Today’s Scrip-Bit 3 April 2018 Luke 6:9.

Luke 6:9.    Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?

‘And today I taught the world to fall in LOVE again. Yes, today I taught the world to fall in LOVE with Jesus again…’ 

Oh how I wish those words were true my believing brethren. I don’t know why, but since I got up this morning those words kept percolating in my brain, and I’ve been singing them as a li’l ditty to uplift my spirit. And as believers, we could have no greater honour or work than to bring LOVE, especially the LOVE of Jesus to this God-forsaken world. So let’s see if we can’t work on that nuh. 

And in the meanwhile, here is this acclamation which sits prominently on my desk, but which I don’t seem to see, or pay much attention to. However, I was drawn to it last night, and the Lord put it in my heart to share it today. Oh, I’m sure I’ve shared it before, but one more time won’t hurt. (smile) It’s an acclamation from Bubba Joel (Joel Osteen) titled ‘Today Is My Day!’ 

Please declare it with me in strong voice and full belief. ‘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 in my life. Today, I will experience His favour like never before in every area of my life.’ 

And all God’s people declared a loud and grateful ‘Amen!’ Ah friends, if we’d only truly believe all of that eh! But the important thing is to keep saying stuff like that, because if we do, it will finally become rooted in our subconscious and we’ll eventually believe it and live it out in our daily lives. Such is the power of our words and our thoughts! 

Remember, ALL the battles are fought in our minds and therefore we need to win them there, so that our bodies and souls  will function in righteousness, as God desires of us. 

And as I opened the Good Book just now to search for an appropriate bit, it opened at the gospel of Luke and these immortal words of Jesus immediately caught my eye. ‘Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?’ 

Those were Jesus’ questions to a group of overly religious, hypocrite Pharisees, who stood by one Sabbath Day in the synagogue to see if Jesus would heal a man’s withered hand. ‘But he (Jesus) knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.’ (Luke 6:8) 

Then Jesus posed the questions in our Bit to them. And I like how the Good Book continues, re Jesus’ attitude and next move. ‘And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other. And they (the Pharisees) were filled with madness (rage); and communed one with another (discussed) what they might do to Jesus.’ (Luke 6:10-11) 

Oh friends, can you feel the drama in the synagogue that day as Jesus looks around at them daring them to stop Him? So too should we be in doing the work of Jesus, daring and not afraid. And that wasn’t the first time He had had words on what was lawful on the Sabbath with the religious leaders. On another Sabbath Day they had questioned him on the disciples going through a cornfield and plucking some to eat on the Sabbath Day. 

According to them that was unlawful. But Jesus pointed out to them how Bruh David and his men, hungry to death, had gone into the Lord’s house on the Sabbath and eaten the showbread that was only lawful for the priests to eat. (1 Sam.21:1-6) And according to the scholars: ‘6:2. The disciples’ action was not in itself illegal (Deut. 23:25), but the oral tradition held that they were breaking the Sabbath.’ 

Yuh see how we can let tradition and the irrational laws of men turn us away from God’s law. And that time, ‘Jesus said unto them (the Pharisees), That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.’ (Luke 6:5) Obviously inciting words to the religious leaders. 

And the scholars tell us re that verse. ‘6:5: Having already asserted His prerogative, like God Himself, to forgive sins (5:20), Jesus now assumes the right to interpret the Old Testament in a way far different from that of the religious leaders of His time.’ Obviously the Pharisees were not thrilled with any of Jesus’ interpretations. 

And re our Bit, the scholars explain: ‘6:9. Jesus illustrates the principle lying behind 6:5. If it was in one’s power to do good to someone in such dire need, it would be wrong not to do so, whatever the day of the week. The Sabbath was not designed to make man suffer. The Pharisees seem to have lost sight of this.’ 

Consequently friends, we must not let ANYTHING or ANYONE stop us from doing good, regardless of time or place. And having taken in all of that, (smile) let’s go home now joyfully declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting the whole world know who and whose we are. 

‘I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with the world.  Amen!’  

So as true believers, let’s go out and do exactly that nuh! Much LOVE!

