Today’s Scrip-Bit 2 April 2015 Deuteronomy 31:8‏

Deuteronomy 31:8. And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Well Friends, it’s finally Holy Thursday; the day before the Big Day, meaning Jesus’ crucifixion. It ought to be a day of heartfelt prayer and introspection, pondering exactly what Jesus and His unbearable suffering and His sacrificial death truly means to us.

Remember, Jesus wasn’t some fly by night operator. He talked His talk, but even more importantly, walked that talk! And we need to check up on ourselves to see whether we are doing the same, or simply just talking the talk and not backing it up with sincere action.

Just think about Jesus’ mental anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night before he was sacrificed for our abominable sins. The Good Book tells us he prayed, prayed fervently, saying to His inner circle of Peter, James and John: ‘My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here and watch with me.’ (Matt.26:38)

He even beseeched the Father a couple times to take away the cup, relieve Him of His duty to die as the sacrificial Lamb. But please note Friends, that in each case He ended with the fateful words, ‘Thy will be done.’ (Matt.26:39,42)

Yes Friends, though Jesus’ soul was in serious agony, to the point where ‘his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground,’ (Luke 22:44) yet He never wavered from the plan the Father had set for Him.

Oh my people, are we made of such mettle, of such sterner stuff? Do we faithfully resign ourselves to God’s will, even though the circumstances are extremely difficult, and sometimes look impossible?

Oh, I know it’s not always easy to do, but it is our duty as believers to buckle down and do God’s will, forgetting our own selfish desires. And that’s the only way we will ever become true images of Christ, as God desires us to be.

Modern day life is so easy that we complain about simple set backs or difficulties. But my people, that’s not being like Jesus at all! And my Friend Anselm’s quote for today, inspiring us for a better tomorrow is a rather appropriate one for our purposes.

It says: ‘The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.’

And that’s the gospel truth Friends! Our true measure of a man, of a Christian is where we stand when the challenges and controversies face us. Do we give up, roll over and play dead? Or do we stand up strong and steadfast and fight for what we know is true and what we sincerely believe in?

You know we ought to be in the latter group, as Christ was. Look at the ‘sufferation’ He endured for our sakes, without complaining. That’s how we are expected to operate too, though we will never reach to the heights that Jesus did.

And the wonderful thing about it all my fellow believers, is that we have the sincere and faithful promise of Almighty God in our Bit to help us through whatever comes against us. ‘And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.’

Wow! How cool is that eh people! And a few verses before that, Moses told the Israelites: ‘Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee nor forsake thee.

And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the Lord hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.’ (Deut.31:6-7)

So Friends, in just three verses, Moses told both the Israelites and Joshua that they had to be strong, face up to their tasks like good soldiers, because if they did, the Lord their God would certainly look after them.

Oh my people, the same promise is extended to us today. Bruh Paul puts it like this: ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.’ (Acts 8:28)

So when ever we are called by God, His LOVING-kindness will always be with us, regardless of the way the situation looks. We need to remember that and act on it my brethren.

Now listen to what Bruh David told Cousin Sol when he handed over the building of the Lord’s temple to him. ‘And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the Lord God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.’ (1 Chr.28:20)

Oh Friends, oh Friends, what wonderful words of advice from a father to a son! And that advice must also reverberate amongst us today. It’s also what the Lord told Joshua, as we saw yesterday. ‘Be strong and of a good courage.’ (Josh.1:6) And Bruh Paul told the Corinthians: ‘Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men (be brave), be strong.’ (1 Cor.16:13)

Oh Friends, I can’t think of a better way to end this morning than with those words of encouragement, which we so badly need in these generally rough times, and on this occasion when we remember and relive Jesus’ upcoming death.

Please be strong and of a good courage, for that’s mark of a true Christian, and also the wisdom of heaven. Much LOVE!

…let your conversation (conduct) be without covetousness…and be content with such things as ye have…for he hath said…I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee…’ (Heb.13:5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 2 March 2015 Psalm 27:10

Psalm 27:10.     When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up (take care of me).

