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)
Today’s Scrip-Bit 3 May 2011 Proverbs 29:18
03 May 2011 Leave a comment
Today’s Scrip-Bit 2 May 2011 Romans 2:11
02 May 2011 Leave a comment
Romans 2:11. For there is no respect of persons with God.
Well Friends, it’s Monday! And I hear the usual moans, groans and dissatisfaction because that means we have to get up and go to work. It’s also Election Day in this wonderful country of Canada, and right now only God knows the outcome. But come what may, Canada is still the best big country in the world. Unfortunately though, we have recently fallen substantially in many categories; given a government inclined to rule by edict, in secrecy, laden with corruption, patronage, scandals, and unforgivably without any respect for our democratic institutions and the people who put them in positions of power. What shall we therefore say to the power hungry, ego-driven, greedy, self-serving leaders? Hopefully: ‘Out with you!’ How can you justify the increases in food banks, poverty, homelessness, joblessness, domestic abuse, suffering seniors, amongst other serious negative situations, while giving tax breaks to businesses that are already making exorbitant profits? The government’s rationale is that that will provide more jobs…Hn! What a joke! The supposed tax savings are merely used to add to their profit margins and to raise the already obscene level of executive compensation. Ah Friends, we all know that governments are made up of humans, and are thus fallible, but some are way too fallible. It’s a tried and true statement that people get the governments they deserve. And sadly, we in Canada whine and complain a lot but don’t do anything concrete about it. But the chickens are finally coming home to roost my people. And thankfully there seems to be much anger, resentment, dissatisfaction and disappointment throughout the entire country, with all levels of government, not just the federal, which means that we’re all more aware and involved with the current election process. I’m therefore reminding all believers that voting is their civic, God-given duty, so we should all go out and cast our votes. And please vote with your heads and not with your hearts. The last, kowtowing, spineless government has been removing more and more aspects of Christianity from our society every day. It’s time to put a stop to it by electing responsible people who will not remove and/or desecrate our Christian traditions, to please a handful of newcomers, who are only too happy to see those traditions disappear, while theirs take centre stage. Remember our country was founded on a Christian foundation, which advocates a decent respect for law and order and also for individual rights and justice. Oh Friends, right now half the world is fighting for some sort of democratic process, similar to what we have, but don’t seem to appreciate. They are tired of being oppressed, poverty stricken and marginalized. Meanwhile, in our complacency, our governments have been getting more and more autocratic and self-serving. Consequently, I’m imploring us all to get out there and let our voices be heard through the ballot box! Let those we elect know that they are only our representatives, not our bosses or rulers! If we don’t stop the figurative bloodletting NOW, then in another couple of generations the bloodletting of our children might be for real, when they take to the streets to try and win back the rights and freedoms that we’ve allowed to be taken away through our complacency to the ever increasing, autocratic, don’t give a damn behaviour of our elected representatives. Please note Friends, this warning doesn’t apply only to the Canadian Electorate, but to all people who live in so-called democracies, for the autocratic trend in leadership is a worldwide phenomenon. And having gotten all that off my chest, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with spirit and enthusiasm. ‘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!’ Yes Friends, it’s time for all of us to make a positive difference in this evil, ungodly world. As our Bit rightly says: ‘For there is no respect of persons with God.’ Neither should there be any with us. If you’re evil and incompetent, you’ve got to go! It’s time for us to put up, or simply shut up! So let’s go out and give Beelzebub and his evil cronies’ heck! Much LOVE!…and the moral of the story is…if you don’t vote…don’t complain…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 1 May 2011 Genesis 1:1
01 May 2011 Leave a comment
Genesis 1:1. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Oh Friends, it’s the month of May already! Time’s certainly flying, and I don’t know if we got enough April showers to give us beautiful May flowers. But I do know that I’ve been doing some reading and my mind is a bit muddled and confused with some thoughts I’d like to share. Ah, a little knowledge is surely a rough and dangerous thing yes! (smile) Anyway, let’s see if, with the Holy Spirit’s help, I can make some sense of my muddled thoughts so that they can be useful to us all. Now recently I read this very interesting quote by the supposed atheist Bertrand Russell, in which he declares: ‘Unless you assume a God, the question of life’s purpose is meaningless.’ And I went Bingo! He hit the nail on the head! For unless we do assume that there’s a Being higher than us in all respects, then there’s no real purpose to this life on earth, but just to live it as best we can, enjoying all the earthly lusts, wallowing in the worldly slime that passes for pleasure, then returning to the dust from which we were made. And that’s that! It certainly amazed me that an atheist would come up with such a thought, although it’s perfectly logical, given his mind set of there being no God. With no higher authority to report to or live for, that makes man’s earthly life a rudderless journey on a sea to nowhere. It’s like a flash bulb that glows brightly for a brief moment, then disappears forever, with no trace of ever being here, never to be heard from again, or of ever being recalled. But thank God we believers know differently! We know for a fact that our lives are full of purpose because there’s a Higher Being to whom we are responsible, namely the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; formulator, planner, architect, builder, controller and on site manager of the universe and all therein. And He created everyone and everything for a specific purpose in His monumental plan. So we know we’re not living aimless, functionless lives here on earth, but there’s a time, place and purpose for all of us to come on stage and play our God prepared and directed parts. And here’s another quote that caught my attention and added to my mental confusion. It’s attributed to Walt Disney, the great portrayer of fairytales. And it simply says: ‘If you can dream it, you can do it.’ Now that’s true to a certain extent, but I think Walt left out a very important part, and it should read instead: ‘If you can dream it, you can do it, with God’s help.’ Yes Friends, we can do anything with God’s assistance, and I’m sure Walt didn’t create his fairytale empire without the Almighty’s help, but without it, we’re virtually powerless. So what can we deduce from those two quotes? Firstly, because there’s a Supreme Being who created everything and everyone with a plan and a purpose, who controls everyone and everything, to whom we are indebted for all that we are and all we possess, then our lives are not aimless or meaningless, not just a mere flash in the pan. And secondly, because of the omnipotence and LOVING-kindness of this Superior Bing, to whom we owe obeisance, when we work with Him, we are divinely empowered to do amazing things which we cannot do normally in our own strength. So therefore my people our earthly lives are very important, and likewise our dreams, because they are dreams that have been planted in our minds by our Creator to enable us to fulfill the role(s) He’s carved out for us to play on the world stage. And according to another eminent human, Albert Einstein: ‘God doesn’t play dice,’ meaning that nothing is left to what we term chance or luck, but that everything is well planned and laid out, and dove tails perfectly together over time. The time spans might seem long to us, but in God’s higher sphere, as Peter wrote: ‘But beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.’ (2 Pet.3:8) The conclusion to all this then my brethren, using the words of the atheist, the artist and the scientist, is that there is no cause for despair. Because we believe in a Supreme Being, a God of LOVE, wisdom and might, we can be utterly certain that we’ve all been placed on this earth for a specific purpose, to fulfill His overall plan. There are some basic ground rules though; namely to LOVE, serve, obey, worship, adore and glorify Him. And we do this by accepting that Infinitely Everything is a triune Being, consisting of the Father, the Son, Jesus Christ, who died to pay for our sins, then rose again and ascended into heaven, thus offering us salvation and eternal life, and the Holy Spirit, the Helper, who comes to dwell in us when we accept Christ as our Saviour, so that we can be guided through the personal plan that the Father specified for us, when He set the whole works in motion. So trust Him Friends, for He’s real, alive and kicking, faithful and true, with great plans and purposes for all His creations, especially those who believe on His Son, Jesus Christ. I sure hope the muddled thoughts have been clarified with the Spirit’s help. (smile) Much LOVE!…to be truly wise…one must be able to make sense from nonsense…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 30 April 2011 Proverbs 11:28
30 Apr 2011 Leave a comment
Proverbs 11:28. He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
Oh Friends, what’s happening with our world eh? Are these the prelude to the end times? The devastation over the last couple years, both natural and human, is catastrophic and rather alarming, I’m pointedly referring though to the freakish disaster earlier this week, where several tornadoes ripped through five or six U.S. Southeast states almost simultaneously, claiming some three hundred lives. Wow! And it’s been claimed that they haven’t seen multiple tornadoes like that for around forty years. But who’s to know what’s really happening eh? It’s all part of God’s big, overall plan for the universe He created, and as such, none of us can really comprehend it, so we’ll just have to trust and accept that He knows what’s He’s doing. All we can do is live right; live the way He wants us to, and pray that we don’t get caught up in any serious calamity. In the meanwhile, let’s pray for all those unfortunate people who bore the brunt of the tornado attack in the southern U.S. and willingly offer any material help that we can, because they desperately need all kinds of assistance in this time of unbelievable tragedy. The frightening thing is that these disasters don’t seem to be lessening in frequency or intensity, which makes me wonder if at some time soon our days could just be spent praying for disaster victims. But as we keep saying Friends, where there is life, there’s always hope. So please don’t stop hoping, don’t stop living in faith and don’t stop praying, pray even more if possible, for God knows why He created us and the entire universe. Our task is to simply embrace His Word and live the way He desires. And how is that? Out Bit says it short and sweet: ‘He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch (like foliage).’ There we have it in a nutshell my people! We must not put our faith and trust in the material wealth and ungodly ways of this world, because they cannot be trusted, and all who do so will eventually face disaster, since the riches of this world tend to rust and decay, neither do they hold their value for long. Instead we have to live according to God’s Word and His dictates. Then we’ll truly prosper, grow like the well-fed and nourished branches of trees. The comparison springs to mind of spring time (smile) when all the trees flourish with new growth after going through a difficult, dry winter. That’s how the Lord God Jehovah treats the righteous! Now here are some testimonies that attest to that fact. The first is from Job, the father of patience. In talking of his integrity, he declares: ‘If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence; If I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much…This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.’ (Job 31:24-25, 28) Yes Friends, by putting our trust in material wealth and worldly lusts, we’re denying that God is alive and more important. Now listen to the psalmist, as he talks of the blessedness of the righteous: ‘And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers (channels) of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.’ (Ps.1:3-4) Ah mih breddren, what solace, bliss and prosperity await the righteous! And finally, hear Jeremiah wax ecstatic in the same agricultural vein as the psalmist: ‘Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see (fear) when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful (anxious) in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.’ (Jer.17:7-8) So Friends, we have it on good grounds from three prominent men of faith; without a doubt, those that look to the Lord for guidance and purpose shall prosper in their righteousness, even in the lean times. Now let’s take that promise and run with it. Let’s hold it tightly, without fear, and base our whole lives upon it, for it’s the Word of God, and therefore the undisputed truth. Much LOVE!…to find peace and prosperity…here on earth…live for God…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 29 April 2011 Proverbs 3:27
29 Apr 2011 Leave a comment
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!
Today’s Scrip-Bit 28 April 2011 2 John 7
28 Apr 2011 Leave a comment
Oh Friends, another beautiful day has dawned with a whole new slew of mercy, grace, blessings, forgiveness and good tidings from our heavenly Father. Wow! What a Deity! And I hope that as I suggested yesterday, as soon as we became conscious of being alive today, we offered up some thanks and praise to heaven, because that early communication with the Father gets us off on the right foot, it sets the tempo for our day. Yes mih people, in this rough, evil, ungodly world of ours, we need to start out fresh and unencumbered every day, dressed in our full battle gear, if we’re going to do a good job for Jesus. Why is that? Our Bit explains it perfectly. ‘For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.’ Oh Friends, our world today, from top to bottom, is packed with more con-artists, charlatans, deceivers and bluffers than ever before. All levels and all walks of our society are currently full of innumerable deceivers. Anyway, in our case, John is speaking specifically of those who deny that Jesus Christ ever came to earth in human form and flesh. In other words, denying the doctrine of Incarnation. But if you deny that, then you deny the whole of Christianity, for Christ, born incarnate, a spiritual embodiment in flesh, is its very basis and foundation. If Christmas didn’t happen, then Christianity couldn’t have come about. For how else would Jesus have accomplished His earthly ministry. Those Gnostics, pseudo Christians preaching this deception were certainly confused, and by spreading their confusion, were doing grievous damage to the early believers, who never had as much groundings as we do today. As John warned in his first epistle, re the very real dangers of the antichrist; those who staunchly oppose God, His plans and His people: ‘Little children, it is the last time (hour): and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time (hour). They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all (none of them were) of us.’ (1 John 2:18-19) Ah Friends, there were so many false teachers in John’s day that he needed to remind the early believers to be very careful of the serious threat posed by those evil doers. However, they were not to be afraid, but to remain diligent and steadfast. Now if John thought there were many false teachers back then, he would go stark raving mad because of the great number that abound today. Thus, we need to be even more careful about whom and what we listen to and read, because once the evil sentiment gets hold of us, it’s very difficult to remove. John thought resistance to the antichrist so important that he speaks of it again in Chapter 4. ‘Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try (test) the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come, and even now already is it in the world.’ (1 John 4:1-3) Yes my brethren, we ought to check and double check all that we hear, read or see concerning Christ. And if it doesn’t live up to the test of confessing that Jesus came in human form, then it’s of the antichrist and should be immediately rejected. Don’t play with it! Reject it out of hand, for it’s like playing with fire, you’ll get burned, your thinking will be all confused and messed up. For as John asks? ‘Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the son, the same hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.’ (1 John 2:22-23) And isn’t that the gospel truth Friends? Whoever denies Christ is a liar and a fraud, not to be believed. Therefore my people, what ought we to do? ‘Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought (worked for), but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him (give him a greeting) Godspeed. For he that biddeth (greets) him Godspeed is partaker of (shares in) his evil deeds.’ (2 John 8-11) Yes my people, we need to be very careful and not follow teachings that run contrary to God’s Word, because whoever teaches anything different is not of God. And also, if any of these frauds come to us with their false doctrines, we should not entertain them or wish them well, since John declares that to take in those false teachers, or to even wish them a blessing is to endorse their false teachings, and true believers should not actively support false teachers. This stemmed from the practice in the early days of preachers being accommodated in believer’s homes as they made their rounds of the churches. It doesn’t mean we can’t have unsaved people in our homes, unless of course they’re spreading a doctrine contrary to Christ’s. Oh Friends, it’s certainly a rough, evil, deceitful and devious world we live in, but if we keep our eyes, hearts and minds focused on God, diligently read and meditate on His Word, and consistently ask Him for guidance, then we shall do very well. But, like a good soldier, we must always be on guard, for the enemy can attack at anytime, any place. Much LOVE!…a believer needs to truly know Christ…so that he can recognize the antichrist…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 27 April 2011 Micah 3:4
27 Apr 2011 Leave a comment
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)
Today’s Scrip-Bit 26 April 2011 Psalm 95:6
26 Apr 2011 Leave a comment
Oh Friends, it’s shaping up to be a rainy day Easter Tuesday in my neck of the woods. But who’s perturbed eh? Regardless of the kind of day it turns out to be, especially with the recent Easter celebrations of salvation and resurrection, all believers should be chocked full of unceasing joy, praise, hope and faith because our God is alive and in control, and every day He brings out a brand new batch of mercies and blessings for His followers. And all God’s people, with one accord, delightedly shouted: ‘Praise the Holy Name of the Lord, for He is most worthy to be praised!’ Yes Friends, of that there is no doubt. But our Bit today, taken from the psalm of praise to a great God, is suggesting, encouraging us to take our feelings of praise and thanksgiving just one step further: ‘O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.’ And for those of us, like me, who can’t do much or any kneeling, that is no excuse for not bowing down and worshipping. The Lord will take two out of three anytime. (smile) No doubt some are wondering why we ought to bow down and worship the Lord? Well the answer to that is very simple my brethren. The psalmist states it quite clearly: ‘For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand (under his care).’ (Ps.95:7) ‘Elementary, my dear Watson!’ as the inimitable Sherlock Holmes would declare. And furthermore, by definition, praise and worship are what followers of a deity do, since they believe that deity does good things for them, helps them to live safe, successful and prosperous lives here on earth. So logically speaking, if we consider the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to be our God, then it’s obviously incumbent on us to offer praise and thanks, because He DOES keep us Christians safe, secure, prosperous and successful down here on Mother Earth. As the verse above so rightly says: ‘we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.’ Oh my brethren, we are indeed the sheep of God’s fold, we’re under His care and control, and like the kind, merciful and LOVING shepherd He is, He looks after us with tender, LOVING care, takes care of all our needs. Wow! There’s nothing too big or too small for Him to handle. But then the sheep need to reciprocate this LOVING care by being obedient and thankful, by listening to the Shepherd’s voice and doing as He instructs them. Unfortunately though, today too many of God’s supposed sheep are proud, greedy, arrogant, disobedient and ungrateful, which spoils it for the rest of the flock, the gladly sharing, obedient and everlastingly grateful portion. Now this difference in behaviour obviously causes arguments, dissensions, strife, anger, confusion and all manner of negative emotions and actions amongst what should be a unified group of believers. And sadly Friends, that’s the state of our world today, because too many of us refuse to listen to God’s voice, refuse to hearken to His call to: ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of (from) me; for I am meek and lowly in heart (gentle and humble): and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ (Matt.11:28-30) And that’s the gospel truth my people! So please, let’s accept His truly amazing offer, and not do like the Israelites and wander around aimlessly for forty years in the wilderness because of arrogance, foolish pride and disobedience, until a whole offending generation dies off, before we enter our promised land. That’s so infantile and silly. So my brethren, I’m imploring us that, ‘Today, if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your heart, as in the provocation (rebellion), and as in the day of temptation (trial or testing) in the wilderness. When your father’s tempted (tried) me, proved me, and saw my work. Forty years long was I grieved (was I disgusted) with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err (go astray) in their heart, and they have not known my ways: Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.’ (Ps.95:7-11) And as we all know, true to God’s declaration, that disobedient generation never set foot in the Promised Land. Oh Friends, I don’t know about you all nuh, but I certainly want to enter into God’s rest, so I will do my best to be obedient, bow down, worship and praise Him, for He is indeed worthy to receive all our praise and thanksgiving. Just look around at all the material comforts you posses and enjoy, and then consider the peace and calm in your spirit. Where do you think it all comes from eh? From none other than the Lord God Jehovah! So please think on all this, then have the right reaction. It will do wonders for you. Much LOVE!…as for me and mine…no ifs and buts…we will definitely be serving the Lord…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 25 April 2011 Proverbs 30:7-8
25 Apr 2011 Leave a comment
Proverbs 30:7-8. Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: Remove far from me vanity and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me.
Oh Friends, it’s Easter Monday and the partying, the physical celebrations for most of us are sadly over. But thank the Lord, the spiritual joy bubbling within us will last forever! Yes Friends, Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection on this Easter weekend two thousand years ago, set the stage for salvation and eternal life forever, fulfilling the promise He made in John 16:22, that once He’d done His thing, no man would be ever able to take away our joy. So let’s hang on to that joy as we go out today to begin another work week in our wicked, ungodly world. And as usual, to help us bear the strain of that exercise, let’s sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn, in the best voice we can muster, since many of us are still feeling the after effects of excessive weekend celebrations. (smile) All together now, and please let it come from deep within our hearts and souls. ‘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!’ Now that wasn’t too bad for a bunch of tired, partied out people. (smile) Anyway, our Bit today hails from the words of Agur (Agar), the stated author of Proverbs 30. Now, per the scholars, nothing is known about Agur, but it’s likely that he was one of the international sages or scholars of Cousin Sol’s day. And he must have been truly wise, for those words would sound very wonderful to our God if all believers today were to sincerely believe and pray them to Him. ‘Two things have I required (requested) of thee; deny me them not (deprive me not of them) before I die: Remove far from me vanity (falsehood) and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient (you prescribe) for me.’ Ah mih people, just cutting out the negatives from our lives like lies, deceit and foolish pride and simply living a comfortable, consistent life of integrity and godly character would do so much to eliminate much of the nonsense that currently has our world in a stranglehold. Just imagine if all of our riches were thrown into a big bowl, then distributed to the world’s inhabitants in sufficient quantity for all to be comfortable and contented. Wow! What an awesome world this would be, minus the widespread poverty, oppression and hunger! Okay, so I’m dreaming out loud, because once mankind retains its current nature, there will always be greedy and discontented folks to screw up a good thing. Note Agur’s prescience too, for his words, ‘feed me with food convenient for me,’ are harbingers of Jesus’ own statement in the Lord’s Prayer; ‘Give us this day our daily bread.’ (Matt.6:11) And judging from the reason for his request, Agur was indeed wise. Knowing man’s basic unreliable nature, he continues: ‘Lest I be full (rich), and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain (profane the name of my God).’ (Prov.30:9) Forgetting the Lord in times of prosperity was indeed one of the things Moses constantly warned the Israelites about (Deut.8:11-20) but they still did it, several times, and were punished several times. Sadly my people, the same affliction has struck us today. In our heady prosperity, which we wrongly attributed to our own power, we’ve turned away from the Lord and are now worshipping fleshly lusts and the idols of our own making. No wonder so many catastrophes have recently befallen, and are still befalling our wicked world. Remember, the Lord’s Word never changes. So if eons ago, He promised retribution for disobedience, it means that promise still stands today. And if it takes eons for Jesus to return, the promise will stand even till then. Oh Friends, unfortunately our world has bowed to Lucifer and become a greedy, ‘gravalicious, wanty-wanty, gimme-gimme’ society, never satisfied with how ever much we have. Please, let’s change that attitude and begin seeking a comfortable and consistent sufficiency, which will help the less fortunate to also rise to a comfortable position, because there’s way too much poverty, hunger, homelessness and nakedness in a world of so much prosperity. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen. Much LOVE!…only as we equitably share the world’s resources…will the dire hunger, poverty and suffering that now exists, diminish…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 24 April 2011 John 16:20
24 Apr 2011 Leave a comment
John 16:20. Verily, verily I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned to joy.