…doing good…at all times…is Jesus’ way…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 5 May 2016 Psalm 119:105

Psalm 119:105.    Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Morning mih Scrip-Bit breddren! Another new day has dawned, and we are alive to see it…Glory to God! 

And though it’s somewhat cloudy, with rain in the forecast, there’s no need for believers to be overly concerned, since we ALWAYS have the bright, shining everlasting light of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ illuminating our souls, to lead and guide us safely through the darkness of this evil and ungodly world. 

And all God’s children declared a loud and grateful: ‘Praise the Lord!’ 

And talking about shining, I heard this li’l reggae ditty last night titled ‘Lift up your soul,’ by Kaisha Lee. 

It contained a wonderful chorus that went something like this: ‘Shine bright, lift your heart up; lift your soul up; lift your smile up. Shine bright, lift your heart up; lift your soul up; lift yourself up. Why don’t you break free and lift your heart up; lift your soul up, lift your smile up. You know that you want to. You know that you got to… Shine bright…’ 

Yes friends, we’re supposed to shine bright because Jesus considers us the light of the world, and we do need to break free from the chains of this corrupt and material world and lift up our hearts, our souls and our basic selves to a standard that’s approved by our Leader Jesus Christ. 

And since today is Thursday, let’s prepare ourselves to receive the new mercies and blessing our great and gracious God is getting ready to send our way, by declaring our Thursday’s Blessings, because, remember, a blessing is not a blessing until it’s spoken over someone. 

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!’ 

Ah mih people, how can Beelzebub ever hope to defeat us when we are so well surrounded and bolstered by all those blessings of Almighty God, the Creator and Controller of this universe eh? No way Jose! 

The only problem now is that have to believe it, see the blessings coming to pass through our eyes of faith. That brings us to our Bit, which rather appropriately has to do with light and guidance. ‘Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.’ 

What a wonderful and true bit of scripture my fellow believers. The Word of our God is indeed a lamp and a light to guide us safely through this world. The Bible is the Guide Book of Life and Living in this crazy and strife-filled world. It contains answers to every question and every situation that we can face in this earthly pilgrimage. But we won’t know those answers unless we read it my brethren. 

And strangely and sadly, it can be so difficult to get supposed believers to read the Word of God. I don’t know why. We claim to be believers, and that the Bible is important, but for some unholy reason we can’t seem to find the time to read it. 

Friends, let me let you into a little secret: you don’t find time to read God’s Word; you MAKE time to read it! Just like you make time for all the other activities in your life, you need to make time to find out how to live this life. 

And that’s a simple reason why so many supposed Christians are having untold problems in their lives; they refuse to read the Word to find the answers to their problems, and instead rely on all the frauds, the shamans and all the other ungodly counsellors and directives of the world. 

Wake up nuh precious people of God! You can’t know what God has to say unless you communicate with Him through His Word and prayer! 

And hear how Cousin Sol puts it in his warning against adultery. ‘For commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman (seductress).’ (Prov.6:23-24) 

Truer words were never spoken my fellow believers! Until we have a lamp filled with oil and a clean glass covering so that we can clearly see the way, we will always falter in the consuming darkness of this evil world. 

Lucifer and all his evil minions read and study and meditate on their tomes of evil, so that they can become even more evil than they already are. So why can’t we do the same with our directives for righteousness eh? 

And we’ll end with Bruh David’s take on the subject from Psalm 19 –The creation and covenants of God. ‘The law of the Lord is perfect, converting (restoring) the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yes than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the (drippings of) the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in the keeping of them there is great reward.’ (Ps.19:7-12) 

Oh my people, I can’t put it any better than that! And Bruh David knew exactly what he was talking about because he lived it. Why are we so presumptuous to think that we know better eh? 

Anyway, nuff said for today! I implore us to ponder it all and to make the wise and sensible decision to get seriously involved in God’s Word, for that is the only way to successful living. Much LOVE!

…only in the Book of Life…can one find…the secret to the good life…

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 26 May 2015 2 Chronicles 7:14.

2 Chronicles 7:14.   If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn away from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 

Oh my beautiful Friends in Christ, called by His holy name – Christians, welcome to another glorious day in the annals of history! (smile) The universe is unfolding as it should.

