Today’s Scrip-Bit 14 January 2017 Galatians 5:16.

Galatians 5:16.   This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Ah friends, the ole fella must be getting better yes, because I woke up this morning and actually felt for a cup of coffee! Glory Hallelujah! 

That does say something, since I haven’t been drinking any since I left the hospital. The couple cups I had earlier on, just didn’t sit right, so I just left it alone. But this one actually tastes good. Glory to God, my taste buds are being revived! 

And in honour of that, this chilly and gloomy Saturday morning, here is a poem from Gramps Schuller’s (Dr. Robert H Schuller) Hour of Power Devotional titled ‘Beauty!’ 

Please pray with me. ‘Thank you, Father, for filling the world with beauty. I thank you for the beauty of life, the beauty of LOVE, the beauty of children, and the beauty of old people. I thank you for the beauty of Christ and for the beauty of any life when Christ is invited through the Holy Spirit. Thank you, Father, that you have made my life beautiful too. Amen.’ 

And I don’t know about you all nuh friends, but the Lord has indeed made my life beautiful! I can plainly see it after that scary, life threatening moment a couple of weeks ago. 

You never seem to truly appreciate something until you almost lose it. And yuh better believe, I am very appreciative of life right now, regardless of the state I’m in! And it’s all to the glory of God! 

Now here is an interesting quote from our friend Anselm, who aspires to inspire us. This one says: ‘Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.’ 

And is that ever so true friends! A lot of us are clock-watchers, especially when it comes time to quit work and go home (smile) but you’ll notice that despite the circumstances surrounding it, the good ole clock just keeps on ticking on its merry way to wherever. 

Likewise, Christians are not to let our circumstances stop us from ticking on for Jesus. It will not always be easy to do, but if the Father has brought us to it, He will bring us through it, that’s His faithful promise. 

However, we also have to do our part in the partnership between Christ and us. It’s not a one-way street. Thus the advice of Bruh Paul to the Galatians: ‘This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.’ 

Yeh mih people, to walk with God, means to walk in His Spirit, so that our carnality doesn’t come to the fore. 

Listen to this explanation from the scholars. ‘5:16. Walk in the Spirit (i.e. “live by the Spirit”): Christians are to live with the Spirit’s help. How does one “live by the Spirit”? (1) The Christian must believe that the Spirit is with him, having been sent by God into his heart (4:6). (2) In every spiritual confrontation the believer must yield to the Spirit, that is, submit his own desires to those of the Spirit. 

(3) One must depend on the Spirit for help, enabling him to live a God-pleasing life (v.5). (4) The believer should anticipate the effects of the Spirit’s help in his daily life. The believer who “lives by the Spirit” will not fulfill (accomplish, carry out) the lust (strong desires) of the flesh (sinful nature).’ 

Ah mih breddren, I know all of that sounds hard and confusing, but it is the basis of our Christianity. We can’t live on the fence, it’s either Spiritual or carnal, fleshly living, and the first only comes by working constantly and continually at it, with God’s help. 

Please realize friends that true spirit living doesn’t come overnight, but like everything else in life takes practice and time to develop and mature. 

And the reason for Bruh Paul’s admonition in our Bit is: ‘For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.’ (Gal.5:17) 

Yeh friends, it is a controversy within our souls. And the scholars tell us: ‘5:17. One’s sinful human nature (flesh) and the Holy Spirit lusteth against one another, that is, they have desires and yearnings contrary to one another. 

The Christian then is a battlefield, having desires to do good and evil. The outcome is that ye cannot do the things that ye would: the flesh seeks to thwart the Spirit, who, in turn, attempts to frustrate the flesh’s evil desires.’ 

But you know what friends, it’s not really a tug of war, because once we’ve made up our minds to live by the Spirit, we consciously try and remove sin from our lives, so that the flesh doesn’t have much hold over us, and we can just go on sincerely and seriously ticking for Jesus. Now that is wisdom at its zenith! Much LOVE!

…each tick and tock of our spiritual clock…means one more point for Jesus…Glory to God…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 13 January 2017 Psalm 119:165.

Psalm 119:165.   Great peace have they which LOVE thy law: and nothing shall offend them (cause them to stumble).

Ah mih people, so early in the year we come upon a Friday the 13th, which causes many of us to get fearful, simply because of all the old-wives tales about the negative happenings that can occur on such a day. But that’s all they are friends, old-wives tales, so please don’t let them have any effect on us today. 

It didn’t seem to have any on the band of workers that appeared early this morning singing: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday! It’s the weekend once again! Though is only two days now…Chuh! All them nice long ones done come and gone now. 

