Today’s Scrip-Bit 10 January 2015 1 John 4:9

10 Jan 2015 Leave a comment

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

1 John 4:9  In this was manifested the LOVE of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

Oh Friends, oh Friends, the ole fella has a brain cramp; or as it’s popularly known writer’s block. I’ve been trying to figure out what to write about and then find an appropriate Bit, or vice versa, for the last half hour or so, though not very diligently, because the ole body and brain are tired. (smile)
 
I obviously have not had any luck, or more likely help from the Lord. But I’m not really worried for I know that the Lord in His mercy and everlasting kindness will eventually bless me with something sensible to write about His Word, because He has promised it, and  I know He doesn’t want me to write  piddling or trifling things about it.
 
But I’m still not thrilled with my brain cramp.  But we still have to thank the Lord that this doesn’t happen often, otherwise I’d be up the proverbial creek. (smile)
 
Anyway, though I can’t seem to come up with my own words of wisdom, that doesn’t prevent me from using those of someone else. And these words of Gramps Schuller (Robert H. Schuller) from his Hour of Power Devotional are indeed words of heavenly wisdom. So please listen to them carefully… or better yet, please repeat them with me.
 
The poem’s called ‘GOD LOVES ME!’ And it goes like this: ‘Thank you Lord, for this holy sentence, this good news, this happy report, this exciting thought, this graceful truth, this fantastic lesson. God LOVES me! Even when I’m at my worst – God LOVES me! Even when my faith is dim – God LOVES me anyway! It’s incomprehensible and fantastic! Thank you, Father. Amen.’
 
Oh my people, isn’t that just wonderful news? It surely is! Knowing that Almighty God LOVES me regardless of who I am, or what I do, or where I go, that just warms the cockles of my heart and causes my spirit to soar to the heavens with joy!
 
Now just hearing that is not good enough my brethren, it’s something every human being ought to know and genuinely believe, mark and inwardly digest. But unfortunately not all of us do, even amongst the followers of Christ. Many of us think that because we do wrong, or don’t come up to God’s level of obedience or high standards, His LOVE for us diminishes. And then it rises when we are obedient and excellent.
 
But that’s totally untrue my brethren. God can be annoyed at us for doing stuff we ought not to do, but the level of His LOVE NEVER diminishes, never gets lowered because of our actions. Please believe that.
 
And I think a wonderful idea would be for each of us to write out that poem and stick it up on our bathroom mirror or someplace that we can see it when we first get up, so that we can start the day with the wonderful news that GOD LOVES US! I don’t believe there’s a better way to begin our day.
 
That will undoubtedly set the tone for our day, get us off to a bright, bubbly and spirited start, as well as have Lucifer angry and frightened right off the bat, knowing that we’re totally enmeshed in Jehovah God and there’s no way for him to get a foothold in our spirit. Life’s always better when we begin the day with a positive, godly attitude. So please consider that suggestion, for it can only bring about an upsurge of faith and trust in our lives.  
 
That brings us finally to our Bit; a most wonderful and encouraging piece of scripture:  ‘In this was manifested the LOVE of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.’
 
Oh my people, what else does God need to do to prove that He LOVES us a whole, whole lot eh? I just don’t know.  I guess it just is way above our heads; our small mentalities cannot comprehend it.  
 
And the scholars rightly tell us: ‘4:9. To grasp God’s LOVE aright one must look to how God demonstrated it. Here John is in total harmony with Paul (Rom.5:8).’
 
And that piece of scripture from Bruh Paul to the Romans is: ‘But God commendeth (demonstrates his own) LOVE toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.’ (Rom.5:8)  
 
Now how is that for true LOVE eh my people? Wonderful! Marvellous!
 
And the scholars explain that verse thus: ‘5:8. Christ died for us: His death was vicarious. That is, He did not die merely for our benefit but in our place. His was a substitutionary sacrifice.’  
 
And even long before Christ came, the Lord was propounding His LOVE for mankind, in particular His LOVE for a faithless Israel.  Hear the prophet Hosea tell it. ‘I drew them with cords of a man (gentle cords), with bands of LOVE: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws (necks) and I laid meat unto them (stooped and fed them).’ (Hos.11:4)
 
Now Friends, if that isn’t LOVE, then I don’t know what is!
 
And we’ll close with this powerful scripture that comes after our Bit. ‘Herein is LOVE, not that we LOVED God, but that he LOVED us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation (atonement, sacrifice, payment) for our sins.’  (1 John 4:10)  
 
Oh my people, as I said earlier on, the LOVE of God for us is indeed a bit much for our frail and feeble minds to comprehend.  
 
And as the scholars say in their note: ‘4:10.  No human LOVE is the standard for understanding God’s great compassion, but God’s own action on man’s behalf.’
 
