Isaiah 40:18. To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?
Ah Friends, this weather situation is really getting ridiculous yes! The last two days the temperature has been in the high teens, almost summer weather, with people running around half naked. But today and tomorrow it’s only supposed to reach a high of 4 and 5 degrees Celsius respectively, and then go back up to double digits on Monday and Tuesday. Steups! No wonder people get all sorts of ailments in the land of the four seasons. The weather used to be fairly predictable, season by season, but now, with all the climate changes, global warming and what have you, you’re never sure what one day or the next is going to bring. And just to prove that point, I happened to look outside just now, and what do you think I saw? Snowflakes raining down from the sky! Ah Lord eh! Most likely that won’t last long or cause much inconvenience, but just the very thought that you can go from warm sunshine to weather suitable for snow in only a few hours doesn’t warm the heart. And I understand that earlier on a tornado touched down north of Toronto, but I don’t know the extent of the damage. However, it’s certainly a good thing that we don’t have a wishy-washy, unpredictable God like the weather, one that spins back and forth like a yo-yo, but rather a strong, reliable, unchanging, same for all seasons Deity. So though we may be annoyed by the current unpredictable weather patterns, we don’t have to agonize or fret too much over them, since we can rely on the Most High God to get us through anything to which He brings us. The prophet Isaiah, in talking of our God’s majesty, rightly proclaims: ‘All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity (worthless)’ (Is.40:17) Oh my fellow believers, those are words of undeniable truth! There’s no one, or nothing on the face of the earth, or beneath the seas, in fact in this entire universe to compare to our omnipotent, omniscient, omni-present, all knowing God! No wonder the prophet asks then in our Bit, with a touch of scorn: ‘To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?’ And the correct answer my brethren is, NO ONE or NOTHING! For if He made the universe and all therein, how could any part or person of His creation be greater than Him eh? That’s what the fallen angel Lucifer and the other numbskulls that rebelled with him, failed to understand. And just for good measure, in case we don’t believe or understand, the prophet goes on to argue the situation in rhetorical question form. ‘The workman melteth (moulds) a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and (the silversmith) casteth (casts) silver chains. He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation (no such offering) chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning (skillful) workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved (totter and fall)’ (Is.40:19-20) Yes Friends, that’s how many mortal men operate. That’s how they initiate a god into their lives, for it seems that whoever, or wherever we are, we always seem to feel this deep need inside of us to worship something or other. That’s just the natural call of the living God, He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But unfortunately mankind doesn’t always understand or heed that call, and eventually ends up bowing to man made objects, which in the Lord’s eyes is the most contemptuous sacrilege possible, as He proclaims from the earliest times. ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to (worship) them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting (punishing) the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generations of them that hate me; And showing mercy unto them that LOVE me, and keep my commandments.’ (Ex.20:3-6) Ah mih people, it couldn’t be put any clearer or simpler than that! That’s why Isaiah continues: ‘Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundation of the earth? It is he that sitteth upon (above) the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in. That bringeth (reduces) the princes to nothing: he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity (useless). Yea, they shall not (scarcely) be planted; yea, they shall not (scarcely) be sown; yea, their stock shall not (scarcely) take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble.’ (Is.40:21-24) That’s the story in living colour Friends! The scholars point to ‘Genesis 1:26, where man is created in the image and likeness of God as a personal and moral being.’ So how can a graven image, a dead, lifeless, man made object ever be compared to our God eh? No way Jose! Ah mih people, I just don’t understand how supposedly intelligent humans can worship dead, lifeless objects nuh, many of them made with their own hands. As I asked earlier on, how can something you make be so powerful that you have to bow to it? It just doesn’t follow logically, especially when there’s a wonderful living God in existence who watches over all our comings and goings with LOVING-kindness. And having had time and plenty info to contemplate the question in our Bit, we’ll end by asking it in a slightly different form. ‘To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.’ (Is.40:25) Oh Friends, the answer remains the same: NOBODY! NOBODY OR NOTHING is greater than our God! Please remember that, and all will be well with you, for that is indeed wisdom of the very highest order. Much LOVE!…once you know Jehovah God…there’s only one thing you can do…that’s LOVE Him…with all your heart, mind, body and soul…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 20 April 2013 Isaiah 40:18
20 Apr 2013 Leave a comment
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: comparision of God, global warming, graven image, idol, image of God, iniquity, likeness of God, living God, LOVE, loving kindness, manmade, moral being, mortal man, prophet isaiah, religion, sacrilege, same for all seasons, sin, spirituality, unchanging God, unpredictable weather patterns, weather situation, worthless nations
Today’s Scrip-Bit 19 April 2013 1 Corinthians 1:22
19 Apr 2013 Leave a comment
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: ask in faith, christianity, destroy this temple, divine interpretation, doubleminded man, enthusiasm, fellowship, flea market, Friday chant, fun, glorious kingdom, Good Book, gouging, helpmeet, illicit trade, Jesus, jesus name, manly parts, modicum of circumspection, raise it in three days, relaxation, rest, rise to the occasion, secret chamber, seek wisdom, signs, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, true wisdom, tumultuous times, vim and vigour, whip of cords, whooping and hollering, window of rest, without doubting
