Ephesians 6:12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Oh Friends, oh Friends, the ole fella’s extremely bright and bubbly this morning! Wow! I can’t even wait to write the Bit, my enthusiasm level is so high. Don’t ask me why I’m so enthusiastic this early in the morning, because nothing in particular happened over the past twenty four hours to excite me this much. I can only guess, that like Bruh David, my efforts to encourage myself in the Lord are working. (1 Sam.30:6) And all I can say is: ‘Praise be to the Lord our God, who never rejects those who seek him with sincere hearts!’ Now here is a chorus from a song by Ras Shiloh that I heard yesterday and found it rather appropriate to our current world situation. Ras Shiloh melodiously chants: ‘Give a little LOVE. Show a little LOVE. Live in righteousness. Give a little LOVE. Show a little LOVE. That’s what the world needs today.’ And isn’t that the God awesome truth my people! LOVE given and shared is about the only thing that will tone down the raging fires of hate, anger, greed, violence, cruelty, oppression and suppression that are terrorizing our wonderful world today! And undoubtedly that giving and showing of LOVE needs to start with us Christians, because the evildoers are not interested in the beautiful emotion of LOVE. However, LOVE is the mainstay of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, that’s why He sacrificed His, Holy, sinless life for us. If the Godhead that we worship didn’t LOVE us so much, none of that would ever have happened. So it’s our responsibility to keep that LOVE going…and remember, with no conditions attached – unconditionally. That’s a very important part of the whole equation my brethren. It’s our bounden duty to rise up and further the LOVE Revolution that Jesus started. And here’s the best way to begin doing so. It comes from the title of another song, one by Mavado, simply titled, ‘HOPE and PRAY.’ Yes Friends, before we can achieve anything worthwhile, we first have to engage in those two actions; HOPE and PRAY. For without HOPE we won’t last very long in, or be very attentive to any activity in which we’re involved. And without PRAYER… Oh Friends, I don’t need to tell us that without SINCERE PRAYER to our heavenly Father, most, if not all of our activities will get bogged down in failure. That means we need to first have HOPE for our families and ourselves, our neighbours, our nations and our world. Then we have to PRAY SINCERELY for the Lord to bless us and move the LOVE, mercy, forgiveness, truth, wisdom and understanding that He’s already sown in our souls, in a faithful and positive manner, so that we can make serious inroads into the evil that currently has our world in its vice-like grip. It means that we ‘be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.’ (Eph.6:10) Unfortunately though my brethren, the wickedness of Lucifer has spread all over, upstairs, downstairs and sideways, like the tentacles of an octopus. That’s why our Bit warns us so strongly about the fight we’re in. ‘For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world (age), against spiritual (hosts of) wickedness in high places.’ It’s obvious that a lot of the evil that’s permeating our world must be in the high echelons, otherwise it wouldn’t be as pervasive and powerful as it is. Many of us would be surprised to know of the great amount of demon worship that happens in high places. It brings to mind the high places in the Old Testament where the Israelites in their rebellious times worshiped foreign gods. The only difference now is that we’re doing it much more secretively. That’s why Bruh Paul says we need to ‘Put on the whole armour of God, that we may be able to stand against the wiles (evil schemes) of the devil.’ (Eph.6:11) And the armour of God, as Bruh Paul declares in Eph.6:13-18, consists of; the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, the sandals of peace, the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit, the Good Book. Oh Friends, unless we’re fully dressed in that spiritual armour, we’ll have an exceedingly hard time fighting the evil demons that are trying to take over our world. So please, everyday we awaken, let’s first dress ourselves in that armour. Even if we’re not leaving home, it’s still important to put it on, because we never know how, when and where Lucifer and his evil minions will strike. They can attack us right in our own homes. And we’ll end with some interesting and important words on the subject from the scholars. ‘Several activities in the Bible may involve demons. Sometimes they cause physical disease or mental suffering. However, not all mental disorders are demonic in origin. Demons also tempt people into immoral practices. They originate and propagate false doctrines taught by heretical religious groups (1 Tim.4:1). The Bible also teaches that some people were possessed by demons (Mark 1:23). Although demons are committed to do evil, God will use them to accomplish His plan during the end of the age (Rev.16:14) Illustrations: Demons are also objects of worship in various occult practices forbidden by God. These include divination (an illegitimate means of determining the will of God), necromancy (efforts to communicate and interrogate the dead), magic (using formulas and incantations), sorcery (perhaps the nonmedical use of drugs), witchcraft, and astrology (Deut.18:10-12) Application: When the Ephesian Christians who were “dabbling” in the occult repented, there was a great revival in that place. No Christian can ever justify his participation in demonic activities. (Ex.7:11; Eph.6:12; Heb.1:4) There you have it Friends. No participation in demonic activities. Rather fight them to the death in our spiritual armour. Please pay serious attention to this message, because if we’re not prepared, Lucifer will breach our souls and cause us much heartache. Much LOVE!…if you’re not properly attired for battle…then you’ve lost before you’ve even begun… P.S. Please read the scriptural references provided by the scholars. They are authentic and will give us greater understanding of the subject. Much LOVE!
