Today’s Scrip-Bit 21 May 2013 Acts 2:4

21 May 2013 Leave a comment

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

Acts 2:4.     And they were filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
 

‘Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war. With the cross of Jesus, going on before.’ 

Oh Friends and fellow believers, are we living the kind of life that old hymn depicts? Is the testimony of our lives reflecting the principles of Jesus embedded in it? Do our actions verify the words we speak? 
 

I would like to think so, but from the sad and sorry state of our world, our church and our individual lives, it just doesn’t seem so. For there is no way that we could ever be living a godly life and yet be engulfed in so much misfortune and disaster on a worldwide scale.
 
Just look at the many natural disasters that are occurring, and with increasing frequency too. Recent examples of just this past weekend are the terrible tornados that touched down in Oklahoma, reputedly killing 51 people. Then we had snow in Newfoundland; 58 centimetres in 36 hours, beating the record of 49 centimetres for the whole month of May. There were also serious snowstorms in the U.S Midwest, and the Canadian Province of Manitoba.
 
The natural disasters just keep happening. And I won’t even bother to mention the many man-made ones, for we see, hear about, and experience them every day. 
 
Oh Friends, this is a wake up call! For if we want to live in a better world, or see our children live in one, then we absolutely have to live better with each other, starting RIGHT NOW. 
 
And the great thing is that it doesn’t have to increase by leaps and bounds and all at once. That would be highly unrealistic. A little bit each and every day is fine. If each of us decided that every day we’d treat at least one person we come into contact with decently, you wouldn’t believe the great multiplier effect it would have.
 
A good motto would be: Each one, treat one better every day. And it doesn’t have to be anything special, or anything we go to great lengths to do or provide. A simple handshake, a hug, a smile, a kind word, a ‘thank you’, or ‘after you’, or ‘I appreciate that’ will do.
 
Those simple, decent, everyday things will eventually forge a harmony, a sense of togetherness in mankind, the way Jesus desires. That’s why He sends His Holy Spirit to indwell us when we accept Him as Lord and Saviour. The Holy Spirit is supposed to bring a sense of oneness, of fellowship, of belonging to the same body, Christ’s church.
 
But unfortunately we don’t seem to be using it for that purpose, because the great amount of dissension and division currently present in Christ’s church certainly doesn’t reflect that unity of the Holy Spirit.
 
That brings us to our Bit: ‘And they were filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.’
 
Yes my brethren, such is the power of the Holy Spirit, that it can work many wonders in us, and also cause us to work many wonders!
 
In 1 Corinthians chapter 12 – please read it for yourself – Bruh Paul talks about the spiritual gifts given to each of us; whether it be wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, healing, the working of miracles, etc. etc.
 
‘But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing (distributing) to every man severally (individually) as he will.’ (1 Cor.12:11)
 
Each of us has a special gift or gifts given to us, but it all comes from the same, the one and only Holy Spirit of Christ. Just like our physical bodies have different parts to perform different functions, likewise we have individual gifts to do certain things, which in concert, are expected to bring together and solidify the necessary aspects and functions of Christ’s church here on earth.
 
Bruh Paul spells that out for us in 1 Corinthians 12. ‘For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into the one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond (slaves) or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.’ (1 Cor.12:12-13)
 
That’s why my fellow believers, it is so important to use those gifts we’ve been given. We can only spread God’s Word, increase His kingdom and thus glorify Him by doing the things He’s gifted and entrusted us to do.
 
If we don’t, then we won’t be able to fulfill the mandate given to us by Christ: ‘Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’ (Matt.28:19-20)
 
But until we understand what the Holy Spirit is all about, how it works in us, and how we’re supposed to use it, we won’t be able to maximize its resources and great potential. That statement leads me to chuckle, because I had fully intended to continue explaining the two basic aspects of the Holy Spirit; baptism, as we read yesterday, and the filling and regeneration today. But obviously I got somewhat sidetracked. (smile)
 
But that’s okay, because we still dealt with the topic of the Holy Spirit. And anything we can learn about it is going to prove invaluable in all areas of our well being, be it physical, or spiritual, earthly or heavenly. So I’m asking us to please remember that the Good Book and the Holy Spirit are the two main tools we have for wise Christian living on this ungodly earth.
 
More on the Holy Spirit tomorrow, God in favour. Till then, please walk safely, using the tools and gifts the Lord has given us to enable us to LOVE Him, LIVE our Faith, and to SPREAD His Holy Word. Much LOVE!
 
…our maturity in Christ…depends in direct proportion to how we use our gifts and tools… 
 
P.S. The Bit’s somewhat late because I got up late. Stayed up till some ungodly hour watching hockey. Please accept my most humble apologies. (smile) Much LOVE!
 

