Psalm 39:1. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
Ah mih people, another day is slowly dawning in our wonderful lives, thanks to our most wonderful God. And all God’s people trilled a grateful, ‘Thank You heavenly Father for showering us with Your LOVE, mercy, and forgiveness! We worship and adore You with all our hearts, bodies and souls. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!’
Yes Friends, it’s only right and wise to give the Lord thanks for all He’s doing for us, even though it doesn’t seem so on the surface. Take for instance, in my area yesterday it was cold and blustery with high winds all day, meaning that leaves were blowing all over the place like crazy, especially in my driveway, which seems to have a whirlwind, current-like disposition, for all the other driveways are clear of leaves, but mine always has a couple piles spread around it. Many of the trees are already devoid of leaves, though the colourful autumn landscape is still highly visible all around, with the beautiful, eye-catching, burnished browns, golds and yellows, highlighting the amazing artistry of our very creative God.
That means the dreaded winter has begun its cold, dark, uncomfortable journey to our area, and many of us began singing the winter blahs from the first chilly day. (smile) But my people, that will only make our lives even more miserable than normal over the next six months, an unnecessary evil, since we are strong, staunch believers in Jesus Christ and have the assurance that He will eventually work everything out for our good.
Now here’s a simple prayer from the Hour of Power Devotional by Robert H. Schuller, to help us overcome the vicissitudes of life. It’s titled FAITH, and strongly proclaims: ‘Lord, I believe in the SUN, even when it is behind the clouds; in the SEED, even when it lies unsprouted under the ground; in FAITH, even when I have been betrayed; in LOVE, even when I have been rejected; in HOPE, even when I have been hurt; in GOD, even when you do not answer my prayers. Amen.’
Now doesn’t that just say everything about our faith in a nutshell my brethren? It sure does!
And finally turning to our Bit: ‘I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep (restrain) my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.’
Oh Friends, that’s the way it’s supposed to be, but sadly it isn’t in this very talkative age. Yesterday we saw that Amanda Todd’s foolish act of putting half-naked pictures of herself on the Internet, eventually caused her sad demise. And unfortunately this can happen to any of us, if we’re not very careful about what we say and/ or post in the social media, since there are tons of evildoers out there just waiting to jump on anything they can use.
Now I said that there were two things bugging me, but before I get to the second, let me throw in here another negative aspect of the Net. A few weeks ago, somewhere in Europe, in the Netherlands, if I remember correctly, a teenaged girl sent out a message re a party in her backwater town. End result; some three thousand hooligans descended on the poor town, causing a huge riot and untold damage.
Nowadays uninvited people showing up at parties and trashing the place has become a constant hazard with such easy social communication, so what’s it going to take for us to smarten up eh, and be careful how we advertise our personal functions? Apparently, the young lady above, forgot to put private or some such foolishness in her message.
Now crashing a party is nothing new, we did it in our time too, but we went to have a good time, and even when we were kicked out, we didn’t feel the need to cause confusion and trash the place. But now, no one seems to have respect for other people’s privacy or belongings, and half the fun appears to come from destroying stuff. What a sad commentary on our society!
And finally, the other bit of nonsense that’s been riding my chest. It’s about a working mother in Alberta, a western province, our oil and beef capital, who apparently went on strike and refused to clean up after her children, twelve year old twins and a ten year old. For a week she drank wine or whatever and had the gall to start a Blog about it, even showing her picture against the despicable looking kitchen in the background. She claims that at the beginning, she told the children she was tired, or some sort of horse manure, then at the end of the week, she told them the real reason.
What foolishness! I would be ashamed to let anybody know that I have three big children in my house, who obviously have all the joys of today’s modern world, and if I don’t pick up behind them, my house was going to be in a terrible mess. In the first place, I blame the mother for not teaching the children responsibility.
Do you think at that age I could have done anything even closely resembling that in my mother’s house, especially when she was killing herself working two jobs to keep me fairly comfortable? No way Jose! But that’s the kind of parenting we seem to be doing nowadays, no wonder the children are lost and irresponsible.