Well Friends, it certainly seems as though the days, weeks and months of this year are in a real hurry to get somewhere, or simply to go by as quickly as they can. Chuh! It was just Saturday… and already it’s Monday!

Can you imagine too that we’re already into March, and it seems like only yesterday we were singing Old Lang Syne, and wishing each other a Happy New Year. It’s already been a couple of weeks too since we were singing: ‘Mas in yuh mas! Play mas!’ (smile)

And Lent will soon be over and then we’ll be lustily singing ‘He is risen! Jesus Christ has risen from the grave.’ Most appropriate sentiments for the Easter season.

And all of that was just to say my people that time is swiftly moving by and who knows what will happen, or when, so it is essential that we get our house in order, just in case…just in case Jesus returns unexpectedly and we’re not ready. The same way we’re seldom ready for Monday mornings. The big difference though is that we have something to counteract our Monday morning blues – our Monday Morning Battle Hymn.

However, if Jesus returns and we’re not ready, there will be nothing to counteract our sad, unfortunate demise; our eternal separation from the Father, because we never truly embraced the Son. And as I keep saying Friends, that’s the worst fate that could ever befall a human being.

Anyway, let’s get our Monday morning adrenaline rush from singing our Battle Hymn with much fervour, in loud, harmonious voice. ‘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!’ Not bad, not bad at all my people, though heaven didn’t clap and clamour for an encore! (smile)

But please don’t let that get us down, for we have an even more important promise to concern ourselves with in our Bit. ‘When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up (take care of me.’ 

What a wonderfully refreshing and encouraging statement my brethren! Though our earthly parents might forsake us the Lord won’t ever do such a heartless and unthinking thing. Bless His holy name! And in Isaiah 49 – in the section which assures that Israel will be restored to Zion- the Lord binds that promise on His heart by pronouncing it publicly through His mouthpiece Isaiah.

‘But Zion said, the Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her suckling (nursing, breastfeeding) child, that she should not (and not have) compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven (inscribed) thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continuously before me.’ (Is.49:14-16) What a marvellous promise from a most faithful and magnanimous God!

And now listen to Bruh David from Psalm 103 – Thanksgiving for God’s mercy. ‘As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children: so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame (understands our constitution); he remembereth that we are dust.’ (Ps.103:12-14)

Yes Friends, the mercy of our God is ever working on our behalf. He knows from whence we came and what we really are because He made us and thus knows what we can and cannot bear. And from way back when, the Lord through Moses, promised the Israelites: ‘Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee, he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.’ (Deut.31:6)

And when not talking to the band of Israelites, the Lord was assuring His men of faith individually. We all know the famous words He spoke to Joshua after Moses died and Joshua took over leadership of the band of intransigent Israelites. ‘There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so will I be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.’(Josh.1:5)

So Friends, please don’t worry or be afraid, for the Lord will LOVE and protect His children from anything or anybody that comes against them. That He has promised, and we know that our wonderful God is very faithful to His promises.

So my brethren, let’s take a little time from our busy worldly lives nuh and confront any fears or anxieties we may have, and get rid of them, for our omnipotent God has promised that He will never leave nor forsake us, and He who has promised is ever-faithful. Much LOVE!
 

…God specializes in LOVING and caring for sinners…not leaving or forsaking them…

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 13 November 2014 Psalm 27:14

Psalm 27:14.  Wait (in faith) on the Lord: be of good courage; and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.’

‘Thursday, oh Thursday; harbinger of Friday!’ Yes Friends, I know that many of us are just dying to see Friday, so that we can get the two days off from work.
 
But that’s not the attitude we should have. We need to live and find joy in each new day as our Lord provides new mercies and blessings for each one. Let’s learn to focus on the present, the here and now, for some of us might not live to see tomorrow.
 