1 Corinthians 1:22. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom.
And then it was Friday… And the whooping and hollering began: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday yes! The weekend’s here at last! Thank God! Thank God! Thank God!’ Yeh Friends, that’s the kind of enthusiasm and relief that a Friday brings to our world. It’s a joy untold at a small window of rest from the rigours of the daily commute and other incidental headaches involved in labouring for massa. But that doesn’t mean we have to go overboard with the celebrations. Certainly not! We still need to control our lives with a modicum of circumspection, to keep it in line with the edicts of Jesus, our guide and helpmeet. And to help us do that, let’s chant our Friday Chant. And I don’t have to tell us to do it with vim and vigour, because that comes ever so naturally on a Friday, with the weekend in sight. (smile) Altogether 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.’ And now that we have the right perspective on the use of the weekend, let’s turn to our Bit. ‘For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom.’ Yes Friends, it’s the same one as the last few days, because there’s still one incident regarding signs with Jesus that I want to highlight. And that comes after He cleansed the temple, made a whip of cords and ran the ole crooks and them out of His Father’s house, which they had turned into a raucous flea market, carrying on illicit trade and unashamedly gouging the people. Actually not much different to today’s merchandising behaviour. Now I like that incident because it shows that Jesus wasn’t no soft touch, no mama’s boy, He had manly parts, and when the situation called for it, He also wasn’t afraid to use them. He could rise to the occasion and be as physically tough as anybody else. And after He’s scolded them about making His Father’s house, a house of merchandise, (John 2:16) the Good Book declares: ‘Then answered the Jews and said unto him, what sign showest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear (raise) it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.’ (John 2:18-22) Oh my brethren, we’re certainly lucky that we were not amongst the first Christians, who understandably were scared and confused, and had to wait until Jesus rose from the dead, and the Holy Spirit descended upon them at Pentecost, to really understand and have a fairly clear picture of what Jesus was all about. Thankfully we now have the Good Book and all the heart-rending tales of our faith down through the ages to peruse and understand at our leisure. But there again, too many of us are not making good use of the materials and of the wisdom that’s been handed down to us. Now our Bit declares that the Greeks sought after wisdom in olden times, and everybody should do that. But unfortunately the wisdom the Greeks sought was the wisdom of man. However, the proper wisdom to seek is that of divine interpretation. And there’s only one single, solitary place to find true wisdom, as James so wisely advises us: ‘If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not (without reproach); and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering (not doubting). For he that wavereth (doubts) is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.’ (James 1:5-8) Yes my fellow believers, it’s only from our great God that true wisdom can be gained by man. But then we have to ask for it in faith, without any doubts, sincerely believing that He who has promised is faithful to deliver it all. (Heb.10:23) And also, as the scholars maintain, verse 5 ‘is not a blanket promise of wisdom for any situation. In the context of life’s trials, it probably speaks of the believer being granted (1) wisdom as to the reason for his trials and (2) wisdom to endure them.’ In any case, we still have to go to God and ask for whatever we need. So Friends, please let’s get ourselves together today and faithfully approach our wonderful, generous, kind and LOVING God, asking Him for truth and wisdom to guide us on our earthly journey in these tumultuous times. Now that my brethren, is indeed the wisdom of the wise. Much LOVE!…only when God fills the secret chamber of our souls…can true wisdom be obtained…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 April 2013 1 Corinthians 1:22
18 Apr 2013 Leave a comment
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: action, appreciation, blind leading the blind, conviction, disbelievers, doubters, eternal life, forgiveness, foul weather, God is the greatest, grateful heart, Greeks, holy spirit, hypocrites, incredible relationship, Jesus' Second Coming, Jews, judgement, LOVE, mercy, Pharisees, relationship to God, reverence, Sadducees, salvation, selfless sacrifice, signs, spirituality, straight and narrow path, submit, surrender, tenderness, the BIBLE, the Good Book, tribulation, wisdom, worthless sinner
