1 John 5:13. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Oh Friends, yesterday was ‘Hot, Hot, Hot!’ And today will be ‘Hotter, Hotter, Hotter!’ (smile) Yes, we’re finally getting some real summer weather, thirty odd degrees. However, it will definitely impact greatly on the hydro-electricity bill with the A/C on continuously, especially since we’re now on this pay more during the day scene. Ah mih brethren, the ole crooks and them know just how to ramp up a bill! Yet they sell power to other jurisdictions for much less than the production cost when they have an over-abundance of it. And who do you think pays for that? The poor, lowly consumers of course! Unfortunately, when the government, the main producers, and the others lesser ones are in cahoots, you can’t do much else but grin and bear it. Anyway, seeing that we’re children of Almighty God, that means we’re privileged, so we’ll just continue doing our thing, laying our problems in the Lord’s hands, because He’s so graciously invited us all who are weary and heavy laden, to come to Him for rest, to bear His easy yoke and light burden. (Matt.11:28-30) Oh Friends, you’ll be proud to know that the ole fella didn’t have to look up the Concordance to find that scripture, but rattled it off from the top of his head. Glory Hallelujah! Rhyming off chapter and verse is not my strongpoint, so anytime I remember a scripture and where it’s found, that’s an improvement. Thank the Lord mih people! Now this is one of those times when I don’t know what I’m going to write about, for before I was ready to write, the Spirit floated the ‘Hot, Hot, Hot’ idea, and I just ran with it. So I’ll have to take a break and check the Good Book to see what the Lord wants us to talk about today. So, soon come! I’m back mih breddren; about half an hour later! Not because it took me so long to find a Bit, but because I was catching up on some other reading that I should have done before starting the Bit. In fact I found our Bit in less than five minutes. And yuh know my biggest blessing is when the Lord guides me fairly easily to a Bit. Sadly, it doesn’t happen all the time, and some days I have to plod and plough through the Good Book to find something my head can get around. But here’s our Bit for today: ‘These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.’ Ah mih people, what a wonderful and blessed assurance! And we’ll break it down so we can all understand it, by sharing what the scholars say about assurance, but in between I’ll write out the references they give, so that we’ll have them all right at hand. Here goes: ‘The Scriptures clearly teach that it is possible to know whether you are saved or unsaved. The assurance of the believer is not based on feeling, (though the Christian may “feel” saved), but on the principle of God’s Word. We can know we are saved because Christ is in our hearts. ‘To whom God would (willed to) make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.’ (Col.1:27) ‘He that hath the Son hath (the) life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not (the) life.’ (1 John 5:12) Because of the witness of the Word of God: ‘He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record (testimony) that God gave his Son. And this is the record (testimony), that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.’ (1 John 5:10-11) Because of answered prayer: ‘If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.’ (John 14:14) ‘And this is the confidence we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired (asked) of him.’ (1 John 5:14-15) Because of our understanding of the scriptures: ‘And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.’ (1 John 5:20) Because we keep His commandments: ‘Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature (creation): old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.’ (2 Cor.5:17) ‘We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth (guards) himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.’ (1 John 5:18) Because we LOVE the brethren: ‘We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we LOVE the brethren. He that LOVETH not his brother abideth in death.’ (1 John 3:14) Because we have the inner witness of the Holy Spirit: ‘The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.’ (Rom.8:16) Illustration: Paul claimed to have this inner confidence and was fully persuaded concerning the keeping power of God in salvation. ‘For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against (until) that day.’ (2 Tim.1:12) Application: Because of this assurance, the believer need not be ashamed of Christ, even when he finds himself in difficult circumstances.’ (2 Tim.1:12) Oh Friends, it’s a bit on the long side, but it is all very worthwhile since it gives us some strong foundation of why we’re Christians, of why we believe so firmly in Almighty God and His graceful gifts of salvation and eternal life, expensively purchased for us through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ. Please, let us take these scriptures to heart so that they may enable us to stand strong in our Christian Faith. That’s wisdom at its zenith! Much LOVE!…I am the way, the truth, and the life…no man cometh unto the Father…BUT BY ME…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 20 June 2012 1 John 5:13
20 Jun 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: answered prayer, assurance of the believer, believe on the name of Jesus Christ, children of God, hot hot hot, keeping God's commandments, LOVE each other, memorizing scripture, not ashamed of Christ, understanding the scriptures, witness of the Word
Today’s Scrip-Bit 19 June 2012 Psalm 116:17
19 Jun 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: call upon the Lord, glorify the Lord, humble contrite heart, offer sacrifice, psalm 116, sacrifice of thanksgiving
Psalm 116:7. I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.
