SCRIP-BITS

Matthew 3:2.     And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
 
Oh Friends, the dome of heat continues to cover a substantial portion of North America, and we’re forecasted to break even more heat records today, with temps blossoming between the mid to high thirties. Wow! No wonder someone put up a sign yesterday, saying that Satan wanted his weather back. And you can’t blame him for wanting it back, because we’ve had it for so long. (smile) And can you imagine if we’re so uncomfortable and miserable now, what’s going to happen to us if we end up in hell? This will be a mere joke in comparison! So Friends, I surely hope this unusual hot weather will act as a wake up call to many to come to Jesus, so they can avoid the hell fire and damnation in Hades. I don’t know about anybody else nuh, but if this is a precursor to what’s to come, then I definitely don’t want any part of it. I’m going to keep on hanging with Jesus yes! Now though this may all sound ‘jokified’ please take it seriously my people, because it is a very serious matter. Many people are already dying because of the extreme heat, and if it continues, many more will die. Meanwhile numerous brush fires are burning out of control in Northern Ontario for lack of water, but rain is falling in the western province of Saskatchewan. And the disaster in Somalia has finally been termed an official famine by the U.N, and calling for aid to the tune of over a billion dollars. They badly need help over there, but what irks me is that there’s money in the country, but instead of spending it on food and the requisites of life, the fools are spending it on weapons of war, fighting for power. What good is power in an impoverished state eh? No wonder the Lord sighs sadly and shakes His head so often when He looks down on the stupidity of man, who was supposed to be His most brilliant creation. Steups! The lower animals that operate on basic instinct do a much better job of living together than humans. Why would the rich keep getting richer and the poor poorer? Why are billions of people starving on planet earth when millions of tons of useful food are being thrown away every day? Why is the pillar of society, the middle class, the punching bag, whom both rich and poor take advantage of, being slowly but surely killed? I don’t know if it’s a planned move by the powers that be, but if it is, it’s a very stupid one, for the middle class is the one that bears the brunt of society’s woes, and at the rate we’re losing middle class jobs, there will soon be only rich and poor. Who’s going to bail out either? Oh Friends, this is one of those days when the Spirit is speaking to my heart to just let it out re man’s stupidity, his inhumanity to his fellow man, his greed and lust for earthly possessions and power, which are getting him nowhere but closer to death and destruction. For he either dies trying to get what Lucifer glorifies, or when he gets it, he realizes it’s not so great after all. Oh my people, the truth is that this is a time of serious reckoning. If we believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, then there must be a reason why our world has suddenly become so disaster prone. The Lord is obviously trying to tell us something. Please note that until now, North America hasn’t felt it as badly as the rest of the world, but it’s obviously our time to stand some steady jammings. My brethren, what will it take for us to wake up and see the obvious signs eh? Armageddon time is near! And if it’s not, then I don’t want to be around for it, cause what’s happening now is Armageddon enough for me. Oh people, it’s a wake up call! It’s our God reaching out to us again, in the words of our Bit, just like when John the Baptist came so long ago preaching: ‘And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Now I’m not likening myself to John the Baptist, since there are many others stating the same case, but it’s just simple logic my people, simple common sense, that if a once prosperous world is quickly going to hell in a hand basket, something must be wrong somewhere. And the only real, serious difference between then and now is that we have foolishly abandoned the God of our fathers for a worthless lout called Beelzebub. My Friends, it’s not rocket science. Please listen to Jesus who always said it simply and clearly. When told about the blood of Galileans being mixed with that of their sacrifices by Pilate, His response was: ‘Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above (more than) all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay, but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.’ (Luke 13:2-3) Yes mih people, all who don’t repent will perish, regardless of your position: ‘For all have sinned, and come (fallen) short of the glory of God.’ (Rom.3:23) Now hear what Jesus had to say to the church at Thyatira, this concerning Jezebel: ‘And I gave her space (time) to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a (sick) bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except (unless) they repent of their deeds.’ (Rev.2:21-22) Oh Friends, repentance is a must; else we’ll languish in hell fire down in Hades with Lucifer till forever! And remember the heat we’re suffering now is a joke to that in Lucifer’s lair. So come on nuh people, let’s wake up and smell the roses, which are sadly dying for lack of rain. Let’s turn back to a great, a good, a merciful, forgiving and LOVING God, who created us and only asks that we serve and worship Him. That’s not so hard to do, especially when the state of our eternal life depends wholly on it. Please note too, that Jesus thought sin, in any form, wasn’t very nice, so He said it twice: ‘I tell you, Nay, but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.’ (Luke 13:5)So Friends, if we want our world to improve, to be a better place for our children, let’s pay attention and repent nuh. It’s the only way! Much LOVE!…he that hath ears to hear…let him hear…
 

