SCRIP-BITS

HAPPY  EASTER.

1 Corinthians 15:54    …Death is swallowed up in victory.

 Oh Friends, the BIG DAY is finally here! It’s Easter Sunday morning! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Glory Hallelujah! The seed that was planted three days ago, with the Lord’s excellent green thumb, has defiantly sprouted, causing us to exult, as Bruh Paul did when he paraphrased Hosea 13:14: ‘O Death, where is thy sting? O Grave, where is thy victory?’ (1 Cor.15:55)  Yes Friends, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ defeated death and the grave when He rose victoriously from the dead that Sunday morning so long ago. For that we should gratefully thank and praise Him. ‘Oh Jesus, we know how difficult your passion was, how excruciating the pain, both physical and emotional, especially when it seemed that the Father had forsaken you. But despite it all, you persevered; you bore the tremendous weight of our sins on your brave shoulders, allowing your precious blood to be shed as a sacrifice for us unworthy sinners. Then three days later, on an ordinary day like today, you made further history, by rising from the battle with death victorious for ever more. With that victory, you gave us new life, a second chance, ushered in a new period; one of grace, salvation and eternal life for those who believe in and trust in you. And even now, you’re still advocating with the Father on our behalf. We can never repay your selfless deeds, neither are there any words in our limited vocabulary to really express our true gratitude. So we’ll just say a simple thanks, knowing that you’ll understand. Thank you, Lord Jesus! We praise and adore you, and will valiantly try to be good and faithful followers of your Holy Word. In all that we do, we’ll endeavour to glorify you and further your kingdom. That’s the best way we can show our true appreciation. We humbly ask that you guide us with your Holy Spirit, so that we can achieve those worthwhile ends. We pray this in your Name. Amen.’ My people, though Christmas is celebrated with more pomp and ceremony, Easter is truly the most important time in the annals of the Christian faith, for it’s then that the faith truly was born. Jesus’ birth was important, but without His sacrificial death, resurrection and ascension to the Father’s right hand, there’d be no Christianity as we know it. There’d have been no grace, salvation, forgiveness or eternal life. We’d all still be worthless sinners living under the shadow of death and eternal damnation, forever separated from the just, righteous and LOVING God who created us. But once Jesus took our weighty sins and washed them clean with His precious blood on that barren, windswept hill called Calvary, then everything changed…for the better. It was like the death knell for dreary, back breaking winter. A heavy load was lifted off our souls, we were no longer burdened with sin. And when He rose victoriously…Oh mih people, it was like a beautiful spring morning; fresh and clean, with the sun rising majestically over the horizon, birds whistling and frolicking and a cool breeze titillating the new leaves of the trees. My Friends, Jesus’ resurrection breathed a spring like atmosphere into our souls and lives. It was a completely different season; new, innovative, assertive, enervative and energizing. A season that like spring, held fresh promise of greater things to come. And they certainly did, as we’re celebrating almost two thousand years later. Oh Friends our God is certainly a good God, because earlier on I wondered what I was going to write about on such a special occasion. I didn’t want to write about the same old particulars; how Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early the Sunday morning and saw the stone rolled back, then ran and told the disciples. Of how John and Peter went and found the tomb empty, then just went back home, while Mary hung around crying. Then Jesus appeared to her first, asking: ’Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou?’ (John 20:15) And she, not recognizing Him, thinking he was a gardener, pleaded for news of Jesus’ whereabouts. And only when He called her name ‘Mary,’ she realized it was Jesus, proving His claim: ‘and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.’ (John 10:4)  But thankfully, and with perfect timing, the Spirit led me on a different path; a broader one, more intent on showing what Easter meant to our faith in the greater scheme of things. And Christ’s resurrection was surely a victory over death: ‘Death swallowed up in victory,’ as Bruh Paul paraphrased Isaiah. I think it’s only fitting that we quote the specific passage from Isaiah, because it’s a perfect prophecy. ‘He will swallow up death in victory (forever); and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.’ (Isa.25:8-9)  And isn’t that the gospel truth my people? We have waited, and today we are glad and rejoicing in His salvation. Praise His Most Holy and Righteous Name! Have a blessed Easter my Friends. And please, don’t ever forget, or fail to deeply appreciate what Jesus so unselfishly did for us. Much LOVE!…let’s go home singing…Oh happy day…when Jesus washed…when He washed…all my sins away…Oh happy day indeed…