Oh Friends, it’s one more morning, one more day that we’re alive and kicking on this beautiful planet earth, so LOVINGLY created by our heavenly Father for our enjoyment! Wow! It’s something we should all be very thankful and grateful for everyday, even though our personal lives might be a tad on the rough side these days. And that’s exactly where our Bit today comes in: ‘I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.’ It’s when times are hard, or some unforeseen, sudden dilemma crops up that we need to offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving. When things and times are good and oodles of blessings are being bestowed upon us, we ought also to offer thanks, but under those circumstances, it’s not a sacrifice. A good example of what I’m talking about is the other morning when I felt that sudden, unexpected, excruciating pain in my left knee, as I got out of my car in the church’s parking lot. Now I could have gotten angry and blamed and berated somebody, including the Lord, especially after I asked for an explanation and received none. But instead, I wisely thanked Him for whatever was happening because I knew that He was still in control and had my welfare at heart. The Lord knew that I wasn’t thrilled by the situation, but I got a passing mark because I kept my cool, grinned and bore my pain in reasonable silence. Oh Friends, whenever problems befall us, we’re too quick to blame and complain and get angry, when as believers, we ought to try and take it in our stride and go first to the Lord in prayer, asking for answers and direction. That is where the sacrifice part comes in; when we’re hurting and confused, but wisely lay it all before our wonderful, helpful and LOVING God. That will bring peace to our souls and help us to handle the situation appropriately. Listen to the psalmist Asaph, as he wisely declares in Psalm 50, God is the judge. ‘Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the Most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.’ (Ps.50:14-15) That is exactly what we constantly need to do in these very troubled times my people, instead of complaining and whining and finding fault with everybody except ourselves, where the problems most often lie. We have become such an ungrateful society that I’m sure the Lord shakes His head in wonder and disgust everyday when He hears us angrily clamouring over petty stuff we lack, and not being thankful for all the glorious stuff we do have. Appreciation Friends, vocal appreciation of our God’s goodness is of the utmost importance in a believer’s life! What’s the saying: ‘Complain and Remain, Praise and be Raised.’ That’s gospel truth my brethren! A negative, critical fault-finding spirit disconnects us from God. If in anger and negativity we keep dialling heaven, we’ll always get a busy signal, or no signal at all. Only when we come to Him in a humble, contrite manner do the lines to heaven open up. Hear Hosea’s prescription for entreating the Lord: ‘O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God, for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take with you words, and turn to the Lord: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves (fruits, sacrifices) of our lips.’ (Hos.14:1-2) And the scholars explain that thus: ‘Calves of our lips: The word calves (Heb, par, ‘a young bull or produce’) is best understood metaphorically, referring to the words that the lips produce – in this context praise to the Lord. The nation had used its lips to praise the idolatrous calves; now it will use its lips in praise to the Lord God.’ Meanwhile, Bruh Paul, re the ways of the believer, tells the Ephesians, and us, that our ways should be channelled towards: ‘Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.’ (Eph.5:20-21) As I keep reminding us Friends, living a true Christian life is not easy, but if we are serious about it, in partnership with Jesus, we can do a worthwhile, and even an excellent job. But we have to let thanks, praise and glory to our God be THE central aspect of our lives. Without that all-important ingredient directing us, we’ll most likely sink like a heavy stone, or keep treading water, going nowhere, until we get tired and succumb to the irresistible pull of the depths. Only with praise and thanks in our souls and coming from our lips will we swim to safety. And we’ll end with an appropriate scripture from Hebrews, re service well-pleasing to God. ‘By him (Jesus) therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks (confessing to) his name. But to do good and to communicate (share) forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.’ (Heb.13: 15-16) That’s the awesome truth mih people! So please, starting today, right now, let’s turn our lives around nuh. Too many of us supposed believers are negative and complaining, and are therefore disconnected from the Lord, that’s why we can’t get ahead. Let’s begin being more positive, joyful and uttering more thanks and praise, both during the good and bad times, because above all else, God wants us to praise and glorify Him. If that doesn’t impact a great portion of our waking moments, then we’re not obeying His Word. Much LOVE!…to him that hath ears…let him hear…then having heard…let him give much thanks and praise…as is his bounden duty…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 June 2012 Ephesians 6:4