But still the weekend is the weekend; no work and no massa looking over yuh shoulder. And best of all plenty eating and drinking and partying! Wow! Thank God for small mercies oui!’ 

Ah friends, although we’re in a new year, nothing has changed, the weekend is still looked upon as a time for hearty partying, which totally demeans its standing in our society and hides its true purpose. 

Instead, let’s chant our Friday Chant, which shows a better perspective on the use of the weekend. In unison 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 my brethren, that’s a more godly and sensible way to use our two measly days off from work, not simply delving into the depths of debauchery. (smile) 

And to add to it all, we have a rather interesting Bit for today. ‘Great peace have they which LOVE thy law: and nothing shall offend them (cause them to stumble). 

Now isn’t that rather inviting and promising? It surely is! If we LOVE the Lord’s word, then peace, no, great peace shall flow through our souls! Glory Hallelujah! 

Now who wouldn’t want that eh? The whole world is currently searching for peace, but unfortunately they are looking in all the wrong places, while the right place is before their very eyes – the Word of God. 

Hear how Cousin Sol puts it in Proverbs, re exhortations to obedience. ‘My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.’ (Prov.3:1-2) 

Oh friends, why wouldn’t anybody in their right minds long for long life and peace eh, especially when all you have to do is to keep the Lord’s commandments? 

But I guess the majority of the world is not in their right minds, since they seem to abhor the keeping of God’s commands. And that’s exactly why the world is in its current state of immense turmoil and strife. 

Now listen to Isaiah from his hymn of praise. ‘Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on (sustained by) thee: because he trusteth in thee.’ (Is.26:3) 

What a beautiful promise that is my people! If we keep our minds on God, He will sustain us in perfect peace. That means whatever is happening around us won’t detract from the peace we feel within. 

And I can testify to that, for when my mother unexpectedly died some years ago, while I was in California, I was upset and disappointed and all that, but nevertheless a certain calm, a certain peace reigned within my soul and I was able to handle the situation wisely. 

I can still remember those around me wondering how I was so calm, but that wasn’t my doing, my soul was simply flooded with God’s peace, and was I ever surprised by it. 

Listen to Isaiah again on the subject. ‘And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.’ (Is.32:17) 

Mama Mia! What an awesome promise from our awesome God! But how many of us know about it eh, or even choose to take it up? Not many enough! 

And we’ll close with this quote from Jesus Himself, the giver of all peace. He said it thus to the disciples. ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’ (John 14:27) 

Friends, if that doesn’t touch our hearts and wake us up, then I don’t know what else will. If the Prince of Peace offers you His peace, then that should close the deal right there and then. And please note, it’s an entirely different kind of peace to what the world has to offer. 

But mankind is so taken up with its own vain and futile self that we’re foolishly bypassing the very peace that we seek, and the consequences will be tragic if we continue to ignore the peace offered by Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Please let that be warning to us. Much LOVE!

…he who has ears to hear…let him hear…

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 12 January 2017 Acts 20:28.

Acts 20:28.   Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed (shepherd) the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

And then it was Thursday… and I don’t know what to write about. Hn, hn! It doesn’t happen too often, but when it does, it both amuses and concerns me. 

Sometimes I have to wait a while for the Lord to show up and guide me, but today I didn’t have to wait at all. I just happened to look, or rather was guided to look at a sheet of paper in front of me with some quotes that I had written down, and there it was! 

It’s titled ‘Grasping the Cross!’ And it says: ‘Lord Jesus, Your cross is the focal point of our lives. Hold us tightly as we cling to Your cross and extend Your LOVE to others.’ 

And you know friends, we couldn’t want for a more stable and solid foundation to cling to than the cross of Jesus, for that’s where it all came to fruition. 

Yeh, it’s at the cross that it was all turned around; sin, death and the grave were defeated; salvation, reconciliation and eternal life were ushered in; our sins were paid for and we became adopted sons of God. Oh glory to the Most High! 

And this excerpt from ‘At the Cross’ by the Hillsong Group amplifies it all.   ‘At the cross I bow my knee Where Your blood was shed for me There’s no greater LOVE than this, no You have overcome the grave Glory fills the highest praise 

What can separate me now You tore the veil, You made a way When You said that it is done You tore the veil, You made a way When You said that it is done.’ 

Jesus certainly did, my fellow believers! No other act in human history has had such a sensational, fruitful and positive impact as Christ’s death on the cross. And it was all for us my people…all for us worthless sinners. 

