SCRIP-BITS

James 1:12.    Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that LOVE Him.
 
Oh Friends, the new day’s dawned bright with promise! That means the Lord’s still in control! Praise Him! I’ve even seen a couple of trees starting to sprout green buds, meaning spring is finally, literally here, and our winter weary souls should also be experiencing a rejuvenation of sorts. Praise the Lord! It certainly has been a long and confusing winter, but it’s all over now, bar the shouting. And we’ll certainly hear the shouting in the next week or so, when hopefully the temperature will stay steady in the teens, and summer madness will take over the land. Be careful though Friends, in all the euphoria celebrating winter’s end, please don’t lose focus of what’s truly important; God’s purpose, and not the world’s ungodly leanings and leadings. Thankfully, our Bit helps to remind us of that essential fact. ‘Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried (has been proven), he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that LOVE Him.’ Yesterday we talked about temptation’s purpose, but let me add one more scripture on the subject. The Good Book says, re the Israelites journey to the Promised land: ‘(The Lord) Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove (test) thee, to do thee good at thy latter end.’ (Deut.8:16) Yes Friends, we’re placed in temptation’s path, or vice versa, to test our spiritual mettle. And what happens when we’ve passed the test with flying colours? ‘…for when he is tried (has been proven), he shall receive the crown of life…’ And all God’s people shouted: ‘Glory Hallelujah!’ Yes my fellow believers, for our steadfast faithfulness we’re rewarded by our God with a crown of eternal life. Rewards are added to our heavenly account. And who knows, in the Lord’s wisdom and LOVING-kindness, we might even receive some earthly benefits too. But the biggest and best will be stored for when we go home to Him. Now hear Bruh Paul on the matter: ‘And every man that striveth for the mastery (competes for the prize) is temperate (has self-control) in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible (perishable) crown; but we an incorruptible (imperishable).’ (1 Cor.9:25) Oh my brethren, please remember that our lives on earth are only temporary. We’ve been placed here to be tried and tested, to see if we can be trusted with the guardianship of God’s Word and His material possessions. The earth is just a staging point, a trial run, to weed out the sheep from the goats, a dress rehearsal for the real McCoy in our eternal home. Now here’s a pertinent reminder from Bruh Paul’ second letter to the Corinthians, which I think we all desperately need in these confusing, fast moving, evil and ungodly times. ‘For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound (abound) to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not (do not lose heart): but though our outward man perish (is perishing), yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.’ (2 Cor.4:15-18) Oh Friends, please, I beg of us to take those words to heart, to write them indelibly in our souls, so that we’ll stop looking at the worldly stuff with lustful and envious eyes, and concentrate instead on our heavenly purpose, that eventually ‘we can receive the crown of life, which God hath promised to them that LOVE Him.’ A promise that Jesus confirmed when He declared: ‘And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.’ (Matt.10:22) Oh my Friends in Christ, God’s done His part, it’s now time for us to do ours. Let’s not be found wanting. Much LOVE!…a word to the wise is sufficient… P.S. While I’m editing this a soulful rendition of The Lord’s Prayer is guiding me along. ‘Our Father, who art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done. On earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory. For ever…and ever. Amen.’ And would you believe they just  played another soulful version? Wow! A most appropriate way to begin or end our days Friends! For it’s all about Jesus! Much LOVE! 

James 1:12.    Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that LOVE Him.
 