So having said all of that, let’s hope that our souls and spirits are now relaxed and relieved since we have finally come to the realization that God does have a very great and deep LOVE for His human creation, regardless of their behaviour. Much LOVE!
 
…until the truth of God’s LOVE really sinks into our psyche…into our souls…we’ll never be truly filled with His joy…  
 
P.S.  Yuh see Friends, God didn’t disappoint me. He came through right on time! That’s His motto. (smile) Much LOVE!

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 30 October 2014 Psalm 118:28.

30 Oct 2014 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 118:28. Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.

Oh Friends, it’s a brand new day! Glory Hallelujah! A brand new day filled with new mercies, new blessings, and new forgiveness! Wow! And to make matters even better, we’re alive to enjoy it all! What a most wonderful Deity we serve and worship my people: the ONE and ONLY TRUE LIVING God!
 
So let’s give Him some thanks and praise, as we loudly and boldly proclaim these wise words of the psalmist in thanksgiving for the Lord’s salvation. Please declare with me: ‘This is the day which the Lord hath made; we WILL rejoice and be glad in it.’ (Ps.118:24)
 
Yes my people, let’s enjoy the goodness and LOVING-kindness of our magnificent and magnanimous God today and everyday, as long as the breath of life is flowing through our mortal bodies. That is simply wisdom and common sense, for if He grants us all those things, we’d indeed be foolish not to enjoy them.
 
And believe me, for whatever reason(s), some of us are indeed foolish enough not to enjoy the blessings of God, thinking it wrong and sinful to enjoy what the Lord has provided. Nothing could be further from the truth my people!
 
Why would the Lord provide all that wonderful stuff if He didn’t intend for us to enjoy it eh? And why would Jesus, our great Lord and Saviour declare that He had come to earth, so that we could have life, and have it more abundantly eh, if He didn’t mean for us to be joyful, even in the rough times? (John 10:10)
 
So Friends, I implore us to stop having these foolish ideas and thoughts about enjoying life nuh. We’re supposed to have heaven right here on earth; standing steadfast and strong while doing God’s work – and enjoying it too, not living beggarly and miserable.
 
And believe me again, if we are truly doing God’s work, with the peace of mind that He provides, then we will truly enjoy this earthly life, regardless of the many dangers, disappointments and troubles with which it is fraught. End of sermon! (smile)
 
Ah mih breddren, it never ceases to amaze and amuse me how the Holy Spirit will give me a starting idea, then let me run with it, or rather, help to let it flow smoothly! I would therefore be wrong, foolish and disobedient, if I didn’t enjoy and appreciate that blessing.
 
And you know there’s no greater tragedy for a writer than writer’s block! Thankfully, the Lord doesn’t allow me to suffer from it too often and for too long. Then I’d really be up heifer dust creek. (smile)
 
And Friends, our Bit this morning comes from that same Psalm 118, where the psalmist is giving thanks for the Lord’s salvation. And it’s a rather appropriate Bit too; highlighting what our behaviour ought to be, as it boldly and rightly declares: ‘Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.’
 
Oh Friends, what words of joy, LOVE, obedience and truth! If we do that sincerely, on a continuous basis, then our lives will be forever enriched and blessed!
 
And it’s mostly because we’re not fully and sincerely embracing that bit of gospel truth that our lives and our world are in such a disastrous mess. We are trying desperately to remove God from all aspects of our society, but that’s a fool’s wisdom my people.
 
We claim to have been redeemed by the spilled blood of Christ, through His sacrificial death on the cross at Calvary, so why aren’t we more thankful and moving closer to Him eh, instead of being obnoxious, ungrateful and trying to distance ourselves from Him?
 
If we truly believe that we are indisputably redeemed, then we ought to be singing praises like redeemed people; praises like Isaiah’s declaration: ‘O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.’ (Is.25:1)
 
Yes Friends, those are the kinds of words that ought to be emanating from our hearts, souls and mouths. Not the simpleton, worldly foolishness that we’re now spewing forth in this oh so talkative age, when we really have nothing much to talk about because our lives are dull, bland and miserable.
 
As 3 Canal would say, we have no real business, so we keep on minding the business of others, glorifying man with his Achilles heel, putting him on a flimsy pedestal instead of Almighty God. Oh my brethren, it’s high time we got some business of our own, by turning to our mighty God for help, and start glorifying Him, rather than mortal, worthless, fickle, feckless, untrustworthy man!
 
We should be singing the Lord’s praises like His obedient servant Moses did: ‘The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him a habitation (praise Him); my father’s God, and I will exalt him.’ (Ex.15:2)
 
And we’ll end with more worthy words of praise, this time from Bruh David, another of God’s obedient servants. And just as I was about to write those last few words in my rough draft, the lights flickered out for a couple seconds.
 
