SCRIP-BITS

Psalm 92:1.      It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High:

Mark 7:9.    And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. 

Mark 7:9.    And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
 
Aye Friends, just as we hate Mondays with a passion, we’re deliriously passionate about Fridays and our weekends! You can always know that it’s Friday by the chorus we sing as we chip down the road, a la J’ouvert morning; ‘Thank God is Friday! Thank God is Friday! Ah say TGIF! Thank God is Friday!’ Accompaniment is provided by some scintillating iron and bottle and spoon, while an old doodup drum, hanging by a strap around somebody’s neck, bangs out a bass drum riddim. Hn, hn, hn! That’s the scene we witnessing today. And this Friday is even more special because it’s the end of the month, and everybody just got paid. Wow! So the watering holes will be hopping this weekend! But Friends, as I keep warning us, drunk or sober, we’ve got to mind our business. We can’t just run amuck, go over the deep end without a life jacket. So to help us stay sane and sober (smile) and keep the proper perspective, let’s chant our Friday Chant like we really mean it nuh. In time to the riddim 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.’ Ah Friends, our lives aren’t much different than those who lived in Jesus’ time, except perhaps we’re more sinful, ungodly and more boldfaced with it. As Jesus says in our Bit: ‘Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.’ The scribes and Pharisees, the religious rulers of Israel had shunted aside some of the old commands of the Old Testament for some newer religious practices. Hear how Jesus lambasted the Jewish leaders just before our Bit. ‘Well hath Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites (pretenders), as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for (as) doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots (pitchers) and cups: and many other such like things ye do.’ (Mark 7: 6-8) Oh my people, we’re doing the same thing, concentrating more on outward appearances, than inward cleanliness, and sadly on a much larger, wider and more ungodly scale. As the scholars claimed of the Jewish elders: ‘Too many were substituting modern religious custom for divinely revealed truth.’ Unfortunately, this generation is no different. There are so many new-fangled religious theories and ideas floating around, that one has to be very careful of what one hears and believes. On any given day, one can hear ten different preachers preach ten widely divergent sermons on the same subject. Sadly, each of them will veer off in whatever personal direction or slant, they decide to put on it. But in the end, none of them will fully conform to the Word of the Lord. That’s because we have allowed too much man-made junk, too many man-made customs to infiltrate our beliefs and usurp the real truth of God’s Word. The obvious result is that we now follow more man-made customs, idols and practices instead of what the Word teaches. My Friends, in these scandalous, confused, ungodly times, it’s impossible for us to understand what is and isn’t truth without personal and individual knowledge of the Lord’s Law. With all the shysters and false preachers around, it’s imperative that we read and store the Word in our hearts, minds and souls, so that we can refute and counteract the false witness and testimony that currently passes for truth. That’s why I keep pleading with us to spend time, as much time as is necessary, reading the Good Book and meditating on it, so that we can have a solid foundation to resist the lies and falsehood being spread by the enemy and his evil cohorts. Unless we know what the Word says, we can’t truly tell right from wrong, and thus prevent ourselves from going astray. And we certainly don’t want that! So starting today, RIGHT NOW, let’s promise our God and ourselves, to study the Word more sincerely and diligently than we’ve ever done before, that we may uphold the Lord’s divine truth and not man-made customs. It’s the only way positive change will ever come to our world. More on this tomorrow, God willing. Till then, remember to LOVE your God, LIVE your Faith, and SPREAD His Word! Much LOVE!…unless you know the law…you can’t tell right from wrong…true from false… P.S. This is a bit late because of some modem problems…and my tiredness. (smile) 
 

Psalm 119:97.    O how LOVE I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
 