1 Corinthians 9:24.    Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
 
Oh Friends, the heat wave continues, with no signs of rain in the forecast until Sunday. Wow! We wanted summer, we’ve got summer! (smile) But don’t worry my people, our Sovereign Lord and God is still in control and knows what He’s doing. And though the day may be hot, sticky and miserable, it’s also filled with lots of new blessings and mercies prepared especially for today. The disasters, problems and troubles will continue happening, personally as well as worldwide, but as believers, because we have Jesus as our Saviour and Advocate at the Father’s right hand, we are confident that we can handle anything that comes against us, with the help of His Holy Spirit. So in faith, let’s take hold of those blessings and mercies that we’ve been granted and diligently run with them, the race of glory in which we’re engaged here on earth. As out Bit so wisely queries: ‘Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.’ Yes Friends, that race of life is the most important we’ll ever run. It sets us up for salvation and eternal life, dictates in what manner we’ll spend forever, eternity in Jesus’ company. It’s how we answer God’s call that determines how our heavenly life will be defined. And talking about the high call of God which Bruh Paul kept pressing towards (Phil.3:14) and which we should also endeavour to diligently pursue, here’s an interesting and enlightening note from the scholars on the topic. ‘The call of God is His summons upon the life of His creatures. God’s call has a threefold emphasis. First, He calls all men everywhere to repentance, that is the call to salvation. (Acts 17:30). Second, all Christians are called to complete dedication (1 Cor.1:9). Third, God calls to a specific sphere of service or ministry, or a ‘holy calling.’ (2 Tim.1:9).’   Oh my brethren it’s very important that we look closely and carefully at those three aspects of God’s call in our lives, and see how we’re responding to them. Hopefully with alacrity, full obedience and total surrender, as well as diligence, hard work and enthusiasm for our ministry, whatever that may be. As the author of Hebrews says, and this just had to be Bruh Paul; the language and level of education sounds too much like him: ‘Wherefore seeing (since) we also are compassed about with (surrounded by) so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset (ensnare) us, and let us run with patience (perseverance) the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the author (originator) and finisher (perfector) of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.’ (Heb.12:1-2) Yes Friends, we have to act, to behave like a solid body, putting aside all our differences and controversies, moving as one in Jesus’ name, helping each other to run the tension filled race of furthering God’s kingdom, just like Jesus did when He sojourned here on earth. It’s not an easy task, but a very doable one, when we hold on to our faith. Now here’s the grand finale, Bruh Paul’s last testament. ‘For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure (death) is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course (race), I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, for which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that LOVE his appearing.’ (2 Tim.4:6-8) Ah mih breddren, let’s hope that at the end of our eventful days here on planet earth, at the end our rough and rugged earthly journey, we’ll also be able to say that we fought the good fight, ran the race with guts, and finished it strong, keeping the faith throughout. If we can say that, then we’ll have accomplished the Father’s plan for our lives and be given a crown of righteousness, just like Bruh Paul says. So today, let’s each sit and seriously ponder how the race of our life is evolving, and then make the necessary corrections to bring it into obedience to God’s will. That’s all He asks of us; to trust and obey. Much LOVE!…the race of life is long and rough…but believers need not fear…for Jesus conquered it…and so can we…with His help…
 