1 Corinthians 1:22. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek wisdom.
Oh Friends, every time I rise and shine to greet a new day, the Holy Spirit convicts me with more conviction (smile) that our God, He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, is indeed the greatest! And in true fact, there’s NO other like Him! When I consider His undying, unconditional LOVE, His tenderness, mercy, forgiveness, and grace, not to mention the selfless sacrifice of His only Son Jesus to save a worthless sinner like me, all I can say, with a heart brimming over with LOVE and appreciation, is a grateful, sincere, ‘Thank You Lord!’ The fact that He made us to fellowship with Him, and simply refuses to let us be separated from Him by our sins, only endears Him more to me. Oh Friends, please search your souls today, this wet, rainy spring morning and truthfully ask, judge, measure your relationship and reaction to Almighty God. And if your entire being isn’t flooded with joy, sincere reverence and LOVE for Him, then something’s definitely and drastically wrong somewhere, and I’d advise you to quickly seek Him and fix it asap. For without Him your life will be unfulfilled, aimless and meaningless. If He’s not solidly secreted in that compartment of your soul meant ONLY for Him, then you’re missing out on an incredible, as well as an incredulous relationship. And all God’s people declared a loud, heartfelt, ‘Amen!’ Now here’s our Bit: ‘For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek wisdom.’ It’s the same as the last two days, because I want to touch on a couple more instances involving Jesus, where signs were spoken of. And this first one comes from Matthew 16, just before Jesus warns His disciples to beware of the leaven (yeast) of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (Matt.16:6) Anyway, the Good Book describes the scene thus: ‘The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting (testing) desired (asked) him that he should show them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, when it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather today: for the sky is red and lowring (threatening). O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall be no sign given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah. And he left them and departed.’ (Matt.16:1-4) Oh Friends, I have to laugh whenever I read how Jesus put those hypocrite Jewish leaders in their place, anytime they tried to catch Him off guard. And please note that His answer was the same as when they’d earlier asked for a sign, as we discussed yesterday, (Matt.12:38-42) only that of Jonah, which melded well with His own upcoming tribulation on the cross and in the grave, from which He’d triumphantly rise on Easter Sunday morning. But as usual, they didn’t, or refused to understand His message of salvation and eternal life, and unfortunately millions of doubters and disbelievers are still doing the same thing today. How sad, my people. As the saying goes, there’s none so blind as he who refuses to see. And as Jesus so cleverly says of the Pharisees: ‘Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.’ (Matt.15:14) Gospel truth my Friends! And it’s still happening today; only with more blind leaders, leading many more blind followers, which makes the situation very scary. But it’s our job, my fellow believers, to try and open the eyes of those blind leaders and followers. We need to confront them and show them the error of their ways, through the Word and our generous, LOVING lifestyle in bristling, bustling action, so that they too can believe and successfully come to Jesus. And I just saw some scholarly info on the above scripture that I think is important to share. ‘The unbelieving leaders came seeking a sign from heaven, that is, an outward miraculous manifestation. Notice that miracles alone never save anyone. They serve only to authenticate and call attention to the message, which must be believed in order for salvation to be experienced in the soul. Instead of another miracle, Jesus points them to the signs of the times, eschatologically related (doctrine of death, judgement, heaven, hell) to the sky and His second coming. The sign of the prophet Jonah relates to His resurrection (see 12:38-40; John 2:18-22) This sign gives hope to the believer but is an indication of judgement for the unbeliever, who will be judged by the risen Christ at His second coming.’ Oh my people, that same blindness of the early Jewish leaders still applies to too many of us today. We can’t read the signs of the times, that they are drawing ever closer to Jesus’ second coming; the wars and rumours of wars and all the other signs Jesus gave to the disciples as the beginning of sorrows, until the gospel is preached to all the world. (Matt.24:6-14) Oh my people, that’s enough for us to ponder on today. We’ll continue this topic tomorrow, God in favour. Till then, please let’s get our act together as good and faithful Christians by seriously communicating with our God and Maker, genuinely submitting and surrendering our lives to Him, so that He can lead and guide us aright, down that straight and narrow path that leads to Him. That’s wisdom at its zenith. Much LOVE!…the Bible is our guide for earthly living…unless we read and pay close attention to it…we’ll surely go astray…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 16 April 2013 1 Corinthians 1:22
16 Apr 2013 Leave a comment
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: ambassadors of Christ, Christ, Comforter, compassion, delightful praise, embrace Jesus, eternal life, forgiveness, friend, Good Book, good cheer, Greeks, Guide, guilt, Helper, incredilbe journey, Jesus our everything, Jesus the only answer, Jews, lifeblood, Lord, LOVE, manifesto. the power of Jesus' name, mercy, peace, pilgrim, rejoice and be glad, religion, require a sign, rewards, salvation, saviour, seek wisdom, tenderness, today, tomorrow, undeniable truth, understanding, ungodly world
1 Corinthians 1:22. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom.
Oh Friends, as it was ordained from the very beginning of time, yesterday has passed away into history, the future, tomorrow, has not yet arrived, but thankfully, the gift of today, the present time is here! And all God’s people said a loud and delightful ‘Praise the Lord!’ So please, let’s use today wisely, because that’s all we have. As the psalmist so rightly declared: ‘This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!’ (Ps.118:24) And the people shouted a loud and thankful ‘Amen!’ Yes Friends, today is all we have, so let’s concentrate fully on it nuh. Yesterday’s done gone, and as Jesus said, tomorrow will take care of itself. (Matt.6:34) And I have an interesting quote to share, one that’s attributed to Dr. Samuel Shoemaker, a prominent American churchman. He proudly declares: ‘Religion can never be the answer to human problems. All of the religions of the world are inadequate. Christ alone is the answer. Christ alone understands. Christ alone forgives. Christ alone eliminates your guilt. Christ alone saves and then assures you that you are God’s child and the most wonderful person possible! Christ alone fills the human heart with LOVE – joy – peace – self-confidence. No wonder a genuine Christian LOVES himself.’ And if that isn’t the undeniable truth, my Friends, then I don’t know what is! For Jesus is indeed our everything; our be all and end all. In Him we find our purpose, our strength, our joy, and help to bear our sorrow. He is truly the very lifeblood of our lives. And I’m so sorry for those of us humans who don’t know, realize and recognize Him for what He is, because they’re missing such an incredible, interesting journey as a pilgrim following in Christ’s footsteps. As I keep saying my people, working for Jesus is often very difficult, but I can guarantee you, from personal experience, that it’s mightily interesting, much more interesting and lasting than anything the world has to offer. And oh my brethren, the rewards…the rewards are just to die for! (smile) The faithful promise of salvation and eternal life with Jesus in the hereafter, are way way more interesting and worthwhile than anything this evil, sinful, ungodly world has to offer. And what I don’t understand about human nature is that they’re willing to try every little nonsense, like diets and other fads that the greedy, deceitful world puts out, wasting time, effort and money on them, but they’re not prepared to spend one moment with Jesus. Jesus, whose manifesto is plainly stated in the Good Book, and has been proven to be undeniably true down through the ages. In addition, Jesus is the most generous and faithful leader there’s ever been, or will ever be! So why do people refuse to get to know Him? Why at the name of Jesus do so many people become angry, fearful and refuse to listen to what He has to say? Why eh? No other name in history has ever provoked such a reaction, and still does to this day. There must obviously be great power in the name of Jesus, else why would people react to it so fearfully, so violently and so negatively. There’s no such reaction to other names like Satan, Allah, Buddha, and the multiple other supposed gods and idols humans worship. Our wonderful Lord and Saviour certainly strikes fear in the heart of the heathen. But to those of us who truly know Him, it’s only LOVE, tenderness, mercy, forgiveness, compassion and those kinds of positive emotions that He conjures up in our hearts, minds, souls and bodies. That’s because those are the attributes for which He is truly renowned. Peace, LOVE and Good Cheer was, is, and always will be His mantra! So why people get so confused and discombobulated over His name certainly boggles my mind. Instead of running to His always opened and inviting arms, they run away instead. How foolish! And I can personally testify to the ‘wonderfulness’ of Jesus! Our vocabulary is so inadequate, I can’t find a better or more appropriate word to describe Him. Anyway, I was testifying – testifying that this very morning, I came down here, not feeling too hot, or knowing what I was going to write, except for Dr. Shoemaker’s quote, but before I could even sit down and contemplate the situation, He engineered the thoughts in my mind and brought them to fruition in the words you’re reading. To tell the truth, I haven’t even had a chance to open the Good Book yet and look for a Bit. So why would I ever turn away from, and denigrate such a kind, thoughtful, gentle and generous leader eh? Not on yuh life, mih breddren! It simply doesn’t make sense, and it’s being proven everyday, especially in these fearful and troubled times. Just look at the nonsense yesterday, with the bombs exploding in and around the Boston Marathon. Ah Lord eh! Followers of Jesus would never do such a thing! Oh Friends, let’s tell the world nuh, let’s show them their dreadful mistake in not embracing Jesus and all the wonderful stuff He has to offer! They quickly embrace all the man made nonsense, but shy away from the One, True, Faithful Helper, Comforter, Friend, Guide and Saviour that’s available to us. They’ve tried everything else and failed. Let’s convince them that it’s time to try Jesus. I’m sure that once they’ve sincerely tried Him, and seen what He’s really all about, the blessings, mercy, forgiveness, the overall LOVING-kindness, so generously bolstered by the wonders of salvation and eternal life, they’ll never go back to worshipping the other non-gods they once worshipped. However Friends, the one big impediment to getting that done, lies with us, His followers. We don’t sincerely live the life that Jesus wants us to live, we’re too often hypocritical, which obviously turns off the non-believer. We talk a good talk, but fail miserably in walking that talk. Just look at all the divisions and petty dissension that permeates the church of Jesus. How could that ever draw unbelievers to Him eh? Oh my brethren, for Jesus’ sake, as well as ours and our children’s, let’s seriously try and improve the image we hold amongst the heathen nuh. Remember, it’s Jesus’ name and image we’re hurting and bringing shame and negative press to, which then holds back the progress of His earthly church and glorious, righteous kingdom, which we’re supposed to be promoting. Remember we’re His ambassadors. But we’re certainly not doing our ambassadorial job to the best of our ability, not to the standard of excellence that Jesus expects. So how can we expect His Name, His Word and His Church to prosper eh? Ah mih people, how sad it is that we’re not doing a better job for Jesus. And I just got a divine zeppo (smile) to stop here and look for a Bit, as time and space are running out. So soon come. Oh Friends, I found it, I found it! I found and appropriate Bit – in exactly three minutes! It’s so amazing that when the Lord gives you a task, He also enables you to perform it! Glory Hallelujah! Now here’s our Bit for today: ‘For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom.’ And that still holds true for a lot of people today. However, as Bruh Paul so wisely continues to the Corinthians: ‘But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling bloc, and unto the Greeks foolishness: But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ, the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.’ (1 Cor.1:23-25) That says it all in spades my brethren! Please embrace Jesus in wisdom and in truth, for He’s the ONLY ANSWER! Much LOVE!…but as for me and mine…we’ll certainly follow Jesus…regardless of what it takes…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 14 April 2013 1 Corinthians 1:29
14 Apr 2013 Leave a comment
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: absolute truth, abuse, bless, boasting, cockles of our hearts, comfort, conflict of interest, despised, feeble minds, flesh, generous God, Gethsemane, glory, heartbroken, heavenly hosts, insignificant things, just deserts, legal concept, loving god, put to shame, redemption, revitalizing grace, ridicule, righteousness., sacrifice, sacrificial lamb, sanctification, save lost souls, sense of justice, sinful nature, sinless soul, spiritual discernment, spirituality, tragic stage, unblemished sacrifice, ungodly behaviour, unworthy sinners, walk hand in hand, wisdom