And as Jesus so wisely reminds us in these memorable words. ‘Take therefore no thought for the morrow (do not worry about tomorrow): for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil (trouble) thereof.’ (Matt.6:34)
 
Yes my people, there will be enough trouble for us to handle today, and on each today thereafter, so let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s indeed do some planning for tomorrow, but let’s live in today.
 
Consequently, let’s renew this acclamation from Bubba Joel (Joel Osteen) which boldly proclaims, ‘TODAY IS MY DAY!’ And of course it is!
 
Please acclaim with me: ‘God has destined me to be a barrier breaker! He created me to be uncontainable. I have talent and potential given to me by the Creator of the universe. There are seeds of greatness inside of me. Today, I choose to break free from a limited mindset and enlarge my vision.
 
Today, God is taking me places that I’ve never even dreamed of before. Today, God is fulfilling His purpose and destiny in my life. Today, I will experience His favour like never before in every area of my life.’
 
Now let’s just keep that at the forefront of our hearts and minds today my people, as we ‘seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,’ and as a direct result, are divinely provided with all we need for our daily walk. We can’t ask for a better promise than that my brethren!
 
And here’s another timely reminder that our task is to take hold of God’s grace, to endure our afflictions with patience, without growing weary, knowing that in His own time, God will perfect, establish, strengthen and settle us. We must wait on the Lord and be of good courage.
 
And my fellow believers, if there’s one thing we desperately need in this evil and troubled world, it is courage! Courage to stand strong and face the naysayers, the doomsayers, and all those who are desperately trying to eliminate Jehovah God from our society.
 
And in the words of our Bit, Bruh David says it so wisely: ‘Wait (in faith) on the Lord: be of good courage; and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.’ Truer words were never spoken my fellow believers!
 
And Moses, in his latter days, encouraged the Israelites with these words, which still hold true today. ‘Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.’ (Deut.31:6) Oh what marvellous words of encouragement my people!
 
And yuh better believe Friends, that even Bruh Paul, with all his faith and bravado, could not endure all that he did without encouragement from other believers. As he is on his way to Rome, as a prisoner, bound in chains, to plead his case before the emperor, the Good Book tells us:
 
‘And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appi Forum, and the three Taverns (Inns): whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.’ (Acts 28:15)
 
So my people, let’s not believe that we’re alone in needing courage, for we’ve all sinned and come short of God’s glory, which means we all need help on this earthly journey, which can best come from Almighty God.
 
And we’ll end with some appropriate verses from Isaiah 25 – The song of praise by the redeemed. ‘And in this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things (choice pieces), a feast of wines on the lees (wines matured on the sediment), of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.
 
And he will destroy (swallow up) in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death (forever) in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off 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, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.’ (Is.25:6-9)
 
Oh Friends, with all these encouraging scriptures percolating in our hearts, minds and bodies, let’s go forth today unafraid, full of vim and vigour, with righteousness exuding mercy and forgiveness, and valiantly conquer this evil world, in Jesus’ name!
 
And all God’s people declared a joyful and courageous: ‘Amen! So let it be!’
 
Much, much LOVE, my brethren!
 
…if you need strength…if you need courage…whatever you need…sincerely turn to Jesus…and He will provide it…that’s His faithful promise…

 

 

 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 14 August 2014 Jeremiah 6:16

Jeremiah 6:16.   Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

Oh Friends, neighbours and fellow believers, it’s just one of those days… I went to bed late, got up early, feeling foggy, with all the ole arthritic bones crying out!

And to make matters worse, a tooth in my lower right jaw has suddenly begun acting up, which might necessitate a trip to the friendly dentist. (smile) Oh, my dentist is truly friendly. I’ve been going to him for over thirty years.

And what’s my response? A great ‘Glory Hallelujah!’

Yes Friends, I’m giving thanks and praise, because if those are my biggest worries, then I’m way ahead of the game! Those are minor problems compared to those so many others are suffering, especially our unjustly persecuted Christian brethren in other parts of the world. Hope you are continually praying for them.

And my problems most likely won’t do me in, so I’m just going to keep on keeping on, in the holy name of our magnificent Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who has faithfully promised never to leave or forsake me.

