Todays’ Scrip-Bit 1.September 2007 1 Timothy 1: 5.
19 Nov 2007 Leave a comment
1 Timothy 1: 5. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.
Those are some of the most important words Paul ever spoke, or wrote. Instructing his protege, Timothy, on matters of doctrine and conduct, he’s saying that the ultimate measure of our love and charitable actions is for it be done from a pure heart and clear conscience, with no underlying selfish or overly beneficial motives. We should not just be kind and charitable when it serves our personal purposes. No hypocrisy. Like a lot of us do, politicians especially, where we beat our chest and make a big show about a little loving and giving so that others can notice us and say what wonderful people we are. But little do they know eh. We’ve got to do it for the Lord, let our faith and trust in Him motivate us to be the kind of people He wants us to be, not simply for what we might gain by it. Much LOVE, given out of a true and trusting heart.
Today’s Scrip-Bit 31 August 2007 Isaiah 1: 2
18 Nov 2007 Leave a comment
Isaiah 1:2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.
Hn! Once again I bowed to His will, for while skimming through the Bible that verse jumped out at me and said, ‘today’s my day.’ And it’s so true, in several ways. Isaiah spoke of the Israelites, forgetting God’s goodness and disobeying his commandments. Many of us today have also chosen to turn from God and live a worldly lifestyle instead. Then we have the real children, whom we have tried to raise in a God-fearing manner, but who turn against both God and us, their parents. Sadly, far too many live overly sinful lives, abuse, neglect and ill treat their parents, for God alone knows what reason. And the strange part is that a lot of those who might have justifiable cause, because they were mistreated in their youth, don’t respond in kind. While the ones who were loved and given all the amenities of life, can’t wait to kick over the traces. The saying that you make the child but not their mind, holds some water, but I still think though, that a sizeable portion of the blame lies with us, the parents. We figured that we’d had a hard life, so we tried to make theirs easy, and they just don’t appreciate it. Like we forgot that the human animal only appreciates stuff that it has to suffer or work hard for. Hn! And our children certainly don’t know the meaning of hard work or ‘sufferation.’ Anyway, let’s hope that all of ‘us’ children, stop rebelling soon, and return to God, before it’s too late. Much LOVE!
Today’s Scrip-Bit 30 August 2007 Proverbs 6: 6-11
18 Nov 2007 Leave a comment
Proverbs 6: 6-11. Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep. So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
More wise words from Solomon, telling us to learn from the lowly ant, who, though they have no guide or ruler to show them the way, are smart enough to realize that to make a go of it in this rough world, they’ve got to get up off their rear end and do some productive work, as well as put aside a little bit for later; save something for a rainy day. And for those of us who like to procrastinate and keep putting off the productive stuff we’re supposed to do, well that laziness will eventually produce our downfall; poverty and all its associates. The sad part though is that our demise will not come ‘procrastinatingly’ (smile) but will come upon us suddenly, as robbers are wont to do, without warning. Please Friends, let’s heed that wise advice. We’ve all either known poverty, or seen its disastrous effects, and they’re not pretty. In addition to being good for us mentally and physically, being productive and proactive also pleases The Lord, which, in a nutshell, is what we’re here for. Much LOVE … plenty hard work … and sensible saving.
Today’s Scrip – Bit 29 August 2007 Deuteronomy 4: 39.
18 Nov 2007 Leave a comment
Deuteronomy 4: 39. Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord, He is God in Heaven above, and upon the Earth beneath: there is none else.
Strong, powerful, true words of Moses to the Israelites, after they had wandered in the wilderness for forty years. Burnt out and frustrated, having governed a bunch of stubborn, ungrateful people for so many years, poor Moses was getting ready to hang up his tack, but before doing so he had to lay down the law for them once more, tell them how to conduct their lives and businesses; in accordance with the commandments the Lord had written on those tablets of stone. However, since those were times when very few people could read or write, the instructions had to be passed down orally, with the people gathered together to hear the message. One would have thought that after all the Lord had done for them, against such overwhelming odds, they would not have to be reminded of that fact. But remind them, he did. So too, do we need reminding, because every so often, we also tend to forget and want to go off in whatever direction we choose,under our own steam. Let’s remember though Friends, that there is ONLY ONE GOD! By whatever name you choose to call Him; He is THE ONLY ONE; Our Creator, Saviour, and Eternal Father. Let’s show Him the respect and adoration He deserves. Much LOVE!