1 Corinthians 9:24.    Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
 
Oh Friends, it seems like the heat wave will continue across a lot of North America today, sans rain too, for bright sunshine has already lit up the darkness of the receding night. Unfortunately that promise of rain yesterday never materialized. Within a couple hours of the skies turning dark, they cleared up and it was bright sunshine and heat for the rest of the day. Ah Lord eh! When is not feast is famine yes! And talking about famine, it seems like Somalia is in the terrible grip of a devastating one right now, with people leaving, in their thousands, walking many miles and days to Kenya and Ethiopia, to find refuge in already overflowing refugee camps. Apparently many are dying by the roadside too, from malnutrition and hunger, especially the children. Yuh know I can’t even look at some of the pictures of the malnourished, emaciated children, they show on the news and the outreach programmes. It just breaks my heart and sickens me to see the sad state of those unfortunate, innocent children, their sorrowful plight brought about in great part by the ignorance, greed, hatred, hunger for power, strife and anger of adults. Friends, please, let’s pray diligently for them, and help in any physical or monetary way we can, for that’s what our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ expects from us, His sincere followers. And it’s all tied up in our Bit: ‘Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.’ Yes my people, helping others is an essential part of the race of life that we’re running here on earth, and we’ll win no prize(s) unless we put our whole heart, body and soul into our efforts. That’s the standard our God’s looking for to decide whether we deserve rewards or not. Believe me, half hearted efforts will not be rewarded! So if we truly are desirous of rewards, both in this life and the next, then we’ve got to ramp up our efforts, starting today, RIGHT NOW, out of a genuine heart, overflowing with true LOVE for our God and our fellow man. I really don’t understand how some of us can see our fellow man suffering and not feel moved, not feel compassion, and an urgent need to help them, even if it’s only by praying for them. It ought to be an automatic reaction, for that’s what Christianity is all about. As Jesus said: ‘For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.’ (Matt.18:11) And also: ‘They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’  (Mark 2:17) Therein lies our duty as believers, my brethren! Anyway, as promised, let’s continue looking at some instances where Bruh Paul talks about our earthly journey in terms of running a race. Writing to the Philippians, he admonishes them to be shining lights in a perverse world; ‘Holding forth (fast to) the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.’ (Phil.2:16) That admonishment still applies to us today my fellow believers. We even need to shine brighter these days because our world is bigger and even more perverse and evil than in Bruh Paul’s time. And we’ll end today with the memorable words of Bruh Paul to the same church at Philippi: ‘Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.’ (Phil.3:13-14) Oh Friends, we all have heard those words many, many times, but how we’ve responded to them is anyone’s guess. However, today, RIGHT NOW, let’s write them deep in our hearts, souls and minds nuh, then put them into practice. Let’s forget about all the bad things of the past, and instead look forward expectantly and enthusiastically to the future, to all the beautiful things and situations our great, LOVING and magnanimous God has in store for us. Let’s drive, thrust and exert ourselves as we ought to, joyously reaching towards the goal set for us by Jesus Christ. That’s the real mark, in fact the only avenue open for a true believer! Much LOVE!…to run, to strive…and not to faint…that’s our calling…  P.S. It’s late, but it’s sweet…and true too. (smile)