Now do we truly appreciate that monumental sacrifice of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ? And do we pay the appropriate homage that is due to Him by the way we live our lives? I certainly hope so, otherwise we’d be doing Him a most serious injustice. 

He died that we could be free…free from sin and shame…free to live forever under His glorious umbrella of eternal life. Have we accepted that fact, and do our lives reflect it? That’s how His body, the church, ought to be portraying His sacrifice. 

That brings us to our Bit, the words of Bruh Paul to the elders of the church of Ephesus, whom he called to him at Miletus. 

‘Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed (shepherd) the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.’ 

Unfortunately though friends, in these modern times, I don’t think we are doing a worthwhile job of shepherding God’s body, the church. There are too many divisions, too much dissension and resentment within Christ’s body over miniscule matters. Too much, I an me, instead of we and thou. 

I don’t have to specify anything, because we all know of some negative matter affecting the smooth and godly running of our church, something that should not be taking place at all. And sadly, this disunity within the ranks of the church is turning others away in droves, for who wants to be a part of a body that’s cantankerous and quarrelsome eh? 

It’s obviously disrupting Jesus’ LOVE Revolution, since LOVE cannot exist under those circumstances. We desperately need to fix the situation my fellow believers, for until there is true peace and sincere fellowship in Christ’s church, we’ll keep going backward instead of forward, and that’s totally unacceptable. 

So let’s get serious about Christ’s business nuh, and stop all the petty infighting. Let’s focus on His cross and be as one, the way He desires us to be. That’s the only way we’ll accomplish anything positive. 

Now let’s go home declaring our Thursday Blessings. With such a great variety of blessings, we ought to be able to fund unity in the church. All together now: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! 

I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! 

I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and everyday! Amen!’ 

Please put them all into action now, by declaring them over others too. Much LOVE!

…at the cross…at the cross… where I first found Jesus…

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 January 2017 Psalm 90:12.

Psalm 90:12.   So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom (gain a heart of wisdom).

Well hey, hey, hey, my wonderful Scrip-Bit friends and family! Top o’ the morn to you! 

The ole fella’s up and about, alive, and though only kicking some, nonetheless ready to face a challenging day on God’s great earth! And is that ever a mouthful! (smile) 

Consequently, it causes us to joyfully declare, as the psalmist did so long ago: ‘This is the day the Lord has made, we WILL rejoice and be glad in it!’ 

And you know what I just realized? If we aren’t glad and rejoicing in this God-given day, we are the ones who will suffer. The Lord will still be on His throne in the high heavens enjoying His life, but we, foolishly, will not reap the myriad blessings and mercies that our ever-LOVING God has prepared for us afresh each new morning. 

And that’s foolishness in the heights! So please let’s get wise and begin enjoying every day that we are privileged to see nuh. That brings us to our Bit, taken from the prayer of Moses, the only Psalm attributed to him in the Psalter, and thus the oldest. 

‘So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom (gain a heart of wisdom).’ 

And we couldn’t ask for a wiser thing my friends, since our lives here on earth are so short, like a breath, a breath of air passing through our lungs. You see how long one breath lasts us? Not very long at all. 

And that’s the way our lives are; here one moment, then gone the next, often without any notice or chance for preparation. Therefore we need wisdom and guidance to live them to their fullest and also be ready for whatever comes, when it comes. 

That brings me to a serious realization and pulls me up short too. A couple weeks ago, unbeknownst to me, my heart was in rough shape, but generally speaking I felt fine, no pain or anything. That is until the shortness of breath became somewhat annoying and uncomfortable. 

All I’m trying to say here is that my life could have been blown out in a split second, and I’d be none the wiser. That’s why we need to get ready NOW for Jesus, living the way He desires of us, for none of us knows when our number will play, and everybody will not be lucky or blessed like me to get a wake-up call. 

And I have a very good example of that recently with a friend in Jamaica; he had no pain or apparent heart problems either, but in the twinkling of an eye he was taken home unexpectedly, from apparent heart-failure. 

Oh friends, you don’t know how much I appreciate that wake-up call nuh, especially when I thought that I was doing okay. Just goes to show that we’re not always right, even when by man’s standards, it seems so. 

Listen to how Moses describes our lives. ‘Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God. Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return ye children of men. 

For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep; in the morning they are like grass which groweth up. In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth.’ (Ps.90:2-6) 

Yeh friends, that’s just how it is! And the scholars tell us.’Psalm 90:.. It is a prayer for the new generation of Israelites who will enter the Promised Land.There are four parts to its message. First Moses describes the eternality of God (vs.1-2). 

