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 thee nor forsake thee.
Ah Friends, another chapter in our calamitous times is being written, thanks to ‘Frankenstorm’ Sandy. She’s had a hand in at least ten deaths in the U.S. and one so far in Canada, where in Toronto yesterday, a Staples sign blew down in the 60 kilometres per hour winds and struck her. What a sad way to go. Meanwhile Sandy came ashore in New Jersey yesterday, lashing the Eastern U.S. coast with merciless winds and rain. Millions of people are without power now, and flooding is escalating. And the sad part is that though Sandy has been downgraded to a Tropical Storm, she’s not done yet. To put it nicely, we still have a couple days of inclement weather left. Now can you imagine if Sandy had retained its hurricane status? The whole Eastern coast of North America is being lashed with powerful winds and much rain, snow is even predicted in some areas. That would just put the icing, both literally and figuratively on the cake. Thankfully, so far in my area it’s been mostly gusting wind since yesterday afternoon, though still at a level we can handle, and hopefully it won’t reach epic proportions. The wind seems to have been blowing away some of the rain. I went out on my porch around 4.30 a.m. and surprisingly found my Toronto Star newspaper out there as usual, though they had warned that it might be late because of the weather. But Friends, while we on the East Coast of the continent have been perplexed and perturbed by Sandy, the residents on the northern part of the West Coast have been worried about a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that took place some 40 kilometres off the coast of British Columbia on Saturday. A tsunami warning had been issued, but thankfully nothing came of it, except bickering and confusion in B.C. where it’s claimed the U.S. warning came a whole half an hour before the Canadian, although they knew about the earthquake and its possible repercussions at the same time as the U.S. Obviously the Provincial Government and its agencies claim that they acted responsibly, while the local governments and the people who would have been targeted by the tsunami, claim otherwise. Oh mih people, what’s happening to us eh? In these supposedly modern and revolutionary times, when we can do all sorts of technological wonders, we still can’t get together rationally and solve common problems. As someone told me last night, the Lord’s sending us a message, but we’re not listening. And that could certainly be gospel Friends! Times have become so fearful that many are afraid to walk the roads even in broad daylight, because evil is no longer hiding under the cover of darkness, but has become so emboldened that it’s operating openly in the light now. However my brethren, there’s ONE, and ONLY ONE antidote for Fear, that’s FAITH! FAITH IN ALMIGHTY GOD! As our Bit so encouragingly and appropriately declares: ‘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.’ What part of that don’t we understand eh Friends? If we truly believe in the all-powerful, faithful God we profess to worship, then we should calmly accept such an awesome promise, and consequently there shouldn’t be any fear in our souls, for the Lord has proven His power and faithfulness time and time again. I guess the problem is that a majority of the population don’t believe in the Most High God Jehovah, and those who do, don’t have sufficient faith to stand the rigours of these troubled times. So without further ado, let’s check out some scriptures, re handling fear with faith building. And we’ll begin with Moses reminding the Israelites of their sad, fearful behaviour on their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. ‘Then I said unto you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them. The Lord your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes; And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the Lord thy God bare (carried) thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came unto this place. Yet in this thing ye did not believe the Lord your God.’ (Deut.1:29-32) Oh Friends, that’s certainly a telling reproach against the Israelites! The Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt is possibly the greatest exhibition of our God’s great powers, His unending LOVE, and also His powerful anger at continual sin and disobedience. That’s shown in the wandering of Israel for forty years in the desert, culminating with the death of all but Caleb and Joshua of the old generation that came out of Egypt. If anybody in this entire world should have believed in Almighty God, it should have been them, having seen the mighty works He did on their behalf. But obviously they did not, and sadly today we are doing the same thing my people; living in fear, when we have God’s awesome promises to stand faithfully and secure on. We talk up a storm about God, but don’t reflect that talk in our actions, that’s why we’re still so fearful. Now listen to Bruh David’s advice to cousin Sol, when he handed over the throne of Israel to him. ‘Only the Lord give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the Lord thy God. Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfill the statutes and judgements which the Lord charged (commanded) Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.’ (1 Chr.22:12-13) Oh Friends what absolutely wise words from a father to a son, especially from one who actually lived the words he spoke, under the calming umbrella of God’s faithfulness. And when Cousin Sol followed them, he became the greatest, wisest and richest king that ever lived! However, in his old age, when he strayed from his father’s words and rebelled against the Lord God of his fathers for the heathen gods of his wives, he lost God’s favour. It’s ever so simple and true Friends: stay faithful to God, and He will stay faithful to you, and under those circumstances, there’s no reason to be overwhelmed by fear. Please, let’s write that indelibly in our hearts, minds and spirits, so that we can continuously recall it, and thus not live in fear. Much LOVE!…we say again…the ONLY thing to conquer fear…is TRUE FAITH in Jehovah God…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 30 October 2012 Deuteronomy 31:6
30 Oct 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: calamity, courage, dismay, disobedience, dread, evil, faith, fear, God's faithfulness, Hurricane Sandy, Most High God Jehovah, obedience, the Exodus, the Promised Land, wilderness wandering
Today’s Scrip-Bit 30 September 2012 Jeremiah 7:28
30 Sep 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: calamity, conviction, death, deceit, disaster, disobedience, drought, evil, false prophecy, foolish people, God's punishment, life, persecution, rebellion, repentance, repercussions, respect, reverence
Jeremiah 7:28. But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the Lord their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.
