Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee
Oh Friends, that’s the gospel truth! Rise and shine my people, for day has dawned and the sun, the flowers, the birds and all God’s daytime creatures are up and about making music and shining brightly. Isaiah wasn’t talking so much about physical as spiritual light, however it suits our purposes admirably as an opening statement, an incentive for us to get up and get going on God’s project, whatever that might be in our personal life. So with that, I’ll say, ‘Morning neighbour!’ (smile) In Chap. 60, Isaiah is foreseeing the future glory of Zion; when Jesus returns and the Holy City is once again the hub of the universe. But we don’t need to wait till then to ‘Arise, shine;’ for our light, Jesus, has already come. And as Bruh Paul declared; ‘Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.’ (Eph.5:14) Yes my Friends, the Most High God Jehovah is inviting us all, unbelievers, backsliders, and those low in faith to turn from sin, promising that spiritual strength and enlightenment will be granted to all who need it. But we have to embrace and fully believe the concept of Jesus, who profoundly declared: ‘I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.’ (John 12:46) Oh Friends, I can’t help but admire Jesus’ style and strength of purpose, for earlier on, when He decided to go into Judea to raise Lazarus, the disciples asked if He wasn’t scared to go back there since the last time He was there, the Jews wanted to stone Him. ‘Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth because there is no light in him.’ (John 11:9-10) No wonder His disciples often couldn’t understand Him, for in one sentence He talks about the light of this world, the sun, but in the next He talks of the light within the person himself, referring to their sinful, evil nature. And it’s so true my people: when we walk in darkness, associating with the enemy and all his evil cronies, then we’re sure to stumble and fall eventually. However, when we embrace Jesus; His wonderful teachings, philosophy, lifestyle and the numerous other things that make up His awesome concept, then we’re confident of walking in the light, whether it’s physical night or day, and though sometimes we might stumble, we’ll never fall, for Jesus is always with us, through the Holy Spirit, protecting and aiding us to live a life worthy of Him. Oh Friends, it’s so important that we sow the concept of Jesus deep in our hearts and minds, for He is the ONLY ONE who teaches the way of LOVE, Forgiveness, Mercy, Kindness, Understanding, Peace and Goodwill to ALL MEN. No one else even comes close to that all embracing theology. Why? Because He is indeed the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIGHT! The only avenue through which Salvation and Eternal Life can be had, cause His death on the cross paid our sin debt in full, and His Resurrection assures us that there is indeed Life after Death. Oh my people, Jesus is alive! And kicking too! Though He died, He rose again, and if we sincerely believe in Him, when we die, we will also rise again. No one else can promise you life after death. Why? Because our Lord and Saviour is the only one who ever did it. He both promised, (Mark 9:31) and delivered it. (Mark 16:6) That’s why I’m imploring us Friends, to ‘Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen.’ Isaiah prophesied that centuries before Jesus actually came, but come He did and also fulfilled every prophetic scripture that referred to Him. Doesn’t that prove the truth of it all? And Isaiah further stated; ‘For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.’ (Isa.60:2-3) Oh Friends, the Lord has risen and shone His light over the world, but many have not seen it, and still dwell in darkness, either by choice or ignorance of the Word. But we, my people, those who have seen the light, represent the renewed, reborn Zion, and it’s our bounden duty to go out their and shine that light in all the dark places, with excitement and enthusiasm, showing real fervour and belief in the Word, telling it to those who haven’t heard it. What did Jesus say? ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ (Mat.5:16) That’s our directive from our Leader, so like good and able followers, let’s do something constructive about it nuh. Oh Friends, in these rough, tumultuous and uncertain times, when all our supposed strong institutions and beliefs are unravelling right before our very eyes, this is a wonderful opportunity to spread the Word; to talk about Jesus; to get people’s hope, faith and courage back up again; to get them out of spiritual darkness into the light of Jesus, so that we can build a new society on a proper, solid, unbreakable, ‘unbreachable,’ indestructible foundation, that’s our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Let’s close with some words of hope and faith from Malachi: ‘But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth and grow up as calves of the stall.’ (Mal.4:2) Oh Friends, what an excellent promise! If we revere Him, then both the Sun and the Son shall shine brightly on us, and we’ll prosper. Oh Friends ain’t that good news? It sure is! And the Spirit has certainly enthused the ole fella today, (smile) let’s hope I can transfer some of that enthusiasm, plus a sense of urgency to you, my people. Much LOVE!…it’s time…time to spread that good news…