Today’s Scrip-Bit 27 September 2012 Ephesian 6:12
27 Sep 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: anger, awesome truth, bounden duty, cruelty, encourage yourself in God, encouragement, enthusiasm, false doctrines, flesh and blood, giving, greed, hate, high places, hope, LOVE, oppression, prayer, righteousness., salvation, showing, sincerity, spiritual armour, suppression, truth, violence, wickedness
Today’s Scrip-Bit 28 August 2012 1 Peter 4:8
28 Aug 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: anger, anxiety, bitterness, charity, covers, earthquake, evil, flooding, good stewards, gossipmongers, Haiti, holy spirit, hurricane, Isaac, Jesus, LOVE, manifold grace of God, prayers, rejoice, relationships, resentment, sins, stress, tension
1 Peter 4:8. And above all things have fervent charity (LOVE) among yourselves: for charity (LOVE) shall cover the multitude of sins.
Oh Friends, we at last had a touch of rain in my area yesterday morning; first time in over a week. And I guess most people were pleased to receive it, but Friends, think about those rather unfortunate people in Haiti, where Hurricane Isaac brought an abnormal amount of rain, wind, flooding and destruction to their already bruised, battered and impoverished lives. The poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, and they’ve now undergone what; two hurricanes and a massive earthquake in the last few years? Ah Lord eh! It’s one calamity after the other. Before they can recover from one, another strikes them! Please my people, let’s pray some serious and heart-rending prayers for them, and also help in whatever other way we can. Please ask the Lord to guide our thoughts and prayers too to those unfortunates in the Dominican Republic and Cuba who felt some of Isaac’s wrath, but certainly not as much as Haiti. And let’s also remember in our words to heaven the people in the Southern U.S. where Isaac is scheduled to do some serious damage. Let’s pray that it will extinguish itself out at sea, and leave the land and people unscathed, cause they already have enough calamity to deal with. And if that’s not in the Lord’s plan, then pray that it will do minimal damage. Can you imagine the suffering that will cause with the serious job and home losses, plus social upheaval, drought and economic decline that’s already plaguing the nation? All I can say my brethren, is that we look to our Bit for guidance in these really troubled times. ‘And above all things have fervent charity (LOVE) among yourselves: for charity (LOVE) shall cover the multitude of sins.’ And that’s an undisputable fact Friends! LOVE does cover an amazing amount of troubles and wrongdoings. Hear how Cousin Sol says it in Proverbs 10. ‘Hatred stirreth up strifes: but LOVE covereth ALL sins.’ (Prov.10:12) That’s why they say LOVE makes the world go round. It can surely handle all kinds of misfortune and negative circumstances. Peter further advises us: ‘Use hospitality one to another without grudging (grumbling) As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.’ (1 Pet.4:9-10) And you know what happens when we don’t take that advice? Listen to Cousin Sol tell it. ‘He that covereth a transgression seeketh LOVE: but he that repeateth a matter separateth very (the best of) friends.’ (Prov.17:9) Gospel truth my brethren, to which many of us can personally attest! For we have all seen and experienced situations where friends keep their peace on certain things, relationships endure and often prosper because of that held tongue. But when the gossip-mongers spread their evil offering, it inevitably breaks up relationships, leaving in their wake, trails of bitterness, anger, resentment and strife. However, as Bruh Paul so wisely and truthfully tells the Corinthians: ‘Charity (LOVE) suffereth long, and is kind; charity (LOVE) envieth not; charity (LOVE) vaunteth not (does not brag) on itself, is not puffed up (arrogant). Doth not behave itself unseemly (rudely), seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no (keeps no accounts of) evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity (LOVE) never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail (cease); whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away (cease).’ (1 Cor.13:4-8) Yes my people; LOVE NEVER FAILS! It is the great reliever of stress, tension, anxiety and all misfortune. Even in the most difficult of times, just a little show or act of LOVE can bring a smile and/or a sense of relief to the unfortunate person’s face and spirit. That’s because it’s the essential essence of our all-knowing, all-seeing and all-powerful God! And it’s why Bruh Paul thus admonished the Galatians. ‘And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections (its passions) and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory (conceited), provoking one another, envying one another.’ (Gal.5:24-26) My fellow believers, it’s only LOVE that’s given through the Holy Spirit that can cause unity among humans. No wonder Bruh Paul advised the Ephesians. ‘And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice. And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.’ (Eph.4:30-32) And therein lies the rub my brethren. That forgiveness of God came to us through His LOVE, otherwise we’d still be tightly enmeshed, wrapped up in sin and discarded unto death. But note, the LOVE of God, through the sacrifice of Jesus, covered not only a multitude of sins, but ALL of the sins of those who believe on His Son. And if you’re one of those fortunate people to have your sins covered by God’s LOVE through Jesus’ death, then please go out and tell and live it, so that the rest of the world can see the great benefits it provides, and come to know and LOVE Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, just like you. As James says: ‘Let him know, that he which converteth (turns) the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide (cover) a multitude of sins.’ (James 5:20) And all God’s people said a loud and sincere ‘Amen!’ Oh Friends, it’s our time to go out and spread some LOVE, if we want things to improve in our world. Let’s do it for Jesus nuh! Much LOVE!…LOVE…it’s the panacea for what ails our world…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 20 August 2012 Psalm 37:8
20 Aug 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: advice, anger, awe, conquerors, dreams, enthusiasm, evil, eyes of faith, fear, humble servant, imagination, invincible, joy, pride, prosperity, righteous, sin, songs of praise, vitality, wisdom, wrath
Psalm 37:8. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
Today’s Scrip-Bit 19 August 2012 Psalm 37:8
19 Aug 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: anger, controversy, downtrodden, eternal life, evil, evildoers, greed, humble, humility, Jesus, joy, Lake Ontario, LOVE, meek, needy, party, peace, poor, pride, resentment, salvation, selfishness, sick, Toronto, worry, wrath
Psalm 37:8. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
Oh Friends, yesterday was one of the many perfect summer days we’ve recently experienced in the Greater Toronto Area; bright sunshine, a cool breeze and a multiplicity of (plenty, plenty) LOVE and JOY floating all around! (smile) And speaking of LOVE and JOY, I also discovered an amazing truth: nobody can party like Christians when they truly let their hair down and decide to party. In actual fact, logic dictates that by reason of our overwhelming LOVE for each other and the abundant JOY that dwells in our souls, both so freely granted by Christ, the Master of LOVE and JOY, we ought to be the heartiest partiers around, since partying is a direct derivative of those two outstanding emotions. ‘Elementary, my dear Watson!’ as the renowned British sleuth, Sherlock Holmes would say to his sidekick. (smile) And I proved it yesterday, when my local church had a boat cruise out on Lake Ontario. Oh Friends, a day cruise on a lovely summer’s day around Toronto’s harbour is a joy to experience. To the waterfront side, you have the daily increasing concrete jungle cluster of high-rise buildings lining it as far back as you can see, with the C.N. Tower, towering majestically above it all. Meanwhile, out on the water, the many sailboats and different kinds of watercraft dance all around on the beautiful but deceitful and treacherous waters of Lake Ontario, weaving in and around the outlying islands which all have their own activity. I even saw one lone, brave sailor paddling his little canoe over the swells, way outside. Better him than me yes! The only thing that possibly beats that sight is a night time cruise, which shows up the sparkling lights of the buildings and the outlying islands. And believe me, yesterday between 12 and 4 p.m. the St. Francis congregation, our friends and families, we mash up the T.O. harbour on the Riverboat Gambler, an old paddle wheel cruiser! Chuh mih people! I didn’t see any of the many other boats out there, big or small, with a party as hearty as ours! Even the broken and lame, like myself, were hopping and rocking! Ditto for several people who were in wheelchairs! To tell you how good it was, I sat next to a grandmother soon to be ninety seven years old. Yes Friends, 97 large ones, and she was as aware and sprightly as a young