1 Thessalonians 5:6. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
Oh Friends, it’s Friday! ‘Yeah, we know that!’ comes the spirited reply. And I know that you know it’s Friday because I can hear you singing all over the land: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday! TGIF! Thank God is Friday!’, with the sparkling riddim of the quatros pumping out in a T&T parang style. And there’s a special exuberance to this Friday because it’s Christmas time, always the most festive season in the West Indies and amongst it’s far flung diaspora. As usual though, we have to pull back on the reins a little every Friday, so we don’t get caught up in all the weekend hoopla and lose our perspective. To help us gain the right perspective, let’s chant our Friday Chant with much enthusiasm and gratitude to our Heavenly Father. As one now: ‘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 that should set us straight and guide us on the right path for the weekend. And you’ll notice that our Bit today is something you read yesterday: ‘Therefore let us not sleep, as do others, but let us watch and be sober (self-controlled).’ That’s because I was guided to expand a tad on the sleeping and not watching aspect of our lives. Oh my people, too many of us today are caught up in the busyness, the things and affairs of the world and don’t pay enough attention to the spiritual stuff that’s going on around us. As believers, true followers of Christ, we need to be always on guard, self-controlled and disciplined, not lazy, slothful and/or drunken. We all know the parable of the ten virgins that Jesus taught (Matt.25), where they waited for the bridegroom ‘s arrival with lamps to light the way. Five took extra oil, just in case the bridegroom was late, and five didn’t. And as luck would have it the bridegroom was late, that led Jesus to point out: ‘While the bridegroom tarried (was delayed) they all slumbered and slept.’ (Matt.25:5) So that when he did show up, no one was really watching, and by then the lamps of the five who did not take extra oil went out for lack of oil, and the five who took extra, refused to share with them. Likewise Friends, we can’t afford to slumber and sleep while waiting for Jesus’ return. We have to be up and about, keeping an alert watch, for we don’t want to be caught napping when He returns, which could be anytime, day or night, today or tomorrow. Unfortunately though, many of us believe we have much time to prepare for His Second Coming, and we might have, but we also might not have any time to get ready if He comes suddenly. ‘Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.’ (Luke 12:40) Friends, those were the warning words of Jesus. That’s why we need to be ever alert and always ready for His auspicious coming again in glory, whenever it might occur. Peter, the solid rock on which Christ promised to build His Church, possibly said it best: ‘Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in (experienced by) your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish (confirm) strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.’ (1 Pet.5:8-11) That’s my advice for us today my brethren. Please, let’s wisely take it and do our diligent duty for our wonderful God. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen. Much LOVE mih people!… enjoy the weekend and get with the festive season…but please remember the real reason for the season…Jesus… P.S. What a way the Bit short today Friends! There certainly shouldn’t be any complaints about lenght today. (smile) Much LOVE!
Oh Friends, it’s Friday! ‘Yeah, we know that!’ comes the spirited reply. And I know that you know it’s Friday because I can hear you singing all over the land: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday! TGIF! Thank God is Friday!’, with the sparkling riddim of the quatros pumping out in a T&T parang style. And there’s a special exuberance to this Friday because it’s Christmas time, always the most festive season in the West Indies and amongst it’s far flung diaspora. As usual though, we have to pull back on the reins a little every Friday, so we don’t get caught up in all the weekend hoopla and lose our perspective. To help us gain the right perspective, let’s chant our Friday Chant with much enthusiasm and gratitude to our Heavenly Father. As one now: ‘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 that should set us straight and guide us on the right path for the weekend. And you’ll notice that our Bit today is something you read yesterday: ‘Therefore let us not sleep, as do others, but let us watch and be sober (self-controlled).’ That’s because I was guided to expand a tad on the sleeping and not watching aspect of our lives. Oh my people, too many of us today are caught up in the busyness, the things and affairs of the world and don’t pay enough attention to the spiritual stuff that’s going on around us. As believers, true followers of Christ, we need to be always on guard, self-controlled and disciplined, not lazy, slothful and/or drunken. We all know the parable of the ten virgins that Jesus taught (Matt.25), where they waited for the bridegroom ‘s arrival with lamps to light the way. Five took extra oil, just in case the bridegroom was late, and five didn’t. And as luck would have it the bridegroom was late, that led Jesus to point out: ‘While the bridegroom tarried (was delayed) they all slumbered and slept.’ (Matt.25:5) So that when he did show up, no one was really watching, and by then the lamps of the five who did not take extra oil went out for lack of oil, and the five who took extra, refused to share with them. Likewise Friends, we can’t afford to slumber and sleep while waiting for Jesus’ return. We have to be up and about, keeping an alert watch, for we don’t want to be caught napping when He returns, which could be anytime, day or night, today or tomorrow. Unfortunately though, many of us believe we have much time to prepare for His Second Coming, and we might have, but we also might not have any time to get ready if He comes suddenly. ‘Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.’ (Luke 12:40) Friends, those were the warning words of Jesus. That’s why we need to be ever alert and always ready for His auspicious coming again in glory, whenever it might occur. Peter, the solid rock on which Christ promised to build His Church, possibly said it best: ‘Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in (experienced by) your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish (confirm) strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.’ (1 Pet.5:8-11) That’s my advice for us today my brethren. Please, let’s wisely take it and do our diligent duty for our wonderful God. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen. Much LOVE mih people!… enjoy the weekend and get with the festive season…but please remember the real reason for the season…Jesus… P.S. What a way the Bit short today Friends! There certainly shouldn’t be any complaints about lenght today. (smile) Much LOVE!
SCRIP-BITS 