1 Corinthians 1:29. That no flesh should glory in his presence.
Oh Friends, once again a beautiful day is dawning and the many parcels of mercies and blessings are being prepared by the heavenly hosts for distribution down here on earth, as they do on a daily basis. How lucky – no, lucky is not the right word. How privileged we are to worship such a kind, LOVING and generous Deity! Who, instead of giving us our just deserts for our sinful nature, capital punishment, gives us mercy. And on top of that, He then gives us more of what we don’t deserve; His wonderful, refreshing, revitalizing grace. Mama Mia! That ought to just warm the cockles of our hearts to the extent that it causes us to cry out in pure unadulterated joy: ‘Oh thank You Lord! Thank You for Your mercy and grace! Thank You for LOVING us so much, that You broke Your own heart by sacrificing your only Son Jesus to save us from death and eternal damnation! We LOVE You Lord with all our heart, and promise to sincerely serve You until eternity! Amen.’ Yes Friends, that’s the kind of emotion God’s goodness ought to stir up in our hearts, minds and souls. And talking about God sacrificing His only Son Jesus for us, a bunch of unworthy sinners, reminds me of something I had planned to share before this, but either forgot, or the Lord didn’t deem it suitable until now. And I’m talking about the hour I spent alone in the candle-lit church on Holy Thursday night pondering the actions of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. At one point during that fateful hour, it suddenly occurred to me that we were all so worried and heartbroken over Jesus demise and the terror that ran through His disciples and followers at His trial and eventual crucifixion, that we’ve conveniently forgotten the most heartbroken of all the players on that tragic stage – God, the Father. Remember He’s a living being, and if we’re made in His image, then He must have feelings like us too. So put yourself in His place: You have sinful, unfaithful creations that you don’t want to lose, but because of your sense of justice and righteousness, you just can’t wipe clean their sinful slate, for you have already decreed that the wages of sin is death. You find yourself in a conflict of interest with your holy, righteous self, between the proverbial rock and a hard place. The only way to save the lost souls and justify your sense of justice, is to find a sacrifice worthy enough to pay the price. Unfortunately it has to be an unblemished, sinless soul. And the only one fitting that characteristic beside yourself, is your only Son, Jesus. Can you imagine how the Lord must have agonized over the situation? I don’t know if I could have willingly sacrificed my beautiful, obedient son for a bunch of ungrateful jerks nuh. Ponder that situation for a moment nuh people. But I guess that’s why He is God; His thoughts, ways and actions are much higher than ours, absolutely incomprehensible to our small, feeble minds. Just imagine how the Father mush have felt, having to lay the excessive weight of sin on Jesus’ innocent shoulders, then create the separation necessary between them, the first ever in all their days together, so that His awesome, mind boggling plan could come to fruition. And Jesus only increased His heartache by obediently going along with the plan. Ah mih people, we really and truly do serve a most excellent and incomparable God yes! And then to make matters worse, after suffering so much heartache so that we could get a second chance, we become even more sinful and disobedient, heaping abuse, doubt and ridicule on the Sacrificial Lamb and all He stands for. Oh Friends, I know that I would have been very upset by that ungodly behaviour and prone to revoking everything. But fortunately our God is a much bigger Being than that, with a heart of solid gold, so He perseveres with us. We just don’t understand, are unable to comprehend His ways, His motivation for doing what He does. No wonder the Good Book tells us: ‘But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound (put to shame) the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound (put to shame) the things which are mighty; And base (insignificant) things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought (nothing) things that are:’ (1 Cor.1:27-28) Yes Friends, we see that eccentricity of God all through the Good Book, and right down through the ages, even till today. And I’m a perfect example of that. (smile) The people whom God chooses to do His work are the most unlikely ones, the ones whom the world would never choose. Why is that eh? Our Bit gives us the answer: ‘That no flesh should glory in his presence.’ Words of absolute truth and wisdom on God’s part my brethren! Man would not be able to indulge in one of his favourite pastimes – boasting! And Bruh Paul continues: ‘But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us (became for us) wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.’ (1 Cor.1:30-31) What amazing wisdom and glorious truth, my fellow believers in Jesus Christ! Now here’s some enlightenment on that last scripture from the scholars. ‘Of him (because of the Father’s work) are ye in (intimate with) Christ Jesus: Paul concludes that all the riches of salvation exist in Christ Jesus. All that the Corinthian believers are, they owe to Him. Thus it is not in oneself, or in party alignment, or in supposed human ability that any believer ought to glory. Paul tabulates the qualities that belong to the believer in Christ. Wisdom is not merely the acquisition of intellectual skills but the gaining of spiritual discernment based on the wisdom of God as demonstrated in the cross. Righteousness is a legal concept and has in mind the righteousness that is applied to the believer’s account the moment he believes. (Rom.5) Sanctification has already been mentioned in verse 2, “sanctified in Christ Jesus” This contemplates the work of Christ “in” the believer, as opposed to that which He does “for” the believer in justification. Redemption underlies all the above. Christ’s redemptive work opened the way for God to extend His grace to sinful man and to pour out upon him such benefits as wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification.’ And on that note of enlightenment, we’ll end this session. We have enough to ponder on for today. Selah. More on this topic tomorrow, God in favour. Till then Friends, let’s walk hand in hand with the Lord, so that He might continue to bless, comfort and keep us safe. Much LOVE!…if we truly appreciate the magnitude of God’s LOVE for us…then we’ll have no problem accepting His Son Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour…and gladly walk the path He desires us to walk…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 13 April 2013 Matthew 6:24