Oh Friends, it’s a brand new day, with brand new mercies, blessings and forgiveness! Wow! And all God’s people joyfully declared: ‘Oh praise the Lord for His LOVING-kindness to the children of men!’ Yes mih breddren, we’re alive and kicking, some stronger than others, (smile) but that doesn’t mean we can’t do whatever God has called us to do, for our weaknesses, if sincerely acknowledged, always brings God’s help. As He so nicely put it to Bruh Paul when asked to remove the thorn from his flesh: ‘My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength (power) is made perfect in weakness.’ (2 Cor.12:9) So my people, whether we’re kicking high, low, or in between, with God’s help we can do His will for our lives. And here’s a Chinese Proverb from the Covenant House Calendar for May, which lends itself nicely to this argument. ‘Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still.’ Now that’s the living truth Friends! It doesn’t matter how fast we grow, especially in our faith, but that we’re always learning and growing. Look at the mighty oak tree, born of a lowly acorn, it takes numerous years to reach its full and glorious height. But when it does, it can stand tall and strong, last for centuries. The same goes for us humans, we have to be growing and learning continually, but in our own strength and at our own pace, however the Lord has individually set us up. Of tremendous importance too, is that we don’t regress, but stand strong in and on what we’ve already learned and accomplished. That brings us to our Bit: ‘Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried (has been proven), he  shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that LOVE Him.’ Oh Friends, that verse should be an epiphany, an awakening to us all, for it brings into clear focus one of God’s purposes for our lives: to be tested. Please realize and accept that this life is an out and out test of our character and trustworthiness, which is done through temptations, among other things. Everyday of our lives we’re tempted. These trials and temptations serve a couple of purposes. The Lord’s testing to see if our endurance and faith are up to scratch, how we handle them, if we truly believe and have surrendered our lives to Him? And if we have, then we’ll immediately turn to Him and ask for guidance, then either wait patiently on His working, or go where He leads us. And if we pass the tests, rewards can be forthcoming, some here on earth, but most are assuredly banked in heaven for our future use. Consequently, believers should not always attempt to seek ways to escape from trials and temptations, but rather to work through them, since God desires that we use them as tools in the maturing of our faith. And I have an interesting comment from the scholars, who claim that believers should pay more attention to our Bit, than to 1 Cor.10:13, where Bruh Paul tells the Corinthians: ‘There hath no temptation taken (come upon) you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear (endure) it.’ Yes my people, it’s usually to our benefit if we undergo the trials, rather than try to get out of them. Obviously, as the Lord’s promised, He will provide a means of escape if He sees that we truly can’t handle them. But it’s always to our advantage to suck it up and drive on. And we’ll close today with another word of encouragement from James on the subject. ‘Behold, we count them happy (blessed) which endure. Ye have heard of the patience (perseverance) of Job, and have seen the end (intended by) of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful (compassionate), and of tender mercy.’ (James 5:11) Job suffered plenty, though not in complete silence, but he never lost his faith in the Lord, and for that faithfulness the Lord rewarded with him twice what he’d lost. That’s the generous and magnanimous nature of our God. So Friends, though the Christian life is not easy, the rewards, both here on earth and in heaven are truly magnificent, for those who bear their earthly burdens with true belly and backbone. Therefore, let’s all endeavour to stand steadfast and strong in the Lord, knowing that whatever comes against us, a lot of which we often don’t understand, is for a divine purpose, and will always work out for our eventual good, because the Lord God Jehovah has promised, ‘that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are called according to his purpose.’  (Rom.8:28)  More on this tomorrow, our God willing. Till then Friends, I implore us to LOVE our God, LIVE our Faith and SPREAD His Word. Much LOVE!…trials and temptations are sent to test and strengthen us…not to abuse or punish us… P.S. I turned to Wack 90.1 as I was editing this, and a lovely piece of gospel soca sang out at me: ‘Things are getting better,  For the Lord is on my side, Things are getting better for me.’  Yes Friends, things are getting better for all those who believe! Please, let’s number ourselves amongst them. Much LOVE!

Proverbs 29:18.    Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
 
Oh Friends, May has begun with a bang: Osama Bin Laden killed, while hiding in plain sight in a major Pakistan city, not in the mountains and backwoods as supposed. Then today, unfortunately the Canadian people gave a majority government to the Conservative Party, the same ones, who with a minority ran rough shod over the people and our democratic institutions. We’re now going to have the Harper Government, as our P.M. has taken to calling it recently, for the next five years. No more Government of Canada. May the Lord help us yes! Apparently the people never listened to me yesterday (smile) and didn’t go out to vote in great numbers. It’s been estimated that only about 60 % of the eligible voters cast ballots, not much better than the low turnout of 58 % in 2008. The pollsters claim that low voter turnouts benefit the incumbent government, while large ones benefit the opposition. This election therefore seems to breathe some life into that supposition. But enough of the election Friends. I am disappointed, but the people have spoken. Let’s hope five years down the line, when we’re suffering because of our current apathy, we won’t complain. Hn! Sorry, one last word on the election (smile): just a reminder that people get the government they deserve. And as to Bin Laden…he’s dead. So what? It took ten years to find him. That doesn’t say much for our search capabilities. Anyway, his absence won’t make much difference now, cause he had lots of time to set up structures to carry on his evil work. And most likely, with the vengeful mind sent he’s instilled in his followers, we shall have more atrocities committed in the name of whatever, in the near future. Bin Laden achieved his major purpose, his crowning glory ten years ago; that’s causing the western world to live in fear during times of peace. That played right into the hands of our power hungry leaders, who used it as an excuse to turn our countries into virtual police states. And as our Bit so wisely states: ‘Where there is no vision (prophetic insight or revelation), the people perish (cast off restraints): but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.’ And that’s the gospel truth my brethren! Just look at our societies today. There is no divine vision, no sincere prophetic revelation in any of them. In the first place there’s a dearth, an absence of true prophets, but many false ones. And the few true ones, nobody listens to them. Beelzebub has the rulers in grip; a very tight one too, for most of them have sold their souls to him to get where they are. Consequently, the people have been successfully manipulated into valuing the things of the world and its fleshly lusts more than the things of God, and are being oppressed by those they’ve placed in power. Instead of the gap between rich and poor getting narrower, the rich keep on getting richer, and the poor poorer. So it ends up being a vicious cycle, very difficult to break out of. But Friends, as I keep on saying, if we hope to see any improvement in this troubled, confused, violent and hate filled world of ours, then the burden lies squarely on our shoulders, on the backs of believers. The evildoers won’t change a thing, because the current situation benefits them. That means the ball is in our court. It’s not an easy task, but if we are sincerely interested in doing it, we can, with Jesus’ help of course.  So unless we want our societies to literally perish, for that’s the next step on the negative road, since we’ve already cast off all the restraints and can’t be any more immoral or ungodly, then I implore us all to step up to the plate and diligently try to make a positive difference. Please, let’s live up to our righteous calling, stop making wimpy excuses, get up off our too fat derrières, for there are many opportunities every day, both big and small, for each one of Jesus’ followers to make some godly difference. If we don’t make a difference, then we’re just making a mockery of Christ’s Church. And we’ll end with some relevant words from Jesus, spoken when He washed the disciples feet and explained to them the true master-servant relationship. ‘If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.’ (John 13:17) Oh Friends, we know the things we ought to do, so let’s do them and be happy nuh. Much LOVE!…go ye therefore, and teach all nations…baptizing them…in the name of the Father…and of the Son…and of the Holy Ghost…teaching them to observe all things…whatsoever I have commanded you… (Matt.28:19-20)

