Today’s Scrip-Bit 23 February 2016 Psalm 53:1‏

Psalm 53:1. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.

And then it was Tuesday… Yes my people, another brand new day on God’s great earth with all His numerous blessings and mercies brand new, just as the day! Glory Hallelujah!

Isn’t it wonderful to begin each new day from scratch? It surely is! All yesterday’s sins and problems will be washed away and forgiven… as far as the east is from the west, they have been thrown away. So let’s begin on a clean page today nuh; no anxieties, fears, concerns or whatever from yesterday. 

Let’s get up and greet our God with pure hearts and clean hands; confessing all our known sins and weaknesses and prayerfully asking for forgiveness and wise guidance to handle the day’s problems and opportunities. 

And to help us do that, let’s declare our Tuesday Mantra with sincerity and strong belief. All together now: ‘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.’ 

Oh friends, I just LOVE that Mantra! Why? Because it reminds me of who I truly am; a child of God and a friend of Jesus! Glory to God! It doesn’t get any better than that my people. 

So please, if we remember nothing else, let’s remember those two fundamental and foundational truths; as faithful believers, we are all children of God, redeemed by Jesus’ blood shed on the cross, and thus His friend and brother. You can’t beat that my brethren! 

And what do I have to share with you today eh? Not much nuh. I’m a tad under the weather and thus not functioning on all cylinders. (smile) 

Oh yes, I now know what I have to share; my interesting and frustrating activities from last Saturday. We checked out of the hotel in Trinidad shortly after 2 p.m., took a taxi to the ferry docks – definitely no more walking in the hot sun with all that luggage. (smile) 

On that point of interest, when we mentioned our walk down Wrightson Road with our luggage to our friend from south, she unceremoniously declared: ‘They must have thought that you all were two country bookies come to town – walking down the street with so much luggage!’ 

And some very well might have thought so, but that’s neither here nor there now, we’ll just chalk it up to ignorance and experience. (smile) 

So we’re sitting in the waiting area about three o’clock waiting for the ferry’s four o’clock departure. At that time there was some excitement out on the docks, which turned out to be the arrival of the 7 a.m. ferry from Tobago. 

Apparently it had broken down in the middle of the ocean and two tug boats had been sent to tow it into port. Now can you imagine the concern, the anxiety, frustration and anger of those people trapped on it from 7 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon. 

Now for the next problem; that was the same ferry that was supposed to take us to Tobago at 4 o’clock. So we all sat there patiently waiting, just hearing rumours of what was going to happen. Four o’clock came and went… and we still heard nothing from the Port Authority people. 

At about 4.45, and announcement was made that they were fixing the problem and hopefully it wouldn’t be too long before we left. 

Time continued on its own sweet way, and we heard nothing else until at approximately six thirty a couple of workers came and said we’d be boarding shortly, Hn! 

And though they said that we’d be boarding by sections, if yuh see how everybody just got up and rushed for the exit door. Ah Lord eh! The herd mentality was surely in evidence there. The policeman amongst the workers had to make a big speech and get everybody to sit back down, then move us section by section. 

The whole problem with the situation was that the authorities provided us with no explanations or updates whatsoever. Some people left and went back home, others had paid for hotels in Tobago and their time was burning up for reasons they couldn’t understand. I was looking at having to pay for another night’s stay at the hotel. 

It just was very terrible customer relations! But I understand that’s how they do it, and apparently the boats break down fairly often. Ah Lord eh, only in T&T you say. 

One more interesting point. The talk had been circulating that if they couldn’t fix the ferry, they would send us back on the one that was due in from Tobago. Now shortly before we boarded, that one appeared on the horizon, but wonder of wonders, it had to stop out in midstream because there was only one dock for the ferries. Apparently both of them could not be in the same port at the same time. 

Again, only in T&T you say! So we never left Port of Spain until around seven p.m., only to be told that the trip would take three and a half hours instead of the usual two and a half, because we were only motoring along on three engines. That meant we didn’t dock in Tobago until minutes to eleven, and I didn’t get home until minutes to twelve, tired and miserable. 

What a travesty of public relations! So that’s how I spent my Saturday afternoon and evening. 

