Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 January 2018 Psalm 104:24.

Psalm 104:24.   O Lord, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.

So how shall we begin this morning eh friends? I guess by giving the Lord much thanks and praise as we ought to, as is our bounden duty! 

First of all let’s thank Him for the life we have this morning, for bringing us through the past night of darkness into the bright sunshine of Jesus’ day. Let’s thank Him for all that He’s done for us during the past year and all the good stuff He has planned for us in this new year. 

Ah friends, without God’s grace, mercy and LOVING-kindness we’re nothing, and can do nothing worthwhile. Let’s remember that and keep coming to His throne in humble prayer to get all of our daily needs, for that’s the storehouse from which they all emanate. 

Have you ever wondered how this great universe is so self-sufficient? The earth just seems to stand suspended in space; the seasons roll around on time without any timekeeper; rains fall, the sun shines, the moon does it’s thing, the winds and the seas do their thing too, all without any apparent outward help. 

Birds, insects and animals have their food provided for them and keep on in an unbroken cycle. Humans are born, live and die, and the world continues moving and functioning in perfect harmony…without any apparent outward help. Yes my people, Planet Earth functions so harmoniously because of the wisdom and strength of Almighty God who made it and all therein. 

The only time when stuff gets screwed up on earth is when we humans, supposed superior beings, get involved and throw God’s perfect timing off. But have no fear, despite our foolish and mindless messing with His perfect universe, He is still in total control of it. 

No wonder the psalmist declares so profoundly in our Bit: ‘O Lord, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.’ 

Oh friends, the works of our great God are indeed manifold; plentiful, various, different, but all fine tuned to the nth degree, because our God isn’t only a Jack of all trades, but more importantly, a Master of them all! 

Thus, when dealing with the problem of idols in Israel, which were only the work of cunning men, the prophet Jeremiah could unequivocally proclaim: ‘But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God; and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation. 

Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under the heavens. He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his discretion (understanding). 

When He uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth: he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth for the wind out of his treasures.’ (Jer.10:10-13) 

What a mighty God we serve my people! The ONE and only true and Living God! And Jeremiah was so convinced of his words that he uttered them again in Chapter 51:15-19, when talking about the Lord’s judgement on Babylon. 

Meanwhile listen to Cousin Sol’s take on the subject. ‘The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths (deeps) are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.’ (Prov.3:19-20) 

Ah friends, if you’d only sit and ponder the miraculous spectacle that is the earth and all that moves within it, you’d realize that it would take an awfully mighty, wise and powerful Being to put it all together so seamlessly. And that being is our great God Jehovah! Give him much praise and thanks! 

And Job says it thus: ‘He (God) is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered? Which removeth the mountains, and they know not; which overturneth them in his anger. Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble. Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars…

Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number. Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not. Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder (prevent) him? Who will say unto him, What doest thou?’ (Job 9:4-7,10-12) 

Now that’s a very good question my people? Who will say unto Almighty God, what are you doing eh? Nobody in his right senses! But we are wise enough not to question God, instead we’ll serve and worship Him in all goodness of heart and thus enjoy His awesome blessings. Let’s tell it to the world friends, let’s declare our Thursday Blessings and let them know how the great God we serve rewards those who faithfully serve Him. 

As one now: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! 

I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and everyday! Amen!’ 

Oh my people, in 2018, this Year of LOVE, let’s go out and share those blessings with the less fortunate nuh, for that’s what Jesus desires of us! Much LOVE!

…walking closely with Jesus…means sharing whatever He’s blessed us with…

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 25 September 2016 Proverbs 3:5-6.

Proverbs 3:5-6.    Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct (make smooth or straight) thy paths.

Aye mih breddren, it’s fellowship day! Glory Hallelujah! So here, in the Lord’s sanctuary, (smile) let’s start it off in the most appropriate fashion nuh with some praise and worship, because our awesome God LOVES nothing more than to hear our sincere and joyful songs of praise and thanksgiving. 