18 Jun 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: afflictions, for good and not evil, grin and bear it, invincible, Monday Monday, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, parents awesome responsibility, rejuvenation of spirit, sure conquerors, Ten Commandments
Ephesians 6:4. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Oh Friends, it’s Monday; that fateful day which unfortunately means, to labour, to labour, once again to labour. Chuh! We don’t like it, but it’s a condition of earthly life, so we just have to grin and bear it. Now if I didn’t know better, sometimes I’d think the Lord takes pleasure in afflicting us for no apparent reason yes. For example, yesterday morning I left home to go to church, as bright and bouncy as ever (smile). On the way, I stopped and put some gas in my ole limo, then continued to church without any mishaps. However, as I got out of the car in the church parking lot, a sudden excruciating pain ran through my left knee. Friends, I swear that if I wasn’t holding on to the car door, I would have crumpled to the ground from both the surprise and pain. At first I thought it was a cramp, but after massaging it for about a minute, it didn’t go away, so I limped into the church. And would you believe that all through the service it pained me, making my attention to the Lord’s business less than optimal. Now I’m pretty sure I didn’t do anything physical to bring that on, so it was possibly just my arthritic nemesis simply acting up. But when I cried out to the Lord for some sort of answer, I obviously got no reply. So the long and short of the story is that I said, thank you Lord, went home, iced and rested it, which reduced the pain somewhat. In my humble opinion, that was another unwarranted affliction to grin and bear. And the sad part is that I had taken the arthritis medication about an hour before, so there shouldn’t have been that kind of sudden pain. But them’s the breaks, Friends! As believers, we need to accept that whatever happens to us usually has a higher motive than we can understand, and we know that the Lord will use whatever comes against us for good and not evil, as He promises in Jer.29:11, and Rom.8:28. Anyway, enough of my pity party. (smile) Let’s get ourselves together to go out and do God’s will by singing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with plenty gusto. All together now: ‘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!’ Yes mih people, that should boost our enthusiasm, raise our passion for Christ and enable us to take on the enemy without any fear. Now let’s check out our Bit: ‘And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture (training) and admonition of the Lord.’ And not because Father’s Day has passed, means we can’t talk to, reach out to the fathers. In fact, the state of fatherhood in our anything goes society is so bad, that we should be talking to them everyday. Today though, I just want to share some appropriate scriptures, so that we can understand how important fatherhood is, was, and always will be in the eyes of our God. And what better place to start that at the very beginning, where Moses tells the Israelites: ‘And these words (the Ten Commandments), which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.’ (Deut.6:6-7) Later on, in basically the same words, Moses again reminds them of the importance of teaching their children the laws of God. (Deut.11:19) Then in Psalm 78, Asaph’s reminder of God’s goodness to Israel, he declares that the old stories they heard from their fathers: ‘We will not hide them from their children, showing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.’ (Ps.78:4) Meanwhile, in Proverbs’, Cousin Sol proclaims in no uncertain terms: ‘Train up a child in the way he should go: and (even) when he is old (mature), he will not depart from it.’ (Prov.22:6) And finally, listen to Bruh Paul’s words to Timothy: ‘And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.’ (2 Tim.3:15) Yes Friends, parents have an awesome responsibility to raise their children on the Word and ways of God, especially fathers, who are considered the nominal head, the guide, the leader of the household. Anything less on the part of parents is a sin against Almighty God, because that’s the only way the Word and will of God will continue from generation to generation. So let’s get serious and do our duty nuh people! It’s about time, don’t you think? Much LOVE!…when believers don’t teach their children about God…they’re shirking their greatest responsibility as parents…and doing both their children and society irreparable harm…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 17 June 2012 Ephesians 6:4
17 Jun 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: absentee fathers, child education, dead-beat dads, Father's Day, fathering children, nurture and admonition of the Lord, the way of the Lord, welfare of children
Ephesians 6:4. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!