13 Apr 2013 Leave a comment
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: allegiance, beauty of God, can't serve two masters, commandments, constantly seek God, do not please men, don't give up, don't worry about tomorrow, eternal life, eternal separation, food in abundance, generous mercy, glory, God will never leave us, good foundation, good works, grace, hate, haughty, idols, lilies of the field, LOVE, low ebb, loyalty, lust of the flesh, material possessions, material things, perseverance, please God, pride, righteousness., salvation, seek the kingdom of God, serve God, serve mammon, splendour, trust, uncertain riches, woe is me
Matthew 6:24. No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and LOVE the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Oh Friends, the ole fella’s struggling this morning, and I just don’t know why. Nothing’s particularly wrong in my life, but for some strange, unknown reason my spirit’s been at a low ebb. I obviously asked the Lord to bring me unto myself and unto Him, but it took a while to happen. My search for a Bit lasted over half an hour. That’s much longer than it usually takes. The important thing though is I didn’t give up and go, ‘woe is me.’ I kept persevering because deep down I knew that that too would pass, the Lord would eventually pull me up out of whatever mire in which I was wallowing. That’s the beauty of our God, my brethren! Though He may allow us to wallow for a while, to suit His own mysterious, superior purposes, He will NEVER leave us to do so forever, once we sincerely seek Him. And I guess that’s why Jesus kept telling His listeners to stop worrying about what they should eat and drink and wear, using examples of the birds and flowers, which don’t sow or toil, but due to the Lord’s generous mercy and grace have food in abundance, and turn out to be very beautiful. Even Cousin Sol in all his splendour and glory wasn’t as beautiful as the lilies of the field. (Matt.6:25-29) In other words, we shouldn’t be overly concerned or anxious about material things, especially those of us who don’t have a lot. Don’t stop seeking God in order to acquire material possessions. Instead, Jesus offers this advice. ‘But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow (do not worry about tomorrow): for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil (trouble) thereof.’ (Matt.6:33-34) Yes my people, when we seek the Lord sincerely and conscientiously, all our material needs will be met. The scholars have this to say: ‘This portion of the Sermon on the Mount is summarized by the statement seek ye first the kingdom of God. The disciples who have pledged their allegiance to the King must continue seeking the kingdom and its righteousness. The present imperative form of the verb (Gr. Zeteo) indicates a continual or constant seeking. The contrast between the spiritual and the material is again emphasized. The believer is to seek first the righteousness that is characteristic of God’s kingdom, and then all these things (material things) shall be added to him. When our priority is spiritual, God will take care of the material, for where God guides, He provides. We need not even worry about tomorrow, for sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. This means that each day has its own troubles and challenges to be responsibly handled, without worrying about the hypothetical problems that could arise tomorrow.’ And it’s rather interesting to see that all of that came about because of our Bit. ‘No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and LOVE the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.’ That’s so logical that even a blind man can see the truth in it! (smile) I like how the scholars explain it. ‘This kind of spiritual double vision causes one to believe he can serve two masters. Totally loyalty to God cannot be divided between Him and loyalty to one’s material possessions. A master (Gr. Kurios) is a lord or an owner. That God claims total lordship over His own is obvious in this passage. Therefore, Jesus rightly proclaimed, Ye cannot serve God and mammon. The term mammon is derived from the Aramaic term for possessions of wealth. Jesus is not condemning money or possessions in and of themselves, but the improper attitude of enslavement toward wealth.’ And that my people is the unfortunate bane of our existence in today’s society! We worship wealth and material possessions, treasure them and in of themselves, not as mere tools, not simply as what they can do for us. Right there we’re contravening the first commandment: ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before me.’ (Ex.20:3) And that’s not very wise my brethren, because earthly possessions are just that; they rot, are stolen and eaten away by insects, and when you die, they stay right here on earth. You don’t take a single thing with you. So why give them such prominence in our lives eh? Granted, they are important, but seeking and worshipping Almighty God is even more important, because in the first place, it’s He who causes us to get earthly wealth, and secondly also provides us with the two most important things, salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ, when we give up this earthly body. Now let’s look at a few scriptures that support our Bit. Bruh Paul told the Galatians in no uncertain terms: ‘For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.’ (Gal.1:10) You can’t please men and please Christ too. Then he tells Timothy: ‘Charge (command) them that are rich in this world (present age), that they be not highminded (haughty), nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy. That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute (give), willing to communicate (share); Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come that they may lay hold on eternal life.’ (1 Tim.6:17-19) So Friends, being rich is not a problem, it’s what we do with our riches. The scholars correctly explain that ‘Salvation is not purchased by the giving of money, but generosity demonstrates the reality of one’s faith. Since the believer trusts God and not money, he gives. This giving shows where his heart is and that he views his wealth in light of eternity.’ Meanwhile James adamantly declares: ‘Ye adulterers and adulteresses know ye not that the friendship of (with) the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy (makes himself the enemy) of God.’ (James 4:4) And finally from John: ‘LOVE not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man LOVE the world, the LOVE of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.’ (1 John 2:15-17) Oh Friends, truer words were never spoken! It’s now up to us as individuals to believe or disbelieve those facts and act accordingly. I would definitely advise us to play it safe and believe, for disbelief will doom your soul to eternal separation from Jehovah God, the worse fate that can befall a man. Much LOVE!…anything that keeps or takes us away from God…is an idol…and thus sinful…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 12 April 2013 Proverbs 17:22