Oh Friends, Good Friday has passed, the worst is over now. The seed has been planted and harvest time will soon arrive. Now, Robert Frost allegedly said: ‘The best way out is always through.’ That’s no lie. And it’s exactly what Jesus did; He went through His passion and came out victorious on the other side. He tilled the soil with His ministry, laying the groundwork, then sowed the seed with His death. His burial is the time of germination; waiting for the seed to spring roots and burst forth into the bright sunlight. That’s the time we’re in now Friends; a period of expectancy, waiting for that new bloom to shoot up, then produce harvest. And harvest time will come Friends, exceeding abundantly, we just need to have a little patience. And isn’t it interesting how the Father had His burial all set up and arranged. This rich man, Joseph of Arimathea, a counsellor, but also a believer, went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus, took Him down from the disgusting cross, wrapped Him in a clean linen cloth or shroud, the normal Jewish burial garment and very conveniently laid Him in a new tomb that he’d built for himself, then rolled a huge stone across the entrance. ‘And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over (opposite) the sepulchre.’ (Mat.27:61) Yes Friends, all  the macho men who had promised to die with Him, had all run away, but the women stoically hung around to know what became of His body, and hopefully prevent any further abuse. Isn’t it also interesting that though the Jewish leaders claimed not to believe that Jesus was the Messiah, yet they remembered His words, and nonetheless tried to cover all bases by going to Pilate the day after the crucifixion and ‘Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said,  while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre (tomb) be made sure (secure) until the third day, lest his disciples come by night and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so that the last error (deception) shall be worse than the first.’ (Mat.27:63-64) I have to laugh, because even in death, Jesus still had the Jewish elite worried and jumping through hoops. Even after cruelly and unjustly killing Him, they weren’t satisfied, and were fearful that His disciples might do some skulduggery, steal Him away, then claim He was risen as He predicted. Jesus never hid His resurrection. He proclaimed it on more than one occasion, especially to His disciples. Let’s check out a couple. After telling Peter that he was the rock on which He’d build His church, the Good Book claims: ‘From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.’ (Mat.16:21) That’s when Peter took Him aside and rebuked Him, claiming that would never happen, and Jesus in turn rebuked Peter, telling him: ‘Get thee behind me Satan: thou art an offense unto me: for thou savourest not (are not mindful of) the things of God, but those that be of men.’ (Mat.16:23) Peter was no different to many of us mih people. And when the disciples could not heal a mentally unstable man, Jesus declared it was because of their unbelief and lectured them about having faith even as a grain of mustard seed. Then said to them: ‘The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.’ (Mat.17:22-23) Even two of the false witnesses the council dredged up tried to use his allusions to the resurrection against Him. ‘This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.’ (Mat.26:61) But in their ignorance they didn’t know that He was referring to the temple of His own body. So His resurrection was fairly common knowledge and the rulers decided to be safe rather than sorry. And in answer to their request: ‘Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch (guard): go your way, make it as sure (secure) as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.’ (Mat.27:65-66) Ah Friends, unbelief is a helluva thing yes! It keeps you jittery and uncertain, and leads you to look for deceit and wrong doing where there is none, and to expect the worst when the best is possible. But I guess the Jewish rulers couldn’t do otherwise since the Father had hardened their hearts, like He did Pharaoh’s, so that His Name could be glorified and His kingdom furthered. Let’s be thankful that we live in supposedly more enlightened times, and don’t have to face such terrible persecution for believing in Jesus and all that he stands for: LOVE, Forgiveness, Redemption, Mercy, Grace, Reconciliation, etc. etc. I’d be foolish not to totally surrender my life, bursting with faith and trust to someone who’s so kind, LOVING, gentle, generous and merciful. Oh Friends, I don’t know how else to say this, but Jesus is just the GREATEST, and I’d advise us all to grab hold of His coat tail and hang on for dear life, because without Him, we’ll be lost in purgatory for ever. Much LOVE!…who else sacrificed their innocent life for us…nobody but Jesus…

Ephesians 3:16     That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.