Today’s Scrip-Bit 28 August 2007 Isaiah 9: 6
18 Nov 2007 Leave a comment
Isaiah 9: 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father. The Prince of Peace.
There is so much stuff in the Bible to choose from that sometimes I get confused, especially when I open mine, with all its different colour underlining, highlighting and such. Today was one of those days. So, as usual, I left it alone for a short while, then came back, picked it up, asked for guidance, opened The Good Book… and there, right before mine eyes, was the above Scripture, boldly underlined in red. It’s Isaiah’s prophecy concerning the birth of Christ, which came through many many years later. Just goes to show how our God is faithful and keeps His promises, although they may not be when we want or expect them But look also at the awesome responsibility this child is to be given nuh: the government shall be on His shoulders. He needs to be real strong, powerful and confident to bear such a burden. And we can see from the names bestowed on Him that He is, was, and will always be up to that monumental task. No one has ever been granted, so many, or such powerful titles, all at the same time: The Wonderful One; The Counsellor; The Mighty God; The Everlasting Father; The Prince of Peace. No wonder we are beholden to bow down and worship His magnificent majesty. Let’s do so with great faith, boundless energy and enthusiasm my Friends, for He is worthy and faithful that hath promised. Plenty, plenty, plenty… LOVE & PEACE! We desperately need them in these troubled times.
Today’s Scrip-Bit 27 August 2007 Proverbs 16:7
18 Nov 2007 Leave a comment
Proverbs 16: 7. When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Wow! What Wonderful Words of Wisdom from the Wisest of the Wise; ole Solomon! So what’s keeping us back from doing the things that please God eh people, if that will bring peace even with our enemies? Don’t we like peace? Sometimes I think so. The opposite also holds true; if we disobey, we pay, as Solomon learned the hard way. Although God told the Israelites not to inter-marry with other nations because they would turn them away from Him, Solomon insisted on doing just that, and God’s words came true. 1 Kings 11 claims he loved many foreign women; Pharaoh’s daughter, plus seven hundred wives, princesses and three hundred concubines. But when he got old, his wives turned his heart away from the Lord, towards their pagan gods. And although the Lord appeared and warned Solo twice about it, he did not listen, so the Most High finally got angry with him and took away the kingdom from his family. But Our God is such a magnanimous, faithful Being, He did not do it during Solo’s lifetime, but during his son’s. Neither did He take away everything, He left the family with one tribe in Jerusalem. Why? All because of His faithful servant David, Solomon’s father. Although David had done a lot of wrong, and he paid for it too, he had never forsaken the One True God of His Fathers, like Solomon. God had made Solomon the wisest and richest man of all time, but he lost most of it due to disobedience. Friends let’s try and learn that lesson: The Lord giveth and He taketh; if we disobey, we pay. Amen!
Today’s Scrip-Bit 26 August 2007 Luke 18: 1.
18 Nov 2007 Leave a comment
Luke 18: 1. Then Jesus spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not faint.
Well wouldn’t you know it, The Good Lord one-upped me again, in his usual devious manner. I had something else written for today, but then this thought about men should always pray and not faint got into my brain and just kept on nagging at me until I finally said, okay Lord, I got the message. Like He wanted us to stay with the prayer scene. And I really couldn’t disagree, because prayer is constantly being weeded out of our society, both secretly and overtly; out of our schools, our public institutions, like the courts, and by extension out of our lives. But how can a society call itself Christian if there is no prayer eh? Anyway, I was at work when I finally succumbed to The Lord’s urging, so I found a Bible, a new version, that did not have J.C’s words printed in red like mine at home, or significant passages underlined. And it was only after a fair amount of searching, looked through Matthew and Mark, that I eventually found it. Was actually about to give up when I spied it, in modern English of course, at the beginning of Luke 18. I now realize that He must have been trying to teach me a lesson about perseverance; the same not fainting, not losing heart, like the widow in that parable who kept on pestering the judge that feared neither man nor God. He only gave her justice because he was afraid that she’d eventually frustrate and tire him out by her persistent appeals. We’ve got to learn that same lesson Friends; to continue earnestly in prayer, persevere and not lose heart, for the Most High will definitely answer us, not always how and when we want, but according to His own agenda, which usually turns out much better for us. Lotta LOVE!
Today’s Scrip-Bit 25 August 2007 1st Timothy 2: 1-4
18 Nov 2007 Leave a comment
1 Timothy 2: 1-4. I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men. For Kings and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our saviour. Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of all truth.