Today’s Scrip-Bit 16 June 2012 Proverbs 1:20
16 Jun 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: free offer of salvation, holy spirit, material possessions, spirit of man, the beginning of wisdom
Proverbs 1:20. Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets.
Oh Friends, another day has dawned, just as it has done for endless centuries, and will continue to do until our heavenly Father decides otherwise. In the meantime, we must enjoy the benefits we derive from His awesome bounty and walk according to His will. In this technologically superlative age though, we have many voices crying out and shouting at us. The noise, both literal and figurative, from all these voices vying for our attention is very loud and confusing, and oftimes we don’t know which voice(s) to listen to, and sadly end up listening to the wrong one(s). But fortunately our Bit is here to safely guide us to the only correct one of those many voices to listen to. ‘Wisdom crieth without (calls aloud in the streets); she uttereth (raises) her voice in the streets (plazas).’ Yes Friends, the mighty voice of wisdom is certainly calling to all and sundry, in all parts of the world. But what is this wisdom, and where does it come from? Cousin Sol explains it thus: ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy (One) is understanding.’ (Prov.9:10) There we have it my people! True wisdom comes from God, and we don’t even start getting it until we learn how to reverence Him properly, and then keep seeking Him and His Word, so that we can gain true understanding. But foolishly, in this supposedly enlightened age, instead of seeking God and His wisdom, people are turning away from Him, not even paying Him the slightest homage, considering Him an anachronism, with no place in our modern world. But how wrong they are my Friends! For Jehovah God made this world and all therein, and still controls it, though He allows us to do our thing, and will control it till everlasting. So please wake up and smell the roses; realize that our world is steadily going down the drain because we keep believing the lies of Beelzebub rather than the Truth of Jesus. And here is one truth of Jesus that we must believe, to be considered wise. ‘If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly (heart) shall flow rivers of living water.’ (John 7:37-38) Jesus was talking there as our beloved Saviour, whose Holy Spirit would eventually come into each individual believer at Pentecost and dwell with them forever. And Friends, it’s this Holy Spirit which enables us to live a wise and fruitful life in our earthly pilgrimage, not the lies and deceits of the enemy. Look at what’s happening to our world because the majority of its populace has embraced the evil, lying, erroneous ways of Lucifer, instead of the Truth of Jesus. And sadly, long before Jesus came to earth, the Lord’s been offering drink to the thirsty and food to the hungry, for free to boot. But we’ve refused to accept it. Listen to Isaiah tell it: ‘Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness (abundance). Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.’ (Is.55:1-3) But did they accept God’s wonderful offer back then? No. And today, when we have an even better offer through the sacrifice of Jesus, we still aren’t accepting God’s free offer. Oh Friends, has Lucifer ever offered anything freely? Not on your life! You have to sell your soul to him first. But yet we quickly run to accept his offer of fake stuff and destructible material possessions. Oh my people why can’t we understand that Lucifer is a greedy taker, while the Lord God Jehovah is a generous giver? And please remember that all the material possessions we’re selling our souls to have will eventually wear out and rust, just like our earthly bodies. And what will we do then, when it returns to the dust from which it was created? What of the spiritual being that dwells within our fleshly bodies? Now that’s where the true wisdom of the Holy Spirit shines forth. The wisdom of the world isn’t concerned with the spirit of man, but the Holy Spirit considers it our most important aspect. And since that Holy Spirit comes from our God and Creator, I tend to believe that’s the right path for the truly wise to take. I don’t know if the Lord was right to give us the ability to make choices, since so many of us make so many wrong ones everyday to our detriment. However, as the Good Book has so clearly shown, in so many instances, when mankind lives by the laws of God, he prospers, and when He doesn’t, he falls on very hard and sorrowful times. Unfortunately, we all have to make a conscious choice to follow either Lucifer or Jesus. I don’t know about you all Friends, but as for me and mine, we’re definitely following Jesus! That’s true wisdom! Much LOVE!…whom would you rather follow…the Creator…or the interloper…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 15 June 2012 Proverbs 1:20
15 Jun 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: death and damnation, Friday chant, furthering God's kingdom, Jesus' sacrificial death, job losses, Praise the Lord, salvation and eternal life, shoddy quality goods, sweatshop working conditions, Thank God it's Friday, wisdom of the Holy Spirit
Proverbs 1:20. Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets.