 
 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 16 May 2013 Psalm 40:6

16 May 2013 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 40:6.    Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire: mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
 
And the choir sang: ‘One more morning, One more day. Filled with blessings and mercies new. One more morning, One more day. The Lord’s opened the windows of heaven, and sent us grace, through forgiveness; sufficient for One more morning, One more day.’ Oh Friends, are we ready to receive the steady showers of grace, mercy, blessings and forgiveness that our wonderful God is preparing to rain down on us today? I surely hope so. Because, if we’re not, then we’ll be missing something very special in our lives, something only believers can experience and receive. And therein lies the rub; the reception of God’s goodness. Many of us know and talk about it, but don’t really receive it. And that part is solely up to us. It’s just like if someone offers us something physical. If we don’t accept and receive it, we’ll never have it. It’s the same principle with God’s LOVING-kindness, only this time it’s spiritual and not physical offerings, but you still have to actually receive it in and by faith. A good example is when we ask for forgiveness, the Lord grants it, but until we acknowledge it ourselves, and actually feel forgiven, the forgiveness is wasted. So it’s essential that each and everyday, we brace ourselves to sincerely receive God’s grace, mercy and blessings through our faith and the help of the Holy Spirit that indwells us. That will enable us to get on and stay on the path to righteousness. I pray this in Jesus’ Name. And all God’s people gave a mighty shout of ‘Praise the Lord! Amen!’ And in passing, I’d like to say that the weatherman actually got it right yesterday, because by mid-morning the sun had come our bright and sparkling, though the wind played a hard and fast tune all day. Hurrah for the weatherman! (smile) When he screws up, we let him know, so in all fairness we should applaud him when he gets it right. And he says it’s going to be hot and sunny again today. Let’s hope he can get it right two days straight. And now turning to our Bit: ‘ Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire: mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.’ Words of awesome truth my brethren! Sacrificing things or animals doesn’t cut it with our God. As we saw yesterday, it’s our penitent and contrite hearts and minds that He’s interested in. Today, we’ll continue to highlight scriptures that deal with this fact. Listen to the prophet Amos on God’s behalf, in a call to repentance. ‘I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell (savour) in your solemn (sacred) assemblies. Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols (stringed instruments). But let judgement (justice) run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.’ (Amos 5:21-24) That’s surely telling us eh!  The scholars explain that scripture thus. ‘I hate, I despise your feast days:  Religious activity without heart reality is repugnant to God. God-ordained forms of worship and religious expression without heart reality become only nauseating, empty formalism: and they anger rather than appease God.’ Truth in spades my people! And if we read Hebrews 10:1-18, we’ll find the subject discussed in greater detail, where we see Jesus, the unblemished Lamb of God, being the once and for all time atonement for sin. Hear the Good Book: ‘But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.’ (Heb.10:3-4) And that’s the honest truth! Under the Old Covenant, sacrifices for the remission of sins had to be made every year. But God, in His infinite wisdom did away with that under the New Covenant, where Christ atoned for the sins of ALL mankind for ALL time. We surely are wonderfully blessed, my fellow believers! There’s no other faith but Christianity where forgiveness of sins can be had by contrite repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. What a kind and caring God we worship! So I can’t understand why we’re so bent on removing Him from our society. He is the One who created us, cares for us, causes us to get health, wealth, peace, wisdom and understanding. And have you noticed that since we embarked on the erroneous task of removing God from our lives, that we’ve had much less of all those things mentioned above. Everything has gone into a deathlike tailspin because God is the One who causes all of that to happen, and if we’re not dealing consistently and truthfully with Him, then He’ll obviously stop blessing us. Now let’s end with another very informative and telling scripture. This from the prophet Micah, re the requirement of the Lord. ‘Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body (my own child) for the sin of my soul? He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to LOVE mercy (LOVING-kindness), and to walk humbly with thy God.’ (Mic.6:6-8) That says it all Friends! So today, let’s ponder our individual situations and see how we shape up per those requirements, then ask the Lord to help us rectify whatever is wrong in that respect. That’s truly wisdom of the highest order. Much LOVE!…he who has ears to hear…let him hear…or else he’ll pay an exorbitant price for his disobedience…
 
    
 
   

Today’s Scrip-Bit 13 May 2013 Psalm 138:6

13 May 2013 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 138:6.     Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.

Ah Friends, unfortunately it’s Monday once again, and the Mother’s Day celebrations are over for another year. Sadly, they were marred somewhat in my area by cloud, rain and strong winds. I understand that we had hailstones too, and some places further north even had snow. So much for the blossoming summer weather. Chuh! Hopefully though, not too many of us are suffering this morning from the aftermath of those celebrations, (smile) and won’t get up feeling worse than is customary on a Monday morning. I know celebrations are wonderful, but when we overdo it, the price we pay later on is simply not worth it. Anyway, life goes on, whether we’re feeling up to it or not. The good thing though is that we worship a healing, caring and LOVING God, who’s only too willing to fix us when we’re hurting and/or broken. And one way He does that is by hearing our cries for help, our prayers, and granting them. So on this rough Monday morning, let’s cry out to Him for help and sustenance by singing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. Now, in whatever voice you can manage, croaking or otherwise (smile) but with a sincere and true heart, let’s sing. ‘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!’ Oh Friends, that wasn’t very powerful. Truthfully, it might be better termed pitiful. But that’s the whole idea about crying out for help. If you’re strong and able, then you don’t need help. And if it’s one thing our God LOVES to do, is to help the weak and pitiful. Our Bit declares that quite plainly. ‘Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto (He regards) the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.’ Yes my brethren, it’s the same Bit from two days ago. I wasn’t finished with it, but Mother’s Day forced me to put it aside till today. And if you remember, we ended that day with Jesus quoting Hosea 6:6, to the hypocrite Pharisees, re the Lord desiring mercy, faithfulness and not sacrifice from His followers, when they complained to the disciples about His eating with sinners and tax collectors. And as Bruh Paul told the Corinthians: ”For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than man.’ (1 Cor.1:22-25) Words of awesome truth my people! Remember too, that Jesus Himself dealt more with the sick and suffering, the outcasts and those from the lower rungs of society. As He said: ‘For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.’ (Matt.18:11) And unfortunately, those at the bottom of society’s totem pole, are usually the lost ones, who need healing and saving more than those higher up. However we put it though Friends, our God is undoubtedly a champion of the small, oppressed man. Cousin Sol wisely tells us: ‘Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly (weak, humble) (Prov.3:34) And Isaiah solemnly declares, re condemnation of Israel’s idolatry: ‘For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.’ (Is.57:15) Yes my people, it is always the Lord’s will to help those who are downtrodden, oppressed, fallen on hard times and any other negative situations that may affect their lives! But we have to call on Him in humility and true repentance. That’s the key to His mercy and forgiveness. Please, let’s remember that and act accordingly today. Our lives will be all the better for it. Much LOVE!…come unto me…all ye that labour and heavy laden…and I will give you rest…for my yoke is easy…and my burden is light… (Matt.11:28, 30)
 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 May 2013 Psalm 138:6

