Today’s Scrip-Bit 27 November 2016 Daniel 9:9.

27 Nov 2016 Leave a comment

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

Daniel 9:9.  To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him.  

Ah friends, it’s that great day, Sunday – the Day of the Lord – where we gather in His sanctuary to sing and praise and worship and fellowship and receive wisdom and strength to face the strife-filled world for another week. And to get us started, let’s sing this gospel song written in 1937 by Thomas A Dorsey for Mahalia Jackson. We all know it as ‘Peace in the Valley.’ 

In loud voice, with sincerity, harmony and passion: ‘Oh well, I’m tired and so weary But I must go alone Till the lord comes and calls, calls me away, oh yes Well the morning’s so bright And the lamp is alight And the night, night is as black as the sea, oh yes There will be peace in the valley for me, some day There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray 

There’ll be no sadness, no sorrow No trouble, trouble I see There will be peace in the valley for me, for me Well the bear will be gentle And the wolves will be tame And the lion shall lay down by the lamb, oh yes And the beasts from the wild Shall be led by a child And I’ll be changed, changed from this creature that I am, oh yes 

There will be peace in the valley for me, some day There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray There’ll be no sadness, no sorrow No trouble, trouble I see There will be peace in the valley for me, for me.’ 

And that’s the awesome truth as promised by our God! In the sweet bye and bye, life will be filled with peace: ‘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.21:4)  

Yes my people, what a blessed day that will be! All our earthly pangs will disappear, as our wonderful God dwells with us, and we with Him, in everlasting peace and joy! It won’t get any better than that!  

Now here is a Trini Quote of De Day from my Trini friend. It says: ‘Doh mess in de road, because yuh go pass back an mash it.’ Generally said to someone as advice not to treat people badly or make enemies, for you may have to pass back along that same road.’

I guess it could also be construed as don’t burn your bridges behind you, because one day you just might have to turn around and go back the way you came, and there’ll be lots of people waiting to give you what for. (smile) 

And my Trini friend concludes: ‘Have a GREAT day, every DAY!!!! Watch your thoughts: They become words Watch your words: They become actions Watch your actions: They become habits Watch your habits: They become character.’ That’s all gospel truth my brethren! So please, let’s pay serious attention to our words nuh, for they also contain the power of life and death. 

Now let’s turn to our Bit, the same one as yesterday. ‘To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him.’ More truth of awesome proportions precious children of God! 

In spite of our very sinful and rebellious behaviour, our God is always ready, willing and obviously able to be merciful and forgiving if we come to Him in sincere repentance. It doesn’t mean though that there will be no consequences for our sinful behaviour.  For the Lord just can’t let sin go by without some kind of retribution, otherwise sin would be even more rampant than it currently is. 

Anyhow, today I want us to take a look at some scriptures which complement our Bit. And the first one comes from Isaiah, as he talks about free mercy to all. He solemnly declares on the Lord’s behalf: ‘Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.’ (Is.55:7) 

Yes friends, our God is a bastion of mercy! (smile) Now listen to the psalmist from Psalm 130 – My soul waiteth for the Lord. ‘If thou, Lord, shouldest mark (take note of) iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared (reverenced with awe). 

I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope… Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy (LOVING-kindness), and with him is plenteous (abundant) redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.’ (Ps.130:3-5, 7-8) 

Meanwhile, Nehemiah, after hearing of the sad plight of Jerusalem, prayed and fasted before the Lord, ‘And said, I beseech thee, O Lord God of heaven, the great and terrible (awesome) God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that LOVE him (you) and observe (keep) his (your) commandments. 

Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants , and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father’s house have sinned.’ (Neh.1:5-6) 

Yeh friends, our God is a magnanimous and merciful God, but also a just and righteous God, He therefore cannot allow sin to go unpunished, especially when we, His supposed people, are so blatantly sinful and ungodly. Remember Nehemiah’s prayer for Jerusalem came about because of Israel’s unconcerned sinfulness, which caused the Lord to let them be taken captive to Babylon and the city destroyed. 

The same thing could happen to us my people, or rather something disastrous WILL happen, if we continue in the very sinful vein that’s currently holding our society captive. Let’s pray, like Nehemiah did, for our sinful society, sincerely asking for mercy, as we try to get our sinfulness under control. And don’t forget, it’s only with God’s help, we can do that. Much LOVE!

…for the wages of sin is death…but the gift of God is eternal life…through (in) Jesus Christ our Lord… (Rom.6:23)

P.S. Please, remember to keep on praying for our friend and Scrip-Bit family member Scotty, who is still in the hospital. Much LOVE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 21 June 2013 Psalm 73:1

21 Jun 2013 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 73:1.    Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean (pure) heart.
 