Oh Friends, Praise the Lord that my day has begun so much better than it did yesterday. Yes, I have to give Him plenty thanks and praise because my arthritic pains and allergies aren’t acting up as badly as they did yesterday. Thank you so much Lord for that improvement! And those of you with similar dysfunctions will be able to empathize. That’s why we’ll declare with righteous optimism: ‘This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it!’ Oh my people, it’s also Friday, the last day of the regular workweek, and this morning I heard an interesting take on our Friday theme. It went like this: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday yes! Thank God is Friday, and ah going home to mih family this weekend! Thank God is Friday!’ – a sad and wistful but yet happy shake of the head accompanying the words. Yes Friends, many of us are forced to live away from our families during the week, and sometimes even months and years, so that we can provide a decent living for them. And believe me, it’s getting worse in that respect as jobs and futures in the outlying areas are drying up and forcing people to move to the big cities and towns, or anywhere they can find work. What a crying shame that in this big, still wealthy capitalistic society, which once prided itself on providing jobs for its people, has now replaced that noble pursuit with making the bottom line the Holy Grail, where if it means losing thousands of jobs in one’s homeland, just to save a penny, then the jobs are outsourced to cheaper jurisdictions, regardless of the shoddy quality or the unhealthy, evil, sweat shop conditions under which they’re then made, then shipped back home so that the jobless can buy them at still exorbitant prices. But the captains of industry don’t care that they’re destroying the fundamental foundation of their society. Once they can increase their profits and continue living their profligate, wasteful lifestyle, wherever they choose, they’re contented. However Friends, the most important thing to realize here, is that we’re staunch believers in Jesus Christ, and that with His wonderful help, we can handle anything that comes against us. Thus, this Friday morning, let’s chant down the evil Babylonian system with our Friday Chant. All together 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.’ Yes mih people, with a LOVING and providential God as our leader and guide, nothing or no one can come against us with any evil doings. And because we know, that we know, that we know, as sister Joyce (Joyce Meyer) would say, that Jesus sacrificed His holy, sinless life for us on the cross at Calvary, we can afford to stand strong in hope, faith, courage, belief and assurance that all will eventually be made right, for those who are called by Him to dwell in LOVE and unity. Ah mih people, the ole fella’s chuckling here because he doesn’t have a Bit as yet, but the Holy Spirit’s been guiding my pen this Friday morning, and like a good believer, I’m just following His lead. (smile) And it’s telling me to stop now and seek a suitable Bit. So, soon come. I’m back Friends! In roughly five minutes, cause I found the suitable Bit on the second page I looked at. And they trying to tell me that my God isn’t a living, hard working, helpful and faithful God! Steups! But here, from the pen of Cousin Sol is our Bit: ‘Wisdom crieth without (calls aloud in the streets); she uttereth (raises) her voice in the streets (plazas).’ Yes my brethren, the wisdom of the Holy Spirit is crying out to us all today, as our evil world gaily and foolishly sways evermore towards certain death and damnation, away from the great promises of Almighty God and a wonderful future of salvation and eternal life. Now let’s end with the solemn but true words of the Good Book, as Cousin Sol continues his discourse. ‘She (wisdom) crieth in the chief place of concourse (concourses), in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, How long, ye simple (naive) ones, will ye LOVE simplicity (naivety)? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; But ye have set at nought (disdained) all my counsel, and would (have) none of my reproof.’ (Prov.1:21-25) Oh Friends, although those words were written thousands of years ago, there’s no doubt about their veracity and applicability to our society today. Please, let’s ponder them today and see how they apply to and affect our individual lives, then work with the Holy Spirit to wisely bring our lives into proper sync with the teachings of Almighty God, so that we can then go out and help others. More on this tomorrow, the Good Lord willing. Till then, please listen to the voice of wisdom, God’s Spirit, as it cries out to each of us today. Much LOVE!…when wisdom cries out…wise men sit up and take notice…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 14 June 2012 2 Chronicles 32:7
14 Jun 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: fear not nor be dismayed, feelings of empowerment, LOVE our enemies, nothing can stop the Word, prophet elisha, strong courage and faith, the Lord's faithfulness, walk obdeient to God's will