11 May 2013 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 138:6.     Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
 
And then it was Saturday Friends, where most people are delighted to sleep in late for at least one day a week. Many don’t have that luxury though, for they have young children and their own affairs to look after, stuff they can’t do during the workweek. But however the days play out, it is very reassuring to know that we have a God who looks out for us in each and every circumstance. And all God’s people raised a joyful shout to heaven of ‘Praise the Lord for His goodness and mercy to us, His sinful, rebellious creation!’ And now I’m going to put a fly in the ointment by sharing a quote attributed to the American Humorist and Author, Mark Twain, (Samuel Langhome Clemens, 1835-1910). It says: ‘Life would be infinitely happier if we could only be born at the age of eighty and gradually approach eighteen.’ Now that’s surely an interesting situation. Hopefully, because we’d be richly endowed with more wisdom at the outset of our life’s journey, we’d make fewer mistakes, thus live a more godly life, and gradually as we grow younger realize the wonderful benefits and freedoms we have at eighteen. There is a kind of logic to it, but unfortunately the Master Planner didn’t see it that way. He preferred us to be unwise and make mistakes in the early days of our lives, then grow into wisdom as we age.  That leads us to our Bit: ‘Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto (He regards) the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.’ Now that’s a tendency of our God that’s in direct opposition or contrast to that of the world! In His eternal wisdom, one would expect Him to look more kindly on the bright and upwardly mobile of His creation. However, as Bruh David points out in Psalm 113 – God’s mercies are many: ‘The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high, Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth! He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill (ash heap); That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.’ (Ps.113:4-8) Yes my brethren, our God can be a rather contrary Being when He’s ready. He likes to stir it up by using the most unlikely to do His bidding. Just look at all the prophets and the disciples whom He used to deliver His messages. They were usually poor, downtrodden, disliked by many, and often offensive to their society. But the Lord used them, and He’s still using the most unlikely ones, the broken, and the cracked pots, like me, to let His light shine forth and spread His message. As Bruh Paul tells the Corinthians in his first letter. ‘But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound (put to shame) the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base (insignificant) things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought (nothing) things that are. That no flesh should glory in his presence.’ (1 Cor.1:27-29) Here’s how the scholars describe those verses: ‘God hath chosen: The selection by God is designed to silence the wisdom of man. He chooses the foolish to shame the wise. He chooses weak things to shame things deemed by man to be mighty and things men do not even realize exist to counteract things which are, powers and institutions erected and relied upon by man.’ That’s why all the supposed wisdom and wise things of man are in such a state of confusion and turmoil today! And remember too that Jesus dealt mainly with the sick and suffering, the outcasts, the dregs of society. He didn’t have much time for the religious zealots and hypocrites who ruled the roost. Now here’s a very telling story after Jesus calls Matthew, the hated tax collector to follow Him. The Good Book describes it thus: ‘And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat (at the table) in the house, behold, many publicans (tax collectors) and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole (are well) need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’ (Matt.9:10-13) Oh Friends,what a wonderful Being our Saviour is, with no stupid hang ups and pretences despite His godly state, while foolish mortal men give themselves all sorts of airs and graces, only to be confounded by the contrariness of God. In that last verse, Jesus was quoting from Hosea, re Israel’s reply to God’s admonishment. ‘For I desired mercy (faithfulness), and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.’ (Hos.6:6) And my people, that’s what the Lord still desires of us, so let’s seriously ponder it all. Please read, mark, learn and inwardly digest the lesson taught, for it directly reflects your level of wisdom and status in the Lord’s eyes. Much LOVE!…but many that are first…shall be last…and the last…shall be first…  (Matt.19:30) 
 
  
 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 10 May 2013 Psalm 37:16

10 May 2013 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 37:16.     A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of the many wicked.
 