‘Oh Friends, is it really Friday already?’ I foolishly ask.
 
And my Friends shout back, ‘Yes it’s really Friday already! Praise the Lord!’
 
‘But how come it come around so quickly this week eh?’ I continued, somewhat perplexed. ‘But wasn’t it just Monday?’
 
‘Look nuh,’ my wonderful Friends replied, getting a tad disgruntled, ‘we don’t care how quickly it seems to come around to you nuh! We’re just glad that it come around, and we could shout and sing, ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday, and the weekend’s here!’
 
All I could do at being told in no uncertain terms of their one desire was laugh and say, ‘Okay pardners, whatever you say.’
 
But they insisted on having the last word. ‘Yes, mih brother, whatever we say goes! Remember that eh.’
 
And we all burst out into big peals of laughter at our foolishness. But my people, laughter is indeed good for the soul. It’s a wonderful elixir that’s not only free, but also available all the time, any time at all. And some, or rather plenty of our Christian brothers and sisters should try using it more often, and leave their sour, very unChristian-like countenances behind.
 
And now that we’ve gotten some levity in our spirits, let’s chant our Friday Chant with much sincerity nuh. ‘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.’
 
Now that ought to keep us somewhat on the straight and narrow this weekend. (smile) And we’d better not stray, because as our Bit so wisely advises us: ‘Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean (pure) heart.’
 
Yes Friends, our God is indeed good to those whose hearts are clean and pure, that are set on Him and His righteousness, not on the wickedness of the world. And we have a classic example of that particular problem as the psalmist Asaph declares in his psalm, re the mystery of prosperous wickedness.
 
‘But as for me, my feet were almost gone (I almost stumbled); my steps had well-nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish (boastful), when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no bands (pangs or pain) in their death: but their strength is firm.
 
They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain (serves as a necklace); violence covereth them as a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness (bulge with abundance): they have more than heart could wish.’ (Ps.73:2-7)
 
Oh my people, that’s a very true picture of how the wicked look and how they operate! And yuh know what? When we see them driving their fancy, expensive cars, living in their big mansions, while eating and drinking of the best of everything, wearing designer duds, and showing off about it too, we often feel envious, especially if we’re have a hard time simply making two ends meet.
 
That’s what happened to Asaph. He was on the verge of falling, of losing his faith, when luckily he woke up to the reality of the situation. And how did he do that? ‘Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.’ (Ps.73:17)
 
As the scholars put it: ‘Not until the psalmist entered God’s sanctuary and received a divine perspective on the wicked’s prosperity did he find his answer to the problem (vv. 17-28) He saw the destiny of the wicked (vv. 17-20); therefore he repented of his foolishness (vv.21-22) and found his happiness solely in a warm and growing relationship with God (vv. 23-28)
 
The point of the psalm is driven home even more dramatically when remembering that Asaph, the author, was a spiritual man who grew up with deeply religious training. (1 Chr.15:16-19; 16:4-7; 2 Chr.5:12; 29-30)’ 
 
Oh Friends, I know it’s hard to just grin and bear the blatant extravagance and boasting of the wicked. Yuh see even the deeply religious and spiritual man Asaph had a hard time not falling into Lucifer’s sinful trap. But please note how he got out of it; by going to the Lord’s sanctuary and immersing himself in the Word and finally realizing the destructive end of the wicked.
 
‘For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee (who are unfaithful to thee).’ (Ps.73:27)
 
And that’s the gospel truth Friends! So please stand strong and not let envy and jealousy of the evildoers cause you to stumble and fall, for our wonderful God has promised so much more to those who wait on Him.
 
Listen to how the palmist puts it in Psalm 130, superscripted, My soul waiteth for the Lord. ‘If thou Lord, shouldest mark (take note of) iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared (reverenced with awe).
 
I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say more than they that watch for the morning.’ (Ps.130:3-6)
 
Now that’s how we should behave my brethren! Watch and wait for the Lord with hungry hope and heart-filled faith! Let the wicked enjoy their earthly benefits, which will perish with them. Let’s say like Bruh David in Psalm 86, titled, ‘Teach me thy way, O Lord.’
 
He solemnly declares: ‘Rejoice (make glad) the soul of thy servant: for unto thee O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.’ (Ps.86:4-5)
 
That’s definitely, undeniable, irrevocable, everlasting truth my people!
 
So please, let’s not allow the flimsy and flashy baubles and bangles of the world to excite our sinful flesh and tear us away from what is true and full of substance; the Lord God Jehovah and His Word. If we stand strong, in due time we’ll be even better rewarded than the wicked, and with everlasting rewards too. 
 