Oh Friends, the Lord has graciously granted us one more day of earthly life. And all God’s people gratefully declared: ‘Thank you Lord!’ Now giving thanks for seeing another day is fine, but what we do with the day, how we live it, is even more important. And the first thing we need to do every day, is consider how God wants us to live that particular day. And we can only discover that by earnestly communicating with Him. He will surely lead and guide us when we sincerely trust and surrender our lives to Him. But we also need to know His likes and dislikes, what we should and should not do. And we can only know that by reading and studying His Holy Word. Every believer needs to come to a point in his or her life where they can truthfully say, as our Bit does: ‘O how LOVE I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.’ And why is that? Because, as we saw yesterday, the Lord told Joshua, in no uncertain terms, that the road to prosperity and success is via His law, knowing and keeping it. (Josh.1:8) The psalmist corroborates that when he wisely says: ‘Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly (wicked), nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate (ponder) day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.’ (Ps.1:1-3) Wow Friends! What a magnificent promise! When we keep God’s law before us constantly and follow it faithfully, then we’re assured of living successful lives! The Lord promised it, so it must be true! But it all comes back to our standing on His promises, which we aren’t doing enough of, else we wouldn’t be as anxious and worried about what’s happening in the evil, ungodly world around us. Remember, as Bruh Paul informed Timothy: ‘For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of LOVE, and of a sound mind.’ (2 Tim.1:7)That means when we’re in right standing with God, when His Holy Spirit is living and flowering in us, we are strong and fearless, full of LOVE, power and wisdom. But the Holy Spirit can’t flower within us if we don’t read, digest and practice the rules and regulations of Christ’s kingdom. It’s as simple as that my people. Hear how the writer of Psalm 119 describes it: ‘Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation…How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth. Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.’ (Ps.119:98-99,103-104) Ah mih people, what words of wisdom! And all of that still applies today because our God and His Word do not change! So what are we going to do about it eh? It’s obvious that our world is suffering in large part because of our ungodliness, our lack of knowledge of the Word, our defiant attitude towards it, plus our foolish acceptance of the worldly enticements of the enemy. Now if we want to believe the Word, but are having trouble practicing it, then we need to go to God and ask, as the psalmist does: ‘Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.’ (Ps.119:33-34) Oh my brethren, if we go to God with those requests, He will surely grant them! And if we listen and obey His teaching, then we’ll be able to sincerely declare like the psalmist: ‘I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.’ (Ps.119:14-16) So Friends, having seen the unmistakable and assured benefits of immersing ourselves in God’s Word, let’s faithfully promise ourselves to get on with that most important task, as of RIGHT NOW, so that our world, our children and ourselves can begin enjoying the great mercies and blessings our faithful and magnanimous God has in store for those who LOVE Him and sincerely practice His Word. Let’s put Him to the test nuh Friends! Let’s stand on His promises! It’s the only way to discover the Truth of God’s Word! Much LOVE!…Standing…standing… standing on the promises of God… 

Psalm 119:97.    O how I LOVE thy law! It is my meditation all day.
 
Oh Friends, what a contradictory world we live in eh! Imagine thirteen people dying from listeria through cantaloupe infection in the U.S. in this highly technical and sophisticated age. They keep telling us to eat more fruits and vegetables, but every year there’s some serious outbreak of sickness from fruits or vegetables. Also a simple thing like washing hands has to be continuously trumpeted and put in our faces because it seems the more technologically advanced we become, the less sanitary we get. Hospitals, where you’re supposed to be healed and cured from illness, are now also some of the biggest carriers and perpetrators of disease. I remember growing up and considering the hospital the safest place in terms of illness. Not now though! Ah Lord Friends! What’s safe nowadays eh? It seems like nothing except the Word of the Lord, as our Bit highlights. ‘O how I LOVE thy law! It is my meditation all the day.’ The Lord’s Word definitely won’t sicken or kill us Friends! Instead it will make us strong and keep us from illness, cause when we follow it, we will do healthy things, pursue healthy and godly activities. Now how many of us can categorically and sincerely claim that we LOVE the Lord’s law? Certainly not as many as ought to! And even fewer can truly claim that they meditate on it all day, or even a lot of the day. That’s not good enough my people. To be true followers or members in any organization, we must know the rules and regulations of the particular body and then loyally follow them. It’s no different for Christianity. The rules are God’s law found in the Good Book, rules that we should know pretty well and then follow to the best of our ability. Unfortunately though, as followers of Christ we have been tested in that area and seriously found wanting. It’s like the complaints Christ had against the seven churches in Asia found in Revelation Chapters 2&3. On the outside we seem half decent, but on the inside where it really counts, we’re not truly faithful. Again it boils down to talk versus action. Our talk greatly outweighs our action, which should not be so, because Christianity is an action movement, and in any case actions always speak louder than words. As James says: ‘Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.’ (James 1:22) And also: ‘What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?…Show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.’ (James 2:14,18) Sadly, we Christians are not living up to our cause, else our world would be in much better shape than it currently is. Too many of us are still too concerned with the lusts of the flesh and the worldly pursuits. But we can’t be of Christ and of the world too. There’s no fence sitting. As James also tells us: ‘A doubleminded man is unstable in all his ways.’ (James 1:8) So my brethren, we have to make up our minds whom we’re going to follow; Christ or Beelzebub. And if we choose Christ, then we must seriously learn His laws and then faithfully pursue them. It’s the only way we can keep Christ’s Church alive and growing. Oh Friends, I can’t emphasize enough the importance of delving into God’s law, of knowing it, of meditating, contemplating and thinking about it during our waking hours, because it’s God’s law that gives us guidance and direction for living a joyful, righteous and full earthly life. Without God’s law to lead and guide us, we’d be lost, be falling for the evil wiles and lies of the enemy, and going down the garden path to sure death and destruction. But that’s not what our wonderful God wants for us. He wants us all to eventually come to salvation and eternal life, while experiencing a long, happy and faithful journey here on earth. We can’t do that though unless we first lean the rules for doing so. Here’s an epic bit of scripture that shows the importance of learning God’s law and keeping it. And it goes way back in time when the Lord commanded Joshua in no uncertain terms. ‘This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth (shall constantly be in thy mouth); but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.’ (Josh.1:8) Yuh see Friends, directly from the Lord’s mouth to us. Study My Word, keep it, and you’ll be successful. What’s so difficult in that eh? Our fathers listened, obeyed and were successful. But we believed that it was our own strength that made us successful, and because the Lord’s given us freedom of choice, we think we can do whatever we want. Yes, but not without serious consequences, when we choose the wrong path. And there’s no doubt that our generation has done that, therefore we’re seeing and feeling the disastrous repercussions right now. Oh my people, I’ll close by reminding us for the umpteenth time, that the wisest choice we can ever make on this earth, is to learn the Lord’s law, LOVE it, and follow it. More on this tomorrow, our God in favour. Till then, please, let’s read His Word, meditate on it, and try our very best to faithfully live it. Much LOVE!…to be considered wise in God’s eyes…we must first seek Him and His Word…
 