Oh Friends, before you even come around the corner, you can hear the sweet strumming of the quatros (small, guitar-like instruments), and the intoxicating riddim of the bottle and spoon man. And when you turn the corner, you bounce up with this small group of men and women jigging down the street, playing their instruments and chanting: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday! TGIF! Thank God is Friday yes! Work done for another week. Time to celebrate the weekend!’ And yuh know what? You spontaneously join in the jigging and chanting (smile) until they pass you by and go around the corner from whence you just came. Hn, hn! Oh Friends, that’s how much we LOVE our Fridays. And it’s all well and good to welcome the weekend with song and dance, but remember the weekend is much more than just a time for recreation. It also has a higher purpose of fellowshipping with others before our wonderful God. So having chanted the world-view chant for the weekend, let’s now chant the God-view one, our Friday Chant. 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.’ Now that has a better perspective and a more fruitful orientation. That brings us then to our Bit of the day. ‘A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of the many wicked.’ Oh what gospel truth my people! ‘For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the Lord upholdeth the righteous. The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs (splendour of the meadows): they shall consume (vanish): into smoke shall they consume away.’ (Ps.37:17:20) Oh Friends, that’s the lot of the wicked and those who follow after the riches of this evil, ungodly world! Cousin Sol says it thus: ‘Better is little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure and trouble therewith.’ (Prov.15:16) In other words my brethren, spiritual riches are better than material wealth. And I know some of you don’t believe that, or try to and fail. But if you’re truly a practising believer, then you’ll remember Jesus’ awesome promise from the Sermon on the Mount, re the impossibility of serving two masters properly. ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ (Matt.6:33) And the wise amongst us genuinely try to do that, because we have proven it in real life. Oh Friends, being spiritual and seeking God’s kingdom doesn’t mean you can’t be rich in the things of the world, it’s just better when they come through following Jesus rather than the wicked ways of Lucifer. For when you sell your soul to Lucifer for earthly riches, all you get is death and eternal separation from Almighty God. But when those same riches come from first seeking God’s glorious kingdom, they last and you also get salvation, eternal life and further rewards in heaven. So please don’t be fooled into thinking that earthly wealth is impossible through Jesus, for there are plenty wealthy Christians. And even then, who’s still acclaimed as the richest man ever? Cousin Sol! Why? Because he sought God first, and the Lord heaped wisdom, understanding and earthly wealth on him. Lucifer can’t do that for you Friends. And remember too Bruh David’s statement later on in this same Psalm 37: ‘I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed (descendants) begging bread.’ (Ps.37:25) Yes my fellow believers, going after the riches of the world before seeking God, is indeed a fool’s game! Yuh see how many of us are being defrauded nowadays, because we’re falling for stuff obviously too good to be true, from those who are wicked and only interested in gaining earthly wealth. So please pay serious attention to where your focus is directed. For as Cousin Sol also says: ‘Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues without right (justice).’ (Prov.16:8) And now we’ll end with some formidable words from Bruh Paul to Timothy, words that most of us know, but simply refuse to pay close attention to. ‘But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment (clothing) let us therewith be content. But they that will be (desire to be) rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful (harmful) lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition (ruin and destruction). For the LOVE of money is the root of all (kinds) of evil; which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith (for which some in their greediness have strayed from the faith), and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.’ (1 Tim.6:6-10) Oh Friends, never were more truthful words spoken! So please pay serious attention to them. Much LOVE!…wealth can be gotten in one of two ways…by selling one’s soul to Lucifer…or accepting Jesus as your Lord, Saviour and good Provider…the second choice indicates wisdom at its zenith…
 
       
 
 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 8 May 2013 Proverbs 18:12

08 May 2013 Leave a comment

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

Proverbs 18:12.     Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; and before honour is humility.
 
