Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 October 2018 John 4:34.

11 Oct 2018 Leave a comment

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

John 4:34.    ​Jesus saith unto them, My meat (food) is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
 

Well friends sorry I’m a bit late, but my friendly computer acted up on me this morning when I was already late. (smile) And no, we’re not supposed to have as wonderful a day as the last two, but the temp should be above the seasonal norm, and the sun is fighting valiantly to stay shining after the intermittent rain we had during the night. 

The temp is supposed to plummet after today, so I guess I won’t be able to sit comfortably again in shirtsleeves on my front porch at 3.30 in the morning like I did earlier on today. It’s so healing and cleansing to be able to sit in the peaceful silence and communicate with nature and one’s Maker. They say that an empty church has more room for God, well so does a peaceful neighbourhood, allow greater communication. 

So what shall we talk about today eh? I don’t have a clue. (smile) However, after sifting through the numerous bits of paper on my desk, I found this interesting quote, although I’m not sure who said it. And it says: ‘Discipline is not our enemy, but our friend. And discipline helps you be what you want to be, and you won’t be without it.’ 

Gospel truth mih people! We can’t be what we want to be without discipline! It’s as simple as that! Because discipline keeps us focused on whatever it is we desire to do, and if we’re not focused, zoomed in, we won’t accomplish whatever we set out to do. The problem though is that discipline goes against the natural grain of our carnal minds and flesh. It keeps us tied to one path, makes it straight and narrow, needing us to keep our eyes straight ahead so that we don’t veer off. 

And have you ever noticed how easy it is to veer off the straight and narrow path? It certainly doesn’t take much encouragement. (smile) That’s why it’s so difficult to be a true follower of Jesus, especially with all the worldly stuff that’s out there trying to drag us back to the wide and destructive path. 

But friends, to be successful in our godly endeavours, we have to take a page from Jesus’ book.  Please note what He says in our Bit to the disciples at the well of Jacob, when they offered Him food, after He met the Samaritan woman. ‘Jesus saith unto them, My meat (food) is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.’  

Yes my brethren, the Lord sent Jesus to perform a certain task, namely to spread the good news of the gospel and to sacrifice His sinless life so that we could be saved, and that’s all He concentrated on. He didn’t turn to the left nor to the right, just focused completely on the task of the Father, keeping in continual communication with Him. 

So if the Son of God, needed to be in continuous communication with His Father to be able to do His work down here on earth, how much more do we, mere mortals, need to stay in touch with and focused on our heavenly Father if we sincerely want to do His will. Glory be mih people, the ole fella is just running away with it! (smile) 

The Holy Spirit suddenly infused those thoughts in my mind and I couldn’t type fast enough to put them down. And it just brought to my mind the fact that I’ve been writing this Bit for almost eleven years is also a matter of discipline. I have to set my focus each day on writing it. 

And the truth be known, now I don’t even fret about it again. I just know that I have to write it and get up and ask the Lord for guidance, and like today, when I didn’t know what I was going to write about, He showed me a way. That’s why I can testify that the Lord is truly faithful! If you do what He commands you to do, then He WILL help you to do it. I certainly couldn’t be writing this Bit for so long without His marvelous help. 

But then friends, it takes that tough and unlikable word ‘discipline’ to do it successfully. Without it, in any area of life or situation, we’ll never reach the mountain top for which we all strive. And Cousin Sol gives a couple of interesting pointers here. ‘Commit thy works unto the Lord (roll on the Lord thy works), and thy thoughts shall be established. (Prov.16:3) And secondly: ‘When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.’ (Prov.16:7) 

Ah mih people, that just shows the wisdom of getting God seriously involved in ALL of our affairs. And when we have done that friends, then we can say to the Father, like Jesus did: ‘I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.’ (John 17:4) 

The scholars tell us that’s when He finished His active ministry, then thereafter took a more passive role. However, when He declared on the cross: ‘It is finished: and he bowed his head and gave up the ghost.’ (John 19:30) that’s when it was all done, both His active and passive ministry. He had done ALL that the Father had sent Him to do, because He was focused and disciplined, and with the Father’s help was extremely successful. 