It’s going to be hot and humid today in my neck of the woods; something like 30 C. but the wind is not going to be rampaging like it was yesterday. Boy, was I ever sorry for those trees yesterday, for the wind had them dancing madly all day long, even into the night.

And hear this nuh; about 1:15 this morning I went outside to sit on my porch and commune some with nature, but less than ten minutes later, I had to come back in because the wind was strong and cool and I only had on shorts and a T-shirt. Hn, Hn!

But on a more serious note my brethren, what a way our world is disaster prone these days. It wasn’t a very happy Memorial Day for some of our Friends down in the Southern U.S. states, especially Texas and Oklahoma, where torrential rains caused immense flooding and damage. Meanwhile in poor Southern California, a long and fierce drought is doing serious damage of another kind.

Ah Lord eh! I don’t know what to say nuh my people, except that we should seriously consider applying the promise contained in the words of our Bit, for we obviously can’t stop the disasters that are occurring ever more often in these most difficult and trying times.

‘If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn away from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.’

But yuh know what, mankind has become so proud and arrogant and godless nowadays that even though we see what’s happening, the calamitous natural disasters and catastrophic human errors, we refuse to try something different.

But as I keep reminding us, that is the wisdom of a fool! Even the Israelites, when they hit a bad spell after a season of idolatry, were smart enough to repent and return to God, and He did as promised; healed their land and returned it to prosperity.

But this foolish and wicked generation, even in the throes of death, refuses to even consider that option, much less adopt it. They’re still more intent than ever in removing God from our midst.

Chuh! Beelzebub certainly has us in grip, in fact in a tight, stranglehold my people! It’s a stranglehold from which we desperately need to break free, if we ever expect to return our countries, our world, from the path of total destruction on which we’re currently headed.

To accomplish that most worthwhile dream though, will take oodles of diligent, sincere and persevering work from us, the comparatively small band of people called by Christ’s name. But it is definitely possible when we harness our limited power to the awesome might of Jesus.

Oh my brethren, please, I implore us today, RIGHT NOW, to begin working seriously on the LOVE Revolution that’s necessary to save our world and give our children, our descendants, a healthy chance of success in the upcoming years.

For without that turn around to a godly world, Friends, we don’t stand a chance of success, as much chance of success as a snowball in hell! And that’s the living and factual reality of the situation, because our God doesn’t make idle promises, and He says that the wages of sin is certain death. So nuff said on that subject.

Now let’s continue looking at some scriptures which highlight the last of the four parts of our Bit that’s necessary for the Lord to hear our pleas, forgive our sin and heal our land, that’s ‘and turn away from their wicked ways.’

Oh my people, the wickedness of this current world is so rampant, widespread and incisive that it’s mind-blowing! I don’t think our world has ever been this wicked, and it’s been helped by all the advancements we’ve made in terms of modern living. More knowledge and power and greater material wealth have led to even greater sinfulness.

The Lord must certainly be shaking His head in disgust, thinking and sadly muttering, ‘what an evil monster I have created eh!’ Listen up to these scriptures Friends.

Jeremiah proclaims: ‘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.’ (Jer.6:16) What pride and arrogance my people!

And the scholars have this to say about that verse. ‘6:16. The people’s stubborn refusal to walk in the traditional ways of true righteousness is often mentioned by Jeremiah (12:16; 18:15; 23:12; 31:21)

Moving in their own paths and following their own way could only lead to Judah’s destruction (cf. Prov.14:12). The contrast of the way of righteousness and life with the way of the ungodly and death is often made in the Scriptures (e.g.Ps.1; Matt.7:13-14).’ 

Oh Friends, that is exactly what we are doing today; walking in our paths, to the tune of our own counsel, so what can we expect but destruction eh?

Now hear Jeremiah again, as he mourns the desperate state of the Jews. ‘Moreover thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord; Shall they fall, and not arise? shall he turn away, and not return? Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding?