Oh Friends, the days are nicely morphing into each other; warm and sunny, with temps in the high teens and low twenties. It’s about time too! The only problem though is that we haven’t seen any rain for at least a week now. Let’s hope that’s not a harbinger of things to come for the summer. But anyway, as believers in Jesus Christ, whatever comes our way, we’re expected to stand steadfast in faith and bear it with His help through the Holy Spirit. And talking about faith, here’s an interesting quote attributed to Robert Veninga, a U.S. Lutheran Church minister. He says that ‘Faith has a powerful effect in helping people recover a sense of balance, tranquility and hope.’ And that’s an awesome truth my people! But it’s oftimes funny how it works. Usually we might be all faith filled, then some totally unexpected tragedy or disaster occurs in our lives, a la Job, and suddenly we begin to question why such a misfortune happened when we were so righteous. Then we begin to question God, and consequently, unlike Job, our faith level falls and we’re not as sure and assured as we were before the tragedy. But yuh know what Friends? Though reading now at a rather low and precarious level, it’s that same basic faith and trust in an omnipotent and merciful God that gets us through the dilemma, that keeps us hanging on, sometimes even by a mere thread, and eventually restores our trust in God, usually at a higher level too. That’s because once we’ve settled down, accepted our fate, and gone through the fire, we come out stronger, energized, with a more flame resistant mind and spirit. It’s simply the way our Lord works. Negative circumstances have a way of making us stand strong and believe. So whatever rough times you’re going through right now, with your faith hanging in the balance or slowly ebbing away, please don’t give up, don’t throw in the towel. I encourage you to stay with it, even though it seems overwhelming. Remember that our faithful God has promised that whatever He brings us to, or allows to come upon us, He will bring us through it, and will work all things out for the good of those who truly LOVE Him and are called to do His will. (Rom.8:28) That brings us to our Bit, which is a horse of an entirely different colour. (smile) Long time I haven’t heard or used that term. But our Bit today is definitely enlightening. ‘Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; and before honour is humility.’ Now aren’t those gospel truths my brethren? They surely are! But unfortunately our world today is thoroughly consumed with haughtiness and selfish pride, a sin the Lord despises more than most, because it makes Him entirely of no account in our lives. But it’s definitely a fact that when we’re riding high in this ungodly, evil world, we usually have more than a touch of pride and invincibility about us. Even the least proud and haughty amongst us, do feel an increase in their own strength and independence. But as Cousin Sol so wisely points out, and practical experience in life confirms, it’s usually when we’re riding high, with the least respect and dependence on God, that disaster befalls us. You seldom see the man on the low rungs of the totem pole falling any further. But it’s those at the very top, the ones who have no time or use for God, and foolishly figure that it’s their own strength and wisdom that got them to the top, who fall like a weighted stone from the height of their worldly pinnacles. And it usually doesn’t take long either. One day they’re on the top of the heap, revelling in their wealth and power, then next day, sadly, without any warning or empathy, they’re consigned to the garbage heap of life. And as I keep telling my children, be very careful what methods you use to get to the top, and how you behave when you get there, because those same methods will be used to bring you down. There will always be jealous, dissatisfied people who are only too glad and willing to help you fall. As Cousin Sol so aptly puts it: ‘Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.’ (Prov.16:18) The second half of our Bit is also bathed in truth; ‘and before honour is humility.’ And we talking about real honour here Friends, that which comes through the mysterious machinations of Almighty God, not the nonsense, the trumped up pride, the world refers to as honour. Please be aware of one thing my people, the Lord will not lift us up unless we are humble and respectful to Him. As I said earlier, pride and haughtiness keeps Him out of our lives, but humility and reverence endears him to us. Jesus said it quite plainly very early in His ministry, in the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount. ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ (Matt.5:3) The scholars describe the ‘poor in spirit are the opposite of the proud or haughty in spirit. They have been humbled by the grace of God and have acknowledged their sin and therefore their dependence on God to save them.’ Then Jesus declared: ‘Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.’ (Matt.5:5) The scholars say that ‘refers again to those who have been humbled before God and will not only inherit the blessedness of heaven, but also will ultimately share in the kingdom of God on earth.’ So Friends, why do we follow the foolish ways of the world eh, when we ought to know better? Even before Jesus came along, Cousin Sol wisely warned us: ‘The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.’ (Prov.15:33) Oh my fellow believers, there is no doubt as to the truth of those statements, and it’s basically why our world is filled with so much confusion and turmoil. Too many of us lack the wisdom to reverence God, while too many of us also have the foolish propensity that leans toward pride, haughtiness and self-dependence. Oh Friends, please let’s wake up and realize that we didn’t make or create ourselves, and as the vicissitudes of life so clearly show us everyday, we don’t control the tempo and circumstance of our lives either. That is all done by the One who created us, Almighty God. So please wake up and smell the roses and remember: ‘The fear (reverential awe) of the Lord is the (principal) beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.’ (Prov.1:7) Much LOVE!…one cannot be proud, haughty and irreverent towards God…and expect to prosper for long in this earthly life…
 
 
  
 
   

Today’s Scrip-Bit 7 May 2013 Psalm 96:9

07 May 2013 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 96:9.      O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.
 