Now let’s go out with the wisest words that Asaph wrote in Psalm 73: ‘But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.’ (Ps.73:28)
 
And all God’s people gave a joyous shout of ‘Praise the Lord! Amen!’ Much LOVE my fellow believers in Christ!
 
…when Lucifer tries to control out lustful eyes…that’s the time to give Jesus full control of our faith filled hearts…
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 12 December 2012 Psalm 118:8

12 Dec 2012 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 118:8.     It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
 
Oh Friends, like so many of our other pseudo sciences, our weather forecasting is taking a turn for the worse. That’s possibly because of the abnormal, the changing weather patterns we’re currently experiencing. And I bring this up because yesterday’s forecast for my area was supposed to be sunny and bright. However, shortly after 8 a.m, I went outside to put out the garbage, and lo and behold wasn’t greeted by bright sunshine, but by wet snow! Hn! And though the wet snow didn’t last long, the day was never sunny and bright, but remained cloudy throughout. Unfortunately, so it is with many of our other man made devices and proclamations; they’ve become untrustworthy despite the surge in technological innovation and human intelligence. What a bam-bam! So what do we do now? What choices do we have besides man and the machines he’s created? Only ONE option is left to us Friends, and interestingly enough, the most sensible option at that. Like our Bit advises: ‘It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.’ And all God’s children declared a loud and hearty, ‘Amen!’ Yes my people, the ONLY thing, being, machine or otherwise that we can wholeheartedly trust is the ONE who created us, still cares for us a whole bunch, and also LOVES us unconditionally; that’s Jehovah God! Hear how Bruh David proclaims it in his song of deliverance from the hand of all his enemies, especially his nemesis, King Saul. ‘And he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn (strength) of my salvation, my high tower (stronghold), and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.’ (2 Sam.2:2-4) He declares basically the same thing in Psalm 18, but begins it differently: ‘I will LOVE thee, O Lord, my strength.’ (Ps.18:1) Oh my brethren, where else can we get that supernatural strength, trust and wisdom we so desperately need in this ungodly, evil world, but from our Creator? Nowhere else my brethren! The prophet Micah declares our problem today so accurately, that it’s as though he is actually living in these, rough and cruel end times. In his insightful wisdom, he says: ‘Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide (companion), keep (guard) the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house.’ (Mic.7:5-6) And isn’t that the gospel truth Friends? It sure is, because the trust and LOVE that was originally found in families, has now deteriorated to its lowest level ever. The family is no longer the backbone of society. In fact our society no longer has a backbone, that’s why it’s so wishy washy, so unreliable, swinging from one end of the pendulum to the other, without any sense of balance or stability, and thus is not worthy to be trusted like it used to be. And just as Micah declared our problem from way back when, he also gave us the solution, from way back then. It’s so simple and obvious Friends, that the complicated minds of men can’t seem to fathom it. ‘Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me.’ (Mic.7:7-8) Yes my fellow believers, in these cruel, tough and thankless times, that’s where we should all be putting our trust and confidence; in Almighty God and not in man and his worldly idols. Isaiah said the same thing when talking about deliverance foreshadowed: ‘And I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.’ (Is.8:17) What’s wrong with our brains today eh Friends? Why are we so against Jehovah God, the only positive and stalwart Being in the universe, the ONE whose blessings we’ve enjoyed from ages past when we’ve walked in the light of His salvation? And on the other side of the ledger, in times of disobedience, like now, when we’ve suffered His stinging correction, which eventually brought us back to our senses, and back to His wonderful, safe and LOVING fold. Oh my people, what else can I say to make us understand that this is one of the most critical and crucial times in the history of man. It’s a time when we desperately need to turn away from our own devices, as well as the evil, lustful, worldly idols and ways of Lucifer, and return to serving and worshipping, in reverence and faith, the ONE TRUE GOD, He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. That’s the only solution to preventing our world from both imploding and exploding in the near future, which it will surely do, if we keep following our own devices and the evil ways that Lucifer seeks to put in our hearts. Let’s therefore be wise and stand faithful and strong in Jesus against the physical and spiritual wickedness of the world nuh Friends. As Bruh David unashamedly and confidently declares in Psalm 34, the Lord hears the righteous: ‘O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. O fear (revere) the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want (lack, need) to them that fear (revere) him.’ (Ps.18:8-9) That’s undeniable truth and wisdom Friends! So please, let’s take it to heart TODAY, RIGHT NOW, and leave all our evil, selfish ways behind, putting all our hope, trust, faith and belief in Jesus, who selflessly saved us from eternal death; the Holy Spirit, which leads and guides in all wisdom and truth; and the Father, who dearly LOVES and cares for us, because He is indeed our FATHER, our Creator. Much LOVE!…why foolishly hold on to something that’s not working…that’s constantly dragging you down… when there’s something else that’s been proven to work…and is continually uplifting and encouraging…  P.S. Sorry the Bit’s been a tad late the last couple days Friends, but it seems like I’ve contacted the Duchess’ cold, or one of my own, and it’s been playing havoc with my schedule. But don’t worry, it’s not going to stop the Lord’s Word from being noised abroad though. (smile) Much LOVE!
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 7 June 2012 Psalm 39:7