2 Chronicles 32:7. Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him.
Oh Friends, the ole fella’s in a bit of a mess this morning. The flesh refused to let me get up, then when I finally did arise, it continued provoking me with allergic reactions and arthritic pain. But just as neither sleet, snow nor rain stops the mail from going out, likewise, piddling fleshly matters cannot stop God’s Word from being promoted. It can be late though. (smile) Now let’s see if I can write something sensible dealing with God’s Word. And why not, since it’s His Holy Spirit that’s leading and guiding me into all truth. And it seems that the Lord once again wants us to focus on developing courage and strength in His faithfulness, as our Bit so aptly declares. ‘Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him.’ And today we’ll focus on that time when the Syrians decided to come against Israel, but the prophet Elisha warned the king of Israel not to pass in certain places where the Syrians planned to camp. ‘And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there (he was watchful), not (just) once nor twice.’ (2 Kin.6:10) Yes Friends, God will always find ways to protect His faithful servants! Now seeing that the Israelites were always aware of the Syrians movements, the Syrian king could only suppose that there was a spy amongst them. But one of his servants informed him otherwise. ‘None my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.’ (2 Kin.6:12) Now how did that servant know about Elisha and his doings eh? I wouldn’t be surprised if the Lord placed that in his heart as a part of His ultimate plan. That also means my brethren, that we all have to be careful of what we say, for the Lord has ears and eyes all over. With that new info in hand, the Syrian king sent a large host to the city of Dothan, where Elisha was residing and surrounded it during the night. So when Elisha’s servant looked outside the next morning, the city was totally surrounded by the besieging forces of the Syrians. In fear, he turned to Elisha and asked what they were going to do? And I just adore Elisha’s answer. ”Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.’ (2 Kin.6:16) The same words that King Hezekiah spoke in our Bit. The same feeling of empowerment from the God of his fathers that Bruh David felt when he went out to fight Goliath. Oh my brethren, it’s that same feeling of empowerment that we will feel if and when we truly walk obedient to God’s will and faithfully call on Him when trouble befalls us. So, having told his servant not to fear because their army was bigger than the Syrian’s, Elisha prayed: ‘Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.’ (2 Kin.6:17) Wow! What a mighty God we serve my people! Why can’t we truly accept this fact eh? I wish that plenty more of us would do so, and thus walk true to His Word, so that He can faithfully react the way He reacted in olden times. But unfortunately that calls for strong courage, belief and much faith, which too few of us seem to really have in these modern times. Anyway, after that, Elisha prayed for the Lord to smite the Syrian host with blindness, which He faithfully did. Then Elisha led the blinded Syrians into the midst of Samaria, where the Lord opened their eyes. Can you imagine their fearful reaction to suddenly finding themselves deep in enemy territory? And Friends, this is one of those times when the wise, wonderful and mysterious movements of our amazing God shines forth. The king of Israel asked Elisha if he should smite the scared Syrians? Now listen closely to Elisha’s answer my people. ‘Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.’ (2 Kin.6:22) The Israelite king obeyed Elisha’s direction, prepared a huge feast for the Syrians, then sent them home. The result: ‘So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.’ (2 Kin.6:23) In our terminology Friends, they killed them with kindness. And as the scholars’ so rightly point out; ‘Elisha’s kindness to his enemies is like Jesus’ own injunctions in Matt.5:43-47.’ That’s where He advised us to LOVE our enemies and be kind to them. Oh my brethren, there’s not much more I can say to convince us that when we walk obediently with the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, He will direct our paths in peace and safety. So I’ll just have to hope and pray that our wonderful and merciful God will eventually get through to all those hearts of stone that exist in our fallen world, and LOVINGLY replace them with hearts of flesh, as He has promised. (Ezek.11:19, 36:26) In closing though, let’s listen to Bruh David, as he declares his total trust in the Lord. ‘As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with (against) me.’ (Ps.55:16-18) Yes Friends, when we fight our battle under the Lord’s banner, there are always more with us, than be with our enemies. For as Bruh Paul says in these immortal, true and wise words: What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?’ (Rom.8:31) And that’s the gospel truth mih people! Much LOVE!…and we shall walk with Him…and talk with Him…and He shall be our guide and protector…from this day till forever more…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 13 June 2012 2 Chronicles 32:7