12 Apr 2013 Leave a comment
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: a merry heart, a word in season, anxious, be of good cheer, broken spirit, eternal life, fearful, fellowship, freezing rain, Friday chant, fun, generous help, glorious kingdom, godly guidance, holy spirit, ice storm, joy, kind words, laughter, LOVE, medicinal properties, medicine, mirror image of Jesus, pity party, positive difference, relaxation, rest, revitalizing powers, salvation, sorrow of the heart, strengthen our spirits, TGIF! Thank God it's Friday!, tired, walk in wisdom, weary, wintry weather
Proverbs 17:22. A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Oh Friends, it’s Friday! However, the shouts of ‘TGIF!’ and ‘Thank God it’s Friday!’ won’t be plentiful in the Greater Toronto Area this morning because there was supposed to be freezing rain and an ice storm happening last night. It was bad from yesterday evening when I went out and almost tripped on my back step from the ice that had deceptively accumulated there. And that’s the scary part, where everything looks normal, but you only find out it’s not when you step on it. Right now it’s raining in my neck of the woods, and every so often I can hear the wind kicking up outside in a mad frenzy, causing the still naked trees to do it’s deathly dance. So Friends, please be careful on the roads this morning as the wintry weather seems to be lasting longer than expected. And to help calm, quiet and strengthen our spirits with some godly guidance, let’s chant our Friday Chant with a whole lotta oompah nuh. As one voice 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.’ That brings us to our Bit: ‘A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.’ Oh my brethren, there’s so much truth and wisdom in those few words, that if more of mankind heard and heeded them, our world would not be quite the sad and sorrowful place it is. Too many of us walk around with long, drawn, sour faces and countenances as though our best friend had just died. But Friends, it’s gospel truth that a cheerful heart has medicinal properties. I’m sure you’ve heard about the revitalizing powers of laughter; it’s the cheapest and most easily administered remedy for whatever ails us. If you don’t believe me, try it our some time soon, preferably today. Just notice the positive difference that some laughter and merriment brings to your spirit. That’s because a cheerful heart makes its own song and gives your spirit a fresh outlook on whatever ails you. Cousin Sol says it in so many ways and places. In Proverbs 12, he declares: ‘Heaviness (anxiety) in the heart of man maketh it stoop (causes depression): but a good word maketh it glad.’ (Prov.12:25) And according to the scholars: ‘A good word is a kind word that cheers the heart.’ Then in chapter 15, he unequivocally states: ‘A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance (face): but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.’ (Prov.15:13) And isn’t that the undeniable truth my people? It sure is! Just look at how we feel when our hearts are heavy with sadness and sorrow. We feel lost, uninspired, unable to get much of anything done, our spirits plummet to the depths of despair. Most of the time we just want to wallow in our sorrow and pity party. But let something or someone come along and put a little cheer in our hearts and a smile on our faces, and the tenor of our spirit immediately changes. We begin to feel bright and bubbly again, willing and able to get on with life, even though our basic circumstances haven’t changed, just our outlook. Cousin Sol continues in chapter 15 to declare that: ‘All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.’ (Prov.15:15) Wow! I like that! When our hearts are joyful, it’s like we’re continually feasting. And I sure do like my victuals! (smile) Now listen to Isaiah’s take on the subject, as he talks of the suffering of the Lord’s servant – Jesus. ‘The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.’ (Is.50:4) Oh my people, our God does the same with us every morning; gives us a good word to speak to someone who’s weary and tired, so that we might lift their sagging spirits! Are we using that power? I sure hope so, because our world is so broken and sad these days, that there are too many of us wandering around with low spirits that tend to dry up our bones, both literally and figuratively. And that’s not only true among the heathen, but also amongst believers, who should be the most joyous people on God’s earth, since we have Jesus and all the good, no great and wonderful stuff He’s provided for us. Salvation and eternal life are the greatest things to happen to mankind since the discovery of sliced bread! (smile) That means we ought to be joyful and full of beans. But for some unknown reason, some believers think that laughter is not fit and proper in a Christian setting. How wrong they are my brethren! Jesus didn’t sacrifice His holy, sinless life so that His followers could go around looking sad and sorrowful. Remember His most encouraging words: ‘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) Oh fellow believers, that means though life will be sometimes pretty difficult, with numerous challenges, we can overcome them all with God’s help, through His Holy Spirit that dwells within us. Jesus has already paid all our sin-debts, so there’s no reason to worry or be fearful and anxious, continually sad and miserable over our earthly circumstances. Remember the wonderful home that’s waiting in heaven for us, so just be happy! As the old people would say, ‘learn to grin and bear it.’ Therefore Friends, please let’s make a serious and conscious decision today, to cut out most of the blues in our spirits, in our lives, because Jesus has commanded us to do so, and it will also liven up our lives, make us feel much better; physically, mentally and emotionally. And like Isaiah says, let’s also seriously consider adding a word of cheer to the weary, tired and downtrodden who cross our paths today and everyday nuh. It’s all a part of our Christian walk. So let’s walk in wisdom today with cheerful hearts, spreading joy and LOVE wherever we go. Then we’ll truly be the mirror images of Jesus that our God wants us to be. Much LOVE!…a sad countenance doesn’t change or improve our circumstances…but a merry heart certainly can…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 April 2013 Psalm 46:10