And what irks me even more, is that they’ve made this lousy mother a celebrity, with people complimenting her on what she’s done. She was even flown to New York city to be interviewed by Kathy Couric on the Today Show or some such inane programme.
Chuh! Steups!
Okay Friends, I’ve finally got it off my chest. If you don’t agree with me, too bad, that just shows how badly your standards have fallen too. But, as they say, to each his own.
However, let me make one last appeal; please, please, think seriously before you talk, or put anything out there on the Web, for it’s truly worldwide, and there are many sick, evil, vindictive, criminal types out there just waiting to use your information improperly. I can’t say it any plainer than that. Much LOVE!
…in most aspects of life…those who refuse to listen…are usually taken advantage of by the evil elements, prevalent everywhere…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 14 October 2012 Psalm 15:1
14 Oct 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: a pure heart, build on today, effort, idols, Jesus, seek God, speak truth, thanks and praise, today is here, tomorrow never comes, vanity, walk uprightly, work righteousness, yesterday's gone
Psalm 15:1. Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
Today’s Scrip-Bit 12 October 2012 Psalm 39:1
12 Oct 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: criminal purposes, fellowship, fraud, Friday chant, God's glorious kingdom, mass communication, relaxation, restrain our tongues, self-awareness, temptation, TGIF!
Psalm 39:1. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
Ah Friends, you don’t know how many of us have been dying to see this day, this day called Friday! Some of us have been focused on it since leaving home on Monday morning to go to work. So much so, that by lunchtime on Monday, we’re asking, ‘Isn’t it Friday yet?’ And you wouldn’t believe the note of disbelief in our voices, that Friday could be taking so long to come. (smile) But that’s how much we seem to value Fridays. Well Friends, I come bearing good tidings, today is Friday. At last Friday has arrived. And all the worker bees joyfully declare: ‘Yeah! TGIF! Thank God is Friday yes!’ So to celebrate the universal looking-forward to the day before a short freedom from the drudgery of the workplace, let’s joyfully and enthusiastically chant our Friday Chant. As one beautiful 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.’ And now that we’ve straightened out our focus and perspective for the weekend, let’s have a gander at our Bit: ‘I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep (restrain) my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.’ And sadly, that’s something we all need to try and accomplish, especially in these times of so much easy and quick communication. The technology is encouraging us to talk a lot more than we should, and behold, the wicked are often the providers and controllers of the technology we use to communicate in this accelerated age of mass communication. Now what does that mean to the believer? In terms of our Bit, it means first of all that we shouldn’t become too deeply involved with, or totally entrenched in the social media apparatus, because they all have built in features to grab your private information and spread it to whomsoever they will, often for a price. So when we put too much of our private information out there, it’s scary to think of the places it could end up and the dishonest uses it could be put to. This social media set up is being used for a lot of fraudulent and criminal purposes. But then, if you can’t resist the temptation of the social media juggernaut, then please, I implore you again, be very careful what you say or write, because as we see everyday, somebody is getting in trouble for the info they shared. It’s also a matter of simple logic Friends; the more we say or write, the more opportunities we have to say or write the wrong thing. Remember what James says about the tongue? ‘Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold how great a matter (forest) a little fire kindleth (sets on fire). And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue (set) among our members (bodily parts), that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature (existence); and it is set on fire of hell.’ (James 3:5-6) Yes Friends, that’s the living truth, for our tongues have either directly or indirectly caused the majority of the problems in our world today. And in these times of plenty written communication, the tongue is now also wagging the finger when it writes. The sad part is that most of us don’t have much of real importance to say. Or if we do, it can often be communicated in seconds. So why keep on eh? Because we have been conditioned to think that the social media stuff is so great, the greatest thing since sliced bread, and if you’re not totally involved in it, then you’re outside the mainstream of society. Ah mih people, the evil, ungodly followers of Lucifer are just pulling our strings like a puppet, and we are allowing them to do so. Our Bit comes from a psalm of Bruh David, where he’s praying for self-understanding, and I’d like to suggest that we should all be searching for that, instead of just thoughtlessly expatiating in the new medium. It’s time for us to look inside ourselves to see what’s wrong in there, rather than outside, where there’s a lot of heartache and trouble to be found. Bruh David continues after our Bit: ‘I was dumb (mute) with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred. My heart was hot within me; while I was musing (meditating) the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue, Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.’ (Ps.39:2-4) Yes Friends, it’s to our God we should be turning, not the evil stuff that’s sprouting up all over our world, nicely called the social media. Don’t get me wrong, it has it’s useful purposes, but too many of us are being too easily caught up in its all consuming web of lies and deceit. That’s enough for us to ponder today. More on the subject tomorrow if the Lord sees it fit to give us life. Till then, please, let’s keep our talking and writing to a minimum, so that we stand less chance of getting in trouble, and if we have a problem, please, let’s look to our Great God first. That’s as it ought to be. Much LOVE!…words of wisdom…stop…listen…and think…before talking or writing… P.S. I sure hope I did that. (smile) Much LOVE!
Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 October 2012 Proverbs 22:6
11 Oct 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: boring lives, education, evil lifestyles, falling standards, God's precepts, immorality, lonely writer, media manipulation, new-age celebrities, parental training, parents to blame, righteousness., teach the children about God, train up a child, ungodly
Proverbs 22:6. Train up a child in the way he should go: and (even) when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Ah Friends, welcome to the world of the lonely writer, especially when he doesn’t know what to write. (smile) Contrary to what many may think when they see all the celebrity authors out and about, writing is indeed a lonely profession, because you spend so much time alone, either putting ideas together, doing research, and finally trying to put it all into an interesting, readable format. And today that’s getting even more difficult because the world wants something new and fresh and thrilling every day. That’s the new norm, and that’s also partly why there is so much rubbish out there being passed off as writing. Everybody with a computer can call themselves writers now. But like everything else that’s too free and available, the standards are getting lower and lower daily. Now, it’s no harm to admit, that even in this supposed action age, most of us live boring, humdrum, repetitive lives, that’s why we hunger and thirst after the exciting lives that the new-age celebrities are supposed to live, as portrayed by the media and all its machinations. But Friends, a lot of that is indeed media manipulation, and what we should really be hungering and thirsting after is righteousness, as Jesus said in the Beatitudes, (Matt.5:6) because then we’ll truly have an exciting life of our own, we’ll truly be filled. When righteousness becomes our goal, then we’ll have something solid and worthwhile within ourselves to live by, and won’t have to live in a world of make-believe, where we put the mostly dumb, immoral, uneducated, insipid, ungodly, evil lifestyles of today’s rich and famous up on a pedestal and worship them as idols, as we’re currently doing. Now I don’t know where all of this is leading to, but it’s where I was guided when I asked the Lord for guidance. But it’s truly sad to see so many of our young people get so caught up in the nonsense of this modern society, and don’t have a clue as to what real life is all about. Unfortunately we can’t blame the ungodly, media, business and everybody else for this sad state of affairs. We the parents have to accept a sizeable portion of the blame too, since it’s obvious we never raised them up as we should have. That means we have not followed our Bit. ‘Train up a child in the way he should go: and (even) when he is old, he will not depart from it.’ And we cannot dispute that fact Friends, because most of us were raised properly, and though we occasionally got off-track, we never really strayed far from the straight and narrow. As the fellow in the song says – I don’t remember his name or the song title – but he declares that though he didn’t live the way God wanted, he never forgot His precepts, so when times got real rough, he knew exactly whom to turn to for help and forgiveness. Unfortunately though, too many of our children and young adults don’t have a clue about the precepts of God. What a glaring shame my brethren! And I like how the scholars explain our Bit: ‘Train up a child refers to the total process of moulding a child’s life. The word train (chanak) comes from the root meaning to “put into the mouth” and implies the idea of conditioning the palate. Thus, parental training should help children develop a taste for the things of God. The biblical pattern of effective parental training emphasizes a balance of instruction and discipline (cf. Eph. 6:1-4). The ideal parent is to be neither overly authoritarian nor overly permissive. Rather, he must balance LOVE and discipline so as not to ‘provoke’ his child to rebellion. When he is old means simply, “when he is grown up,” or a mature adult. It does not refer to his elderly years. The verse stresses the simple principle that education in the home forms the man throughout his lifetime.’ And is that last line a gospel, eternal and living truth, or what my people? What the children learn at home is indeed what’s going to be the basic foundation of their entire lives! What did the old people say? Charity (LOVE) begins at home, or something to that effect. In fact, most of what we learn at home sets the direction for our lives, starting in the early formative years, when we’re very innocent and very impressionable. Oh Friends, I’m chuckling now, since I’ve finally found out where my earlier rambling was leading. And all I can say is ‘Praise the Lord, for He is indeed worthy to be praised!’ He promises never to leave or forsake those who come to Him in sincerity for help, and I can certainly testify to His faithfulness because this Bit today was written, more than most days, through His help and guidance. But getting back to our topic. It’s surely disappointing to see the falling standards and values of our young people in almost every aspect of their lives. However, on a more positive note, remember, while there’s life, there’s always hope, and it’s not too late for us to work on some of our adult children, even if it’s only through prayer. And for the younger ones, we can make a conscious effort to point them in the right direction. We’ve made a total mess of that duty my people. So let’s see if we can make some amends nuh, by at least raising the young ones right. Oh my brethren, we’ve been given another chance, let’s use it to stop the talking we’re so good at, and instead truly pay attention to what’s happening in our families, with our children. It’s the only way we can be assured that Christ’s church will live on long after we’re gone. That’s why God gave us the Ten Commandments and why He specifically told the Israelites, through Moses: ‘And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart. And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.’ (Deut.6:6-9) Sadly my people, we have not complied with those instructions as fully as we should have done, and now we’re experiencing the negative repercussions. Remember the basic law of God; whatever you sow, you shall reap. And now we’re reaping the negative harvest that we sowed through our disobedience and rebellion. But regardless of our misdeeds, we can’t give up now, we’ve got to keep plodding onward and upward, for that’s the ‘never give up’ nature of Christ’s followers. So, since the Good Book says that the Word is gained by hearing, let’s ingrain it in our children from day one nuh, by reading it to them, even if they’re too young to understand. That’s the best way to build a strong, successful foundation in the Lord. Much LOVE!…pity the children…as Jesus did…teach them to pray from an early age…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 10 October 2012 Matthew 17:23
10 Oct 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: anger, born again, carnal minds, crucified the flesh, dark night, exploitation, fruit of the Spirit, hate, hunger, innocent lambs, ministering, negative emotions, temptation, thanks and praise, the things of God, the things of man
Matthew 17:23. But he turned and said to Peter, Get thee behind me Satan: thou art an offense unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
Oh Friends, we have successfully racked up another night in our earthly lives, and are beginning another day time journey, one that will hopefully end with another night of peaceful rest. Let’s hope all of us make it through with God’s LOVING-kindness and grace. Remember though, we must first start out with thanks and praise to Almighty God for bringing us safely through the dark night and ask Him to lead us aright this eventful day, for without His powerful protection, we’re like innocent lambs to the slaughter before Beelzebub’s evil machinations. And ‘From Off My Wall,’ which I just passed by, stood up for a moment and looked at what I had up there, comes this breakdown of one of Beelzebub’s most useful and powerful weapons; the emotion of HATE. And the little note on my wall breaks it down thus: HATE: Hunger, Anger, Tension, Exploitation. And isn’t that the living truth my people? Hate is made up of all those negative emotions and tendencies, and unfortunately too many of us get caught up in the individual items, as well as the overall emotion, because we either refuse to keep our eyes of faith focused on Christ, or we simply don’t believe in Him as our Lord, Saviour, Director and Guide of our earthly journey. That’s how it was with the disciples when Jesus told them of His impending death. Big Simon Peter rebuked Jesus, telling Him that would never happen, if he had any say in the matter. But Jesus in turn rebuked Peter with the memorable words of our Bit: ‘Get thee behind me Satan: thou art an offense unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.’ Peter’s quick reaction shows that Jesus’ teaching was foreign to the disciples. They didn’t expect Him to suffer and die such a cruel, inhumane death, and Peter, especially, believed that he would stand up and physically fight for Jesus. But the Master’s plan was different and He rebuked Peter just like He did when Lucifer tried to tempt Him in the wilderness after His forty days of fasting. And Jesus’ rough response to Peter, means He probably considered Peter’s words as more temptation to avoid His destiny with the cross. Oh Friends, please realize that Lucifer is not totally foolish, for it’s when we are at our weakest, at the ebb of our emotions, that he usually comes a-calling. But we all know that after fasting, Jesus still had enough strength to turn Lucifer away, telling him in no uncertain terms after the third attempt: ‘Get thee hence (away with you) Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.’ (Matt.4:10) And we have a touching, heart-warming, reaffirming of God’s grace after that. ‘Then the devil leaveth him alone, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.’ (Matt.4:11) Isn’t that wonderful, my brethren? It’s the same way the Holy Spirit and angels help us to overcome Lucifer and his evil taunts, then heal any wounds inflicted during the process. Now why did Jesus tell Peter that he was an ‘offense,’ a snare or a trap to Him? ‘…For thou savourest not (are not mindful of) the things that be of God, but those that be of men.’ Oh my people, if ever there was an indictment that could cover us all, that would surely be it. We don’t think of, meditate on, consider or accept the things of God nearly as much as we do the things of man. We mostly look at things from man’s point of view and not enough from God’s. And that’s why Lucifer is able to have so much sway in our earthly affairs. Bruh Paul clearly states it in Romans 8, when talking about life in the Spirit. ‘For they that are after the flesh do mind (set their minds on) the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that be in the flesh cannot please God.’ (Rom.8:5-8) That’s eternal truth my people! True believers deal more with the Spirit than with the flesh. Jesus said it thus to Nicodemus: ‘That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.’ (John 3:6) And in 1 Corinthians, Bruh Paul explains to them the spiritual body: ‘And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last man Adam was made a quickening (life-giving) spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural: and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy (made of dust): the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.’ (1 Cor.15:45-49) Yes Friends, when we’re born again in Jesus, we need to give up the things of the flesh and live for those of the Spirit. And we’ll end with Bruh Paul’s famous words on the fruit of the Spirit, just to remind us of some of the things we’re supposed to be involved in. ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness (kindness), goodness (faithfulness), faith, Meekness, temperance (self-control): against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections (its passions) and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory (conceited), provoking one another, envying one another.’ (Gal.5:22-26) Oh my people, we couldn’t get any wiser words this morning! So please, let’s check out our personal situations as they pertain to truly walking in the Spirit, and where necessary, raise our levels of producing spiritual fruit, for it’s the wisdom of the ages. Much LOVE!…when the fruit of the Spirit is in full bloom…then Lucifer’s sugar-coated entreaties fall on deaf ears…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 9 October 2012 Revelation 4:9
09 Oct 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: appreciation, giving thanks always, glory, honour, Jesus Christ, joy, keys of hell and death, praise, thanks, the First and the Last, warriors for Jesus, wisdom, worship
Revelation 4:9. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever.
