Today’s Scrip-Bit 13 December 2015 Proverbs 4:12

Proverbs 4:12.   When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened (hindered); and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. 

Oh Friends, what is our world coming to eh…especially this supposed Christian country called Canada? Now listen to this story from an article published in the Toronto Sun newspaper a couple of days ago. It’s titled ‘ROOM FOR DIFFERENT VOICES,’ and subtitled ‘Christian group fighting to hold fest in Yonge-Dundas Square.’ 

Let’s set some parameters before we get into the meat of the article. Yonge-Dundas Square is a public square created in downtown Toronto around a decade or less ago, where shows and other events are put on. 

Now to the best of my knowledge it was paid for with public tax funds, is owned by the City of Toronto, but is run by a Management Board, which recently had a meeting with a group called Voices of the Nations who have been running a summertime Christian show in the square for the past five years. 

However, a permit to run the sixth show next year was denied because of ‘concerns over songs about Jesus Christ being too proselytizing, which is not allowed in the public square.’ 

What hogwash! What heifer dust! But nudity and crime and violence and songs about sex drugs and rock and roll are permitted. Ah Lord eh! And they boldfaced enough to want to talk about “explicit items of what is and is not appropriate behavior in the square,” and ground rules that “are free of intolerance and consistent with the values of a public institution.” 

Steupssss! I guess the negative, sinful behavior is what’s appropriate, not singing or talking about Jesus! These blooming hypocrites eh! As the organizer’s wife reputedly called it: “a de facto ban on Christianity” in the square. 

And as the writer of the article pointed out, religion IS a part of the square, because, “right now, in Yonge-Dundas Square a menorah is proudly and appropriately displayed – completely fitting and enthusiastically welcomed since we are right in the middle of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.”  

That made him wonder if after Hanukkah is over, they will also appropriately put up a crèche featuring the Nativity Scene. Hn! I won’t hold my breath for that nuh. It surely seems as though everybody else but Christians have rights in this supposed land of freedom of religion and freedom of speech. We can’t complain about other religions, but others complain about us and get their way. 

And our wonderful Prime Minister is hustling to bring in thousands of Syrian Refugees in to the country, most, if not all of them Muslim. Do you think they are going to come here and just accept the status quo? Obviously not! In fact they won’t have to because they already have more rights than Christians, and they have been taught to proselytize from young.  At one stage Christians were taught that too, but I guess we don’t any longer. 

Anyway, let me shut my mouth about all of that eh, before they charge me with inciting hate crimes, or whatever they call it. And that’s no joke friends, for in these times of all kinds of unlawful activities, high security and surveillance, anything is possible. 

The long and short though of the story my brethren is that we have no one but ourselves to blame for whatever rights are being taken away from us. We are either too complacent or fearful to stand up for what we believe in. And until we do, we will see what little we still possess, being gradually taken away. 

Just check out the amazing amount of Christian persecution that’s going on around the world right now nuh. It seems like the early days of the church once again. So my fellow believers, it’s up to us to stand up strong and fight back in Jesus’ name, otherwise we’ll soon be marginalized…if we haven’t been already!  End of sermon! 

Let’s turn to our Bit now. ‘When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened (hindered); and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.’ 

Yes my people, that is what happens when we avoid the wisdom of this world which is mostly wickedness, and instead turn to the Lord God Jehovah for His wisdom and understanding. 

And today we’ll look at some scriptures that agree with our Bit, beginning with these awesome words from Bruh David from Psalm 18 – Thanksgiving for deliverance. He boldly declares of his God. ‘Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden (held) me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. Thou hast enlarged my steps (path) under me, that my feet did not slip (did not stumble).’ (Ps.18:35-36)  

And if we know Bruh David’s life story, then we know that that is gospel truth! Now hear it from the opposite side of the coin, as Job’s buddy, Bildad, speaks of the plight of the wicked. 

‘Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine. The light shall be dark in his tabernacle (tent), and his candle (lamp) shall be put out with (beside) him. The steps of his strength shall be straitened (shortened), and his own counsel shall cast him down. For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walketh upon a snare. The gin (net) shall take him by the heel, and the robber (a snare) shall prevail against him.’ (Job 18:5:9) 

Yes Friends, you have it from both sides now; words of indisputable truth, per the wise righteous and the foolish wicked. And let’s not forget that today is Sunday; the day we gather in the Lord’s sanctuary to praise and worship Him and receive His mercies and blessings, also to have our faith strengthened and our souls encouraged so that we can fight the good fight for another week. 