1 Corinthians 9:24.    Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

Oh Friends, there’s good news and bad news. The bad news first: It’s Monday morning! That means we have to get up and go to work. Chuh! The good news is that rain is in today’s forecast – the skies are dark and a little sprinkle has actually fallen. Hopefully it won’t be as bad as it was last night in the nation’s capital of Ottawa, where a sudden thunderstorm with 96 k.m per hour winds did much damage, including blowing down the outdoor stage of the Blues Fest Concert while Cheap Trick were performing. The band appears to be okay, but several people got injured. And to address the bad news, let’s sing our Monday morning battle hymn with trust and assurance. ‘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!’ Now that we’ve got the adrenalin flowing, we’re ready to go out and do battle, walk our talk, or as our Bit says, run our race. ‘Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.’ Yes my people, as they say, if you don’t have a ticket, then you don’t have a chance. The same holds true for God’s work: If you’re not actively participating in the race to bring about His glory, then you stand no chance of winning a prize. The only way to get any prize in God’s domain is by running the race and running it hard. The harder we run, the more we strive to become like Jesus and be obedient to God’s will, the bigger the rewards we’ll eventually receive. And Bruh Paul uses the analogy of a believer’s life as running a race in several of his epistles to enlighten and challenge his readers as to the great importance their overall behaviour plays in the church’s development. The same still holds true today Friends. Perhaps even more so, since the church is bigger and more firmly established, but with all the attendant problems that size, an entrenched bureaucracy, internal and external dissension and divisions bring. It is therefore vital that believers step up to the plate confident and assured, prepared to give of their best, for nothing but our best will do. Now let’s look at some of the instances where Bruh Paul talks about running the race. The first example comes from Galatians: ‘Then fourteen years after (later) I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.  And I went up (prompted) by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.’ (Gal.2:1-2) But why would he, after fourteen years of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, go up to Jerusalem to get the apostles’ approval eh? It wasn’t really for approval of what he was preaching, in terms of it being correct, because he was sure of the validity of his teachings, since they came directly from Christ. His main concern was how he was bringing the Gentiles into the church, without circumcision on the basis of their faith in Christ. If the apostles didn’t concur on the matter, then his ministry would have been even more problematic than it was, and he would have run (laboured) in vain. But they did concur, and the rest is history. Anyway Friends, time and space are against us, so tomorrow we’ll continue with this topic, God willing of course. Till then, let’s stand steadfast and strong, look to Jesus our Lord and Saviour for all our needs, and He’ll certainly enable us to run our earthly race with vim and vigour, truly worthy of first prize. Much LOVE!…to win at anything…you first have to participate in something… 

1 Corinthians 9:24.    Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

Psalm 10:12.     Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.

Proverbs 28:1.    The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
 
Oh Friends, another Friday has rolled around, and with it the loud, joyful exclamations of ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ But please beware, too much exuberance at the thought of the upcoming weekend is dangerous and can thwart God’s plans for our lives, the most important aspects of a believer’s earthly journey. So to temper that exuberance, to curtail our ‘enthusiasm with a modicum of circumspection,’ as Jeeves – the P.G Wodehouse character – was won’t to say, let’s chant our Friday Chant. ‘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 here’s one of Cousin Sol’s many wise sayings, for us to ponder in our Bit. ‘The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.’ And all God’s people sang, ‘Glory Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!’ That’s because the righteous have a strong foundation of faith built on the bedrock of Jesus Christ, who faithfully promised: ‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33) He also said: ‘Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.’ (Luke 12:33) So we don’t need to fear anything in this world. But the wicked, they have no such foundation or promise from their evil leader, Lucifer, because he doesn’t have the wherewithal to promise them things like safety, sanctity or salvation. And knowing that their deeds are evil, and there’s no real protection for them, the wicked get scared and run at the slightest disturbance. All their faith is built on earthly, perishable stuff that offers little or no protection from the troubles of this world. Meanwhile, listen to this verse from Psalm 53, the foolishness of men, when Bruh David talks about the safety and security of the righteous in God’s great universe. ‘There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them.’ (Ps.53:5) Yes Friends, even the righteous fear sometimes when there’s no cause, but that’s just normal human nature. However, when we stand strong in faith, the Lord God Almighty will embolden us, give us the fearless heart of the lion, the mighty king of beasts. There are many animals bigger than a lion, but none have his fearless heart, that’s why he’s the king. But on the flip side of the coin, if we disobey God, in fact become wicked, there will be serious penalties to pay. Listen to Moses: ‘And I will set my face against you (oppose you), and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you. And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me (obey me), then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.’ (Lev.26:17-18) Ah mih people, as usual, the Lord’s words are simple and straightforward, they leave no room for misunderstanding. Now hear Moses later on, on the same subject: ”And upon them that are left alive of you, I will send a faintness into their hearts (make them fearful) in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth.’ (Lev.26:36) Doesn’t that bring chills to you my brethren, because that’s the way our world is headed? Wickedness and evil are currently the dominant players in our society, and they have bred a real tangible feeling of fear amongst us, where we’re afraid to walk the streets late at night, are even scared in our tightly locked, barred and gated homes. The cowardly, evil act of terrorism has also upped the ante, increased the fear factor, till now we’re afraid to talk to our neighbours who look, talk and dress differently from us, and we keep looking around fearfully, even when there’s no sign of danger. Oh Friends, all I can do is keep hammering home the truth, that Jehovah God is our only hope, and the sooner we repent of our evil ways and turn back to Him, the sooner our world will improve. And for those of us who truly embrace Christ, then it’s imperative that we get out into the world and show that we LOVE our God, by LIVING our Faith and SPREADING His Word, so that others can believe, repent and become children of God, safely dwelling under His mighty umbrella of protection. Much LOVE!…he who hath ears to hear…let him hear…
 