 Arise oh my beautiful Friends in Christ and greet the new morn with joy, thanksgiving and praise! Unfortunately it’s Monday and there’s work to be done, a living to be made. No time to cry the blues, just get yourselves together, gird your souls with your spiritual armour, then hit the battlefield of the new workweek and fight the enemy tooth and nail, even to the death. With the Lord’s help we shall certainly be victorious. Therefore, please put a smile on your face and a song in your heart so that all you come into contact with today will know that you’re a child of the Living God. Now, that inner or spiritual growth is exactly what Bruh Paul is praying for in our Bit, on behalf of the Ephesians. ‘For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.’ (Eph.3:14-15) Friends, please note Bruh Paul’s affirmation that the entire Christian family, both alive and dead, get, or derive their spiritual power and life only from Almighty God. There is no other source from which that is available. ‘That he would grant you according to his riches in glory…’ Of that he sincerely assured the Philippians: ‘But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.’ (Phil.4:19) To the Corinthians, he said: ‘And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work. As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; He hath given to the poor: His righteousness remaineth for ever.’ (2 Cor.9:8-9) Verse 9 is a quote of Psalm 112:9. But even long before Jesus and Bruh Paul came on the scene Friends, Bruh David had guaranteed that the Lord would look after His own in these immortal words: ‘The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want (lack any good thing).’ (Ps.23:1) Obviously the Gentiles; the Ephesians and all the other new believers weren’t familiar with the Old Testament, as we are. They were starting from scratch, so Bruh Paul had to boost both their knowledge of scripture and their spiritual understanding. Thus he continues: ‘to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man,’ meaning that they would be divinely inspired, enabled to successfully live the believer’s life. Meanwhile, he told the Colossians that since he heard they’d received Christ, mainly through the witness of Epaphras, he had not stopped praying for them; ‘and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness. Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet (qualified us to) be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in (the) light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated (transferred) us into the kingdom of his dear Son (the Son of His LOVE).’ (Col.1:9-13) Oh Friends, I have to chuckle because I had not intended to quote all of that last section, but every time I looked at it, trying to decide what to put in and what to leave out, the Spirit sort of said; ‘You can’t separate it. It’s all one cohesive statement, and leaving out any would just diminish its effectiveness.’ And since the Spirit is there to lead and guide us, like the obedient believer I am, (smile) I included the whole section. But seriously though mih people, all those words I’ve quoted here today are applicable to us, as well as to the new believers for whom Bruh Paul wrote them. In fact they might even be more important to us today since we’re engulfed in such an ungodly, sinful world, with so much pressure, tension and haste, that unless we have a wise, calming influence, like the Spirit, leading and guiding us, we’re very likely to backslide, go astray, or just give up the fight altogether. And those are things we must NEVER do my people. It’s much harder to walk in faith today than it was back then because there weren’t as many worldly distractions or attractions that vied for their attention. Today though, we’re constantly bombarded with all kinds of stuff; both good and bad, worldly and spiritual, godly and ungodly, and when we add the ordinary needs of life to all that, it’s just so much to properly process. Then, given the speed at which life now moves, we’re forced to make hurried decisions on many things, leading to further aggravation and the increased possibility of serious mistakes. Consequently Friends, I’m imploring us to pray for each other, for believers all over the world, just like Bruh Paul did in the early days of the Church. Pray that we might all be filled with ‘the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man,’ so that we might walk worthy and victorious in the Lord. In Jesus’ name we pray this. Amen. Please stand strong my people. It’s not easy, especially with the enemy constantly trying to trap and/or trick us into some ungodly stuff. But if we hold on steadfastly to God’s promises, we’ll certainly defeat the enemy. Much LOVE!…remember…He who promised is faithful…and will deliver…so hold on strong…

Mark 11:8.     And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strewed them in the way.