This morning we’ll offer the sacrifice of praise through our wondrous rendition of the old but favourite hymn, ‘All things bright and beautiful.’ And as we raise our voices in glorious song, let’s picture in our mind’s eye, the objects and creations we’re singing about. 

Please sing with me. ‘(Refrain) All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all.  Each little flow’r that opens, Each little bird that sings, He made their glowing colors, He made their tiny wings: (Refrain) 

The purple-headed mountain, The river running by, The sunset and the morning That brighten up the sky: (Refrain) The cold wind in the winter, The pleasant summer sun, The ripe fruits in the garden, He made them ev’ry one: (Refrain) 

The tall trees in the greenwood, The meadows where we play, The rushes by the water We gather ev’ry day: All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all.’ 

And that’s the living truth my people! Our great God made everything! And made them so beautiful too, especially the things and creatures of nature! I do hope as you sang about the birds and the mountains, the rivers, trees etc. that you pictured each one in living colour and appreciated their beauty, because the Lord made them for our enjoyment and pleasure. 

And those who don’t appreciate nature, its beautiful colours, artistry and ingenuity, will never fully understand or appreciate the wonder that is our magnificent God! That’s because ‘Mother Nature’ is God’s outstanding work of art, His greatest, most impressive canvas! 

And having given thanks and praise and admired God’s handiwork, let’s now turn to His word, another aspect of His creation, this one meant for us to follow, to be obedient to, so that we can enjoy everlasting fellowship with Him. 

Listen to the awesome advice of our Bit. ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct (make smooth or straight) thy paths.’ 

Just imagine nuh friends, what a wonderful life we can live if we admire God’s artistry as well as put our sincere trust and faith in Him! Mama Yo! Nothing on earth could be better than that! 

But I guess our sinful nature, plus the lies and deceptions of the evil one stop us from being able to enjoy all that Jehovah God has in store for us. We are fooled by the glitter and glamour that the world offers, when in reality it’s only a façade, a nice looking front for a decrepit, destructive, evil lifestyle. 

Remember friends, all that glitters is not truly gold, and the world cruelly plays on our affection for bright, shiny things and toys.  But my people, the wisdom of the world is not wisdom at all, but utter foolishness. True wisdom is God’s gift. 

As Bruh Paul warned the Corinthians: ‘And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing (persuasive) words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. That your faith should not stand (be) in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.’  (1 Cor.2:3-5) 

That’s why we need to trust in God and rely on Him for our needs. Jesus said it quite plainly that we should first seek God and His kingdom, then all our necessities would be met. (Matt.6:33) 

But man’s wisdom tells us that we should be seeking our needs first. That’s wrong advice my brethren, so if you are currently trying to meet all your needs through your own efforts, then please stop it right now! It’s a fool’s wisdom and only serves to lead us down the garden path where the evil one can gloat at our misfortune.  

Listen to Jeremiah as he expatiates on the theme, ‘Knowledge of God is man’s glory.’ ‘Thus saith the Lord, let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise LOVING –kindness, judgement (justice), and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.’ (Jer.9:23-24)  

Remember yesterday we spoke about delighting ourselves in the Lord? Well LOVING-kindness, justice and righteousness are the things we ought to delight ourselves in if we are to please the Lord. 

Now let’s go home with some mightily encouraging words of Bruh David from Psalm 37 – The true state of the wicked. ‘Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgement (justice) as the noonday sun. 

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices (schemes) to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil (it only causes harm). For evil doers shall be cut off (destroyed): but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.’ (Ps.37:5-9) 

Oh friends, that’s the best advice we can get this Sunday morning! So please let’s take it all to heart as we go out to fellowship with other believers in the Lord’s sanctuary today, for it’s the wisdom of heaven! Much LOVE!

…trust and obey…for there’s no better way…to be happy in Jesus…than to trust and obey…

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 25 January 2014 Romans 13:12

 Romans 13:12.   The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.  

Oh my beautiful Friends and believers in Christ Jesus, it surely seems like another beautiful day is in the offing on Robinson Crusoe’s glorious Isle! It is a tad cool though. The first time that I’ve experienced it this cool at 7.30 in the morning. And as always, the light, fine breeze is present. That is what makes it seem so cool.