Romans 2:11.     For there is no respect of persons with God.

Genesis 1:1.     In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Proverbs 11:28.     He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

Proverbs 3:27.    Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
 
‘It’s Friday, it’s Friday! Thank God it’s Friday! Yeh Friends, I hear you all chanting the chorus as you come chipping down the road, relief for the weekend filling your souls. So why stop now eh? Let’s continue and chant we 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.’ And who says Christians doh enjoy life eh? Possibly the misguided ones. But if we know that the end will be great and joyous, as Jesus promised, why live miserable, unhappy lives here on earth? So, mih people, let’s keep a smile on our faces, good cheer in our hearts, and a spring in our step, as we endeavour to do Jesus’ work nuh. The worst thing a believer can do is to talk to someone about Christ with a sour, negative disposition. The person you’re witnessing to will surely consider it thus: ‘How come yuh telling me about this wonderful Jesus Christ, and the great life He offers, both down here, and in some place called heaven, yet yuh looking and behaving so sour and miserable?’ Oh Friends, there’s nothing that turns off unbelievers, and other believers too, like ‘poe me one’, hard done by believers. Look at all the trials and tribulations Jesus, in His innocence, went through for our sakes, yet you never heard Him complain or develop a negative attitude. I know it’s not easy to bring forth a smile and good cheer from a sad and hurting heart, but people, if we’re followers of Jesus, we just have to do it. And we can too, if we ask Him to help us. It brings to mind some folks who ask how come I’m always singing and sound so happy? But they don’t know mih breddren that some of those happy tunes are masking a truly sad soul. And sometimes the sadder the soul, the more cheerful the external actions. The important thing is that believers try to show a positive attitude, because of what Jesus did for us and the great promises He’s made for the future. We can’t always be happy and grinning like a Cheshire cat, else they might lock us up in the loony bin, but we ought to have a consistently pleasant and positive outlook on life so others can see that Jesus is truly working in us, and if they embrace Him, that He will do the same for their hurting souls. Remember Friends, actions speak louder than words, and examples impress more than rhetoric. And I’m chuckling here because I’ve written all of this without a Bit. It’s one of those days when the Spirit just moved me to begin writing without a known direction. Sometimes when He plants the ideas in my mind, I just have to run with them right away, before I lose or forget them. Anyway, let’s see what Bit He’ll guide me to now. Oh Friends, I’m back…in less than five too! Without any fuss and struggle the Holy Spirit guided me to Proverbs 3:27. ‘Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.’  That ties in nicely with what we’ve been talking about so far; having a positive spirit and letting Jesus shine forth from us. In particular though, we should not withhold good from others if it’s possible for us to do otherwise. Yuh know, like how plenty of us borrow stuff from others, especially money, then find it hard to give back what we’ve borrowed, even though we can afford to. Hear how Cousin Sol addresses that matter: ‘Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.’ (Prov.3:28) It also brings up some powerful words from Bruh Paul: ‘Render therefore to all their dues: tribute (tax) to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.’ (Rom.13:7) That’s another side of the equation. We ought to pay things like taxes without too much complaining, because it’s all part of God’s overall plan for running our lives. And finally, here’s another important piece of scripture from Bruh Paul in the same vein, this time to the Galatians: ‘As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.’ (Gal.6:10) Oh Friends, that says it all! Christians are supposed to do good to all they encounter, especially other Christians. Hn! That Christian-to-Christian goodness though is a touchy subject, which we’ll leave for another time. Suffice it to say that we should do good to everybody, in Jesus’ Name. Amen! Much LOVE mih people!…if we bear the mark of Christ…then goodness and mercy… should continually flow from our hearts… P.S. Oh Friends, while editing this, I heard this lovely gospel soca on Wack 90.1 which truly describes Jesus: ‘Jesus is sweet, sweet. He’s so sweet, sweet. The more I hear of Jesus, The more I want to hear. The more I learn about Jesus, The more I want to learn. Cause Jesus is so sweet. He’s so sweet. Don’t you know that Jesus is sweet, sweet. Let the world know that Jesus is sweet, sweet.’ Exactly my Friends! Much LOVE!