 PALM SUNDAY.

 ‘And (Jesus) saith unto them. Go your way into the village over against (opposite) you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. And if any many say unto you, Why do ye this? Say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.’ (Mark 11:2-3)  Yes my Friends, that was the last stage setting for the crucial drama, set to unfold in the Holy City of Jerusalem that bright and sunny day many years ago. The Lord had already taken care of the other stage props: It was the feast of the Passover, so a multitude of people had come and were still coming to the city of Bruh David to celebrate that important day in the Jewish calendar. And obviously the two disciples Jesus sent to get the donkey found it just as He said. ‘And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.’ (Mark 11:7) Then began one of the greatest, most unique and exceptional triumphal entries of a monarch into a city: Our Lord and Saviour  triumphantly entering the city of His famous forefather, riding on a donkey, thus fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. John puts it this way. ‘Fear not daughter of Zion: behold, thy king cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.’ (John 12:15) ‘And many spread their garments in the way (road): and others cut down branches off trees, and strewed them in the way. And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.’ (Mark 11:8-10) Oh Friends, can you imagine the ‘carnivalian’ atmosphere that gripped stead, old fashioned Jerusalem on that auspicious occasion? (smile) Throngs of people gathered along the narrow street, jostling each other, all eager to catch a glimpse of Jesus, everybody waving their palm branches or clothes, and also throwing clothes or palm branches in the road so that the King of Glory could ride and trample over them. Oh Mama! What a sight that must have been eh mih people! The Pharisees and other Jewish elders must have been horrified though by the spectacle, since they considered Jesus a nonentity, a brash upstart. And this magnificent show of support must have surely deepened their resolve to get rid of Him. ‘And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus, the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.’ (Mat.21:10-11) And though that first Palm Sunday must have been a rather joyous and colourful scene Friends, yuh know what, the Second Coming of our Saviour will put His first to shame. Back then He rode a lowly donkey and people had to ask who He was. But the next time…Hn! The next time my people, our Leader Jesus will be coming in the pomp and splendour and glory befitting the extraordinary King that He is. The joy, the riot of colour, the singing of His praises, the acknowledgment of His eternal and everlasting supremacy will be sensational to say the least. Oh what a film palette to die for! Can you picture some great director like Cecil B. DeMille capturing that wonderful epic scene in blazing Technicolor as he did with the religious themed movies like The Ten Commandments? Wow! What a field day he would have! And most important of all mih breddren, on this Second Coming, nobody will have to ask ‘Who is this?’ For all will know that it’s the Prince of Peace, the Wonderful Counsellor, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the King of Kings come at last to claim His rightful throne. And most refreshing too, after the next Coming, there’ll be no Good Friday, no more weeping and gnashing of teeth, no sorrow and pain. Then Jesus won’t have to pay for our misdeeds. This time there’ll be only joy and laughter, happiness and harmony amongst all His people. And Friends, how can you help but LOVE our Jesus, for though He was meek and gentle, He also had much manly parts (smile). I’m talking about after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, when the procession ended at the temple, He went in there and cleaned out all the crooks and scallywags violating its Holy premises; ‘Saying unto them, It is written, My House is the House of Prayer: but ye have made it into a den of thieves.’ (Luke 19:46) That’s a combination of Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11. And they said Jesus had no chutzpah. Well if that isn’t chutzpah, I don’t know what is. The Jewish elite that ran and profited from the elicit schemes that went on in the temple must have been so incensed by Jesus’ brash, brazen behaviour that were it not for the crowds gathered around Him, they would probably have done Him harm right then and there, instead of waiting a week more before railroading Him. By the way Friends, just a little info I read in the papers yesterday; they claim the Romans found some similarity between the branches of the trees the people spread and waved for Jesus and the palms of man, so that’s why they’re called palm trees. Anyhow Friends, please let’s give some serious attention to the state of our lives and souls this week, Holy Week, for it’s possibly the most profound time in our Christian calendar, leading up to the time Jesus was crucified for our sins. Have a pleasant Palm Sunday. Much LOVE!…the first coming was lowly and humble…but the second will be mighty and victorious…