Well my people, the Thanksgiving Celebrations are over for another year!Now it’s back to the daily grind and common task. And sadly, I know that some of us are going to have a hard time getting up and going to work this Tuesday morning because of our over giving of thanks yesterday. (smile) But as they say, when the Piper plays, you’ve got to pay! So just suck it up now like real warriors and get out there and work for Jesus! You certainly weren’t complaining when you were feeding your face and carrying on yesterday, so please don’t complain now. Please note too, that though the official day for giving thanks as a nation has passed, it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t give thanks individually, as families and as fellow worshippers, because giving thanks is an integral part of who we are as believers. As Bruh Paul told the Ephesians, we should be ‘Giving thanks ALWAYS for ALL things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (Eph.5:20) And that Friends is, or should be a major building block in our faith walk, since there are so many things in our everyday lives to give sincere thanks for. Then there’s the natural fact that when we tell each other thanks for whatever we’ve done for the other, it raises our level of joy and appreciation. In the same manner when we give God thanks for His goodness to us, it warms the cockles of His heart and makes Him want to bless us even more. Wow! I can’t get over it Friends; the awesome God we serve and worship! And don’t think that only on earth there’s thanks and praise. No way! There’s even more thanks and praise going on in heaven! As John describes in Revelation 4, around God’s throne is constant singing and giving of praise, honour and glory to the Most High! He saw four beasts around the throne; ‘And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest (cease) not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.’ (Rev.4:7-8) Yes Friends, a continual giving of thanks and praise to God goes on on high! Now here’s the scholars’ opinion on those verses: ‘The four beasts or living creatures (lit. “living ones”) are probably angels (cf. Ezekiel 10:15-22) who guard the throne of God. The eyes symbolize wisdom, and the wings depict movement. They worship God as did the seraphim in Isaiah’s vision (cf. Is.6:1-3). The lion represents strength (cf. Ps.103:20), and the calf service (cf. Heb.1:14), the face of a man intelligence (cf. Luke 2:52), and the eagle swiftness (cf. Dan.9:21). The angelic vision has a strong allusion to Ezekiel 1:4-14.’ Please take a moment and check out those scriptures Friends, for it will help you to understand where the scholars are coming from. Then we come to our Bit: ‘And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever.’ You know what happens when those beasts chant and sing my brethren? ‘The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created (by your will they exist). (Rev.4:10-11) Words of awesome truth my people! The scholars explain it thus: ‘All of heaven worship the Father. The angels extol His character, and the elders (church) extol His creative powers. God has the right to rule and the sovereign authority to judge the earth, because He is both holy and the Creator of it all.’ That is also awesome truth Friends, as corroborated by the Son of Man when John saw Him in all His flaming glory. John solemnly declares: ‘And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Write these things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be (take place) hereafter.’ (Rev.1:17-19) Now who else has the power or authority to make such a definitive and powerful proclamation eh my brethren? NOBODY but our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! So please, let’s truly worship Him in spirit and in truth as He desires. Let’s show Him true appreciation for all that He so selflessly sacrificed for us, and the awesome plans He has for us with Him, after the demise of this earth. No greater words can be found in any earthly language than a sincere and heartfelt, ‘THANK YOU JESUS!’ Please, let’s remember that, and do accordingly. Much LOVE my people!…the giving of thanks…both to God and our fellow man…ought to be a continuous act…on the part of every believer…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 8 October 2012 Psalm 26:7
08 Oct 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: awesome planet, blessings, energizing, enthusiasm, free gift of God, grace, Jesus Christ, Monday, rejuvenation, salvation, selfless sacrifice, thanksgiving, things to be thankful for, vitality
HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY CANADA!
Psalm 26:7. That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all your wonderful works.