Chuh! It’s a good thing I wasn’t on the computer, then I might have lost some stuff and be sorely disappointed. Consequently, I’ll take it as a positive sign, (smile) and continue in God’s direction. Therefore, please declare with me, my Friends and fellow believers, these words of thanksgiving for deliverance, as Bruh David saw it.
 
‘I will LOVE thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength (lit. my rock), in whom I will trust; my buckler (shield), and the horn (strength) of my salvation, and my high tower (stronghold). I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.’ (Ps.18:1-3)
 
Now that’s wisdom from on high, my brethren! So let’s go out today and put it into practice, put it to the test nuh; praise and magnify our most worthy God, and see if our lives don’t improve substantially. Much LOVE!
 
…a believer’s faith is only as strong as…the sincere thanksgiving in his heart…

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 17 March 2013 Psalm 119:105

17 Mar 2013 Leave a comment

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

Psalm 119:105.        Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
 
Oh Friends, this dark, chilly Sunday morning at first appeared to be a day of writer’s block. No creative juices whatsoever were flowing through the ole fella. Usually, even though I might not have a Bit, I’ll have something to say myself or something to quote. But not today, today there was nada; no Bit, nothing wise and witty to say, and nothing to quote. It was like being in a totally dry desert, surrounded by hot, brown sand as far as the eye could see, with not even a mirage of an oasis, much less a real one. Oh, it sure is a strange and unusual day when the ole fella has nothing to say! (smile) However Friends, I never despaired of writing something because I have the utmost faith in Almighty God, and knew He would eventually come through for me. Remember too, I’m only doing what He asked me to do, and He’s promised to always help us do His will. And my Friends, one of the many benefits of consistently walking with Jehovah God is that you come to genuinely know His faithfulness, which in turn builds your faith, so that the next time you hit a wall, you will be stronger and not despair as much as the previous time. And I’m saying this from personal experience, for over the years I’ve been writing the Bit, on numerous occasions He’s lifted me up from the depths of negative circumstances, putting a joyful song in my heart and words of wisdom in my mouth. All it takes my people is to sincerely cry out to Him. And that I did this morning. His heart must have been deeply touched by my plaintive wail, (smile) for shortly thereafter I found a Bit that I could get my head around, while a joyful song of thanks and praise refreshed my anguished heart, and truthful words of testimony were placed in my mouth. So that now mih breddren, the ole fella’s ready to rock and roll with and for Jesus. (smile) And you’ll notice how appropriate to my plight is the Bit to which I was guided. Our God doesn’t miss a trick. ‘Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.’ Words of absolute truth and wisdom my people! You’ll also notice that it has a two-fold purpose: Firstly, it shows us the right road on which to travel, guides us to the straight and narrow path of God. Then it provides a light in the darkness, so we can see where we’re going along that straight and narrow road. Yes Friends, the Lord’s Word is the Guiding Light, graciously and LOVINGLY gifted to man, so that he may find his pilgrim way safe and sound in this fallen world. Now when you have acknowledged that the Lord’s Word is your life guide, you also have to declare: ‘I have sworn, and I will perform (confirm) it, that I will keep thy righteous judgements.’ (Ps.119:106) That’s like the covenant Nehemiah and the Israelites made when they left Babylon to go and rebuild Jerusalem. ‘They clave to (joined with) their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God’s law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord, and his judgements (ordinances) and his statutes.’ (Neh.10:29) Yes my people, it doesn’t make sense to claim that something is so good, then not actively do or participate in it. And there are certainly other passages of scripture that agree with our Bit. A prominent one is found in the wise sayings of Cousin Sol. ‘For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is the light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.’ (Prov.6:23) And although he was warning against adultery in that particular case, the wisdom of the saying pertains to all of life. Then, if we turn to Psalm 19, the creation and covenants of God, these pearls of untold wisdom, issue forth from Bruh David’s mouth. ‘The law of the Lord is perfect, converting (restoring) the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and (the drippings of) the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.’ (Ps.19:7-11) Oh Friends, those words cut right to the heart of the matter! The Lord’s Word is the most important thing to a true believer, what we live and die by! In fact it’s the most important thing to every human being, every creation of Almighty God, because come the judgement day, everyone will have to answer for their earthly journey, based on its principles. And I want us to note two things in that last verse of the above quote from Psalm 19. The first thing is that we gain rewards, excellent ones too, for keeping His word. And secondly, but most important, is the fact that the Word provides us with a timely warning system, re the vicissitudes of life. Yes my people, it’s like a fire alarm that sounds warning bells in the event of a fire. The Word, through our consciences and the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, raises up those warning signs when we’re moving away from the God’s Word. So please, let’s pay close attention to those warning signals, otherwise we’ll be easily tripped up by the evil, but wily and ingenious enemy, Lucifer. Now that’s true wisdom! Much LOVE!…man’s promises are worthless…made to be broken…but the covenants of God are sacred…and like Him…are unchangeable…written in stone…