Oh Friends, that’s the gospel truth! Rise and shine my people, for day has dawned and the sun, the flowers, the birds and all God’s daytime creatures are up and about making music and shining brightly. Isaiah wasn’t talking so much about physical as spiritual light, however it suits our purposes admirably as an opening statement, an incentive for us to get up and get going on God’s project, whatever that might be in our personal life. So with that, I’ll say, ‘Morning neighbour!’ (smile) In Chap. 60, Isaiah is foreseeing the future glory of Zion; when Jesus returns and the Holy City is once again the hub of the universe. But we don’t need to wait till then to ‘Arise, shine;’ for our light, Jesus, has already come. And as Bruh Paul declared; ‘Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.’ (Eph.5:14) Yes my Friends, the Most High God Jehovah is inviting us all, unbelievers, backsliders, and those low in faith to turn from sin, promising that spiritual strength and enlightenment will be granted to all who need it. But we have to embrace and fully believe the concept of Jesus, who profoundly declared: ‘I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.’ (John 12:46) Oh Friends, I can’t help but admire Jesus’ style and strength of purpose, for earlier on, when He decided to go into Judea to raise Lazarus, the disciples asked if He wasn’t scared to go back there since the last time He was there, the Jews wanted to stone Him. ‘Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth because there is no light in him.’ (John 11:9-10) No wonder His disciples often couldn’t understand Him, for in one sentence He talks about the light of this world, the sun, but in the next He talks of the light within the person himself, referring to their sinful, evil nature. And it’s so true my people: when we walk in darkness, associating with the enemy and all his evil cronies, then we’re sure to stumble and fall eventually. However, when we embrace Jesus; His wonderful teachings, philosophy, lifestyle and the numerous other things that make up His awesome concept, then we’re confident of walking in the light, whether it’s physical night or day, and though sometimes we might stumble, we’ll never fall, for Jesus is always with us, through the Holy Spirit, protecting and aiding us to live a life worthy of Him. Oh Friends, it’s so important that we sow the concept of Jesus deep in our hearts and minds, for He is the ONLY ONE who teaches the way of LOVE, Forgiveness, Mercy, Kindness, Understanding, Peace and Goodwill to ALL MEN. No one else even comes close to that all embracing theology. Why? Because He is indeed the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIGHT! The only avenue through which Salvation and Eternal Life can be had, cause His death on the cross paid our sin debt in full, and His Resurrection assures us that there is indeed Life after Death. Oh my people, Jesus is alive! And kicking too! Though He died, He rose again, and if we sincerely believe in Him, when we die, we will also rise again. No one else can promise you life after death. Why? Because our Lord and Saviour is the only one who ever did it. He both promised, (Mark 9:31) and delivered it. (Mark 16:6) That’s why I’m imploring us Friends, to ‘Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen.’ Isaiah prophesied that centuries before Jesus actually came, but come He did and also fulfilled every prophetic scripture that referred to Him. Doesn’t that prove the truth of it all? And Isaiah further stated; ‘For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.’ (Isa.60:2-3) Oh Friends, the Lord has risen and shone His light over the world, but many have not seen it, and still dwell in darkness, either by choice or ignorance of the Word. But we, my people, those who have seen the light, represent the renewed, reborn Zion, and it’s our bounden duty to go out their and shine that light in all the dark places, with excitement and enthusiasm, showing real fervour and belief in the Word, telling it to those who haven’t heard it. What did Jesus say? ‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ (Mat.5:16) That’s our directive from our Leader, so like good and able followers, let’s do something constructive about it nuh. Oh Friends, in these rough, tumultuous and uncertain times, when all our supposed strong institutions and beliefs are unravelling right before our very eyes, this is a wonderful opportunity to spread the Word; to talk about Jesus; to get people’s hope, faith and courage back up again; to get them out of spiritual darkness into the light of Jesus, so that we can build a new society on a proper, solid, unbreakable, ‘unbreachable,’ indestructible foundation, that’s our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Let’s close with some words of hope and faith from Malachi: ‘But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth and grow up as calves of the stall.’ (Mal.4:2) Oh Friends, what an excellent promise! If we revere Him, then both the Sun and the Son shall shine brightly on us, and we’ll prosper. Oh Friends ain’t that good news? It sure is! And the Spirit has certainly enthused the ole fella today, (smile) let’s hope I can transfer some of that enthusiasm, plus a sense of urgency to you, my people. Much LOVE!…it’s time…time to spread that good news…
SCRIP-BITS 