Oh Friends, oh Friends, the ole fella’s here to make a major pronouncement this morning. Now this shouldn’t even have to be stated, because it’s something all believers should already know, be thoroughly convinced of and diligently practicing. But unfortunately, too many of us don’t even act like we know it, much less seem convinced of it. And the pronouncement is that Christians ought to be the happiest and most joyful people on planet earth! Why is that, you naively ask? Well because we have the five best things in life going for us; namely God the Father, God the Son, Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Spirit, our personal Helper and Comforter. And when you add to that omnipotent Trinity, the free gift through grace and Jesus’ sacrifice of salvation and eternal life, you have the most awesome and explosive combination of Beings and circumstances possible. Now all that should produce unbeatable joy in believers, as Jesus says: ‘These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.’ (John 15:11) But judging from the sad and sour perspective of many believers that just isn’t so. And why isn’t that eh? Does it show a lack of true faith, a lack of sincere belief, a lack of true trust and surrender, that all we have is lots of talk and no real action to back it up? I don’t know nuh. But I do know that as a group, Christians don’t show the true, heartfelt happiness and joy that we ought to, what with all the great things we have going for us. I guess that we don’t truly have a mind focused on heaven, but allow the negativity of the world to encroach, to invade the confines of our souls, and thus effectively reduce our joy in our wonderful God and all that He’s offered and done for us. Oh my brethren, please, please remember that the joy of the Lord is our strength, (Neh. 8:10) which means that if we’re not joyful in Him, then we won’t be, or rather, can’t be strong. I’m therefore pleading with us today, let’s up the ante in the joy and strength of our lives nuh. We desperately need them to fight against the powerful enemies of this wicked world. And that joy begins, and stays with us, when we do as our Bit so wisely advises. ‘O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear (tremble) before him, all the earth.’ Yes Friends, when we have a healthy respect for our God, knowing that He’s all powerful and can get angry at us for continual disobedience, but that His true nature is one of LOVE, mercy and forgiveness, we can relax and continually worship Him, as Bruh David says, in the ‘beauty of holiness.’ We acknowledge the beauty, the majesty inherent in His Holy nature, and since it’s totally above and beyond our sinful ways, we consequently desire to come before Him in much praise and thanksgiving. And it seems that the phrase, ‘beauty of holiness’ was a favourite of Bruh David’s, for he uses it on several occasions. In Psalm 29 – The voice of the Lord in the storm – he declares: ‘Give (ascribe) unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty (majesty) of holiness.’ (Ps.29:2) Then in 1 Chronicles 15, in his psalm of thanksgiving, he strongly advocates: ‘Give (ascribe) unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.’ (1 Chr.16:29) And yet again, in Psalm 110 – The Lord gives dominion to the king – he proclaims: ‘Thy people shall be willing (volunteers) in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.’ (Ps.110:3) But it’s not only Bruh David who talks about the beauty, the majesty of our God. Listen to Moses, in his only Psalm, Psalm 90, and therefore the oldest in the Psalter. It’s titled -From everlasting to everlasting thou art God. He ends it thus: ‘And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.’ (Ps.90:17) And if we go to 2 Chronicles 20, when the armies of Moab, the children of Ammon and those of mount Seir banded together to invade Judah, King Hezekiah, on the advice of Jahaziel, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Chr.20:13-17) had the whole nation bow before the Lord their God and ask for His strength and faith. Then, on the appointed morning, they rose up early and went out to battle against the combined army. ‘And when he (Hezekiah) had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord, for his mercy endureth for ever. And when they  began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab and mount Seir, which were come against Judah and they were smitten (defeated).’ (2 Chr.20:21-22) The Israelites didn’t even have to lift a hand in battle, they just sang and praised the Lord, who then made the invading armies to quarrel and fight amongst themselves. The Israelites then gained an enormous spoil from the battle without lifting a hand, just their voices to heaven, Oh mih Friends, yuh see what praise and worship and thanksgiving to our great and powerful God can do! My people, let us therefore, from today, and henceforth, raise the level of our praise and thanksgiving to our mighty and merciful God nuh, so that we may prosper and be strong in the land which He has given to us. That is indeed the wisdom of the wise and faithful. Much LOVE!… oh what infinite joy, peace and prosperity… comes from sincerely worshipping and praising Almighty God….
 
   
 
  

Today’s Scrip-Bit 27 April 2013 1 Corinthians 5:6

27 Apr 2013 Leave a comment

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

1 Corinthians 5:6.     Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
 
‘Morning neighbuh!’ the older lady greets her younger counterpart as they both come down their back steps to begin their morning chores. ‘How yuh doing today, Miss Louise?’ the younger woman enquires, watching her neighbour navigate around the cluttered yard with her cane. ‘Not too bad nuh mih chile,’ the older lady replies. ‘The arthritis and all the other aches and pains in mih body acting up this morning, but with God’s help, ah bearing them.’ ‘Ah know how it is yes, Miss Louise. My mother had all them same aches and pains too.’ The older woman then breaks out in a toothless grin, as she declares. ‘But though mih body old and mash up, not a thing wrong with mih spirit nuh! As the ole Negro spiritual says, mih chile: ‘It is well with my soul!’  ‘And I can only say Amen to that!’ the younger woman says. Then after a moment’s hesitation, she continues: ‘Ah sure hope when I reach your age, I’ll be as strong in body, mind and spirit like you yes Miss Louise.’ The older woman gets serious, shakes her head and replies. ‘Is only one way to do that yes mih child. You have to start doing it from young; start eating right, thinking right, and doing right from now. And you can only do that if yuh living right with God!’ And therein lies the basis of most of our world’s problems my Friends! We’re not doing any of those four things properly. Obesity has become the most recent scourge of our society. We’re eating way too much fattening and non-nutritional foods with all sorts of harmful additives, and not exercising sufficiently. Plus, with all the modern conveniences available, we don’t really need to put out much physical energy to live in our comfortable surroundings. And sadly, the recent computer madness has just made us even more comatose. Unfortunately though, while one comparatively small part of the population is eating too much and exercising too little, the majority doesn’t have enough to eat and many are dying of starvation in a world of plenty. How sad mih people! And to further complicate our problems, we’re not thinking right or doing right either, because we’re mostly concerned with ourselves. Selfishness, greed, immorality and corruption are the hallmarks of our world today. Basically, the cult of I, Me and Mine rules the universe these days. And that obviously doesn’t sit well with the Lord God Jehovah, which just cements the fact that we’re not doing well with Him either. So when we’re falling down on all fronts, how can our world prosper, eh mih breddren? That’s why in talking about their moral standards, Bruh Paul wisely informs the Corinthians in our Bit: ‘Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?’ And isn’t that the gospel truth? It sure is! The biggest mistake we can make is glorying in ourselves and mankind, for that’s a major no-no with our heavenly Father, because that means we’re not taking Him seriously, not giving Him priority in our lives. And if we don’t give proper reverence and respect to our Creator, Controller and Provider, what do we expect eh? Nothing but disaster! As Bruh Paul tells the folks at Corinth earlier on: ‘Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world (age), let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in his own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain (futile). Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours. Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.’ (1 Cor.3:18-23) And all God’s people declared a rousing ‘Amen!’ But we’re still behaving like the Corinthians, as the scholars explain. ‘For all things are yours: The one who belongs to Christ is a child of God, and his Father will do anything for him. The absurdity of their division over allegiances to any of these men (Bruh Paul, Cephas and Apollos) is that God gave them “all” to the Corinthians.’ Yes my brethren, until we start glorying in God and not making our allegiances to men more important, our world will continue to be a mess, undergoing one disaster after another, both man-made and God sent. But somehow we can’t seem to get that through our thick skulls, and the powers that be are fully bent on the evil intent of taking God out of our society and have us worship the foolish fallen angel Lucifer. That’s a sure recipe for destruction my people. Cousin Sol warns us so many times and so many different ways in Proverbs, but we still refuse to listen. And to end, we’ll quote the most well known of his warnings. ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct (make straight or smooth) thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel (body), and marrow (strength) to thy bones.’ (Prov.3:5-8)That says it all Friends. So please, let’s wake up from our foolish slumber and pay attention nuh. That’s wisdom at its highest. More on the other part of our Bit tomorrow, the Lord in favour. Till then, may the Lord bless us and give us wisdom to follow His Word, so that we can do right down here on earth. Much LOVE!…there is a way which seemeth right unto a man…but the end thereof are the ways of death… (Prov.14:12)
 