Now He never promised that I wouldn’t have problems, in fact He assured us that we would by simply believing in Him, but promised that He would not allow me to bear more than I can handle, and even then to help me go through them and bring me out better on the other side.

Wow! That’s why I can confidently say, like my Bubba Joel, (Joel Osteen): ‘TODAY IS MY DAY!

Yes my brethren, today is our day, so please affirm with me: ‘God has destined me to be a barrier breaker! He created me to be uncontainable. I have talent and potential given to me by the Creator of the universe. There are seeds of greatness inside of me.

Today, I choose to break free from a limited mindset and enlarge my vision. Today, God is taking me places that I’ve never even dreamed of before. Today, God is fulfilling His purpose and destiny in my life. Today, I will experience His favour like never before in every area of my life.’

And all of God’s children gave out a mighty shout of, ‘Praise the Lord!’

And now that we’ve affirmed all that, let’s go out and through sight of faith, make it happen…with God’s help obviously. Because through our great and wonderful God, we’re all conquerors, victors and not victims, the head and not the tail!

So please let’s behave in a suitable manner, one that embodies all those fine characteristics of Jesus; also doing good, caring and sharing, both emotionally and physically, like He wants us to do.

Oh my fellow believers, the best way to speak of Jesus is through the example of our everyday lives! For remember that actions speak much louder than words, and others are liable to come to Jesus much more through our Christ-like actions, than our good news words.

As they say, the gospel in action is a most remarkable tool, and so very hard to ignore. And that’s my little spiel for today! (smile).

Now let’s see what our Bit has to offer. ‘Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.’

Oh Friends, that is such a powerful and meaningful scripture, especially in these rather evil and ungodly times! It was very apropos in Jeremiah’s time, and even more so in ours now. I heard Uncle John (John Hagee) preach on it last night, and though we’ve used it as a Bit before, it’s so relevant to our frightful times, that I was guided to use it again.

Ah mih people, those old ways and paths of our forefathers were so blessed by obedience to God’s Word that prosperity was a given!

My brethren, let’s listen to this most potent passage of scripture, and as we do so, let’s also embed it deep in our hearts, souls, minds and bodies, for it’s the quintessential, the purest and most perfect direction for success and successful living.

‘There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so will I be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance (you shall give as a possession) the land which I sware unto their fathers to give them.

Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper (have success, act wisely) whithersoever thou goest.

This book of the law shall not depart out of (shall constantly be in) thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein in day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.’ (Josh. 1:5-8)

Oh Friends, that says it all! The numerous new-fangled books on prosperity and success are totally unnecessary since we have God’s own direction for successful living.

Those are the old paths and way that we ought to tread and embrace if we want to be truly successful and prosperous! They have been proven over and over by numerous societies, who rose to greatness by following them.

But by the same token, when they have turned away from, forsaken the Lord God Jehovah, like we are currently doing, then their success and prosperity have been sadly trampled in the dust.

Please my fellow believers, I plead with us to learn that significant lesson today, and to put it into practice, for it is the wisdom of Almighty God Himself! And if we foolishly continue to not adhere to His commands, disobey His imperial dictates, then eventually, possibly sooner than later, our society will also crumble into dust and ashes.

Is that what we want to happen? I very much doubt it. Well then, let’s wake up and smell the awful stench of our disobedience nuh! Much LOVE!

…when new ways and new paths lead to death and destruction…the wise turn back to the old ways and paths…those of the living God…which lead to success and prosperity…salvation and eternal life…

 

 
 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 31 October 2012 Deuteronomy 31:6

Deuteronomy 31:6.    Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail nor forsake thee.