11 Apr 2013 Leave a comment
in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: abomination, be still, Bless His Holy Name, courage, divine help, esteem, exalted, faith, glory hallelujah, glory of God's majesty, God of Abraham, gospel truth, heathen, hope, I am God, I am the vine, mysterious machinations, new blessings, new mercies, one and only true God, our refuge and strength, pilgrim's life, planet earth, Praise the Lord, promises fulfilled, psalm 46, rejoice and be glad in it, reverence, strength, the day the Lord has made, the haughty brought low, the proud humbled, undeniable truth, we will not fear, works of the Lord, write indelibly
Psalm 46:12. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Oh Friends, another day is dawning beautifully in many parts of God’s wonderful universe, and many new blessings and mercies are being made ready for distribution to God’s people down here on planet Earth! Wow! And just the thought of all that wonderful, divine, heavenly help drives God’s children to boldly declare: ‘Thank You Lord, thank You! You are so LOVING and generous to the undeserving children of men. We praise You and bless Your Holy Name, and promise to serve and worship You forever. Amen.’ Yes my people, this is indeed the day that our Lord God has made for us to enjoy, therefore let us rejoice and be exceedingly glad in it, for there’s no deity like the one we bow down to! That’s why the psalmist could confidently proclaim in our Bit: ‘Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.’ And that’s no lie Friends! The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob whom we worship, is the ONE AND ONLY TRUE GOD IN ALL THE UNIVERSE! As the first few verses of the psalm declare: ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present (abundantly available) help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst (heart) of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.’ (Ps,46:1-3) Oh my fellow believers in Christ, those are very strong, reassuring words, based on God’s actual help to the Israelites, not simply the unrealized hopes and dreams of a troubled, enslaved people. Therefore, they are words that we should also hold on to, write indelibly in our hearts, minds and souls to give us the strength, faith and courage to live this difficult, but oh so interesting pilgrim’s life down here on Mother Earth. And even more importantly, through the Lord’s mysterious machinations, His Holy Name will eventually be exalted amongst the unbelievers. We obviously have a major part to play in that exaltation, but without God’s help we’re basically powerless to do much of anything. For as Jesus said: ‘I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.’ (John 15:5) Words of undeniable truth my Friends! And though the heathen seems to be in control of the earth right now, there’s no doubt that in the Lord’s time, that evil and unworthy scenario will change. Listen as the psalmist continues: ‘There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles (dwelling places) of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved (shaken): God shall help her, and that right early (at the break of dawn). The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.’ (Ps.46:4-7) And that’s the gospel truth my brethren! And it encouraged all God’s people to declare a loud and grateful; ‘Glory Hallelujah!’ Oh Friends, it’s so sad that so many of God’s human creation don’t know and don’t worship Him, for He is truly a most magnificent Deity! And the psalmist continues raving about his God: ‘Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in fire.’ (Ps.46:8-9) Yes my people, all of that is indeed possible with our God! And in His time, it will surely come to pass. As Isaiah prophesied, re the day of the Lord: ‘The lofty (proud) looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon everyone that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low.’ (Is.2:11-12) So please don’t join the ranks of the heathen, the unbeliever, the evil enemy, for as Isaiah continues: ‘And the loftiness (pride) of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. And the idols he shall utterly abolish. And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear (from the terror) of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth (to make the earth tremble).’ (Is.2:17-19) Oh my brethren, on that fateful day, when the Lord decides to pronounce judgement on the sinful earth, there will be no escape for the heathen! And the scholars provide an interesting note. ‘The unshakeable confidence with which the psalm leaves the believer prompted Martin Luther, (the Protestant leader) to pen one of the great hymns of all time, ‘A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.’ Ah mih breddren, that bit of info should just boost our strength, faith, hope, trust, esteem, reverence and LOVE for our most worthy God! If the psalm was powerful enough to move the fiery Martin Luther a few centuries ago, when things were much rougher than now, then it certainly ought to move us too. And we’ll end with some wise words of Cousin Sol on the subject. ‘The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil (doom). Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged (atonement is provided for iniquity): and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.’ (Prov.16:4-6) Oh Friends, those verses cover it all; from the beginning to the end, so please take serious note of them, so that in that fateful day, you will not be numbered amongst the proud, haughty, evil heathen. That’s the ultimate in wisdom! Much LOVE!…it starts with a promise from Jehovah God…that leads to hope, faith, trust and surrender…then ends in the promise being fulfilled…becoming reality…for the Lord God is faithful…
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