Matthew 22: 37, 39.    Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt LOVE the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind… And Thou shalt LOVE thy neighbour as thyself.
 
Oh Friends, it’s a bright, beautiful, sunny summer’s day outside! But unfortunately, in here, in my study, in my body and soul, my heart is sad and heavy. Why? Because our world is in such a terrible state. It’s decadent, destructive, depraved, degenerate, disobedient, depressed and deteriorating at an alarming rate. Check out all the areas of strife, violence, abuse and oppression, bodyguards shooting the ones they’re paid to protect, the recent senseless synchronized bombings in Mumbai, India, and the many others taking place every day. Sadly, those things are becoming a way of life now. All over the world, tension and anger are on the rise, a lot of it based on race and creed. Greed and corruption are now pandemic, with disease, hunger, poverty and all the other negative things coming to the fore, becoming more pronounced, while the few good things we have going are being cut out or shoved to the back of the bus. Ah Lord eh! Where’s the hope for us eh Friends? Yuh know, this morning about one o’clock, I was standing on my front porch, enjoying the peace and quiet of the early morning while reasoning with the Father. I obviously pleaded with Him for help – we need it badly, lots of it – and He’s the ONLY ONE who can provide the kind we need and the enormous quantity too. I then asked His opinion on why we’re so bent on self-destruction? And you wouldn’t believe His answer. It was simple and to the point: two words – ‘NO LOVE.’ Our bodies, hearts, souls and minds were devoid of the magnificent emotion of LOVE – NO LOVE for Him, and NO LOVE for each other. That brings to mind the B.J. Thomas song ‘No LOVE at all,’ where he claims that: ‘A little bit of LOVE is better than NO LOVE. Even a bad LOVE is better than NO LOVE. Even a sad LOVE is better than NO LOVE. AND ANY KIND OF LOVE IS BETTER THAN NO LOVE AT ALL.’  Some of us might disagree with those sentiments, but the truth is that wherever there’s LOVE, even the tiniest bit, life goes along much better. So if our world is devoid of LOVE, then we’re in fact very guilty of breaking the two great commandments laid out by Jesus in our Bit: ‘Thou shalt LOVE the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind… And thou shalt LOVE thy neighbour as thyself.’ Ah Friends, the NO LOVE theory might sound like too simple a reason for all the world’s woes, but if you ponder it seriously, you’ll realize that it’s the gospel truth. If we had more LOVE for God and our fellow man, we definitely wouldn’t be in such a sorry state. Our world would be filled with much more peace and calm and blessings galore. But no, in our foolish wisdom, the majority of us have chosen to align ourselves with the enemy, Lucifer, instead of with the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the Alpha and Omega, the Creator of the universe and all therein. Where is the wisdom in that eh mih people, when all Lucifer stands for is negativity; death and destruction, which eventually leads to damnation, eternal separation from God? That’s undoubtedly the worst fate that can ever befall a human being and his spiritual self! Oh my brethren, I don’t know what to say nuh. We have the awesome example of the Israelites, in living, blazing colour in the Good Book, where when they LOVED God and were obedient to Him, their society prospered, but when they got too big for their britches, they were destroyed, held captive, enslaved in foreign lands. However, whenever they woke up, came to their senses and returned to Him, He forgave them and they prospered once again. And this didn’t happen once or twice, but several times. And we’ve seen it happen in our society too. When we were God-fearing and kind to each other, a mere generation ago, our society prospered. But as soon as we felt we were in control and didn’t need God any longer, the disastrous downhill journey began, and it’s quickly picking up speed, like a snowball on its way to hell, as we roll down to our destruction. My people, please, I beg us, please, let’s learn from the example of the Israelites and our own recent foolishness. Let’s wake up before it’s too late and realize our serious mistake, then repent and turn back to God, so that our children can live and prosper. This is nothing I’m making up. We have it on good authority, the Lord’s promise, as stated by Moses in the Good Book. ‘And thou shalt return and obey the voice of the Lord, and do all his commandments which I command thee this day. And the Lord thy God will make thee plenteous (abound) in every work of thine hand, and in the fruit of thy body (offspring), and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the Lord will again rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers.’ (Deut.30:8-9) Oh Friends, I implore us, please let wisdom reign in our souls, let’s return to serving the Most High God Jehovah, as our forefathers did. It’s the only hope for our children and our world. Much LOVE!…when stubborn, hard ears pickney doh hear…they always feel…hard and plenty…  P.S. Sorry this is so late, but some unforseen complications in my simple life, sprang up. (smile) Much LOVE!
 