13 Jun 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: be strong and courageous, don't worry about the future, forget the past, make a beginning from an end, pound wise - penny foolish, the battle is the Lord's, the Lord delivered me, today is here, yesterday's gone
2 Chronicles 32:7. Be strong and courageous, be not dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him.
Today’s Scrip-Bit 12 June 2012 2 Chronicles 32:7
12 Jun 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: be not afraid or dismayed, be strong and courageous, believe in God, diligence, don't quit, faithfullness, God's largesse and mercy, Mountain Moving Prayer, pray for deliverance, problems, prosperity, the battle is God's
2 Chronicles 32:7. Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him.
Oh Friends, it’s another new day with new mercies, blessings and also problems. But what we need to fully realize is that problems don’t last forever. We either solve them with God’s help, or they just fritter away through God’s largesse and mercy. The problem though is, (smile) we need a general way in which to handle these problems when they crop up. And a good way to help us do just that is in this Mountain Mover’s Prayer by Dr. Robert Schuller. We’ve shared it before, but like all things which can help us walk the straight and narrow, it’s worth repeating, especially in these times when our world is in such a topsy-turvy, frenzied state. So here goes: ‘Lord, when I face a mountain, do not let me quit. Give me the strength to keep on striving until I climb over, find a pass through, or tunnel underneath. And if my best efforts fail, give me the patience to stay, and the perception to see the possibilities of turning my mountain into a gold mine with your help. Amen.’ There’s the problem-solving attitude we need my people! And in conjunction with our Bit, how can the enemy beat us down eh? ‘Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him.’ Yes Friends, it’s time, or rather it’s imperative that now, when the last days are possibly nigh, that God’s people stand up strong and courageous, faithfully relying on His promises, promises that were all faithfully fulfilled in times past, and will be once again, if and when we rise up as one, one voice, one body, one church of Christ and look to the infallible Jehovah God to help us and fight our battles rather than to fallible, deceitful man. And to prove my point, here’s an example of our God fighting Israel’s battles. Yesterday it was against the Assyrians and their king Sennacherib in the time of King Hezekiah’s reign. Today it’s when Moab came to war against Israel in the time of King Jehoshaphat. When the king heard the news of the approaching army, what was his first act? He prayed for deliverance. ‘And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself (his face) to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.’ (2 Chr.20:3) Oh Friends, seeking our God should always be our first act in all things, especially times of trouble, and not the last, as so many of us do. And all Judah came together to hear the king pray to the Lord and add their pleas too. (2 Chr.20:4-13) Then, as our Lord so often does in such cases, He sent His Spirit upon one Jahaziel, right there in the middle of the gathering. ‘And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid or dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff (ascent) of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook (wadi or stream bed) before the wilderness of Jeruel. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set (position) yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them; for the Lord will be with you.’ (2 Chr.20:15-17) Ah mih people, our God is such a good and great God! He hears and answers when we cry out to Him with clean hearts and right motives! And please note Judah’s reaction to this awesome promise of their God. ‘And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the Lord, worshipping the Lord. And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with a loud voice on high.’ (2 Chr. 20: 18-19) Oh mih breddren, that’s the way we need to praise and worship Almighty God today for all the mercies and blessings which He bestows on us every single day. They might not be as big and awesome as fighting a physical battle for us, but without His help we’d be unable to do much of anything. Now here’s the miraculous ending: ‘And they rose early in the morning and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever. And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah, and they were smitten (defeated)’ (2 Chr.20:20-22) Yes Friends, those supposed invaders ended up fighting amongst themselves and destroyed each other. So that when Judah came upon the battlefield, all they saw were dead bodies. None had escaped. And here’s the crowning glory; the spoil from the battle was so much that it took Judah three days to gather it all. And who says our God isn’t a wonderful and upright God eh! Oh my people, just like Judah back then, we in our own troubled times, need to faithfully and diligently walk with the Lord, praise and worship Him because that is our duty, and when we do our duty, He prospers us and keeps us safe from harm. The message is still the same today, as it was way back then. So let’s do what we ought to nuh; be strong, courageous and not fear, for then are we truly invincible and sure conquerors. Much LOVE!…what does the Lord desire of us…praise, thanks, worship, glory, courage and strong faith…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 June 2012 2 Chronicles 32:7
11 Jun 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: be strong and courageous, courage and reassurance, difficult dangerous jobs, evil ungodly world, fear not, it's the Lord's battle, Monday Morning Battle Hymn, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, shame face, spiritual armour, total surrender
2 Chronicles 32:7. Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him.
Oh Friends, unfortunately another Monday has rolled around, which means that we (the lucky ones with jobs) have to go out and labour. Yes, I know how hard that can be after a couple of wonderful days labour free, and I guess that’s why the Lord put it in my heart today to write particularly on strength, courage and reassurance. Ah mih people, it’s exceedingly rough out there in our crazy, confused, strife torn world, and only the strong in Christ will survive. So in fitting fashion, let’s begin this uprising, this upsurge of faith and courage by singing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with plenty verve and gusto. As one voice now: ‘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 was certainly a good boost for our spirits, but let’s not stop there, let’s keep lifting them higher by recalling the encouraging words of our Bit: ‘Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him.’ And that’s the awesome truth Friends! Listen to the next verse that further explains it. ‘With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon (were strengthened, encouraged by) the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.’ (2 Chr.32:8) Yes mih breddren, those were the encouraging, uplifting, soul and life saving words of King Hezekiah, when Sennacherib, the Assyrian king invaded Judah, threatening to destroy Jerusalem. But unfortunately he reckoned without the presence, the might and power of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The Lord heard the prayerful cries of Hezekiah, the prophet Isaiah and the people of Jerusalem, and answered them thus: ‘And the Lord sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels (his own children) slew him there with the sword.’ (2 Chr.32:21) Oh Friends, our God is so magnificent that it truly amazes me when I read about His awesome works on behalf of those who serve, worship and obey His will! It’s a promise He made to Israel through Moses. ‘Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.’ (Deut.31:6) And that promise still holds good for us even till today my people! So fellow believers in Christ, let’s not allow the enemy and this sinful, ungodly world to brow beat us into a state of fear, for we have the most powerful Being in the universe, its very Creator, Almighty God, fighting on our behalf. Wow! And if we stand strong and courageous, as He desires, we will definitely see His omnipotence working to save us from the evil and evil doers that now surround us. And since we know that He faithfully keeps His promises, there’s no need to fear, once we keep walking obedient to His will. Friends, the Lord’s done His part, it’s time for us to do ours. And that’s to go out into the world, labour faithfully in His Name, while showing and telling others about the wonderful news of salvation and eternal life freely provided through belief in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. So let’s be up and at ’em nuh Friends! Let’s do it in Jesus’ Name nuh! And all God’s people rose up with a mighty shout of ‘Amen! Praise the Lord for His goodness to us unworthy children!’ And that’s the gospel truth Friends! Much LOVE!…ours is not to be cowed and afraid…but to be strong and courageous… while the mighty Jehovah God fights for us…
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