Well a Happy Thanksgiving to all you beautiful people in the world of the Scrip-Bit! Yes Friends, it’s Thanksgiving Day in this wonderful land of Canada! And are there ever so many things for us to give thanks for? They certainly are too numerous to mention, including the things we take for granted, like food, clothing, shelter, jobs, good health, friends and families. Please Friends, I urge us to be very thankful for those basic necessities of life because a major portion of our world is sadly lacking in them. But to my mind, as I recently mentioned, the two most important things to be thankful for are firstly, the overwhelming fact that we are alive and in fairly good health! Yes my people, it deserves much thanks that the Good Lord saw it fit to allow the breath of life to continue flowing through our mortal bodies this Monday morning, so that we can enjoy another day of life on the awesome planet that’s He’s created for us to enjoy. Oh I know that some of us are shaking it a tad on the rough side, but even then, I don’t think we’re ready to be called home as yet. That brings me to the MOST important thing for which we need to be thankful: SALVATION, the free gift of God, earned by Jesus Christ for us through His sacrificial death on the cross at Calvary! Now what can be more important than that eh mih breddren? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! For through Jesus’ selfless sacrifice, and God’s gift of grace, we’ve been washed clean of all our abominable sins for all time, and have also been guaranteed a place with Jesus through all eternity! Wow! And all God’s people gave a truly grateful shout of joy: ‘All praise to Jesus, our Lord and Saviour! For He is indeed worthy to be praised! Now since it’s Thanksgiving Day in Canada, that means it’s also a Public Holiday, so the majority of us don’t have to go out and labour today, ‘Praise the Lord!’ But unfortunately the majority of the world still has to. Consequently, we still have to sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn to energize those who have to go out into this ungodly world and face the heathen hordes. So, with exceptionally loud voice, and in sweet tune, (smile) let’s sing our fighting song: Let’s make it rock both the heavens and the earth with sincere thanks! All together now: ‘Oh Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe and all therein! We, your humble servants, praise your Holy Name and thank you that this Monday morning we have jobs to go to; jobs we don’t like, jobs that are unfair, difficult and even dangerous, but which serve a useful purpose here on earth; keeping lives and families together. We also thank you Father for the renewed vitality and enthusiasm you’ve wrought in our weary souls over the last two days. It’s that rejuvenation of Spirit which allows us now to sally forth with confidence into the evil, ungodly world that surrounds us, to begin a new week of work, constantly buffeted and bombarded by the enemy’s wicked taunts, wiles and lies. But heavenly Father, we’re not afraid, for we know we’re invincible, sure conquerors, once we’re wearing your powerful, protective spiritual armour. We surrender our all to you, and humbly ask that you let your incredible aura of LOVE, the Holy Spirit, lead and guide all your servants as we go out to meet the enemy in battle. Fill us with steadfast faith, so that we can make worthwhile inroads into the enemy’s ranks, and thereby further your glorious kingdom. We pray this in the Holy Name of your Son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN!’ That was most excellent mih people! We were so believable that we even had all the heavenly host singing along with us. The Father’s face was glossed with a broad smile, and Jesus pumped His right hand in victory! Wow! So let’s go out now and put all that we just vocalized into solid, positive action, so that Jesus won’t be disappointed and become a laughingstock of the evil, ungodly felons of this fallen world, who are diligently seeking the demise of His church down here on earth. And that’s exactly what our Bit extols us to do: ‘That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all your wonderful works.’ Oh Friends, it’s becoming more important everyday for us to tell the world with heartfelt thanks what our Lord and Saviour has done for us, so that we can regain the ground recently lost to the infidel, and thus pull our very sick, confused and troubled world up out of the mire into which it is steadily descending. Psalm 26 is about Bruh David being falsely accused of some wrongdoing, but he refuses to give up, and wisely turns his face to the God of his fathers for help. Listen to his words before our Bit: ‘Judge (vindicate) me, O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the Lord; therefore I shall not slide (trip). Examine me, O Lord, and prove (try) me; Try my reins (test my mind) and my heart. For thy LOVING-kindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth. I have not sat with vain (idolatrous) persons, neither will I go with dissemblers (hypocrites). I have hated the congregation of evildoers; and will not sit with the wicked. I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass (go about) thine altar, O Lord.’ (Ps.26:1-6) Oh my brethren, we also have to walk in integrity, and not frolic with nor follow the wicked, if we want to be considered good servants, stewards of God. Ah my people, the Lord will judge all our hearts individually, but on this Thanksgiving Day of 2012, please, let’s sit for a moment and ponder all that we have to give thanks for, which, compared to most of the world is plenty. Then, because of our abundant blessings, let’s get truly joyful in spirit and go out and share with the rest of the world, whether it be time, talents, treasure or simple advice. Let’s tell the world, loudly, boldly, joyfully and with much thanks, how the Lord God Jehovah has been exceedingly good to us! That’s the way true believers are supposed to behave. Much LOVE!…if we’re not generous…freely giving and sharing…then we’re not true followers of Christ… (P.S) All you Canadian thanks givers, please remember, that drunk or sober, you must mind your business, and don’t give Lucifer any chance to get into and disrupt your souls. That means go easy on the partying. (smile) Much LOVE!