Oh Friends, one more day is dawning in our lives and in the annals of History. When this day is reviewed in our lives, what will it look like eh? And when it’s written in the historical records, what will be the overriding story? Right now only the Lord God Jehovah knows the answer to either question, which means that He is wiser and more knowledgeable that us. We can only make all sorts of guesses, but there is no guarantee that we will even come close to the truth. Meanwhile, the Most High God, He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has already planned what will happen all over His creation today. But yet still too many of us refuse to acknowledge His awesome power and wisdom. And Just like He told Jeremiah to warn Judah, re the punishment for their rebellion, I believe He’s telling us the very same thing now, as embodied in our Bit. ‘But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the Lord their God, nor receiveth correction (instruction): truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.’ Oh my people, I don’t know if at any time in the last few hundred years there’s been a generation that has ever repudiated and rebelled against our heavenly Father like this one. Our sinfulness and lust for earthly pleasure is overwhelming. In fact it knows no bounds. We are doing everything that the Good Book tells us not to do and not even considering the repercussions. The evildoers are trying every tack and trick to get rid of God completely from our society, and unfortunately are being comparatively successful. That means unless the Christian element reverses itself and stands up strong for what we’re supposed to believe in, God will eventually be removed or shunted off to some small, remote part of our society, with the possibility of persecution very likely. Oh Friends, when are we going to learn that rebellion against God, and disobedience to His Will and Word don’t pay, but always bring disastrous consequences eventually? Listen to the Lord’s directive to Jeremiah, re the spiritual and civil corruption amongst the Lord’s people. ‘Declare this in the house of Jacob, and publish (proclaim) it in Judah, saying, Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not, which have ears and hear not: Fear ye not me? saith the Lord: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves (to and fro) yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?’ (Jer.5:20-22) Obviously this generation doesn’t fear the Lord, otherwise evil would not be as prevalent and pervasive. And if we continue with that telling passage from Jeremiah 5, the Lord continues: ‘But this people hath a revolting and rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone (departed). Neither say they in their heart, let us now fear the Lord our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.’ (Jer.5:23-24) And isn’t that the living truth Friends! Remember the extensive drought filled summer we’ve just recently experienced, and the poor harvest that we’re going to reap this year? Obviously not, because as far as most of us are concerned that has nothing to do with God. But are we ever so wrong my brethren. It has everything to do with God! And sadly, I’ve yet to see a time in my three decades of life, when there’s such little respect or fear of God, even with all the untimely and unnatural calamities that are currently and constantly befalling us. But listen to these next verses, as the Lord detailed Judah’s problems, and in this age, our own. ‘Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait (lie in wait), as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen (grown) rich. They are waxen (grown) fat, they shine (are sleek): yea, they overpass (surpass) the deeds of the wicked: they judge (plead) not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge (defend). Shall I not visit (punish) for these things? saith the Lord: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? A wonderful (an astonishing) and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means (own power); and my people LOVE to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?’ (Jer.5:25-31) Yes my people, that’s the billion dollar question; what will we do in the end? I don’t know, but my advice is for our society to turn back as quickly as possible to truly worshipping and serving the ONE TRUE GOD, who created and still controls this universe and everything in it. And I have to note the scholars’ explanation on the second to last verse above. ‘Judah’s sin is so exceedingly evil that it is described as being appallingly horrible and staggeringly wonderful (wondered at in shocked disbelief).’ Now doesn’t that sound just like our society? It sure does? And Friends if we don’t quickly clean up our act then in the Lord’s own words, here’s what’s liable to happen. ‘Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them. Hear, O earth: behold I will bring evil (calamity) upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.’ (Jer.6:18-19) Oh my people, it’s extremely urgent that we return to God’s path asap, because from Jesus’ description the end times are in the offing. Exactly when, only the Father knows. But there is certainly too much calamity in the world for it to just go away. Our world is like a smouldering volcano, just waiting for the right moment to erupt. So what will it be Friends; self-destruction, God’s punishment, or conviction and repentance? For our children’s sake, I urge us to choose the latter two options, and quickly too. That’s the true zenith of wisdom. Much LOVE!…I have set before you…life and death…blessing and cursing…therefore choose life…that both thou and thy seed may live… (Deut.30:19)
Today’s Scrip-Bit 30 August 2012 Galatians 5:1
30 Aug 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: blasphemy, calamity, circumcision, controversial, disasters, fellowship, freedom, God's Word, imprisonment, Jesus, knees bow, persecution, revenge, salvation, slaves