Likewise friends, if we are focused and disciplined, with the Father’s help we can also be extremely successful. Now it’s time to go home declaring (spelled it right again!) our Thursday Blessings, letting the world know of the goodness of God when you walk hand in hand with Him. 

Altogether now: ‘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!’ 

Yeh friends, if we believe it, then we have to declare it, because a blessing is not a blessing unless it’s declared. Now let’s go out and share them all with others who are not as blessed. Much LOVE!

…blessings are bestowed…so that they can be shared…

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 8 October 2018 Deuteronomy 26:9.

08 Oct 2018 Leave a comment

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

Deuteronomy 26:9.    And he hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, even a land that floweth with milk and honey.

HAPPY  THANKSGIVING  DAY  CANADA!

 

Yes my people, it’s Thanksgiving Day in Canada! Glory to God! As the psalmist says: ‘This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.’ (Ps.118:24) In fact, all weekend we’ve been celebrating and doubly rejoicing. Why? Because we have been obeying the Lord’s ordinance, as delivered to the Israelites by Moses, bringing the fruits of our prosperity to offer it before the Lord, sending portions to the poor and offering succour to the stranger! 

And why wouldn’t we eh my brethren when ‘He hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, even a land that floweth with milk and honey.’ And does this great land of Canada ever flow with milk and honey? It surely does, because we are living so much better than most of the world. Oh, like everyone else, we have our problems, but thankfully we have not sunk as deep in the mire as some of the other countries around. 

We have not pushed God out of our society as much as they have. But if we continue on the wide and destructive path we’re currently on, we will eventually get like them. And the only thing that will stop us is by concentrating on staying on the straight and narrow path of Jesus; fomenting His LOVE Revolution, and thus keeping God first place in our society. And to do that successfully, we need all Christian hands on deck because it’s a formidable task, and no one else can do it, or is even interested in doing so.

Hn! Looks like I’ve preached the Sermon before the preamble. (smile) Anyway, the Holy Spirit knows where it’s leading me. And let’s not forget that today is Monday; the day so many of us LOVE to hate. And Glory be! It’s a holiday in this great land, therefore many of us won’t be going out to labour today… 

And I hear a great groan from those who have to go to work because our modern society runs 24/7. But as always, we do have the cure for your Monday Blues. We call it our Monday Morning Battle Hymn! And it does work. So let’s get to it nuh…with whatever enthusiasm you can muster. 

‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together. 

We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies. 

But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’ 

And all God’s people continued with a loud, hearty and grateful: ‘Praise the Lord!’ as they feel their spirits miraculously lifted and their minds and bodies become more alert. Oh friends, that’s the power of the Holy Spirit; the worker bee of the Holy Trinity! And if we’re wise, we’ll pay more attention to Him as He tries to guide us in godly fashion, moment by moment. 

And as always, the loudest and most raucous voices belong to those not going to work and have been deeply involved in the celebrations. And before I forget, for all you celebrators, Granny’s warning is a must this weekend. Don’t care if yuh tired hearing it, but it will protect your soul! Sonny Boy; drunk or sober, please mind your business!  

Now getting back to the Thanksgiving story, here is some interesting scripture the Israelites were told by Moses to say and do after they had presented their offering of first fruits. ‘And now, behold I have brought the first fruits of the land, which thou, O Lord, hast given me. And thou shalt set it before the Lord thy God, and worship before the Lord thy God: And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the Lord thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that is among you.’ (Deut.26:10-11) 

Yes friends, it’s our God-given right to enjoy the fruits of our labour with the poor and the stranger in our midst, but only after we have given the Lord His share first. Remember, EVERYTHING belongs to the Lord, and it’s only through His grace and LOVING-kindness that we are able to get wealth and become prosperous. So for those of us not going to work today, let’s rejoice and celebrate in the gifts God has blessed us with, but also remember to share our blessings with the less fortunate. Much LOVE!