Today’s Scrip-Bit 7 October 2012 Proverbs 15:8
07 Oct 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: abomination, Christ's Church, faithfulness, fellowship, gentle reminder, humble walk, joyful worship, LOVE, obedience, One Body, outward show, religious ritual, righteousness., Sabbath Day, sacrifice, sincerity, spiritual reality, wickedness
Proverbs 15:8. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
Buenos dias mi amigos! That’s Espanol, Spanish for Good Morning Friends! What a way the ole fella is waxing linguistically these days eh! (smile) But please don’t ask me to say much more than good morning or good evening cause the old brain, through lack of use, has forgotten most of the French and Spanish it once knew. Now just a gentle reminder for those who celebrate the Sabbath on Sunday, that it’s very important we get together with other believers and encourage ourselves in our wonderful God with praise, thanksgiving and joyful worship. Remember Christ’s church is ONE body, though made up of many individual parts, and unless those parts work together in harmony, meaning believers working in faithful tandem, the body won’t progress, won’t stay strong and grow, but will regress and eventually fall apart like our human bodies do when we abuse or don’t take good care of them. And we certainly don’t want Christ’s church to fall apart, so, if at all possible, let’s get out today and celebrate the awesomeness of the God we so enthusiastically serve and worship. That brings us to our Bit: ‘The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.’ That’s the living truth my people! The Lord doesn’t want anything to do with the wicked. Hear the scholars comment on it. ‘The best that the wicked can offer God religiously is completely rejected.’ And why not, since they are not sincere in their efforts. What the Lord desires more than anything else is sincerity in our dealing with Him, and for that matter, also with our fellow man. As our Bit rightly declares; ‘but the prayer of the upright is his delight.’ And remember Friends, we can fool ourselves and each other, like the Pharisees, with our outward show of righteousness, but we can’t fool God, who looks at the motives of our hearts and not simply our outward actions. We all know the famous words of Samuel to Saul, when he disobeyed God’s orders to destroy all of the Amalekites and their property, but he saved the king, Agag, and allowed the people to keep spoil to offer blood sacrifice. ‘Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft (divination), and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.’ (1 Sam.15:22-23) It’s the same relationship we cultivate with our children, where we want them to do as we ask, rather than what they think we want. And the scholars note that: ‘Those verses reinforce the Old Testament viewpoint that religious ritual devoid of spiritual reality and a life of total allegiance to a sovereign LORD is worthless. (cf. Ps.40;6-8; Is.1:10-20; Mic.6:8)’ Absolute truth my people! And since I know many of you won’t look up the scriptures provided, I’ll include some of them here. In Psalm 40, Praise for answered prayer, Bruh David proclaims: ‘Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume (scroll) of the book it is written of me. I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.’ (Ps.40:6-8) And that’s how it should be! Now listen to this excellent example of the ritual worship, when Isaiah calls to the people of Judah to repent. ”Hear the word of the Lord ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah. To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offering of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread (trample) my courts? Bring no more vain oblation (futile sacrifices); incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with (endure); it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.’ (Is.1:10-13) The scholars have an excellent commentary on that: ‘The prophet addressed the people of Judah as if they were the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah. His criticism of their hypocritical religion should not be taken as a rejection of the divinely ordained sacrificial system. Rather, it is a condemnation of their superficial worship. They were merely going through the ritual of religion with no real heart for God. Vain oblations are worthless offerings. Even the solemn meeting became nothing more than a sinful gathering because of their wrong motives.’ Unfortunately though Friends, a lot of that stuff is also happening today. Too many of us are just talking God, with no serious intent in our hearts, merely going through the outward motions. But that doesn’t sit well with our God at all. If there’s no genuine delight in Him, and a faithful following of His dictates, then all our prayers, sacrifices, etc, will be worthless. And we’ll close with the poignant words of Micah on the subject. ‘Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my first-born for my transgression, the fruit of my body (my own child) for the sin of my soul? He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to LOVE mercy (LOVING-kindness), and to walk humbly with thy God?’ (Mic.6:6-8) Nuff said my people! Please, let’s allow wisdom to lead and guide us in the dealings with our God. Much LOVE!…the words and actions of an insincere heart…will never get God’s attention…much less His approval…
SCRIP-BITS 