Galatians 5:1. Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Oh Friends, our world’s a mess; man-made disasters as well as God sent calamity. You name it, and we’re suffering it. And on a more personal level, millions of Christians are still suffering persecution in numerous places, simply because they believe in Christ, talk about Him and try to live by His Word and His will. One extreme example of that is the Christian teenaged girl recently imprisoned in Pakistan for supposedly burning some pages of a holy book. Now you cannot get a straight story about her age, what she actually burnt, or how it all came about, cause all they have left is ashes, but the Muslim people are all up in arms calling for her death, due to some vague and unenlightened blasphemy law that’s only being used and abused to satisfy personal agendas, and vendettas, especially against Christians. Hundreds of believers had to flee their homes as the Muslim mobs cried out for vengeance. And there’s no justice to be had for God’s people! Ah Friends, it’s not fair, but unfortunately it’s part of being a believer in some places. But remember though, that the name of Jesus is the most powerful and controversial name on all the earth. It’s the name to which all knees shall eventually bow and all voices make confession to. So there will always be those who want to engage in some kind of controversy over it. However, here is the true insight on the matter: ‘The action of God is flowing through us, through all believers in a pattern of success right now!’ Yes my people, regardless of our troubles, the Lord’s blessing us all today with a strength of purpose that will inevitably bring success. Jesus had it and was able to overcome His problems and so will we. But that success doesn’t just come without any effort on our part. We need to be strong and keep living by faith to see that success. That’s why our Bit encourages, exhorts and admonishes us to: ‘Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.’ Words of impeccable wisdom that all believers ought to live by! Here’s what the scholars have to say about it. ‘The verse can be rendered: “For freedom Christ freed us. Therefore stand fast and do not again be subject to a yoke of bondage.” The “freedom” in view is freedom from the law, here called “a yoke of bondage.” Paul wants the Galatians to “stand fast,” that is retain their spiritual freedom.’ Likewise my brethren, believers in these turbulent times need to stand fast in their faith, retain the spiritual freedom that Christ died to give us, and not to become slaves to the law again. And Bruh Paul uses as an example the Jewish law of circumcision, which at the time was causing much friction between the Jewish and Gentile believers. He says that circumcision will not provide any special benefits, or bring you any closer to Christ, but it will enslave you to the law. It’s an external ritual or symbol, showing that you accept the law, and therefore are dependent on man’s legality to provide salvation, rather than on God’s grace. But by the same token, being uncircumcised doesn’t profit you anything either. ‘For we through the Spirit (eagerly) wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by LOVE.’ (Gal.5:5-6) So whether we’re circumcised or not, we’ll not benefit spiritually from that physical state. Thus, if we try to be justified by the law, we will not have the favour, the grace of God that Jesus died for us to have. But through faith, instilled in and kept working in us by the Holy Spirit, believers can, and do find justification, and hope for the salvation promised by Jesus, in and through His sacrificial death. As the scholars declare: ‘Faith is man’s response to God who LOVES him, and this divine LOVE that produces human faith results in his justification.’ So my brethren, please let us not become too entangled with man’s law, which will only yoke us in slavery once again. Now listen to Bruh Paul’s exhortation to steadfastness to the church at Philippi: ‘Only let your conversation (conduct) be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel; And in nothing (no way) terrified by your adversaries: which is to them and evident token (a proof) of perdition (destruction), but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.’ (Phil.1:27-29) And the scholar’s give us a good explanation on the meaning of fellowship to believers. ‘Fellowship, one of the keys to spiritual growth, occurs when Christians share their walk with God in an atmosphere of LOVE and respect. Fellowship occurs when everyone communicates in LOVE with other believers, and the whole assembly becomes strengthened as a result. Sometimes fellowship requires confessing our faults (James 5:16) as we strive to develop a unity of spirit and mind. Those who work to hinder the fellowship of the brethren practice a sin that is hated by God (Prov. 6:19) Illustration: The church at Philippi was particularly noted for its spirit of fellowship, but Paul’s warning to two women in the church reminds how we must constantly work to maintain fellowship (4:1-3). Application: Fellowship is so vital that we cannot live for God by ourselves. As we develop deeper relationships with others, we should remember that we come to resemble those with whom we fellowship. (Matt.18:19). Now, sadly, true fellowship is something that’s missing from Christ’s church today. I’ll rephrase that, because there is some. Let’s say it’s not as strong and united as it ought to be, otherwise there wouldn’t be all the divisions and divisiveness found in Christ’s body. Friends, please realize that only in unity is there strength, and we believers are fighting an uphill battle against the spiritual forces of evil and bondage, so it’s absolutely necessary that we stick together if we want to be successful. And today, let’s pray for all those who are suffering disaster, or being unfairly persecuted. Let’s send up plenty prayers to heaven, for the Lord to assuage some of our problems down here on earth. Much LOVE!…if the Lord hears the prayer of one righteous person…won’t He pay more attention to the prayers of plenty righteous people…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 29 August 2012 Jeremiah 50:6
29 Aug 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: backsliding, balanced life, balanced time, calamity, forgotten God, gone astray, Haiti, Hurricane Isaac, Hurricane Katrina, lost, Louisiana, obedience, peace, repentance, rest, resting place, salvation, unfulfilled
Jeremiah 50:6. My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting place.