Tell them Pablo, tell them! Words of Paul to his protege Timothy on the importance of Prayer. Yes, we’re still on prayer today. It’s importance in a believer’s life can never be over emphasized. Notice Paul says, that first and foremost we’re to give thanks and pray for ALL MEN. Then for those in authority, that they may be granted wisdom and whatever else they may require for us to lead a quiet, peaceful, godly, honest life. That makes me wonder if we’re doing enough praying for our leaders today, since they’re handling things so badly. They obviously could not be getting enough guidance from the Lord, because we’re certainly not living in peace, quiet etc. Paul also emphasizes that we should pray because it delights our God, who wants us all to be saved and come to know Him. What more can I say? Just let’s keep praying Friends, because God does answer prayers. Let’s keep giving thanks and praying for everybody, because The Most High delights in it. It puts a broad, beautiful smile on His face when His children talk to him. Much LOVE, and Plenty, Plenty PRAYING. We desperately need it in in these troubled times. Amen.
Today’s Scrip-Bit 24 August 2007 1st Thessalonians 5: 17.
18 Nov 2007 Leave a comment
1 Thessalonians 5: 17. PRAY WITHOUT CEASING!
Hn,hn,hn! This God of Ours is really something else yes. Well just now, minutes to 4 ( is 4 a.m. on the dot now) I’d just finished listening to some of my music and was quite happy with it, so I decided to go and sit out on my porch with some cake and ice cream, (the cashew kind children, so yuh know what that means) and commune peacefully with my Maker for a short spell. While waiting for the ice cream to melt a little, I got to thinking about all the natural disasters that were currently befalling our beautiful world and to wondering why. Suddenly this thought flitted though my mind: perhaps that’s the Lord’s way of getting us to pray more often, because yuh know how mankind stay, even the ones and them who don’t believe in Him, when the mark buss on them, the first thing they cry out though is "Oh God!" and hold deh head and bawl. And yuh know that when times fine, half of us forget all about God, just park Him in a corner until the next setta trouble comes and we we looking for some mercy. But it doesn’t work so yuh know. Although He’s sweet and generous and forgiving, if you insist on doing your own thing, He’s surely going to make you pay the price. And, as if to show me He meant business, how yuh think He ended the session? Although it was a slightly muggy morning, there were no signs of rain, but then, all of a sudden, from down in the west, this bright spurt of lightning just flashed out on me from behind the trees and houses. Well yuh know what happen after that? I man simply said, Yes Lord, ah heard yuh, and I quietly picked up my untouched cake and ice cream, my half glass of coke, quietly come inside mih yard and gently close mih door yes. Then I came down here to my study and wrote this because I figured He was giving me the next Scrip-Bit; which is that we must always pray, I repeat, His followers must always pray; must pray consistently. And is not only when we tail in a vice that we must run to Him begging and pleading. Anyway, I’ve done what He said, now later on, I’ve got to look for a Scripture that fits this. Got to finish mih cake and ice cream first though. Oh! I found the Scripture just as I finished, or rather, it found me. Like He couldn’t wait for me to go and look for it later. It’s at the top in big, bold letters… And all yuh trying to tell me that he ent something else. Chuh! That ent true nuh! Hope everybody understand the patois (broken English) but that’s just how the story happened to come out. Much Peace and Plenty, Plenty LOVE!
Today’s Scrip-Bit 23 August 2007 Nehemiah 2: 20.
18 Nov 2007 Leave a comment
Nehemiah 2: 20.
Then answered I them, and said unto them, the God of heaven, he will prosper us: therefore we his servants will arise and build:……….
When the Israelites were taken captive away to Babylon and Jerusalem was left in ruins, the Prophet Nehemiah was instructed by God to go and rebuild it. And He indeed paved the way for him to do so, despite detractors from amongst his own people. Now that is how we’ve got to react in this time of sorrow and disaster. In spite of all the destruction wrought by the elements, we’ve got to have a strong faith and believe that Our God is a mighty Being, who will prosper us, and give us the necessary strength to rebuild, perhaps not bigger, but certainly better. However, we can only do that if we are willing to put in a lot of physical and emotional effort. As Paul keeps reminding us, it’s not only a matter of faith, but also of works. One without the other is no good. It’s got be a combination of both. Together they’re unbeatable. So Friends, let’s cool some of the talk, because talk is quite cheap, and instead get up off our rear ends and do some walking nuh. Let’s build God’s Kingdom here on Earth, so that at the end, he can say, Welcome, thou good and faithful servants! Amen!