Then, in contrast, he explores the brevity of man before God (vs.3-6). Four key comparisons are used: (1) A thousand years are like one day to God. (2) A thousand years are like a watch in the night (three hours). The implication of these comparisons is simple: if a thousand years to God are like a day or a nightwatch, man’s life is like a vapour. 

(3) Your life is like a particle swept away by a flood. (4) Your life is like a blade of grass that sprouts, fades, withers, and dies in a day. Moses was most qualified to speak of death, since he witnessed an entire generation perish in the wilderness…’ 

Now that should have us all thinking about our mortality and propel us to do the RIGHT THING, RIGHT NOW! But in the meantime, let’s also enjoy the goodies our Lord has so generously provided. 

So let’s go home declaring our Wednesday Wail, in strong voice and everlasting belief. ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! 

I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’ 

Yes friends, that’s what we are called to do. Much LOVE!

…time to man might seem long…but it’s the Lord’s vision of time…that truly matters…

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 10 January 2017 Matthew 5:13-14.

Matthew 5:13-14.   Ye are the salt of the earth…Ye are the light of the world…

Ah friends, it’s a snowy Tuesday afternoon in my neighbourhood, and I so wanted to get the Bit our earlier, but as they say the best laid plans of mice and men usually go astray. 

I’m still trying to find a new balance in this era of heart problems and it’s not proving to be very easy. But fear not, our wonderful and omnipotent God is in full command and in His time, all will work it self out for good. 

And to help us come to terms with whatever problem(s) we are facing today, here is this li’l reminder from our Hour of Power Devotional by Gramps Schuller (Dr. Robert H Schuller) that’s simply titled ‘GOD LOVES ME!’ 

Please pray with me: ‘Thank you, Lord, for this holy sentence, this good news, this happy report, this exciting thought, this graceful truth, this fantastic lesson. God LOVES me! Even when I’m at my worst – God LOVES me. Even when my faith is dim – God LOVES me anyway! It’s incomprehensible and fantastic! Thank you, Father. Amen.’ 

And isn’t that the gospel, gospel truth friends? Our wonderful, amazing, awesome and incomprehensible heavenly Father LOVES us in what ever state we may be in; good, bad or indifferent! And that will NEVER change! Glory Hallelujah! We are so blessed and don’t truly realize it nuh. 

Now let’s turn to our Bit. ‘Ye are the salt of the earth…Ye are the light of the world…’ Yes my fellow believers, that’s how our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ desires us to be in this lost and fallen world – salt and light! 

Yesterday we looked at the salt aspect, today, let’s look at the light portion. Jesus puts it thus: ‘Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle (lamp), and put it under a bushel (basket), 

But on a candlestick (lamp stand); and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ (Matt.5:14-16) 

Ah mih people, our Saviour wants us to shine, and shine so brightly that we light up this entire world of darkness! 

Hear how the scholars explain those verses. ‘5:14-16. Ye are the light of the world describes the essential mission of the Christian to the world. He is the condition (salt) to meet the world’s needs and he has a mission (light) to the world. His light is to clearly shine forth into the darkness of human depravity. 

He is to set his light upon a candlestick, not hide it under a bushel, that is a basket. Darkness is the absence of light; and darkness alone cannot dispel the light, but the smallest light can dispel the greatest darkness.’ 

Always remember that please friends; the smallest light can displace great darkness! Once there is light, the darkness will flee! That’s why we need to shine, regardless of the intensity, for any bit of light is better than darkness. 

And as always, the bottom line of our earthly behaviour is to glorify our heavenly Father! That’s our number one reason for being! I wonder how many of us though, even consider the effect our actions have on the glorification of our great God? 

And I think that’s where a lot of us err; we don’t think enough, or sincerely about the effect our actions have on the glory of God. 

Oh, I know it’s not possible to consider the effect of every action, but overall I believe we can do a better job in that department, because that’s where people are either drawn to Christ or are turned away from Him. 

And I do believe that too many people are being turned away from Him these days by our less than stellar salt and light actions. But friends, it is of the utmost importance in these days of worldwide strife, anger and bitterness, we followers of Jesus give the world a peaceful and comforting place to come and lay down all their burdens. 

It’s becoming more essential everyday that we be true salt and light in this wicked world. So let’s try and up the ante nuh, so that others can find a true place of rest in Jesus. Now let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra with a positive outlook and sense of purpose. 

As one now: ‘I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world.  Amen!’  Much LOVE!

…shine on…shine on…you believers…shine on…shine on for Jesus…

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 9 January 2017 Matthew 5:13-14.