Psalm 32:7.    Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
 
Oh Friends, the Lord in His LOVING-kindness has granted us another day of life on planet earth! And all God’s people joyfully sang: ‘Praise Him, Praise Him, Glory Hallelujah. He is LOVE! He is LOVE!’ He certainly is my people! So much so, that along with the new day of life come new mercies and blessings. I therefore urge us to gratefully accept and use them to enhance our earthly lives and further God’s kingdom, the two main purposes for which we’ve been granted life this blessed day. So whether it’s raining or sunny in our lives, let’s be contented and make the most of what we have, for that’s the only way to bring peace and joy to our weary, bruised and confused souls. And if we can’t handle life on our own, which we obviously can’t, then there’s help, there’s always help to be had from our God. As our Bit so wisely states: ‘Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about (surround me) with songs of deliverance.’ Yuh know Friends, it’s sad that there are many Christians who still try to do stuff on their own, when fully knowing, through the Word, that we can’t. I guess it’s a matter of foolish pride and rebellion, when we know that our chances of success without God’s help are few or nil. Why are we so reluctant to get God in our lives eh, when He so badly wants to help us in all areas? Right now our world is in a terrible state; overwhelmed by physical strife, economic depression and widespread inequality. Currently, it’s also disaster prone, thus a high degree of ‘sufferation’ prevails all over. But yuh think the powers that be are even contemplating turning back for help to the most mighty and ever-LOVING God who created and still cares for us? Absolutely not! They’re completely focused on accomplishing stuff in their own strength, and everyday things become worse. Bruh David spells it out so clearly in our Bit, that in times of trouble God is our best refuge. And he’s talking from lots of experience, both personally and as king of Israel. Those of us who choose to look to God for help, know without a doubt that there’s no better place of comfort, solace and security, at any time, than in the protective arms of our wonderful God. And He’s so caring, considerate and understanding, that He doesn’t simply protect us from trouble, but in our times of need, He also surrounds us with songs of deliverance. Yes Friends, our God delights in song! All through the Good Book it talks about singing; songs of praise, gratitude, whatever. The angels also sing in heaven. Songs and singing should therefore be an integral part of the believer’s earthly journey. Bruh David, when talking about praise for answered prayer, said it thus: ‘And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.’ (Ps.40:3) That’s so true my people! When God answers our prayers, a song of praise and joy just naturally bubbles up from the depths of our souls. Here are a couple of examples of that from the Good Book. First up is Moses’ Song, after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea.: ‘Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him a habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.’ (Ex.15:1-2) Then there’s the Song of Deborah and Barak; the prophetess and judge of Israel and the mighty warrior, when they delivered Israel from the army of Sisera. ‘Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, Praise ye the Lord for the avenging of Israel (when leaders lead in Israel), when the people willingly offered themselves (volunteered). Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the Lord; I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel.’ (Judg.5:1-3) The Psalms and Song of Solomon are two whole Books within the Bible dedicated to song. And at the end of time we’ll still be singing songs of praise and glory, as John saw in Revelation: ‘And when he had taken the book, the four beasts (living creatures) and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials (bowls) full of odours (incense), which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book (scroll), and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred (tribe), and tongue, and people, and nation.’ (Rev.5:8-9) So my people, in wisdom, let’s keep looking to the Lord our God for refuge and comfort, both in good and bad times, and let’s glorify His Holy Name also in song; songs of deliverance, praise and thanks, for it is meet and right so to do. Selah! Much LOVE!…when earthly song rises to heaven…heaven joins it in song…