07 Jun 2012 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Inspirational Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Psalm 39:7.    And now Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in thee.
 
Oh Friends, it’s a new day, and I’m expecting new blessings and mercies, even though some things still remain the same; like my aching jaw and acting up allergies, something they haven’t done in a long while. However, I know that good things are going to happen today, and enough of them to cover and saturate the bad ones. Why is that eh? Because deep down in my spirit I have HOPE; HOPE in the Lord Jesus Christ. As our Bit from Bruh David’s prayer for self-understanding says: ‘And now Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in thee.’ Yuh know, for the last couple days, after reading or hearing that scripture somewhere, it’s been playing in my mind, and even more so today as I came to write the Bit. That told me the Lord wanted us to bathe in His HOPE today, to resuscitate the springs of hope in our mortal lives, which seem to be running low, so that we can stand strong and go forward bravely, building His righteous kingdom. So here goes; as many scriptures on HOPE, as we can fit in to the space we have available. And first up are words from Psalm 16; Bruh David’s Michtam (Contemplation) on preservation and blessing: ‘I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest (dwell securely) in hope.’ (Ps.16:8-9) Now here are some more wise words from Bruh David, who wrote the book on Hope, from Psalm 38, the prayer of a penitent heart. When all his enemies were ganging up against him, he solemnly declares: ‘But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth. Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs (responses). For in thee, (I wait for thee) O Lord, do I hope: thou wilt hear (answer), O Lord, my God.’ (Ps.38:13-15) Now that’s what I call hope Friends! How many of us can sit quietly while others are bashing us, saying all sorts of nasty, untrue things about us, and we just sit quietly and wait for the Lord our God to hear and respond on our behalf? Not very many. But that’s how we ought to be. And turning to Cousin Sol: He simply declares: ‘The wicked is driven away by his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope (refuge) in his death.’ And that’s an indisputable fact my brethren! We know where we’re going when these mortal bodies bite the dust. Heaven, with Jesus! Therefore we have great hope here on earth! Yes Friends, the righteous, those that walk under the protective wings of Jehovah God are fuelled by hope in His everlasting promises and His great mercies. And the Preacher states his theory of hope thus: ‘For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.’ (Eccl.9:4) I guess that can be roughly translated by our saying that while there’s life there is hope, which is an undeniable fact my people. Now hear Jeremiah, re the blessedness of trusting the Lord: ‘Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is, for he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful (anxious) in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.’ (Jer.17:7-8) Oh Friends, truer words were never spoken! How much more hope and encouragement do we need to believe in the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob eh? And here’s a scripture I like, but don’t hear too often. Zechariah declares on behalf of Zion’s future king: ‘Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope: even today do I declare that I will render (restore) double unto thee.’ (Zech.9:12) Oh mih breddren, that term ‘prisoners of hope’ should be applicable to all followers of Christ, because hope is such an integral part of our Christian walk, and without it, we’d just die a dog’s death! But because there’s such a thing as hope, that our forefather Abraham embraced so wholeheartedly: ‘Who against (contrary) to hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.’ (Rom.4:18) Yes Friends, without a deep-seated hope and faith in God, where would Abraham be, in fact where would we all be today? He believed, trusted and hoped in God’s promise enough to walk as God desired. How many of us can truthfully make that statement today eh? Obviously not sufficient, otherwise our world wouldn’t be in such a mess. And Bruh Paul, re the service of LOVE to all, talks to the Romans about; ‘Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation, continuing instant (steadfast) in prayer.’ (Rom.12:12) And we’ll conclude with this memorable scripture from Bruh Paul: ‘For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then we do with patience (perseverance) (eagerly) wait for it.’ That’s gospel truth Friends! So regardless of what ever is currently happening in our lives, or around the world, let’s not lose sight of the enormous importance of HOPE in a believer’s life. And just to keep us focused, we’ll reiterate the immortal words of our Bit: ‘And now Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in thee.’ Words of truth and strength mih people! Much LOVE!…to hope…to hope…and yet to hope…that is the Christian’s strength…