Hebrews 6:10.    For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of LOVE, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
 
Oh Friends, oh Friends, the ole fella wants to testify! It’s always good to have something unexpected happen in our lives so that we can give God the glory! Well that happened to me yesterday afternoon through a totally unexpected phone call. I almost didn’t answer the phone when it rang since I didn’t recognize the number, but thankfully the Holy Spirit nudged me to answer it. On the other end of the line was a lady whom I didn’t even remember, for we had only spoken briefly, once, about fifteen months ago. At that time she couldn’t help me with the project I was planning, but now she could, if I still needed her help. Of course I did, because with my long, drawn out illnesses, plus insufficient funds, that particular project had been languishing in limbo for some time. After making an appointment to get together and talk about it, I chuckled and thanked God for almost an hour straight. Hn, Hn! And I’m chuckling and thanking Him even now as I recall the incident. Oh Friends, that could only have been the gracious hand of God moving on my behalf. And the point of it all is never to give up on your God-given dreams or on God! His timing and plans are often different to ours, and sometimes what seems like wasted, time, energy and money can be resurrected in a split second through His incredible power. I hadn’t even thought about that project in months. But what’s impossible with man, is possible with God. Please, let’s always remember that. That’s exactly why the author of Hebrews positively states in our Bit: ‘For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of LOVE, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to saints, and do minister.’ Yes my people, if we truly try to be obedient to God’s will and Word, He will not leave us stranded. He’s promised that. As John the Baptist testified of Jesus: ‘He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal (certified) that God is true. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God…’ (John 3:33-34) Jesus, God’s Son, testified to His truth, therefore we must accept it. And also as Bruh Paul wrote to the Roman church: ‘For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith (faithfulness) of God without effect? God forbid (Certainly not): yea, let God be (found) true, but every man a liar;’ (Rom.3:3-4) Oh my brethren, whether man believes or not, has no effect on God’s truth and His faithfulness in regards to His promises. These are set in stone and shall not be moved. It’s man’s attitude and belief system that has to change, not vice-versa. So if God is faithful and true, He will not ‘forget your work and labour of LOVE, which ye have showed toward his name…’ There’s no doubt about that Friends. And my testimony above is a good example of that. The Lord knows that I’ve been trying to live the way He desires, though not always successfully, and yesterday He decided to reward me in a way I had never imagined. And He treats all His children the same way, so don’t think that because you make mistakes, the Lord won’t forgive and forget. Remember He judges us by the state of our hearts, and if He sees that we’re genuinely trying, He will help and/or reward us, in His time. This brings to mind Bruh Paul’s greetings to some specific people in Rome: ‘Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down (risked) their own necks: unto whom I give thanks…Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.’ (Rom.16:3-4,6) Those people had obviously worked hard on his behalf and showered him with much LOVE. In other words they had ‘ministered to the saints,’ the believers in their area, as well as Bruh Paul and his fellow travellers, and continued ministering to the believers in their area, for which the Lord would eventually reward them. Bruh Paul himself said at one juncture that he wanted to visit Rome, and might do so when he went to Spain, ‘But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.’ (Rom.15:25-26) There again the believers in Macedonia and Achaia had taken up a collection to send to the suffering believers in Rome, which they had put in Bruh Paul’s charge. So Friends, helping others, especially other believers, in God’s name, is one of the foremost requirements of our faith. And if we do it faithfully and sincerely, the Lord will reward us in due course. Consequently, let’s go out into the highways and byways, like Jesus did, and find people to help nuh, millions are just waiting for a helping hand from you and I. Let’s LOVE our God, LIVE our Faith, and SPREAD His Word. That’s all Jesus asks of us. Much LOVE!…LOVE and faith in action…the bedrock of Christianity…
 

Psalm 97:10.    Ye that LOVE the Lord, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.
 