doe! (smile) Well just a little exaggeration really. She reminded me of my ole mother Mols, who’s partying somewhere up in heaven now. Anyway mih brethren, the food was good, the beverages wet and refreshing, and the music was most excellent! It was strictly ‘big people music,’ as Dr. Jay, a local D.J. calls it. None of the chupidness that the young people nowadays call music. Call it ole school, or whatever, but when the rockers, the soca and the funk cascaded across the deep, dark green waters of Lake Ontario there wasn’t a foot not tapping or a finger not drumming to the scintillating riddims! I never knew that some of those people who look so serious and sedate in church could step that well. And the best part is that it was all led by our partying leader, our very own Pastor Jeff. He definitely set the tone for the afternoon’s proceedings right from the very start. And it’s amusing that as we were leaving the boat, one of my faithful readers told me that he was sure to read about it in Today’s Bit. At the time though I wasn’t even thinking about the Bit, but concentrating on my aching knees and what the later hours would bring. But it seems like you were right Scottie. And James, you missed an excellent gathering of God’s people, dancing, singing and giving praise to their Creator. So yuh see Friends, that’s why people ought to come to know Jesus. Not so much for. the partying, which is surely interesting, but for the abundant LOVE and JOY He instils in the hearts, minds, bodies and spirits of His followers. And that’s exactly why Bruh David so strenuously and sincerely warns us about the true state of the wicked in our Bit: ‘Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil (for it only causes harm).’ Now that’s undoubtedly gospel truth mih breddren! And here’s why: ‘For evildoers shall be cut off (destroyed): but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider (look diligently for) his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.’ (Ps.37:9-11) Oh Friends what better life can you desire, and above all, also get on earth, than that which Jesus promises… no, not only promises, but also faithfully delivers to all those who wisely choose to put their belief, faith and trust in Him eh? NONE WHATSOEVER! So why are so many of us so reluctant to accept the abundance of LOVE, JOY and PEACE He offers here on earth, then SALVATION and ETERNAL LIFE with Him when we depart this evil and troubled earth? It surely boggles my mind. Many even become angry and violent, at the very mention of His Name. There must be something awfully powerful about Jesus yes, if He could bring out such contrasts in humans. No other name in history has ever caused, or will ever cause so much controversy. Oh Friends, just reading the gospel stories about Jesus, His humility, His LOVE for mankind, especially the poor, the downtrodden, sick and needy, His constant willingness to help, the way He bore His burdens, including the physical cross and the sacrifice of His sinless life on it without a whimper, how can you not feel close to Him, not LOVE him eh? Only if your heart, mind and spirit are wrapped up in evil, false pride, selfishness and greed could you fail to understand and comprehend His great gift and selflessness to mankind. And as we like to do whenever possible, we’ll end with some definitive words on the subject from Jesus. ‘The thief cometh not but for (except) to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.’ (John 10:10-11) Nuff said my people! More on this tomorrow if God favours us with the breath of life. Till then, please let’s seriously consider the true state of our lives nuh, ensuring that we embrace Jesus, so that it will be well with us. That is certainly wisdom at its zenith! Much LOVE!…as for me and mine…we’ll most definitely follow Jesus…hope you and yours…come to the same wise conclusion too…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 7 August 2012 Exodus 20:3
07 Aug 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: anger, Caribana, commandments, deceitful, disobedience, god, graven image, idols, independence, Jamaica, Lucifer's lies, party time, punishment, Trinidad & Tobago