Oh Friends, is history going to repeat itself, as it so often does? We’re talking about Hurricane Isaac, which by passed Florida with some wind and rain damage, but is heading for poor Louisiana with its full force, like Hurricane Katrina did seven years ago to the day. And the answer seems to be a guarded and hopeful yes, because Isaac has already lashed the unfortunate state with some strong winds and rain. Ah Lord why eh! Why is it that so often the ones who can least handle the calamity, are the ones who get hit by it? Like Haiti, Louisiana hasn’t fully recovered from Katrina, and here comes Isaac! Steups! Anyway Friends, we have to believe that the Lord knows the who, what, why, when and where of the situation, and we need to hunker down and pray for those who will bear the brunt of the disaster, and then help them in whatever way we can after it’s passed. On a somewhat brighter note though, I have some good advice for us re the use of our time. It comes from the Hour of Power Devotional by Robert H Schuller, but apparently was written by an anonymous Irishman. Trust an Irishman to have such sense eh! (smile) That’s a play on my Irish name; O’Brien. And the advice is this: ‘Take time to work, it is the price of success. Take time to think, it is the source of power. Take time to play, it is the secret of youth. Take time to read, it is the foundation of wisdom. Take time to be friendly, it is the road to happiness. Take time to dream, it’s hitching your wagon to a star. Take time to LOVE, it is the highest joy of life. Take time to laugh, it is the music of the soul.’ Yes Friends, that advice is wisdom at its finest! And I believe that today, each of us should take each line and correlate it to our own lives, and see how we’re doing in the balancing of our time. It’s necessary to have each one of those things in our lives, but we also have to balance them carefully if we want to live a full and joyful life. And we mean a life that’s completely opposite to the one revealed in our Bit. ‘My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused (led) them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting place.’ Unfortunately though, those words that were true of Israel way back when, are also very true of us today. Too many of us are like lost sheep, wandering around from one worldly thing to the next, with no clue as to what we truly want or where we’re going. Consequently, we latch on to all the fads that crop up in this ungodly world and remain lost and unfulfilled. As Isaiah says: ‘All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.’ (Is.53:6) That was true back then, and it’s still ever so true now! The Lord laid our sins on Jesus, hoping that we’d wake up and see the error of our ways and repent. Hn! But two thousand years later we’re even more ‘own way,’ disobedient, rebellious and hungry for the lusts and pleasures of this evil world. Like the Israelites, our shepherds; priests, leaders, teachers and decision makers have led us astray, led us down the path of Beelzebub, away from that of God, because it suited their purposes. It enriched them with the things of the world, entrenched their power, and kept them running the show. But beware my brethren, Jeremiah’s curse upon the leaders of Israel, is still pertinent to today’s leaders. ‘Woe be unto the pastors (shepherds) that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord.’ (Jer.23:1) My people, we have wandered every which way in these modern times, searching for peace of mind and soul, but have failed to find success, because those things don’t exist in any of the places to which we’ve been led. Now hear this scripture, re the results of our disobedience. ‘Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, and that my fear (dread of me) is not in thee, saith the Lord God of hosts.’ (Jer.2:19) And that’s the living truth Friends, for all our wrongdoings are coming back to haunt us now! The wretched state of our technologically superior world is ample proof of that. Nothing has gone, or is going right in any facet of the world’s affairs. There’s nothing good we can shout for joy about, (except our still young LOVE Revolution) since everything else has negative connotations. Oh Friends, the ONLY solution to our problems is for us to remember our true resting place, and get back there as soon as possible. And where is that? ‘Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the Lord our God.’ (Jer.3:22) Yes my brethren, that place of rest is in the peaceful world of our Creator, the Lord God Jehovah, through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Jeremiah says it best: ‘Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel.’ (Jer.3:23) Not only of Israel my Friends, but of the entire world! Please pay serious attention, and if you have strayed, don’t be too proud to repent and turn back to the One who created you. He’s always extremely glad to welcome strays back to His fold. Seek Him today, while there’s yet time! Much LOVE!…the wise shall be quick to repent and return…but the foolish will continue in their foolish ways…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 27 August 2012 Psalm 106:36
27 Aug 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: calamity, defiled, disaster, divide and conquer, idols, invincible, Monday Battle Hymn, Monday blues, Monday Monday, sure conquerors, unfaithful
Psalm 106:36. And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them.
Greetings my people! I come bearing good news. That day which we’re all growing to LOVE, namely Monday, well it’s here, it’s finally arrived! Yuh know the old Mamas and Papas song should have said: ‘Monday Monday! Oh how I LOVE that day!’ Okay, okay, I got the message, you don’t have to kill the messenger. I’m going to stop while the going’s good, because I’m hearing too much moaning and groaning, along with spectacular language not fit for a family Blog. (smile) So Friends, we free paper burn now, why do we have to let it get us down every week eh? We know that every Monday we have to go to work, and have every opportunity to plan and prepare ourselves for it. But like clockwork, come Monday morning, a whole lot of us still end up singing the blues. Fortunately though, I’m here to help us get over that lazy, bluesy feeling, and instead turn it into a diligent, enthusiastic driving force for Jesus! So let’s get that adrenalin up and running nuh, by singing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with plenty vim and vigour, such that the angels won’t be able to laud it over us with their much practiced choir, but will open their mouths wide in wonder, and turn to Jesus and ask in amazement. ‘Is that really your people down there on earth singing so loudly and sweetly?’ And Jesus, with a big, proud, pleased grin will enthusiastically reply; ‘You bet!’ Now altogether Friends, let’s sing, let’s give the angels a run for their money. ‘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!’ And now that we’ve put the angels to shame, let’s take a look at our Bit: ‘And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them.’ Oh my brethren, that verse of scripture also fits us today like a hand and glove! The Israelites did not destroy all the nations the Lord commanded them to destroy when they conquered the Promised Land. Thus the verse before our Bit tells us: ‘But they were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.’ (Ps.106:35) What else can be expected then? As the old people would say; if you play with the pups, you’ll get bitten by the fleas. Gospel truth Friends! Consequently the Israelites adopted the ways and works of the people they lived amongst. ‘Yea, they sacrificed their sons and daughters unto devils (demons). And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood. Thus were they defiled with (made unclean by) their own works, and went a whoring (played the harlot, were unfaithful) with their own inventions (by their own deeds). Therefore was the wrath of the Lord kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance. And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them. Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.’ (Ps.106:37-42) Now doesn’t that sound exactly like what’s happening to us today Friends? We’ve blatantly disobeyed God. Instead of worshipping Him in faith and truth, we’ve tried our best, and are still trying, to kick Him out of our society by banning Him from our schools and public places. We’ve certainly bowed to the idols of the world, making things like cars, houses, the amassing of earthly possessions, an insatiable greed for power, celebrity status, fleshly lusts and pleasures, and all that’s evil our focus, our priority, while relegating Almighty God, our Creator and Provider to the back benches, the nether regions of our society. So what else can we expect, but the wrath of the Lord eh, which we’re experiencing more and more every day? Not a day goes by without a new disaster or new theatre of strife occurring. Our enemies are taking us over, not necessarily by might or physical force, but by financial strength and subtly, stealthily having us fighting amongst each other over petty, unimportant things. Just look at the state of our politics nowadays. It surely is a disgrace, with loads of money been spent on mostly negative personal jabs and certainly not enough time or money on the true problems of our society. It’s all about power! What’s the age old strategy? Divide and conquer! We’re foolishly allowing that to happen with no concern for the overall health of our nations. And last but not least, though we haven’t physically sacrificed our children to the idols of the world, we surely have done it psychologically and emotionally. We haven’t given them proper guidance or discipline, haven’t thought them the Word as we’re supposed to. Consequently they have gone astray even more than we did, and are ever more debasing and destroying themselves at the altar of Lucifer and his worldly idols. Oh Friends, we have to stop this bowing down to Lucifer before it’s too late. And only we believers are going to do it, with Christ’s help of course. So for the sake of our children and their offspring, let’s get a grip and do something serious about retaking our world nuh, otherwise our descendants will lead truly abominable, abhorrent lives. And I’m sure none of us want to se it come to that. Much LOVE!…when the Lord speaks…His people ought to obey…for disobedience brings calamity…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 11 August 2012 Jeremiah 24:10
11 Aug 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: calamity, corruption, drought, evil, famine, Jesus, natural disasters, political upheaval, strife, wars and rumours of wars
Jeremiah 24:10. And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed from off the land that I gave unto them and to their fathers.
Oh Friends, it’s good to see that we’ve had two wet days consecutively; Wednesday and Thursday! Wow! That hasn’t happened in my area for ages. And then it was only yesterday that we had what you’d truly call rain, not just a series of on and off drizzles. And it’s surely good to hear that some parts of the vast drought stricken areas in the U.S. have also gotten some rain, though still not enough to make any substantial difference. Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, places like Manila, the capital of the Philippines and the surrounding area received a month’s worth of rain in just 24 hours this past week, causing the place to look like a vast wasteland. And sadly they’re soon expecting even more monsoon like weather. I believe North Korea and parts of China have also recently been seriously flooded. Oh Friends, let’s pray for them in their time of disaster, and hope too that the current flood waters will recede before the next bout of torrential rain comes. Ah mih people, that brings us to our Bit: ‘And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed (destroyed) from off the land that I gave unto them and to their fathers.’ And I have to chuckle here as I verify that our Lord does move in mysterious ways. That’s because earlier on, when I opened the Good Book to look for a Bit, it opened at Jeremiah Chapter 24, and verse 10 was the first thing I read. I considered it for a Bit since it seemed so appropriate to what’s currently happening around our world. But then I decided I wanted something more positive and went looking for something else. However, after writing the intro, the Spirit sent me back to Jeremiah’s words. And they really are thought provoking Friends, for there’s never been a time when our world has been so rich, yet so poverty stricken; so healthy and medically capable, yet plagued by so much sickness and disease. Neither have we ever been so mentally brilliant, with so much possibility for wisdom to be far flung, yet our world is ruled by foolishness; the foolishness of Beelzebub, instead of the wisdom of God. The same goes for strife: our world is being torn apart by it. It’s much easier to name the few places where there’s little or no strife, than to name the many where strife has more or less become the norm. Floods and other natural disasters are causing havoc right around the world. And when we talk about famine and drought, they too are so widespread that even the rich, developed countries are not immune to them. Everywhere hunger and poverty are raising their cruel heads, while the rich and famous continue to live a dissolute lifestyle, which too many of us are hungering for and trying to imitate. So my brethren, what does all of that tell us eh? Something must be wrong somewhere, if our oh so highly evolved and developed world is so beset by calamity in all areas of life! And we won’t even talk of the political and economic upheavals that are plaguing us. The problem’s simple though Friends: we have foolishly turned away from serving and worshipping the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, our Creator, to the worshipping of idols, in particular things like money, pride, earthly possessions and power. They have now become our focus rather than Almighty God. But what else can you expect but calamity when the majority of society are just seeking their own good and don’t care about anyone else. A selfish and greedy society is obviously going to be plagued by serious problems like fraud, theft, murder, societal unrest and finally anarchy, because no one’s really interested in the overall society, only their personal aggrandisement. My brethren, please listen to these wise, truthful words of Bruh David from Psalm 37, re the true state of the wicked. ‘A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the Lord upholdeth the righteous. The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs (splendour of the meadows): they shall consume (vanish); into smoke shall they consume (vanish) away. The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again (does not repay): but the righteous showeth mercy, and giveth. For such as be blessed of him (The Lord) shall inherit the earth (land); and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off (destroyed).’ (Ps.37:16-22) Oh my people, why can’t we understand that wickedness and all that it connotes, might pay in the short term, but eventually it all falls apart, is consumed, vanishes like smoke in our God controlled universe? And the sad part is that many of our leaders – political, economic and religious – know these things, but yet they refuse to stand strong against the evildoers who only want to perpetrate Lucifer’s negative agenda. That brings us to this serious warning from Jesus: ‘Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers (various) places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.’ (Matt.24:4-8) Yes Friends, it is clearly the beginning of the end! But unfortunately only a handful is paying attention to the warning signs of the Saviour. How foolish can we really be eh, with our world crumbling around us, and we obviously unable to fix it in our own strength! Oh my brethren, there are not enough voices crying out in the wilderness of our world, re the second coming of Jesus in all His glory. That means we believers need to do a lot more than we’re currently doing to wake up and shake up an evil, sedentary world where the evildoers are ruling the roost. Please note my people, that though wickedness is in the ascendance, its perpetrators are not sitting on their laurels like we are. They are still working as hard as ever to achieve their evil goals. We have to do likewise Friends, otherwise we’re going to lose the war and bring disgrace to Jesus and His Church. And we certainly don’t want to do that! So please, let’s get real active nuh, and get as many people prepared as possible, for we don’t know when Jesus will come again. He might come tomorrow…or even TODAY! Much LOVE!…whoso readeth…let him understand… (Matt.24:15)
Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 May 2012 Psalm 41:9
04 May 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: anointing, betrayal, calamity, chorus of thanks, fellowship, Friday, fun, God's Word, Jesus' glorious kingdom, like a burning fire, loving kindness, pesistence, relaxation, steadfast faith, storm of praise, thank God, trust
Psalm 41:9. Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
Aye mih Friends, can you hear the posse coming down the road happily chanting to the accompaniment of a lone banjo? ‘Oh people is Friday…Thank God is Friday! Yes is Friday! The weekend is here. Labour done for two days! Is we time now! Thank God is Friday!’ And soon the whole street is singing the chorus. Some are looking out their windows, some standing at the doors of their work places, possibly with uptight employers in the background, unable to stop it, while others are just hanging out on the corner. But a beautiful chorus of thanks is floating up to heaven from all the disparate voices. Now let us do the same with our Friday Chant. Let’s chant up a storm of praise and thanks to heaven. Altogether 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.’ Yes Friends, there’s nothing like thanks and praise to our great and wonderful God! It brings a feeling of joy and peace to our worried souls, and also helps us to better deal with the troubles of this world, like betrayal, which our Bit highlights. ‘Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against (has betrayed) me.’ Yesterday we saw how friends, family and close working associates betrayed Bruh David and Job. Now that’s really the worst betrayal of all! As Bruh David laments in Psalm 55, if it was his enemy, he could handle it, by hiding from him, but when it’s your bosom buddy, it just hurts terribly. Today, let’s look at someone else of great faith who was also betrayed; poor Jeremiah. He really had it rough yes! First of all the Lord called him to speak on His behalf at a tender age, and despite his valid arguments, the Lord refused to take no for an answer. Ah mih breddren, that’s what happens when the Lord calls us. I can speak on that from personal experience, because when He first approached me about writing this Bit, I laughed and said I wasn’t capable, then hem and hawed until He wore me down with His persistence. So any time He calls you, it’s best to just accept His call right away, because He won’t stop until you do accept it. Regardless of your arguments and your running away or hiding, note Jonah, He will eventually get you to do His bidding. And so it was with Jeremiah. He spoke the Lord’s words to the people of Judah, but they didn’t believe him. They plotted against him and finally imprisoned him, simply for speaking what God had put in his heart. ‘Then Pashur smote (struck) Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the Lord.’ (Jer.20:2) Oh Friends, do you see the irony there? They locked up poor Jerry right close to God’s house. It became so rough that he considered not speaking God’s Word anymore. ‘But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing (of holding back), and I could not stay (endure it).’ (Jer.20:9) Yuh see people, how powerful the Word can be when the Lord puts His anointing on us? Try as we can, we can’t get away from it. And Jeremiah continues: ‘For I heard the defaming of many (mocking or slander), fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it. All my familiars (acquaintances) watched for my halting (stumbling), saying, Peradventure (perhaps) he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him. But the Lord is with me as a mighty terrible (awesome) one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.’ (Jer.20:10-11) Yes Friends, though others defame, betray and/or seek revenge on us, for speaking the Lord’s Word, we need not be afraid of them, for the Lord our ever-faithful God, will stand strong and steadfast beside us through our calamity. Remember that whatever He brings us to, He will also bring us through. It won’t always be easy, but with His ever-present help, we will come through it with flying colours. Note how Bruh David, Job and Jeremiah all suffered serious betrayals and calamities, but all three came out better than before. That’s the Lord rewarding them for their faithfulness, and He will do likewise for us. That I can also testify to through personal experience. So please let’s be careful with whom or what we associate ourselves, for the evil Beelzebub is out there constantly scouring the land for any bodies he can take advantage of. But just in case things do go wrong, we make a mistake or are betrayed, let’s not get too down on ourselves, simply turn to God, admit our problems and ask for His help. He will help us. If you don’t believe, try it, and you’ll see. More on this tomorrow, if the Lord feels so inclined. Till then, please walk safely with Him. Much LOVE!…though betrayals bring hurt and pain…the Lord’s LOVING-kindness and mercy…will surely help to salve them…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 17 April 2012 Hebrews 12:3
17 Apr 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: blessings, calamity, confused world, empathy, faithful promises, frustration, good courage, kind God, old school, rock and a hard place., stay in faith, wait on the Lord, work it out, Yellow Pages
Hebrews 12:3. For consider him that endured such contradiction (hostility) against himself, lest ye be wearied (discouraged) and faint in your minds (souls).