Matthew 5:13-14.   Ye are the salt of the earth…Ye are the light of the world…

Ah mih people, the Christmas and New Year’s celebrations finally over! Is back to serious work this Monday morning. No more three and four day weekends for a while again. Hn, Hn! 

But please, please, I’m pleading with us, let’s not go back to the savage sort of life we were living before the Holiday season began nuh. Let’s keep at least some of the LOVE and good cheer we’ve been meeting out in that blessed period, otherwise the birth of Jesus would be no more than a commercial message. 

Friends, it’s up to us Christian folks to make that a reality. The world with its rampant carnality doesn’t care about that sort of thing, and remember, we have resolved in our ONE resolution, to walk ever more closely with Jesus this provocative year of 2017. 

So let’s stop disappointing Him with our hitherto frail and feeble LOVE walk nuh, and let’s open the year instead bright and beautiful, like the shining stars He desires us to be. Nuff said! 

And with that burst of glory (smile) let’s belt out our Monday Morning Battle Hymn as though we truly mean it. 

In unison 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!’ 

Ah friends, that was good, and Jesus was pleased but He‘d much rather we keep up a constant battle as per our Bit. ‘Ye are the salt of the earth…Ye are the light of the world…’ 

That’s what Christians are supposed to represent in this evil world; salt and light. I’ll let Jesus tell us. ‘Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost his savour (flavour), wherewith (by what) shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.’ (Matt.5:13) 

Unfortunately, a lot, too many of us fit that description; good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden underfoot! And the scholars supply this explanation: ‘5:13. The Beatitudes are followed by a summary statement of the basic character of the Christian’s life as salt and light. 

Ye are the salt of the earth: Again the phrase “ye are” indicates that only the genuinely born-again person is salt and can help meet the needs of the world. Salt adds flavouring, acts as a preservative, melts coldness, and heals wounds. Thus it is a very appropriate description of the believer in his relationship to the world in which he lives.’ 

Oh my fellow believers, as we look at our Christian walk in action, can we truly say that we are salt? Do we add a rich and spicy flavour to our surroundings and those therein? Are we being preservative; keeping people strong, alive and vibrant with whatever we bring to the table? 

And do we melt coldness? Oh friends, that’s possibly one of the most important of our duties, because there are so many cold and hard-hearted hearts and souls out there in this modern world, and it is our job to soften, to warm them up with the wonder of Jesus. 

And last, but by no means least, do we heal wounds? Are we comforting and consoling and guiding and bringing peace and LOVE to situations rather than anger and strife? I surely hope so my brethren, otherwise our witness if of no use, and calling ourselves Christians is a clearly a misnomer! 

Well that’s enough tough talk for today. (smile) But please, let’s be serious and check out our lives along those paths nuh, and see where we are lacking and ask the Good Lord to help us improve our LOVE walk in His name. Much LOVE!

…it’s time the world sees what true Christians are like…in fact…it’s long overdue…

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 8 January 2017 Psalm 27:13.

Psalm 27:13.   I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

Oh friends, oh friends, it’s Sunday, the Lord’s Day, so let’s have church like we’re supposed to nuh! And as always, let’s begin with some praise and worship to open up our hearts to receive the word of our magnificent God. 

So in full voice and strong belief, let’s sing, let’s cause our souls and voices to soar heavenward. ‘Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of LOVE; Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee, Op’ning to the sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; Drive the dark of doubt away; Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day! 

All Thy works with joy surround Thee, Earth and heav’n reflect Thy rays, Stars and angels sing around Thee, Center of unbroken praise. Field and forest, vale and mountain, Flow’ry meadow, flashing sea, Singing bird and flowing fountain Call us to rejoice in Thee. 

Thou art giving and forgiving, Ever blessing, ever blest, Wellspring of the joy of living, Ocean depth of happy rest! Thou our Father, Christ our Brother, All who live in love are Thine; Teach us how to love each other, Lift us to the joy divine. 

Mortals, join the happy chorus, Which the morning stars began; Father LOVE is reigning o’er us, Brother LOVE binds man to man. Ever singing, march we onward, Victors in the midst of strife, Joyful music leads us Sunward In the triumph song of life.’ 

Now that was certainly a rousing rendition my people, heaven couldn’t help but pay attention! 

And today’s sermon is based on our Bit, which exudes one of God’s great promises. ‘I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.’ 

Yes friends, God’s goodness is a primary function of our earthly existence, else why would He make it as beautiful and provident as He did eh? A lot of us talk about seeing hell on earth, but as the Belinda Carlisle song declares: ‘They say in heaven, LOVE comes first We’ll make heaven a place on earth Ooh, heaven is a place on earth!’ 

