19) 

Ah mih breddren, what a bold and caring but entirely doable prayer, because our heavenly Father can do all he requests and even more! 

Now here are some explanations from the scholars. ‘16-19. In these verses Paul makes three prayer requests for the addressees: (1) That they would be strengthened with might by his Spirit (v.16), that is, that they be divinely enabled to successfully live the Christian life. 

(2) That the readers be able to comprehend…the LOVE of Christ, that is, to better understand the enormous LOVE Christ has for them. And (3) that they might be filled with all the fullness of God, that is, that the life, the character, and virtues of God Himself may be fully developed in them.’  

Yes faithful friends, followers of Jesus have desperately needed those prayers all down through the ages, and so do we today. And we possibly need them more than some of the other saints because of the dreadfully evil and ungodly world in which we now live. 

And just as the believers in earlier ages received the strength and understanding through Christ’s Spirit to handle their earthly affairs, likewise, if we stay faithful and obedient to God, we will be able to handle whatever comes against us, with the help of Holy Spirit that dwells within and walks besides us. 

And all God’s people declared a loud, proud and grateful: ‘Thank You heavenly Father for sacrificing Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to pay for our abominable sins! We LOVE You, praise and adore Your glorious name, and promise to live for You all our lives! Amen! And again we say Amen!’ 

Now my fellow saints, remember what Cousin Sol says about promises, especially to God. ‘When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer (delay) not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.’ (Eccl.5:4) 

So since we have vowed to live for Him all our lives, we had better begin doing so right now, so that He doesn’t consider us fools. (smile) And we’ll begin by declaring our Wednesday Wail, which explains our current standing in the obedience to God. 

Now with strong voice and sincere heart, let’s joyfully tell the world: ‘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 what a glorious future that will be be my fellow believers! Just keep that in mind as we continue our pilgrim’s journey, and it will certainly strengthen our resolve. Much LOVE!

…only in living for Christ…can mankind be assured of a glorious future…