Oh Friends, the negative saga of ‘Frankenstorm’ Sandy continues. Thankfully it’s been toned down some, but the unfortunate effects are still being felt all over Central and Eastern North America. Hopefully in a couple more days it will finally dissipate and leave us to recover and rebuild. Deaths and damage are still piling up, but that’s par for the course. And if we consider that it could have been worse, then we’ll have a sliver of daylight to hang on to. The Lord in His LOVING-kindness must have heard the prayers of many righteous and mitigated the disastrous effects that Sandy could have caused. Let’s hold on to that thought for good measure nuh. Now here’s a rather significant quote from Mayor Bloomberg as He assessed the damage wreaked by Sandy on the mighty City of New York. He rightly declares: ‘Nature is an awful lot more powerful than we are.’ And that’s an undeniable truth Friends! I only wish a whole lot more of us, especially those in positions of power would recognize that. And then, I ‘d like to ask Mr. Bloomberg and all the leaders of the nations, whom they think controls those powerful forces of nature? Oh my people, there’s ONLY ONE RIGHT answer to the question: ALMIGHTY GOD! The same ONE who created the universe and the very forces of nature. And yuh know Friends, until the majority of the world’s population wakes up and realizes that fact, then attempts to live in harmony with it, our world will be under constant attack, because our righteous and just God WILL NOT allow us to continue wallowing in the mire of sin, as we’re so effervescently and happily doing today. Last year we experienced Hurricane Irene who did billions of dollars worth of damage and caused many lives to be lost, but we never used that as a wake up call. Now we have Sandy, who first rose up from the South, then came North on an unfamiliar path to meet two other storms coming from other directions, to become the first storm of that kind we’ve ever experienced. And I ask Friends, will our response be any better than it was to Irene, or will we continue in the same, evil, sinful, ungodly manner as before? Ah mih people, I sure hope we use this as a wake up call, otherwise the next disaster might just be much worse. And did you notice Sandy’s timing; a week before the Presidential Elections in the U.S.? That’s going to cause even more confusion than there already was. But my faithful brethren, with all that negativity surrounding us, there’s still no need to fear, because our mighty, wise and ever-LOVING God is still in control of His universe. And He WILL definitely do as He promised long ago in our Bit, if we acknowledge and live by it. ‘Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail nor forsake thee.’ Now can you imagine the natural fear and despair that gripped a large portion of the Caribbean and North America before Sandy landed, and is still gripping us after this overwhelming catastrophe? Yes Friends, it’s only normal to fear what we don’t know and/or understand. However, true believers in Jesus Christ won’t allow any fear to stop their progress, because they have the awesome promises of Jehovah God to stand on. And as Sister Joyce ( Joyce Meyer) likes to say, even if we’re fearful, but it’s God’s command, then we should do it afraid. And that makes sense. But now let’s check out some scriptures on fear, that also give us the ONLY antidote for it, FAITH. We’ll begin with Isaiah, as he talks about the final restoration of Israel. ‘Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.’ (Is.41:10) And if that doesn’t lift your spirits, then listen to these true and stirring words of Bruh Paul to Timothy, words that we all know, but don’t seem to take very seriously. ‘For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of LOVE, and of a sound mind.’ (2 Tim.1:7) And if that still doesn’t move you, let’s hear Peter, as he declares: ‘Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.’ (1 Pet.5:6-7) Yes Friends, our God does care greatly for us, otherwise He would not have sacrificed His ONLY Son Jesus for us, but we have to live according to His directives, for He’s the BOSS! Just like our earthly bosses will reprimand or fire us if we don’t do as they say, our God will reprimand and punish us if we’re not obedient to His dictates. And we’ll end with the last words Jesus said to His disciples as He gave them the Great Commission. ‘…and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.’ (Matt.28:20b) Oh my people, if you can’t believe and take comfort in the words of those men of great faith, and also in Jesus’ promise, then I don’t know what else to say, except may the Lord have mercy on you, and work a miracle in your soul, so that you can truly believe in His faithful promises, and sincerely act on them without fear, but rather – in FAITH. Much LOVE!…do be aware…and do care…but please, please don’t fear…or despair… P.S. Due to time and space constraints, I couldn’t include these scriptures, but please read them on your own, as they will be very valuable, re the fear aspect. (Is.43: 1-5; Phil.4:6-7) Much LOVE!
 

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