Anyhow, what’s there to say in today’s preamble eh? Nothing much really, for nothing happened after my little episode at Store Bay yesterday. Some of the things the Lord puts us through eh!
 
But you know, although I became a tad despondent at the very real prospect of losing my glasses, something deep down inside kept whispering; ‘Hang on. Don’t give up hope. The Lord wouldn’t allow this problem if there wasn’t some purpose to it.’
 
And I guess it just showed me that my faith was getting stronger, but also the beauty of the people with whom I was dealing. But why should that surprise me eh, when I’m always raving about how Tobago people are so wonderful. (smile) Their sincere cooperation and effort was way beyond their call of duty.
 
And in some small way, it kind of restored some of my lost faith in humanity. And the birthday gathering I went to last night was also wonderful! I met friends and acquaintances I hadn’t seen in donkey years! Some of them as long as forty years ago. I also met some of the new generation of Tobagonians. They seem to be just like the new generation all over the world; into their tech toys and otherwise.
 
But the reminiscing of the older folks was extremely poignant and inspiring. It brought back long forgotten memories of our childhood. And again, we made new memories to reminisce on at another gathering in the future.
 
Ah mih people, as we’re wont to say in the past week: ‘I could handle this yuh know.’ (smile) And why not, especially with all the lush shrubbery in front of me, the still empty but immaculate golf course in the middle and the big green trees in the back ground, with the bright morning sun splaying over it all, and the birds sweetly chirping, insects singing, all praising the heavenly Father, their Maker and sure Provider. Just a peaceful, tranquil scene. 
 
And add to that, the fact that the Duchess’ long lost friend called us a short while ago to come for our peas soup (pigeon / gungo) and I had to leave the Bit and go for it, because she had to leave for work shortly. So how could I not be able to handle this eh? Chuh! Now that’s a positive, smiling chuh!
 
I’m supposed to be going up to check out some of the country areas later today. Don’t know how that will pan out, but I’ll surely let you know at some later date. But enough rambling now. Let’s check on our Bit. ‘The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.’
 
Yes it’s the same as the last few days, because I still have some very appropriate scriptures to share on the topic, a most important one in the life of EVERY believer.
 
And we’ll begin with some words on moral standards from Bruh Paul to the Corinthians. ‘I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company (associate) with fornicators (sexually immoral people): Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
 
But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer (reviler), or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one, no, not to eat.
 
For what have I to do to judge (with judging) them also that are without (outside)? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without (outside) God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.’ (1 Cor.5:9-13)
 
Yeh mih people those are some tough standards to maintain, but believers always need to come up above the rest of the crowd, being a good example to them, as Jesus was and is to us.
 
And the scholars have some interesting notes on a couple of those verses. ‘5:9. I wrote unto you in an epistle: This is the “previous epistle.” The letter is now lost, but we know that at least one subject discussed in this letter was that they were not to keep company with fornicators.’
 
And ‘5:11. Not to keep company: The term translated “to keep company” is found only here, in verse 9, and in 2 Thessalonians 3:14. It is a compound of three Greek terms, and means “to mingle together with.” It has the idea of close, habitual association.’
 
Now that doesn’t mean we can’t talk to or work with these people, for how else are we going to have a chance to bring them to Jesus? But we must not make it a habit to associate with them, as their ungodly ways can quite easily spill over into us.
 
And as we said recently, when we encounter the ungodly, we need to ensure that our godly habits control the situation, or we are on our p’s and q’s to avoid the worldly lusts of the flesh polluting our hearts, souls and minds.
 
And we’ll close there for today. I’m going to have an exotic breakfast; carrot bread and accra (salted cod fried in a rich batter), then get myself ready to head for the country districts, places I have not seen in ages.
 
Till next time then, if the Lord’s in favour of us meeting again here on earth, please look after yourselves, and may our great and wonderful God bless and keep us all safely under His expansive and  LOVING wings. Much LOVE!
 
…believers ought to follow Jesus’ example…going out every day and doing good…so that we can win souls for Him…