My fellow brethren in Christ, please don’t defer from gathering with other believers today, so that the Lord may be glorified and His children energized. Much LOVE!

…onward Christian soldiers…marching as to war…with the cross of Jesus…going on before…

Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 February 2013 Job 8:13

Job 8:13.     So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite’s hope shall perish.

Oh Friends, it’s Friday; the second Friday in Lent! But the joyous ‘TGIF’s’ and ‘Thank God is Friday,’ are not as plentiful or powerful as normal. I don’t know if that’s happening because it’s Lent, but as I recently said, though Lent should be a serious time of reflection, contemplation and communion with God, there’s no need to lose our joy, whatever season it is. And remember those joyous shouts on Fridays are for the ending of the week of labour, the traffic hassles and all the other worldly distractions. It also gives us more time to spend with God, which should make us even more joyous. So please let’s keep our joy going, don’t let Lucifer fool us into thinking that we have to be so pious and holy we can’t have mucho joy in our souls. Remember, it’s that joy we get from being in sync with God that gives us the strength to bear the burdens we all face on our earthly pilgrimage. And to help us with that, let’s chant our Friday Chant with plenty power and sweet harmony. As one now: ‘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.’ That was awesome my people! Let’s do it for real now. Oh, by the way, the ole fella aced the fasting test yesterday! I got to the lab around ten thirty-five, but was it ever crowded. I knew though that I wasn’t leaving, because I had no desire to go through the fasting situation again. So I sat down and patiently bided my time, reading a novel. Jesus was surely proud of me, because I didn’t whine and complain. (smile) I didn’t leave there until eleven thirty, which meant I fasted for over 13 hours. Mama Mia! Hopefully that’s it for the year. Anyway, let’s turn to our Bit: ‘So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite’s hope shall perish.’ That my Friends, is the living truth, as declared by our living God! Before we get into it though, let’s get some background info. Those words come from Job’s buddy Bildad, as he affirms God’s justice. And just before our Bit, he’s talking about the demise of certain herbs. ‘Can the rush (papyrus) grow up without mire (marsh)? Can the flag (reeds) grow without water? Whilst it is yet in its greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb.’ (Job 8:11-12) Then he brings up our Bit, comparing those who forget God and lead hypocritical lives to the demise of those herbs. Bildad further declares after our Bit: ‘Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider’s web (house). He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure.’ (Job 8:14-15) That’s oh so true my brethren! Those who forget God and play the hypocrite, their hopes shall eventually be dashed to the ground. Though they build their houses, intricate, pretty and supposedly strong like a spider builds its web, they will not endure. Like a house of cards, they will be easily blown down and destroyed. Now let’s look at some scripture that corroborates our Bit, starting with words of Bruh David, from Psalm 9; Praise for God’s justice. ‘The heathen (nations or gentiles) are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken (caught). The Lord is known by the judgement which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands.  Higgaion (meditation or song)  Selah. The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.’ (Ps.9:15-18) Yes Friends, that’s the sorry lot of all those who don’t revere and worship the ONE TRUE GOD, He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! And if you don’t believe Bruh David, then listen to that other great psalmist, Asaph, as he righteously proclaims in Psalm 50; God is the judge. ‘Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation (conduct) aright will I show the salvation of God.’ (Ps.50:22-23) Oh my people, we certainly don’t want to be torn in pieces, do we? So let’s not foolishly forget Almighty God, the ONE who created the universe and all therein. Instead, let’s wisely offer Him praise and thanks, so that He may be glorified, and walk steadfastly in obedience to His Word, so that we’ll see His salvation. That is the wisdom of the righteous! More on this tomorrow, God in favour. Till then, let’s remember our God and spend worthy time with Him, so that He’ll continue to LOVE, bless, forgive, protect and show us His wonderful grace and mercy. Much LOVE!…a fool in his folly…says there is no God…but what happens then…as the wise man believes…that there is a God…