And that is exactly what our God intends it to be, else why would He send His Son to earth to die for our sake and say: ‘The thief cometh not but for to (except) to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.’ (John 10:10) 

If we were not meant to have a decent life down here on earth, Jesus’ life, words and death would be meaningless. 

Oh, Jesus certainly did not mean that everything on earth would be hunky dory, but even when it wasn’t we would be okay. Listen to Him: ‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33) 

He couldn’t be any clearer. Life on earth will have its problems, but even then, when we sincerely believe and trust Him, we will be able to handle those problems because He has already overcome the world’s nonsense. 

And yuh know what friends, when those problems confront us and we stand strong in His name, we come through them ever more mature in our Christian faith, for good times don’t increase faith, it’s the rough times that do. 

Just take me now as a good example. A couple weeks ago I figured I was hale and hearty, but all of a sudden I discover that I have heart problems and the whole tenor of my life changes. 

So what should my reaction be eh? Should I bang my head on the wall and blame God? Absolutely not! Because that won’t help my problem, just cause it to get worse. My reaction is to believe that God has a purpose for my problem, and wait and pray and hang in until He is ready to divulge the solution to His plan. 

Now I don’t know when that is going to happen, but in the meantime I’m expected to be faithful and relax in the peace that He gives me. Oh, it’s not easy, but with God’s help, it is possible. 

All I’m trying to say friends, is that though life can be rough down here on it, it can also be a heavenly place. The problem is that we don’t count our blessings, we count our problems and magnify them. However if we put our troubles and blessings side by side, the majority of us will discover that our blessings far outweigh our problems. 

As somebody said: ‘Count your blessings, while others are adding up their troubles.’ It’s basically a problem of attitude. We allow the world system to influence us too much, when the certain and faithful promises of Jesus ought to be our mainstay. 

And we’ll end with some more strategic and encouraging words of our wonderful Lord and Saviour. When He taught the disciples to pray, this is the basic outline He gave them. ‘After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven…’ (Matt.6:9-10)

Yes friends, we ought to seek God’s kingdom and through our prayers and consequently our actions, the will of the Father must also be done here on earth as it is in heaven. 

As the scholars tell us: ‘The recognition of Thy will be done emphasizes the idea that prayer is to bring about the conformity of the will of the believer to the will of God. Prayer is an act of spiritual expression that brings us into conformity to the very nature and purpose of God.’ 

So my fellow believers, let’s stop thinking of our lives as being hell on earth nuh, and instead consider them as the Lord desires – heaven on earth. That’s wisdom at its zenith! Much LOVE!

…Jesus came to earth to set us free…show us a slice of heaven…not to keep us in bondage…which hell is all about… 

P.S. We’re getting a li’l earlier each day. (smile) Much LOVE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 7 January 2017 2 Corinthians 5:7.

2 Corinthians 5:17.    (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

Aye mih people, the ole fella’s here again – later than I had planned, but earlier than the last few days. (smile) 

And I am feeling better, spiritually and physically. But I am certainly not out of the woods yet – though with perseverance and the Lord’s help I hope it won’t be too long or difficult a trip back. 

Oh friends, I can never consider the goodness and LOVING-kindness of our magnificent and magnanimous God without feeling a deep, tender and abiding LOVE for Him! He’s been ever so good to me, that sometimes it just boggles my imagination. 

Now don’t get me wrong, it has not always been wine, roses and song, there have been some serious trials and tribulations along the way, many of them unexpected and out of the blue, like this past week in the hospital with heart problems. 

You know with that sort of stuff you usually feel a pain or something of the sort… well I have NOT felt a pain up to this day, just a constant shortness of breath. And thankfully I listened to the Holy Spirit that guided me to the hospital’s Emergency Department, otherwise I might not be alive to tell the tale today. 

And come to think of it, this is the tenth year – can you imagine- ten years since I’ve been writing the Bit, and I certainly never expected to ring it in with heart problems in the hospital. 

But our God is such a dramatic and mysterious God, that with Him anything is possible at any time. And you know what, somewhere along the line He is going to use this episode of my life for His glorification. I don’t know how, why or when – but that’s why He is God! (smile) 

Ah mih breddren, I think I’ve gotten lost somewhere along the line yes, (smile) I don’t remember what point I was trying to make. 

The long and short of the story though is that I could not have written the Bit for so long, especially if you knew how it began; with just a simple verse from the Good Book and maybe some inane comment from me, to where it is now. 