 
  

Today’s Scrip-Bit 21 April 2013 Isaiah 40:18

21 Apr 2013 Leave a comment

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

Isaiah 40:18.     To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?

Oh Friends, it doesn’t seem as though the ole fella has a preamble for this supposed spring, but feeling more like winter Sunday morning in the last half of April. (smile) All I can say is that those of us, who celebrate the Sabbath on Sundays, ought to find ourselves, if at all possible, in church, to fellowship with other believers, praising and worshipping our most magnificent God. That’s because only in true fellowship can we get that rejuvenation of spirit, that hope and confidence and faith we so badly need to make it through the days ahead. So please, let’s get out there today and show the Lord that we truly care, by raising the level of LOVE in our hearts for Him and for each other, and also raising the roofs of the places we congregate, with much joy, song, praise and worship. Ah mih people, our God truly amazes me everyday, especially when I come to write the Bit. Just now I didn’t have a preamble, but by His awesome faithfulness and help, there’s one now! That’s why I keep stressing the importance of looking for God in the bland, banal, simple everyday things of life, for that’s where He’s most active. Let’s stop looking for the big miracles, because those are few and far between nowadays. Instead, let’s focus on the many small ones that He performs everyday. And enough now with the ‘preambling’, (smile) it’s time for our Bit: ‘To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?’ And as we said yesterday, will say again today, and everyday if necessary, there’s NOBODY or NOTHING to compare to our most wonderful Jehovah God!!! That statement definitely needs more than one exclamation mark. Now today I want to look at a few instances of God’s greatness as expressed by people of faith from the Old Testament. And we’ll start with the plagues, in particular that of the frogs, which the Lord caused to overrun Egypt when Pharaoh refused to allow the Israelites to go and sacrifice to the Lord as He requested. (Ex.8:1-7) Pharaoh then tells Moses to ask the Lord to first remove the frogs, and then he’ll let the people go. ‘And Moses said unto Pharaoh, Glory over me: when shall I entreat for thee, and for thy servants, and for thy people, to destroy the frogs from thee and thy houses, that they may remain in the river only? And he (Pharaoh) said, Tomorrow. And he (Moses) said, Be it according to thy word: that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the Lord our God.’ (Ex.8:9-10) And it was done exactly as Moses promised. The Lord removed the frogs from everywhere except the river, when Moses cried out to Him. (Ex.8:11-13) Oh my fellow believers, is there any other supposed Deity who has ever done, or can do such a mighty deed? Absolutely not! Only the great God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has such omnipotence! Next we’ll turn to the song of Moses. And if anybody had good reason to verify and glorify the might, power and faithfulness of the Most High God of Israel, Moses was certainly the one. Listen to some of his praise in song. ‘Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods (mighty ones)? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them. Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.’ (Ex.15:11-13) Oh Friends, there’s never ever been another situation like the Israelite Exodus from Egypt; with plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, the slaughter of Pharaoh’s army, and the trek through the wilderness with manna, clouds and pillars of fire as guides, where clothing and shoes did not wear out for forty years. Hn! And only the ONE TRUE DEITY, the Creator of the universe and all therein could have successfully accomplished such a feat…our God! Now listen to the opening of Hannah’s song of praise, after she’d prayed for a child and the Lord opened her barren womb and blessed her with the prophet Samuel. ‘And Hannah prayed and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn (strength) is exalted in the Lord; my mouth is enlarged over (smiles at) mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none besides thee: neither is there any rock like our God. Talk no more exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy (arrogance) come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.’ (1 Sam.2:1-4) So then my brethren, let’s put forth the Lord’s question again: ‘To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.’ (Is.40:25) And all God’s people proclaimed in a loud, strong, sure, and confident voice: ‘NOBODY or NOTHING!!!’ Yes Friends, only the Lord God Jehovah has the amazing and ultimate power to create and destroy as he desires or sees fit! So please, let’s all surrender our lives to Him, place our futures in His strong, capable, LOVING hands, so that we’ll live eternally with Him and not die, not perish in utter damnation with the evil Lucifer and his heathen hordes. Now that’s wisdom at its most excellent! Much LOVE!…in Him we live…we die…and are raised renewed…to fly on angel’s wings…till eternity…
 