Psalm 32:7.    Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

Proverbs 3:5.     Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Proverbs 3:5.    Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Psalm 26:1.    Judge me, O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the Lord; therefore I shall not slide.
 
Well people, it’s Friday once again… And the mighty shouts of joy ‘TGIF! Thank God is Friday! The weekend’s here at last! Glory Hallelujah!’ suddenly rings out loud and clear across the land. Awright Friends, I know we’re excited because that means no more getting up early, ‘fore day morning,’ no seemingly endless traffic jams to suffer through, both morning and evening, and no obnoxious, ungodly co-workers and supervisors for two, whole, big, glorious days. Wow! But let’s not get too carried away because we still need to keep those days, everyday, in proper perspective. And to help us do that, let’s chant our Friday Chant: ‘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, it’s not all fun and games over the weekend. We still need to live good and righteous lives during those two days of respite from official work, renewing our physical, spiritual, emotional and mental strengths so that we can be bright and fresh on Monday morning to begin the whole boring cycle over again. It often seems like slavery, a constant drudgery that brooks no change, with no end. But Friends, for all believers, there is a light at the end of the tunnel; heaven with Jesus, LOVINGLY made possible by God’s grace because Jesus made the eternal sacrifice, shed His precious blood on the cross at Calvary, and paid for our sins in full. And all God’s people gratefully declared: ‘Thank you Jesus! You are the best!’ And that’s the gospel truth Friends! Jesus is the best leader we can ever have. He’s also our Friend, Brother, Counsellor, Prince of Peace, and everything else we’ll ever need. When you talk about one-stop shopping, Jesus is the irrefutable, undisputed champion! With Him running our lives, we need nothing or no one else. Once we give Him free rein, He will show us a life that will boggle our imaginations. It won’t be easy, not a life of leisure and excess, for there will be many obstacles in our path, but I can guarantee that it will certainly be interesting and very worthwhile. That’s why Bruh David, despite all his problems, gave himself entirely to the God of his fathers, and would boldly declare in our Bit: ‘(Judge (vindicate) me, O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the Lord; therefore I shall nor slide (slip).’ He knew that walking faithfully with God would be tough, but would eventually bring joy untold. That’s why he could also declare in Psalm 7, a prayer for deliverance: ‘The Lord shall judge the people: judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.’ (Ps.7:8) And Friends, when he makes these claims of innocence and faithfulness, they aren’t words of pride or boasts, but simple matters of fact. When we’re falsely accused, we must protest our innocence, especially when we know that we’ve been trying our best to walk faithfully with the Lord. It brings to mind the story of King Hezekiah being sick unto death, and Isaiah coming to tell him the Lord said to put his house in order for his time was drawing nigh. Hezekiah’s response was to turn his face to the wall and pray: ‘I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore (bitterly).’ (2 Kin.20:3) And wouldn’t you know that before Isaiah could leave the king’s court, the Lord sent him back to Hezekiah with this message: ‘Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord.’ (2 Kin.20:5) The Lord also promised him fifteen more years of life, as well as deliverance from the king of Assyria. But like most of us, Hezekiah wasn’t satisfied, he wanted a sign that Isaiah’s words would really come true. He asked that the sun’s shadow be turned back ten degrees. And in one of the greatest miracles of all time, Isaiah cried out to the Lord, and He turned the sun’s shadow back ten degrees. (2 Kin.20:6-11) Ah mih people, only the great God who created the universe and all therein can do such wonders! No wonder we worship and adore Him! A fact boldly proclaimed by Bruh David in Psalm 13: ‘But I have trusted in thy mercy (LOVING-kindness); my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.’ (Ps.13:5-6) And that’s no lie my brethren! When we trust in the Lord’s goodness and mercy, He deals bountifully with us. So please, let’s go out today, and everyday, trusting in Him, so that He can deal bountifully with us all the time. That’s true common sense and wisdom, my people! Much LOVE!…Christians must endeavour to have clean hearts…so that they can be opened to the Lord without fear…