But it was ALL the Lord’s guidance and doing my people! I took the leap of faith and He extended His faithfulness. That’s why, if nothing else, I can always proclaim His faithfulness. But the important thing is that one first has to take whatever leap of faith He is advocating. 

Now that brings us to our Bit; a few simple but very powerful words: ‘(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)’ That’s the basic foundation of our great action movement – Christianity! 

As the Good Book says: ‘But without faith it is impossible to please him (God): for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.’ (Heb.11:6) So you see friends, we have to faithfully believe in and diligently seek the Lord if we expect to reap His blessings, grace and mercies. 

Listen to this wonderful promise relayed through Jeremiah. ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil (calamity), to give you an expected end (a future and a hope).’ (Jer.29:11) 

Now isn’t that just a marvellous promise from an omnipotent God? It certainly is! The question then is why don’t we supposed believers cling to it the way we ought to eh? 

Is it that we don’t truly believe, or our faith level isn’t that high, and on top of it all the lustful pleasures and material things of this world obscure God’s wonderful and faithful promises? 

And Jeremiah though he was used and abused in his prophetic ministry could still say: ‘Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see (fear) when heath cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful (anxious) in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.’ (Jer.17:7-8) 

Oh friends, Christians would be a whole lot better of in all respects if we would only take hold of the thousands of God promises in His Word and cling to them the way we cling to the foolishness of the world. 

And we’ll end with some marvellous sentiments from Jeremiah’s Lamentations. ‘And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the Lord: Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall (bitterness). My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled (bowed down) in me. 

This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. 

The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.’ (Lam.3:18-26) 

Oh my people, if Jeremiah could have been as abused as he was, and still have hope, faith and trust in the Lord, then why can’t we who have not faced such persecution do the same eh? 

That’s a question we have to answer individually. Let’s hope we do it positively and soon, for we know not when our Lord and Saviour Jesus will return. And once He comes back, ALL bets are off! Much LOVE!

…following Jesus is not an easy row to hoe…but it provides the greatest rewards…that’s for sure…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 6 January 2017 2 Corinthians 5:7.

2 Corinthians 5:17.    (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

Well friends, the king is finally back in his castle! Yeahhh! They finally let me out of the medical madhouse this morning! Glory Hallelujah! And does it ever feel good to be back home! As they say, there’s definitely no place like home! 

Now being home did not make my physical self any better, but it certainly improved my spiritual side – what with all the peace and quiet, compared to the craziness, the hustle and bustle and noise of the hospital. At one stage I even asked the duchess how come the place was so quiet, like a morgue? 

Hn, hn! So glad was I to be set free, that I was singing with the heathen: ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday! I’m free! Free like a bird in a tree, and I’m going to spread my wings and soar this Friday! I’m going to fly wherever and whenever I want to, and enjoy this weekend like it’s my last! Thank God for Fridays and the weekend oui!’ 

Ah mih people, what thoughts can freedom bring, after being cooped up in a little cubby hole of a room for five days with an older, somewhat incapacitated gentleman. But we know that giving into our fleshly feelings is not the right way to go, so please let’s chant our Friday Chant, which gives us a much better perspective on the situation. 

Chanting: ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’ 

Now that’s more like what we need, a sense of balance in our lives, otherwise we’d just flame out uncontrollably, which would not be the Christian thing to do. Sorry that the Bit has been so late the past few days, but I just didn’t have the wherewithal to do it earlier, and as I get my strength back, it’ll be sent our earlier, for neither, snow, sleet, nor rain, sickness or death must stop it from going out! (smile) 

And today we’re going to look at some more scriptures which encourage me and keep me going, starting with our Bit. ‘(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)’ 

Yes my fellow believers, in the kingdom of God, we first have to believe it before we see it. For as the writer of Hebrews tells us: ‘Now faith is the substance (realization) of things hoped for, the evidence (conviction) of things not seen.’ (Heb.11:1) Now that is exactly what faith does! It keeps one hoping and hanging in with great expectations. 

And as Bruh Paul said to the Romans ‘For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience (perseverance) (eagerly) wait for it.’ (Rom 8:24-25). 

And friends, there could be no greater faith shown than that of Job, who though he was brought to his knees for apparently no good reason, then was deserted by his friends and family, yet he still could say with strong conviction: ‘Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. He also shall be my salvation: for a hypocrite shall not come before him.’ (Job 13:15-16). 

Yes mih people, that is what great faith is really all about! As the scholars tell us: ‘13:15. Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him expresses the unquenchable faith of one who lives by faith, not by sight. Even when it appears that God Himself has turned against Job, he will still trust in God.’ 