Ah Friends, in this crazy confused world, when it’s not one thing, it’s certainly another yes! And though I know and believe that my God is kind, LOVING, merciful and all those great things, some days I’m not too thrilled by the things He allows in my life. Here’s an instance. Yesterday a wicked wind storm blew all day in my area – was still blowing up to a short while ago – around 6.15 p.m. I’m coming home from the dentist, my mouth all numb and frozen, I can hardly feel my lip, just dying to get home and get to my bed. But lo and behold, what do I see when I pull into my driveway? I see half of the eaves trough on the right side of my house swinging in the windstorm, banging against the house. Hn! You can imagine my consternation! Obviously I cried out to the Lord: ‘Why Lord, why this now eh?’ You know there was no answer. (smile) And though I could see no real reason for this calamity, I did my best to stay in faith, wondering where I would find someone at that late hour to come and fix it. Well not even fix it, but simply cut off the piece that was hanging down and constantly being lengthened by the strong wind. I certainly couldn’t leave it like that because it would eventually get long enough to bang into the two windows on that side of the house, and I certainly didn’t want that further frustration. So in my great wisdom, I stuck it behind an outside light fixture and tied it there, then got out my trusty Yellow Pages. Yes I know that many of you are laughing at the thought of using Yellow Pages because you consider that so old school and passé, but since I’m an old school man, I’m still using it. I don’t believe in running to my computer for everything. I found the eaves trough section, and called a couple places. Obviously at that time of day all I got were recorded messages, so I said my piece, then sat down to wait, tentatively listening for any further damage. An hour later, one of them returned my call, claiming they couldn’t get anybody to go up on a ladder in that kind of windstorm. But as luck, or rather the Lord would have it, they found someone who came by later and cut it down. It took them less than ten minutes to do so. However the price for doing it was a bit steep, because they claimed it was an Emergency Service. Hn! And you don’t want to know what they quoted me to replace it. But I don’t have any choice, and hopefully it will be fixed before the next set of heavenly blessings come pouring down, for that will cause further problems. And I have to laugh here, because my whole perspective has changed from a few days ago where I was praying for rain, but now I’m praying for none. Ah Friends, the things our God causes or allows in our lives eh! But if I say I trust Him and surrender my life to Him, then all I can do is grin and bear whatever comes along and believe that whatever happens He’ll eventually work it out for good as He faithfully promises. (Rom.8:28) Now I wasn’t planning to write about this, but you know His Spirit eventually planted the idea and I’m obedient, if nothing else. (smile) Then to make matters worse, I came down to write about it and the first thing I saw was this note I have taped to my desk: ‘Our task is to take hold of God’s grace to endure our afflictions with patience, without growing weary. In time, He will perfect, establish, strengthen and settle us. We must wait on the Lord and be of good courage.’ I guess He figured the point still needed driving home. And that wasn’t all. I finally got an answer to my question of why that calamity at such an inopportune time. I was supposed to count my blessings, be thankful for small mercies, it could have been worse, the whole roof could have blown off. Suppose I was living in the U.S. Midwest where all the terrible tornadoes are wreaking such havoc on innocent people. Now I do feel empathy for those unfortunate people and pray for them, but I guess the Lord figured I needed a reality check, so I wouldn’t feel untouchable, get too comfortable, too proud and big for my britches. Oh Friends, it’s a lesson we all have to learn as believers, and the Lord will teach us, in ways we don’t like, but have to accept because His thoughts and ways are much higher than ours. And remember He never puts us in a tight position without any help. I can attest to that right here and now, because I was a tad concerned about the money to fix it, but in His wisdom and generosity, the Lord’s already provided the money to fix it from a very surprising source. So how can I not LOVE and revere Him though He puts me through all sorts of trials eh mih people? It’s just another instance of where He shows His faithfulness in keeping all His promises to those who stand in faith and try their best to obey Him. Ah well, the Lord probably decided that He needed a testimony from me today, for as they say, actions speak louder than words, and telling others what the Bible says is all well and good, but they will appreciate it much more when they know and see how it’s working contemporarily in our own lives. And that’s my testimony for today Friends. It’s no big, miraculous tale, but one of simple every day life, which is where the Lord truly wants to work with us. So please let’s consider our day to day actions, though seemingly simple and trivial, to be very important to both our God and ourselves, for that’s how we live – from day to day. Hope this testimony has some impact on those of you who are going through similar circumstances, or even worse ones. It’s imperative that we consider all that happens to us as coming from the Lord, therefore we can release all our anxiety to Him, then stand strong in faith and watch Him work successfully in our lives. Now I have to go and find a suitable Bit, because this is one of those written from the heart. (smile) Ah Friends, I’m back, some ten minutes later. I found several that seemed suitable, but this is the one I felt in my spirit. ‘For consider him that endured such contradiction (hostility) of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied (discouraged) and faint in your minds (souls).’ And that’s solid advice Friends. Whenever we get between a rock and a hard place, let’s consider Jesus’ trials and how He withstood them through steadfast faith in His Father, then let’s do likewise. Though it’s not going to be always easy, the Lord will ALWAYS HELP US if we sincerely ask for it! Much LOVE!…count your blessings…one by one…see what awesome things Jesus has done…then thank and praise Him…for every single one…