They hold fast (to) deceit, and they refuse to return. I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no man repented of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? Everyone turned to his (own) course, as the horse rusheth into the battle.’ (Jer.8:4-6)

Oh my people, there again Jeremiah is painting a mirror image of our society today! How sad it is eh. Steups! But we’ll stop there for now. I was trying to get it all in today, but it would just be too too long, and I’m having respect for our short mind spans. (smile)

Anyway my people, please, please, let’s wake up and see the destructive actions that are taking place in our world nuh, which are carrying us steadily and ever quicker down the pathway to eventual destruction. For our children’s sake, let’s do something concrete and positive about it nuh, and quickly too, else crapaud will surely smoke we pipe! Much LOVE!

…there’s no surer road to disaster…than the blind and foolish…leading the blind and foolish…away from Jesus…

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 June 2014 Acts 5:12

Acts 5:12.  And by (through) the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought (done) among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.

Oh Friends, oh Friends, excitement reigns, for it’s another brand new day of abundant mercies and blessings on the way down from heaven to us! Glory Hallelujah!
 
And if we’re not excited and looking forward to them with hungry hope and expectant faith, then we’re likely to miss out on a lot of good stuff that our great, wonderful, merciful, forgiving, magnanimous and ever-LOVING God has earmarked for us today! Wow!
 
And having said that, here is this acclamation from Bubba (Joel Osteen) that I shared with you some time ago. I had a couple of other things in mind to share, but I just happened to read Bubba’s before I began writing, and it just screamed out at me, ‘share me, share me, today is my day!’ (smile)
 
So here is ‘Today Is My Day.’ Let’s acclaim it together. ‘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 God’s people declared a loud and mighty ‘Praise the Lord! Amen!’
 
Wow Friends! What a way to get the day up and running! It can only help by knowing that Almighty God, our Creator and Provider has unknown and eternal blessings and seeds of greatness stored in us. Now it’s up to us to positively exploit those areas of wonder and magnificence.
 
Oh mih people, the ole fella’s getting carried away by his own rhetoric. (smile) But how can I not get excited when so much wonderful stuff is in the offing eh?
 
And then having the uplifting Bit that we have today, joy and enthusiasm are just obvious and natural by-products of it all. ‘And by (through) the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought (done) among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.’
 
And before we go any further, here is an interesting note from the scholars’. ‘5:12. Solomon’s porch refers to the colonnaded eastern wall of the temple courtyard. The early Christians commonly gathered here for mass meetings (cf. 3:11). Few places could better accommodate the thousands.’
 
Oh Friends, how I wish that in these perilous times we could have such a mighty moving of the Holy Spirit amongst us, for it would bring much needed joy, peace and LOVE to our very troubled, evil and ungodly world.
 
Now listen as the Good Book further describes the mighty moving of the Holy Spirit at that most memorable time. ‘And of the rest durst (dared) no man join himself to them: but the people magnified (highly esteemed) them. And believers were the more (increasingly) added to the Lord; multitudes both of men and women.
 
Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow (fall on) some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with (tormented by) unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.’ (Acts 5:13-16)
 
Oh mih breddren, what a mighty mover and shaker is our God! But can you imagine such a movement taking place today? Wow! What an uproar it would create! The evildoers would hold their heads and bawl like crazy, knowing that their evildoing was being dealt a death-blow!
 
And please Friends, don’t laugh, and/or think that the ole fell is going crazy – right, he’s already gone there – (smile), but that sort of stuff is happening in small pockets all over the world.
 
People are being brought to Christ everyday through healing and discipleship, just not on the immense scale that we would like to see, or that would make a significant difference. But the Lord is still moving in mysterious and unfathomable ways like He did in those early days of Christianity.
 
However, the important concern for each and every believer ought to be, what are we doing as individuals, supposed righteous and upright folks, about rejuvenating the spirits of those with whom we come into contact each and every day? 
 
We cannot proselytize the world all at once, but if we just spread some peace and LOVE and walk in faith every day in our little neck of the woods, eventually the whole world will come to know, receive, LOVE and exalt Jesus.
 
And please remember, that’s His eventual goal: that ALL should come to salvation, and not even one single soul should be lost to that evil fool, Beelzebub.
 
Therefore Friends, in light of all that, let’s go out today, and with our godly, LOVING words and actions, be lights in a darkened world, and salt to a tasteless society, for that’s what our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ desires of us each and every day.
 