…give thanks to the Lord…for His goodness endures forever…

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 December 2015 Revelation 1:3‏‏‏

04 Dec 2015 Leave a comment

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

Revelation 1:3.  Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Well precious people, it’s Friday… 

And like everybody just went berserk. ‘Wowee! TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday and the weekend’s here! What a wonderful time we’re going to have, partying, carousing, and doing exactly what we want! There’s no better time than the weekend! Thank God it’s Friday and the weekend’s here!’ 

Ah friends, I do understand the ecstatic sentiments at the end of a rough workweek, but they are ones that will lead us down the wide and destructive path, not the narrow one that leads to our heavenly Father. So we need to be a bit more circumspect, re our weekend activities, if we don’t want to run afoul of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 

And to help us do that, let’s chant our Friday Chant with sincerity and sense of purpose. As one chanter 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 my fellow believers, we need to achieve some sense of balance in our weekend activities, so that we don’t go astray and invite the enemy into our lives anymore than he’s already there. So please, just a modicum of circumspection nuh, as Jeeves would say. (smile) 

And here is the chorus of a reggae song that I heard last night by Michael Arkk, titled ‘Tough’ It goes like this: ‘The road is rugged and rough. We all know it’s tough. But we can’t give up. The road is rugged and rough. We all know it’s tough. But we will overcome.’ 

Oh my people, my people, that describes believers to a ‘T’! Our earthly pilgrimage can be indeed rugged and rough, but we cannot give up because there’s no giving up in Jesus, especially since He has already assured us that the victory will indeed be ours. 

Now it certainly wouldn’t make sense to throw in the towel if you know that victory is guaranteed, you’ll just work through what ever difficulties come against you with faith, hope, patience and perseverance, knowing that you WILL win in the end! 

But again, to do all of that successfully requires more than we can manage in our finite and human selves. It needs the help of our wonderful Creator, as our Bit reminds us. ‘Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.’ 

That’s for certain sure friends! We can’t do very much on our own, we need the ever-ready and always-faithful assistance of our great God and King to keep us focused on the straight and narrow path that leads right to His front door in heaven. 

And all God’s children sighed a grateful sigh, and uttered a loud shout of thanks and praise. ‘Thank You Father God for enabling us to successfully walk this path of pilgrimage! We LOVE You, and sincerely praise and glorify Your Holy Name! Amen.’  

Oh mih breddren, how beautiful and wise it is to walk this earthly walk in company with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Wow! Nothing else in this world compares even one iota to it! 

And all God’s people gave out with a loud and rousing ‘AMEN!’ 

Now let’s continue looking at scriptures that corroborate our bit, beginning with the words of Bruh Paul in his letter to the church at Rome, when he talks about walking in LOVE. 

‘LOVE worketh no ill (does no harm) to his neighbour: therefore LOVE is the fulfilling of the law. And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we (first) believed. 

The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly (properly), as in the day; not in rioting (revelry) and drunkenness, not in chambering (licentiousness) and wantonness (lewdness), not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.’ (Rom.13:10-14) 

Oh my people, what encouraging and truthful words! Please let’s take them to heart and put them into action, for that is wisdom personified! 

Now let’s end with some explanations from the scholars on those verses. ’13:11-12. Sleep means insensitivity to the demands of Christ on the Christian’s life. Now is our salvation nearer: The coming of Christ to deliver us from this sinful world grows nearer every day. 

The night is the time while Christ is out of the world, and the world has been delivered into the control of the prince of the power of the air. (Eph.2:2). The day is a reference to the time when Christ will return and establish His reign of righteousness.’ 

‘13:14. Make not provision for the flesh: One should not seek opportunities to satisfy the deep-seated desires of the sin nature, but should seek occasion to manifest works that are consistent with the new life in Christ.’ 

Words of awesome truth my brethren! So let’s seriously and sincerely ponder them and make them a precious part of our lives nuh, so that we can dwell in righteousness with our ever-LOVING, merciful and gracious God. Much LOVE!

…to know, know, know Him…is to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Him…

P.S. Please excuse the lateness of the Bit, but the ole fella’s sleep was not the greatest, the aches and pains were having a heyday, and thus he got up rather late. And it seems like my trusty computer wasn’t having such a good morning either; it was sort of slow and groggy like me. (smile) But as they say, better late than never. Much LOVE!