Today’s Scrip-Bit 4 April 2012 Psalm 80:3
04 Apr 2012 Leave a comment
in Inspirational Living Tags: beseech, bewailing, calamity, concerns, face to shine, faith, forgiveness, mercy, o lord god, prosperity, psalm 80, repentance, turn back, worries
Psalm 80:3 Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
Oh my people, it’s Wednesday; day three of Holy Week, two days to your crucifixion! Are you worried and concerned? Of course! Sitting on pins and needles? For sure! Are your palms sweating and your stomach tied up in knots? That’s expected! Well let us think now how Jesus felt, with just two short days before His number was called up yonder, and act accordingly; with care and compassion, LOVE and kindness, mercy and forgiveness, the same way He did, although He was under great stress and strain. Now let’s look at our Bit: ‘Turn (Restore) us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.’ And isn’t that the living truth Friends! The only way our evil, ungodly, disobedient world can be saved is by the Lord restoring us to righteousness. For remember Jesus’ words when He spoke about the vine and the branches: ‘for without me ye can do nothing.’ (John 15:5) That also is undeniable truth Friends! So if we want to return to a safe, prosperous, caring world, then it’s obvious we have to turn to Jesus for help. And how do we do that? By repenting of our sins, asking for mercy and forgiveness, receiving it, then living a righteous, obedient life to God’s will thereafter. Psalm 80 is Asaph’s prayer for restoration of the fortunes of Israel, and he considers our Bit so important to his beseeching God, that he includes it three times in the psalm. Yes my brethren, verses, 3,7, and 19 are all the same petition. And I don’t see how it could be any less important in these very troubled and calamitous times that we are currently experiencing. I like how Asaph bewails the condition of his people. ‘O Lord God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people? Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure. Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbours: and our enemies laugh among themselves. Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.’ (Ps.80: 4-7) Ah mih breddren, the Lord’s certainly angry with us right now too; bread is short and tears are plentiful. As Isaiah says, the Lord is feeding us with ‘the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction,’ (Is.30:20) for our turning away from Him en masse and embracing the evil Lucifer with open arms. How could it be otherwise eh my people? The Lord is a holy, jealous, just and righteous God, therefore he cannot allow our disobedience to go unpunished. Jeremiah says it quite aptly: ‘I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus: Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke (an untrained bull): turn (restore) thou me, and I shall be turned (return); for thou art the Lord my God.’ (Jer.31:18) Now hear the scholars take on that verse. ‘A first step in repentance is confession of sin and a prayer for the Lord’s effective enablement of the believer’s life. True repentance involves the work of the whole person in recognizing and sorrowing over sin, and renouncing it so as to turn to God in full heart’s devotion to His lordship.’ And they reference Psalm 32; The blessedness of forgiveness, and Psalm 51; A prayer for cleansing.’ But Friends, is it happening like Jeremiah says: ‘Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon (struck myself on) my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded (humiliated), because I did bear the reproach of my youth.’ (Jer.31:19) I’d like to think so, but in any case the numbers are way too small to effect any large-scale and worthwhile improvement in our world today. Now don’t get me wrong, the Lord will gladly accept even one truly repentant sinner, however we need a whole lot more to further our LOVE Revolution and enable us to sincerely and successfully turn things around. Listen to Peter’s ending when he pleaded with the Jews in Jerusalem to repent: ‘Unto you first God, having raised up his Son (Servant) Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.’ (Acts 3:26) My fellow believers, we all know that, but for some reason(s) or other, we just don’t seem to be too keen on making the changes needed to bring about that transition. I guess not enough of us both desire the changes and are also willing to pay the price to make them happen. But believe me Friends, the price to get back into God’s good graces, is extremely cheap, compared to that of continuing to support Lucifer and his evil works. If yuh think we’re suffering calamity now, just wait and see what happens if we continue along our present path. My people, in closing, let’s offer up a prayer that Jeremiah offered up long ago in his Lamentations, but which is still very appropriate for our troublesome situation today. And let’s do it with a truly repentant heart if we want our God to take notice and help us. As one now, lifting our heads, hearts, eyes and hands to heaven: ‘Wherefore dost thou forget us for ever, and forsake us so long time? Turn thou us unto (back) to thee O Lord, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.’ (Lam.5:20-21) And all God’s people said a prayerful, heartfelt ‘Amen!’ Much LOVE!…it’s the same old story…if you don’t hear, you’re going to feel…
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