 
 

 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 April 2013 1 Corinthians 1:22

18 Apr 2013 Leave a comment

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

1 Corinthians 1:22.      For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek wisdom.
 
Oh Friends, every time I rise and shine to greet a new day, the Holy Spirit convicts me with more conviction (smile) that our God, He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, is indeed the greatest! And in true fact, there’s NO other like Him! When I consider His undying, unconditional LOVE, His tenderness, mercy, forgiveness, and grace, not to mention the selfless sacrifice of His only Son Jesus to save a worthless sinner like me, all I can say, with a heart brimming over with LOVE and appreciation, is a grateful, sincere, ‘Thank You Lord!’ The fact that He made us to fellowship with Him, and simply refuses to let us be separated from Him by our sins, only endears Him more to me. Oh Friends, please search your souls today, this wet, rainy spring morning and truthfully ask, judge, measure your relationship and reaction to Almighty God. And if your entire being isn’t flooded with joy, sincere reverence and LOVE for Him, then something’s definitely and drastically wrong somewhere, and I’d advise you to quickly seek Him and fix it asap. For without Him your life will be unfulfilled, aimless and meaningless. If He’s not solidly secreted in that compartment of your soul meant ONLY for Him, then you’re missing out on an incredible, as well as an incredulous relationship. And all God’s people declared a loud, heartfelt, ‘Amen!’ Now here’s our Bit: ‘For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek wisdom.’ It’s the same as the last two days, because I want to touch on a couple more instances involving Jesus, where signs were spoken of. And this first one comes from Matthew 16, just before Jesus warns His disciples to beware of the leaven (yeast) of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (Matt.16:6) Anyway, the Good Book describes the scene thus: ‘The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting (testing) desired (asked) him that he should show them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, when it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather today: for the sky is red and lowring (threatening). O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall be no sign given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah. And he left them and departed.’ (Matt.16:1-4) Oh Friends, I have to laugh whenever I read how Jesus put those hypocrite Jewish leaders in their place, anytime they tried to catch Him off guard. And please note that His answer was the same as when they’d earlier asked for a sign, as we discussed yesterday, (Matt.12:38-42) only that of Jonah, which melded well with His own upcoming tribulation on the cross and in the grave, from which He’d triumphantly rise on Easter Sunday morning. But as usual, they didn’t, or refused to understand His message of salvation and eternal life, and unfortunately millions of doubters and disbelievers are still doing the same thing today. How sad, my people. As the saying goes, there’s none so blind as he who refuses to see. And as Jesus so cleverly says of the Pharisees: ‘Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.’ (Matt.15:14) Gospel truth my Friends! And it’s still happening today; only with more blind leaders, leading many more blind followers, which makes the situation very scary. But it’s our job, my fellow believers, to try and open the eyes of those blind leaders and followers. We need to confront them and show them the error of their ways, through the Word and our generous, LOVING lifestyle in bristling, bustling action, so that they too can believe and successfully come to Jesus. And I just saw some scholarly info on the above scripture that I think is important to share. ‘The unbelieving leaders came seeking a sign from heaven, that is, an outward miraculous manifestation. Notice that miracles alone never save anyone. They serve only to authenticate and call attention to the message, which must be believed in order for salvation to be experienced in the soul. Instead of another miracle, Jesus points them to the signs of the times, eschatologically related (doctrine of death, judgement, heaven, hell) to the sky and His second coming. The sign of the prophet Jonah relates to His resurrection (see 12:38-40; John 2:18-22) This sign gives hope to the believer but is an indication of judgement for the unbeliever, who will be judged by the risen Christ at His second coming.’ Oh my people, that same blindness of the early Jewish leaders still applies to too many of us today. We can’t read the signs of the times, that they are drawing ever closer to Jesus’ second coming; the wars and rumours of wars and all the other signs Jesus gave to the disciples as the beginning of sorrows, until the gospel is preached to all the world. (Matt.24:6-14) Oh my people, that’s enough for us to ponder on today. We’ll continue this topic tomorrow, God in favour. Till then, please let’s get our act together as good and faithful Christians by seriously communicating with our God and Maker, genuinely submitting and surrendering our lives to Him, so that He can lead and guide us aright, down that straight and narrow path that leads to Him. That’s wisdom at its zenith. Much LOVE!…the Bible is our guide for earthly living…unless we read and pay close attention to it…we’ll surely go astray…
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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