Ah Friends, what shall we say to a good God, who has so kindly granted us the blessing of seeing another day eh? He doesn’t expect, or ask for much. A simple, heartfelt, ‘Thank you Lord!’ will do. But then we have to show that gratefulness in our words, thoughts, and actions during the day, otherwise we’d be hypocrites, like the Pharisees, whom Jesus obviously disliked. Oh, by the way, don’t forget to collect your portion of manna for today, it’s fresh and waiting out there for you. I’ve already collected mine – the early bird catching the worm and all that nuh. (smile) Now here’s a quote from David Star Jordan’s book, ‘The Philosophy of Despair’, which says: ‘Wisdom is knowing what to do next: virtue is doing it.’ So that’s why there are so few virtuous people in the world! We don’t do our wisdom. No wonder the world’s in such a mess. And that ties in nicely with our Bit: ‘Ye that LOVE the Lord, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.’ Yes Friends, if we LOVE God, which is wisdom, then we should hate evil and stay away from it, which in turn would be virtuous. But far too many of us claim to LOVE God and still engage in serious evil. And an even greater number seem to despise God and adore evil. You can’t win for losing. However, for those who truly LOVE God, who truly eschew evil and abstain it, it’s a win win situation, for the Lord preserves their souls, as we saw in the scriptures of yesterday’s Bit. And He also ‘delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.’ Today we’ll check out scriptures for that, of which there are plenty. I had to narrow them down to these few to fit into our time and space. Let’s begin with words from Bruh David, as possibly no one in scripture, besides Jesus obviously, lived our Bit more closely than him; LOVING the Lord, having his soul preserved and being saved from his enemies on numerous occasions. In Psalm 22, his cry of anguish and song of praise, he boldly asserts: ‘Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded (ashamed).’ (Ps.22:4-5) Then in Psalm 37; the true state of the wicked, he again assures us: ‘But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.’ (Ps.37:30-40) Yes my people, those who obtain wisdom, LOVING God, then turn it into the practical aspect of virtue, doing His will, they shall be saved from the snares of the wicked. It’s a sure thing, like money in the bank. And if you don’t believe Bruh David and I, then check out this real situation from Daniel. When confronted with a fiery death or worshipping a golden idol in Babylon, ‘Shadrach. Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful (have no need) to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand. But if not, be it known that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.’ (Dan.3:16-18) What faith, what assurance those three Jewish boys had in the God of their fathers! And we all know the results of the story; how the king got angry and threw them in the furnace heated seven times hotter than normal. But those three of great faith came out of the furnace alive and kicking, not even smelling of smoke. How great and faithful is our God eh people! Now hear the king’s words after that miraculous incident. ‘Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed (frustrated) the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill (an ash heap): because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort (like this).’ (Dan.3:28-29) And all God’s people went, ‘Wow!’ Yes Friends, actions certainly speak louder than words, and our God is a God of ACTION! So should we be too. Less talk and much more action is what’s currently needed in the Christian community. And we’ll close, most appropriately, with the Lord’s words of assurance to Jeremiah: ‘And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brazen (fortified bronze) wall: and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee: for I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the Lord. And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand (grip) of the terrible.’ (Jer.15:20-21) Ah mih breddren, it’s all about faith, trust and belief in the ONE and ONLY TRUE GOD, He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! If you haven’t yet put your trust in Him, haven’t surrendered your life to Him, please do it NOW, cause He’s the only one who can save us, and time is running out. Much LOVE!…to believe…to trust…and to surrender to Jesus…that’s faith…the only basis for salvation…