Ah Friends, Lent is almost over, which means that Easter is near; that most important time in the history of Christianity. It’s when our faith was born, through Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension. Those are the three main pillars on which our faith is based. Because Jesus experienced them as a human being, we too can expect to go through them and come out on the other side in glory. But even before Jesus came, righteousness was a much sought after attribute. A good title for Psalm 1 is, ‘Blessed are the righteous.’ In other words, a special kind of person, the righteous, is looked upon with great favour by our God. The Psalmist admits this when he staunchly declares: ‘Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.’ That’s so true my Friends! The Lord God Jehovah bestows special favour on those who don’t have wicked attitudes or intentions, who don’t deal with the wicked or let their evil deeds influence them. And the wisest one, Cousin Sol, saw it fit to put a very early warning in Proverbs. ‘My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not…My son, walk thou not in the way with them; refrain (keep) thy foot from their path: For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.’ (Prov.1:10,15-16) That’s very wise advice Friends, advice we should impart to our children as early as possible. Sol considered it so important that he repeated it later on. ‘Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it (do not travel on it), turn from it and pass away.’ (Prov.4:15-16) Yes my people, the righteous and just God we serve takes a very dim view of His supposed followers engaging in evil deeds and harbouring evil in their hearts. And when Bruh David cried out to the Lord to examine and prove him, he made it a point to say: ‘I have not sat with vain (idolatrous) persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers (hypocrites). I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.’ (Ps.26:4-5) Oh my brethren, we ought to feel the same way about evil and evildoers although our world seems to be populated with a great number of them. Not only are they plentiful, they also appear to be prosperous. But Friends, please don’t be enticed by their earthly prosperity gained through unrighteousness, for it will not last. Remember, easy come, easy go. The Psalmist goes on to say: ‘The ungodly are not so (prosperous): but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgement, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.’ (Ps.1:4-5) Please believe that Friends, the ungodly is not worth more than the chaff, the outer, useless husk, and his destiny is serious condemnation at the judgment day. Meanwhile, Jesus refers to righteousness twice in the Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount. ‘Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled…Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ (Mat.5:6,10)  That means those of us who truly want to be righteous and actively seek to be, will find it, will be filled with it. And those who are persecuted for trying to be righteous will indeed inherit eternity in heaven. So if we want to be true believers in Jesus and have everlasting life with Him, then it’s absolutely necessary that we seek righteousness. And how do we do that? The Psalmist offers some insight into it. ‘But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate (ponder, study) day and night.’ (Ps.1:2) True words Friends, very true words! The man who seeks righteousness delights himself in God’s word; reads and studies it regularly and most importantly lives by it. It is his guide for daily living in this ungodly world. And yuh know what mih people, for pursuing  righteousness, trying to live a good, clean, decent, believing life, our God blesses, rewards us. ‘And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers (channels) of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.’ (Ps.1:3) And all God’s people joyfully sang out: ‘All praise and thanks to Almighty God, for He has kept his promise and blessed the righteous with prosperity. Hallelujah! Amen.’ Yes Friends, it’s a generous, LOVING God we serve, but He detests evil and those who commit and profit from it, and though they seem prosperous and powerful here on earth, when the day of judgement comes, they will be judged harshly. So please don’t let their worldly treasures elicit envy or jealousy in your heart and thus lead you into doing evil; instead, seek righteousness all the days of your life, so that your rewards will be great in heaven. It’s the most sensible way to live this earthly life. Much LOVE!…ungodliness brings punishment…righteousness powers blessings…