Let the mighty power of the Holy Spirit move mightily in us to day my people! For that is the indisputable wisdom of heaven! Much LOVE!
 
…if each one would teach one every day…then God’s plan for salvation would soon be completed…

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 20 March 2014 Psalm 78:38

Psalm 78:38.    But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.
 
 Oh Friends, neighbours, fellow believers and unbelievers, it sure is good to be alive! Especially when you wake up feeling bright and fresh and ready to do battle in Jesus’ name!

Wow! As Uncle John, John Hagee would say: ‘Give the Lord a shout of praise in the house of the Lord!’
 
And our God sure is deserving of much praise my people, for all the goodness and mercy He has bestowed, is currently bestowing and has faithfully promised to bestow in the future on those who sincerely LOVE and worship Him.
 
And I don’t know about anybody else nuh Friends, but I can only sing His praises and give Him much thanks for working so bountifully and beautifully in my life! 
 
Today though, I want to share a prayer of affirmation I recently got from Bubba Joel, Joel Osteen. Those of you who deal with him, would probably have gotten it too, but it’s surely worthwhile sharing.
 
So please say, sincerely affirm with me that: ‘TODAY IS MY DAY! 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 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 that is gospel truth my people! We just need to believe it, and then act positively on that belief!
 
Please note my brethren that almost everything in this life is about BELIEF! As they say, if you don’t believe it, you most likely won’t see it. 
 

So mih breddren, let’s all raise the level of our belief in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ this Thursday morning nuh, so that we can see Him work His wonderful marvels and miracles in our lives.
 
And in keeping with the marvellous wonder and LOVING-kindness of our omnipotent God, let’s turn to our Bit, which shows His exceedingly great capacity for forgiveness.
 
‘But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.’
 
Oh my people, we had better be exceedingly grateful that the Lord has so far withheld the magnitude of His anger on this sinful, ungodly, wicked and evil society in which we now dwell.
 
But, unfortunately, we haven’t been learning the lesson, and we’re now seeing flashes of that anger in things like the extreme and inconsistent weather patterns that have been recently plaguing us, as well as the untold strife and negativity that has our world in its powerful, vice-like grip.
 
And please, please don’t be foolish and think that God doesn’t have a hand in it all, because HE IS the Creator and the ultimate Controller of EVERYTHING in the universe!
 
And just like Psalm 78, from the pen of Asaph, is a reminder of God’s goodness to Israel, please let this Bit be a reminder to us of God’s unfailing goodness and mercy when we were diligently and sincerely walking in His holy will.
 
Oh my brethren, do we truly want to feel the full wrath of our God? Definitely not! But we will eventually, if we continue in our wilful disobedience and rebellion, just like Israel did on several occasions when they turned away from worshipping Jehovah God and instead bowed down to man-made gods and idols.
 
And we’ll close with a serious warning from the Lord our God, given to Israel when He rebuked them through the testimony of Isaiah. ‘For my name’s sake will I defer (delay) mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain (restrain) for thee, that I cut thee not off (destroy thee not).
 
Behold, I have refined thee, but not with (as) silver; I have chosen (tested) thee in the furnace of affliction. For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted (profaned)? and I will not give my glory to another. Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.’ (Is.48:9-12) 
 
Oh Friends, I desperately plead with us to heed that warning, because it also applies to us in our sinfulness today! Yes, our God will refrain from destroying us – but only for a time – NOT FOREVER! He couldn’t do that and still be true to His holy and just self.
 
Please note too, that He’s chosen the fire of affliction to test us through, and He has made it very clear that HE WILL NOT allow His holy name to be profaned, sullied, polluted and/or blasphemed. And above all, HE WILL NOT GIVE HIS GLORY to any other supposed god!
 
Please, let’s keep these things at the forefront of our minds today, and everyday, as we go out into the wicked world that surrounds us, and diligently endeavour to decrease that wickedness and increase righteousness, so that we will not have to endure God’s wrath.
 
That my people, is wisdom to the Nth degree! Much LOVE!
 
…he who who has an ear to hear…let him be wise and hear…else he will pay a substantial price for his disobedience…