HAPPY EASTER SUNDAY!
Oh Friends, oh Friends, it’s Easter Sunday morning! The stone has been rolled aside! The tomb is empty! The grave clothes lie neatly piled to one side! What’s happened? He is risen! Yes! Jesus Christ, the Son of God is risen this Easter Sunday morning, thus guaranteeing us salvation and eternal life! And all God’s people boldly and enthusiastically chorused: ‘Glory Glory Hallelujah! Glory Glory Hallelujah! Glory Glory Hallelujah! Jesus Christ is risen today!’ Ah Friends what a most wonderful day this is. It should be one of the happiest days in a believer’s life, because it’s the day Jesus finally fulfilled all the promises in the scripture, showing what a gracious, faithful and ever-LOVING God we serve and worship! Now since Jesus had been hurriedly entombed just before the start of the Sabbath, His body had not received the traditional anointing of Jewish burial tradition. So early on the morning following the Sabbath, a group of Jesus’ female followers went to the sepulchre with the spices and ointments to anoint Him, only troubled by getting past the big stone that guarded the tomb’s entrance? But much to their surprise, they found the stone rolled away. And their surprise further increased on discovering that the tomb was empty. But while they stood outside the tomb, worried and perplexed, two men in shining garments (angels) came up and asked the scared women: ‘Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered his words. And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest…And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they believed not.’ (Luke 23:5-9,11) Ah Friends, what else is new eh? Why do we all have such a hard time believing both Jesus’ words and movements? It’s not like He didn’t tell them what was going to happen, more than once too. Finally though, John and Peter ran to the tomb. John apparently got there first, but possibly scared, only looked in, while big, brave Peter, on arrival, went straight in. He saw the burial clothes at one side of the tomb, and the face cloth that had wrapped Jesus’ head neatly folded elsewhere. John eventually went in, took it all in and believed. ‘For as yet they knew not (didn’t understand) the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.’ (John 20:9) And what was John and Peter’s response afterwards? ‘Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.’ (John 20:10) It’s obvious that Jesus’ followers were confused and scared, not knowing what to believe. And to a certain extent we can’t blame them, for they were simple, uneducated folk dealing with heavenly matters. And even now with all our hindsight and heightened intelligence, we still find it difficult to believe, so we have to cut the early believers some slack. Our Bit though clearly speaks to the problems that would ensue. ‘Verily, verily I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned to joy.’ Well my people, for the past two days we’ve been weeping, lamenting and very sorrowful, while the world rejoiced at the death of our supposed Saviour and Messiah. But today it’s an entirely different story! Today our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is risen from the dead! He’s defeated death and the grave, rising in a new form to bring eternal life to all who believe on Him! Because He rose from the dead, then ascended up to heaven, so too believers are ensured that they will also rise and enjoy eternal life with Christ and the Father. And as Jesus promised at the end of our Bit: ‘but your sorrow shall be turned to joy.’ Oh Friends, this Easter Sunday with Jesus’ triumphant resurrection, that’s exactly what’s happened. All the weeping and gnashing of teeth we endured for the last two days have been forgotten, because it’s a New Day! Our Saviour is alive! Glory Hallelujah! And since we all know the Easter story, I won’t get into it in any further detail. We’ll close though with another awesome promise of Jesus: ‘And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.’ (John 16:22) Oh my people, today is that day! So please let our hearts rejoice in Jesus’ resurrection, because no one can ever take away the joy that Jesus brought us when He paid for our sins with His death and established eternal life with His resurrection. So let’s celebrate the glorious victory, giving plenty, plenty thanks, and go out now with joyful praise: ‘Glory Glory Hallelujah! Glory Glory Hallelujah! Glory Glory Hallelujah! Worthy is the Lamb that was slain! But is risen in righteous glory today!’ Much LOVE mih people!…only the sinless Son of God…could have caused such a righteous commotion amongst mankind two thousand years ago…and is still causing it today…