Exodus 20:3. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Ah well, the party’s finally over my Friends. It’s time to call it a day. Yeah people, Caribana’s finished for another year. And thankfully it didn’t seem to have any serious negative consequences. But while the party has cooled down in T.O, it’s just beginning in J.A and T&T with the 50th anniversary of Independence celebrations. And where yuh see Usain Bolt retained his track crown, and also bettered his previous record, hn, I can assure you that Jamdown is in a thoroughly party going frame of mind. And T&T won’t be far behind. But as I keep reminding us, drunk or sober, we have to mind our business, so that the ole charlatan Lucifer doesn’t find a chink in our spiritual armour and invade our souls, cause we know that he’s always on the hunt, like a hungry lion, looking for whomever he could get his lying, deceitful claws into. And that’s exactly why the Lord warned us from day one, in our Bit: ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before me.’ Oh Friends, because of our fallen, rebellious nature, He knew our susceptibility to things forbidden, to things of the flesh, to things that the tempter would throw up before us, things looking all nice and glittery, like they were the real McCoy, but in actual fact are all fake. They are all part of a facade, a false front that Lucifer puts up to cover the reprehensible doings he encourages in the back, where no one can see. But Friends God does, for He is all-seeing and all-knowing. Oh my people, why do you think the Lord got Moses to spell out these facts in detail eh? ‘Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to (worship) them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting (punishing) the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And showing mercy to them that LOVE me, and keep my commandments.’ (Ex.20:4-6) The Lord laid down those rules because we’re His chosen people, and He doesn’t want us going astray, running foul of His law, so that He would be forced to punish us. But yuh know, even after He tore out His heart and sent His Son Jesus to pay for our disgusting sins, we continue to lust after other gods and worldly things. Until now, when we’ve reached the highest point of our evolution, with the most knowledge and technological skills ever seen on earth, where we should be endowed with godly wisdom, because of all the examples of disobedience and punishment that’s gone before us, yet we still running behind the fool fool boy Lucifer, who, if he was so smart, would still be running the angels in heaven and not walking the earth in shame for trying to overthrow the Lord God Jehovah. I mean how silly can you get eh? So my brethren, when are we going to learn that Lucifer really has nothing good to offer us eh? When the Lord destroys us for disobedience and we end up in blistering hot Hades with him? Lord forbid! How many times Friends, has the Lord warned us of this serious breach of His law? Too numerous to count! But let’s look at a couple of them, starting in Deuteronomy: ‘Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you. (For the Lord thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the Lord thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.’ (Deut.6:13-15) Now doesn’t that spell it out ever so clearly that disobedience will bring punishment and eventual destruction? Now hear Jeremiah: ‘And the Lord hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened (listened), nor inclined your ear to hear. They said, Turn ye again (repent now) every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the Lord hath given unto you and to your fathers for ever and ever. And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke me not to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no hurt (harm). Yet ye have not hearkened (listened) unto me, saith the Lord; that ye might provoke me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt (harm).’ (Jer.25:4-7) And what happened after that Friends? Judah was invaded, Jerusalem destroyed, and the people taken captive to Babylon for seventy years. (Jer.6:8-14) So you think it will be any different now my people? Not one bit! God’s still sending his prophets, servants and teachers, like me, to warn us, and if we still continue to walk the path of disobedience, as we’re currently doing, we will be punished, as we’re currently experiencing. Oh Friends, please don’t believe that all the calamities and disastrous things that are happening in our world are simply happenstance, because they are not. A lot of it is being fuelled by the Lord’s anger. And if we don’t stop soon and turn back to Him, we will eventually be destroyed. That’s what the Good Book says…and the Good Book doesn’t lie. So please, I implore us, let’s wake up and start doing right by our Creator nuh, if not for our sakes, then for our children’s, or else crapaud surely going to smoke we pipe sometime soon. Much LOVE!…the wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way…but the folly of fools is deceit… (Prov.14:8)
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