Micah 3:4.    Then shall they cry unto the Lord, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.
 
Oh Friends, it’s a brand new morn, and I sure hope we all uttered a few words of praise and thanks to the Almighty when we opened our eyes and realized that we were still alive. I’m also encouraging us to make that an everyday habit because every day we live is essentially a blessing of God, and we should show a little gratitude. But then you’ll wonder, if a new day is a blessing from Almighty God, why are so many Christians struggling, living in dire poverty and being innocently persecuted, while the wicked are also being blessed with life, and with prosperity?  But Friends, the Lord’s ways are not our ways, and His plans encompass more than we are capable of understanding. Ours is not to question why, just to believe and obey. However, as the Lord has promised, in the fullness of time, when He is ready, the wicked shall receive their just deserts. Chapter 3 of Micah deals with the judgement of Israel’s leaders, who, at that time, were rather wicked, perverse and ungodly, just like so many of those ruling around the world today. And as the Lord asked of the leaders, through Micah, way back then: ‘Is it not for you to know judgement (justice)? Who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck (strip) off their skin from off them (My people), and their flesh from off their bones; Who also eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them; and they break their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and as flesh within the cauldron.’  (Mic.3:1-3) Yes my brethren, our leaders are supposed to know and impart justice to those under their rule. However, just like in Micah’s time, the leaders are constantly abusing their powers, taking advantage of the people, oppressing and persecuting them for personal gain, and only paying lip-service to both man and God, while their hearts are filled with great evil, most pleasing to Beelzebub. But Friends, when the day of judgement arrives, when the Lord decides to end the travesty of justice that’s currently being perpetrated on His people, the leaders, the greedy and evil wealthy shall be made to pay. In that time, as our Bit says, they shall make petition to the Lord for mercy: ‘Then shall they cry unto the Lord, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill (been evil) in their doings (deeds).’ Yes my people, make no mistake, the evil and wicked and ungodly will eventually get their comeuppance. Remember the Lord is faithful and keeps His promises, so if He’s promised that the wicked will pay at some stage, then know that they will. To aid our faith, let’s recall a few of those times He’s promised vindication to the righteous. ‘They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the Lord, but he answered them not. Then did I beat them small as (fine as) the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets.’ (Ps.18:41-42) That’s Bruh David talking about God delivering him from his enemies. And Cousin Sol rightly declares: ‘Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early (diligently), but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord.’ (Prov.1:28-29) Meanwhile, Isaiah, in his call to repentance for the sinful nation of Judah, said to them: ‘And when ye spread forth your hands (pray), I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood (bloodshed).’ (Is,1:15) Yes Friends, all that stuff that was happening in Judah back then, plus much worse is currently happening in our society, but our God is patient and long-suffering. He gives us plenty rope to either hang ourselves or to change our evil ways. So when He’s ready to implement judgement, we can’t complain that we didn’t have enough time. And it’s not like the Lord warns us in language we can’t understand. He says it plainly and doesn’t mince matters at all. Listen as Jeremiah informs his backsliding people of God’s intentions: ‘Therefore thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will bring evil (calamity) upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them.’  (Jer.11:11)  There’s nothing in that to misunderstand, and it’s not a new principle. If you’re continually disobedient toward the Lord, you will eventually be punished. Oh my people, I know it’s hard to watch the wicked prosper, while the righteous suffer, but take heart, for their day will surely come as the Lord has promised. Unfortunately though, it seems some of that retribution has already begun judging from all the problems we’ve been recently having: worldwide strife and violence, wars and rumours of wars, natural disasters a plenty, economic destabilization and downturn, the oppressed not only crying out for freedom, but willing to die for it. Yes my brethren something is afoot worldwide, and the Lord is in control, but in the meantime we need to stand steadfast and strong, keep doing what is right, knowing that our salvation is secure, doing our best to live the life God has designed for us. So as Uncle Charles (Charles Stanley) is wont to say, let’s: ‘Obey God, and leave all the consequences to Him. That’s wisdom at its best.’ And in fact, that’s all our God asks of us. Much LOVE!…But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely…and shall be quiet (secure, at ease) from fear of evil…(Prov.1:33)