Oh, how I sincerely hope and desire that many more of us supposed modern-day Christians would even display one iota of Job’s faith! For what a wonderful movement Christianity would then be, full of real action and not just simply talk. 

Now here is a little snippet from our friend Bubba Joel Osteen: ‘Fear and faith have something in common – they both ask us to believe in something that we cannot see.’ So you see that fear and faith both call for the same actions; believing without seeing. That begs the question: why fear when it’s much easier and powerful to have faith eh?

And we will close with these wonderful verses of Psalm 130 – My soul waiteth for the Lord – ‘Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord. Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? 

But there is forgiveness with thee that thou mayest be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy and with him is plenteous redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.’ (Ps 130:1-8). 

Yeh friends, in the final analysis it all boils down to waiting and hoping in the Lord, our wonderful Creator and most generous Provider. That’s the only thing that makes any sense in this crazy world. Much LOVE!

…standing…standing…standing on the promises of God…   

P.S. I tried friends, but halfway through I had to call in my young D to do the heavy lifting for me. I just couldn’t handle it all on my lonesome. That’s why Jesus recommended two over one. (smile) Much LOVE!

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 5 January 2017 Psalm 103:1.

Psalm 103:1.   Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Ah friends, my dream was crushed early this morning when I heard the edict from the medic – one more day! At first I was disappointed, but then sometime later on in the day, I felt so terrible that I was glad that he kept me here. 

Oh, before I forget, let me apologize for forgetting to include the Wednesday Wail in yesterday’s Bit. I won’t assign any blame, but if I was up to scratch, that wouldn’t happen. Sorry mih young D. (smile) 

Now when I say that the Lord is good to those who trust in Him I’m talking from hard experience. And today was a most excellent example, for while I was here going through my shortness of breath and other problems, some beautiful and reassuring scriptures just flowed through my soul and brought a breath of fresh air to my spirit. 

Let’s check out some of those overwhelming promises nuh. I don’t remember in what order they came, but we’ll begin with this famous one from Psalm 42 – An intense longing for God – as the sons of Korah declare: ‘Why art thou cast (bowed) down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance (presence). (Ps.42:5) 

Ah mih people that is indeed a most reassuring scripture. Then sometime in there I remembered this particular name of our God – Jehovah Rapha – the Lord is thy Healer. And is that ever true friends! For the Lord is indeed our Creator, our Comforter and Healer – among so many other things. I can never stop being amazed at the wonderful God we LOVE and serve! 

And this one from Psalm 30 – A thanksgiving for deliverance from death – brought a tear to my eyes., as Bruh David entreats: ‘I cried to thee, O Lord; and unto the Lord I made supplication. What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit (grave)? Shall the dust praise the? Shall it declare thy truth? Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me: Lord be thou my helper.’ (Ps.30:9) 

Ah friends excuse me for a minute, because the tears just suddenly began flowing unexpectedly on me. But I guess that deep down I’m somewhat disappointed by the slender thread by which I’m holding on now, since the Lord put so many desires in my heart, very few of which I’ve yet accomplished. 

And I sincerely felt that I had His promise that He wouldn’t take me home until I’ve accomplished most, if not all of them, that it seems a shame to let all that go to waste, especially when it’s all for His glorification. 

Yes, I know that all things are possible through Christ who strengthens me, but when push comes to shove, when the reality of your mortal life hits you square in the face, it’s easier said than done to calmly accept it. And the recent passing of so many of my friends and acquaintances doesn’t make it any easier to accept. 

However, I know that life’s not always fair, but our great God IS GOOD! And even further, He will work everything out for good to those who LOVE Him and are called to His purpose. I will therefore operate under that principle, and bow to His will. 

Now let’s turn to our Bit and some of the scriptures that follow it. ‘Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Who forgiveth all thine iniquities: who healeth all thy diseases; 

Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with LOVING-kindness and tender mercies. Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth be renewed like the eagle.’ (Ps.103:1-5) 

Yeh friends, it’s easy to forget God’s goodness in times of trial, but that’s exactly when we need to remember them. Now let’s go home declaring our Thursday Blessings. I didn’t forget it. (smile) And remember, a blessing is not a blessing until it’s been spoken over someone. 

So in strong voice and true belief, let’s do it. ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! 

I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! 

I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’ 

Now let’s go out and put all of that into action as Jesus desires of us. Much LOVE!

…and now, Lord…what wait I for…my hope is in thee.. (Ps. 39:7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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