Psalm 119:116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
Oh Friends, many of you are exclaiming TGIF, this morning; Thank God it’s Friday! And nothing’s wrong with that because it means we’re about to get a break from the tumultuous activities of the workweek, with rest, fun and spiritual renewal on the horizon. However, it’s also necessary, everyday we open our eyes and realize that we’re alive, to thank Him for that and all the other good things He’s brought about in our lives. Please remember that thanks and praise are an integral part of our belief system, and we should never be ashamed or hesitant to give glory to our God, wherever we are. And here’s the wonderful quote that led me to Today’s Bit. It’s attributed to O.S. Marden, and it says: ‘The hopeful man sees success where others see failure, sunshine where others see shadows and stones.’ Oh my people, he or she was surely talking about us believers, cause that’s exactly how the followers of Jesus think; always in positive terms. Hope that morphs into faith is our watchword. As Bruh David faithfully desired of the Lord: ‘Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.’ Yes Friends, that’s a prayer all of us should raise to heaven; to be granted the wherewithal to lead godly, righteous lives based on God’s Word, and not be placed in situations where our hope in Him seems worthless, so that others can mock our faith. Earlier on in Psalm 25, a prayer for guidance and protection, Bruh David declared: ‘Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. Yea, let none that wait on thee (in faith) be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause (deal treacherously). Show me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me, for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.’ (Ps.25:1-5) Oh my brethren, that’s only one of many places Bruh David acknowledged his hope, trust and faith in the Lord God Jehovah. But as you can see it’s strong, bold and certain, not wishy-washy or hesitant. He knows where his bread is buttered, and insists on continually having a strong connection to Almighty God. Does our hope and faith allow us to have that strong connection? I certainly hope so, for it’s what makes us who we are, ardent followers of Jesus. And then we have that famous passage of Bruh Paul’s in Romans. ‘And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience (produces perseverance); And patience, experience (character); and experience hope: And hope maketh not ashamed (does not disappoint); because the LOVE of God is shed abroad (has been poured out) in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due (at the right) time Christ died for the ungodly.’ (Rom.5:3-6) Praise His Holy Name! For Bruh David’s hope in God was made real by Jesus’ death on the cross, paying for our sins, with the faithful promise of salvation and eternal life, if only we believe. Wow! What hope can we ever have greater than that eh? None really my people, for through Christ’s sacrificial death, the whole world has become our oyster, in terms of things like mercy, blessings, forgiveness, freedom from stored up sins, and grace that enables us to take hold of the awesome promises of salvation and life everlasting with the Holy Trinity. Isn’t that exciting Friends? It sure is! Trust Bruh Paul to get into this topic with gusto. First he quotes Isaiah 8:14; 28:16 when talking about the Jew and the gospel, declaring: ‘As it is written, Behold I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.’ (Rom.9:33) And he later reaffirms it when speaking of righteousness is by faith in Christ. ‘For the scripture saith, whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.’ (Rom.10:11) Yes mih people, no one, not a single, solitary soul who puts their trust and faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, shall ever be put to shame. Glory Hallelujah! And we have Jesus’ word for it. ‘Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.’ (Mt.10:32-33) There we have it people in black and white: Accept Christ and live a life worthy of Him before men, and He will also acknowledge us before His Heavenly Father. But if we don’t, then crapaud smoke we pipe. That’s just how it is Friends. And we’ll close today with another of Bruh Paul’s strong declarations, this time to the Philippians. ‘According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.’ (Phil.1:20-21) My people that’s the attitude all Christians need to adopt and actively manifest in their lives. We must have that feeling, that great desire of never being ashamed of Christ, and doing all in His name boldly and with confidence, so that He will be magnified, whether it’s in our living or dying. So please, let’s work seriously on adopting that principle, so we can be worthy to be called Christians. Much LOVE!…a believer’s duty…to bravely and boldly magnify our Lord…
Oh Friends, many of you are exclaiming TGIF, this morning; Thank God it’s Friday! And nothing’s wrong with that because it means we’re about to get a break from the tumultuous activities of the workweek, with rest, fun and spiritual renewal on the horizon. However, it’s also necessary, everyday we open our eyes and realize that we’re alive, to thank Him for that and all the other good things He’s brought about in our lives. Please remember that thanks and praise are an integral part of our belief system, and we should never be ashamed or hesitant to give glory to our God, wherever we are. And here’s the wonderful quote that led me to Today’s Bit. It’s attributed to O.S. Marden, and it says: ‘The hopeful man sees success where others see failure, sunshine where others see shadows and stones.’ Oh my people, he or she was surely talking about us believers, cause that’s exactly how the followers of Jesus think; always in positive terms. Hope that morphs into faith is our watchword. As Bruh David faithfully desired of the Lord: ‘Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.’ Yes Friends, that’s a prayer all of us should raise to heaven; to be granted the wherewithal to lead godly, righteous lives based on God’s Word, and not be placed in situations where our hope in Him seems worthless, so that others can mock our faith. Earlier on in Psalm 25, a prayer for guidance and protection, Bruh David declared: ‘Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. Yea, let none that wait on thee (in faith) be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause (deal treacherously). Show me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me, for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.’ (Ps.25:1-5) Oh my brethren, that’s only one of many places Bruh David acknowledged his hope, trust and faith in the Lord God Jehovah. But as you can see it’s strong, bold and certain, not wishy-washy or hesitant. He knows where his bread is buttered, and insists on continually having a strong connection to Almighty God. Does our hope and faith allow us to have that strong connection? I certainly hope so, for it’s what makes us who we are, ardent followers of Jesus. And then we have that famous passage of Bruh Paul’s in Romans. ‘And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience (produces perseverance); And patience, experience (character); and experience hope: And hope maketh not ashamed (does not disappoint); because the LOVE of God is shed abroad (has been poured out) in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due (at the right) time Christ died for the ungodly.’ (Rom.5:3-6) Praise His Holy Name! For Bruh David’s hope in God was made real by Jesus’ death on the cross, paying for our sins, with the faithful promise of salvation and eternal life, if only we believe. Wow! What hope can we ever have greater than that eh? None really my people, for through Christ’s sacrificial death, the whole world has become our oyster, in terms of things like mercy, blessings, forgiveness, freedom from stored up sins, and grace that enables us to take hold of the awesome promises of salvation and life everlasting with the Holy Trinity. Isn’t that exciting Friends? It sure is! Trust Bruh Paul to get into this topic with gusto. First he quotes Isaiah 8:14; 28:16 when talking about the Jew and the gospel, declaring: ‘As it is written, Behold I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.’ (Rom.9:33) And he later reaffirms it when speaking of righteousness is by faith in Christ. ‘For the scripture saith, whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.’ (Rom.10:11) Yes mih people, no one, not a single, solitary soul who puts their trust and faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, shall ever be put to shame. Glory Hallelujah! And we have Jesus’ word for it. ‘Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.’ (Mt.10:32-33) There we have it people in black and white: Accept Christ and live a life worthy of Him before men, and He will also acknowledge us before His Heavenly Father. But if we don’t, then crapaud smoke we pipe. That’s just how it is Friends. And we’ll close today with another of Bruh Paul’s strong declarations, this time to the Philippians. ‘According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.’ (Phil.1:20-21) My people that’s the attitude all Christians need to adopt and actively manifest in their lives. We must have that feeling, that great desire of never being ashamed of Christ, and doing all in His name boldly and with confidence, so that He will be magnified, whether it’s in our living or dying. So please, let’s work seriously on adopting that principle, so we can be worthy to be called Christians. Much LOVE!…a believer’s duty…to bravely and boldly magnify our Lord…
SCRIP-BITS 