Now finally, let’s see how much we can say about our Bit. ‘The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.’ 

And as we noted yesterday, there are certainly many fools in our time too, too many really! That’s why our world is in such a terrible state. 

As Cousin Sol warns in Proverbs: ‘The fear (reverential awe) of the Lord is the (principal) beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.’  (Prov.1:7) And isn’t that the awful truth! 

Again, it’s why our societies are so corrupt and inefficient! Our leaders figure they know how to run the universe better than the One who created it. Steups! 

Now hear the scholars’ explanation of that verse. ‘1:7. The fear of the Lord means submission to the Lord and His revelation. When one is afraid of something, he either runs from it or submits to it. The latter idea is in view here. It is a healthy fear, like the fear of electricity or the fear of one’s parents, which causes one to act in an appropriate manner. 

The beginning does not mean that “the fear of the Lord” is left behind in the course of acquiring wisdom, but that it is the controlling principle of wisdom.’ 

And on that solid note of wisdom we’ll end today. And as usual, please let’s ponder all that we’ve said, and with God’s help try to improve our Christian walk. Much LOVE!

…each day…with God’s help…we ought to grow in our likeness to Christ…

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 13 April 2015 Psalm 40:9‏

Psalm 40:9.    I have preached righteousness (proclaimed the good news of righteousness) in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained (restrained) my lips, O Lord, thou knowest. 

Spanah na na na nah! Spanah na na na nah! Hear the early morning bugle blowing mih Friends! Sorta late now though. (smile) It’s a time of call to arms for the mighty army of Jesus, one more Monday morning.

And the great thing with this army Friends, is that our wonderful Leader, our Supreme Commander, Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords; He is ALWAYS in the forefront of the battle! No other supposed deity does that. They are always safe from harm, cloistered in their big and fancy palaces. Steups!

But out Saviour, our Lord and leader, Jesus Christ is ALWAYS in the trenches with us, His obedient and ever faithful foot soldiers! Glory to God! Oh give our Lord and God a shout of praise my people!

And all God’s people uttered a loud, proud and heaven directed shout of: ‘Oh Jesus Christ, Lamb of God, we LOVE and honour You and give You all the glory! For worthy is the Lamb that was slain on our behalf!

Thank You for saving us. Life would truly be unbearable without Your selfless sacrifice. Please help us to praise and glorify You all our days! This we pray in Your name. Amen!’

Oh Friends, it hurts me deeply when I consider the horrendous time and things Jesus went through for our ungrateful sakes. But I also LOVE and adore Him for doing it – without complaining too. Hn! Only wish we, His earthly followers nowadays could be so obedient and non-complaining too.

But that selfless sacrifice means that we can now look forward to spending eternity with Him in the many mansions of the Father, which he has gone to prepare for us. And that my fellow believers, we all know is the not only the BEST, but also the BESTEST thing that has ever happened in this whole wide world! Glory Hallelujah!

So after all that build up, (smile) let’s now sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with plenty feeling, with plenty verve and gumption, as we get ready to go out into the evil world and fight the heathen with the sword of LOVE; the LOVE of Jesus Christ.

Now let’s sing a real good rendition here mih breddren, As one big, sweet, harmonious and heavenly choir, let’s light up God’s universe.

‘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!’

Oh mih people, mih people, that was wonderful, marvellous, the mostest! Wow! I don’t think we’ve ever sung any louder, sweeter and in greater harmony!

And yuh know why that is? It’s simply because this is the first time that we’ve ever truly followed the leading and direction of our most awesome and revered Choirmaster, the ONE and ONLY Superstar, Jesus Christ! Mama Mia!

And as Uncle John (John Hagee) would say: ‘Give the Lord a shout of praise in the house of God!’

And all God’s people responded with a loud and vibrant cheer of ‘Praise the Lord! Give Him thanks, honor and glory, because he is most deserving of them! All praise to the sacrificial Lamb, who is Higher than High, and Greater than Great!’

And now Friends, having sung the praises of our great God so much, it is essential, of the utmost importance that we go out and follow the words of our Bit. Words that Bruh David proclaimed eons ago, but which today are still applicable, appropriate and relevant to the continuation and furtherance of our wonderful faith.

‘I have preached righteousness (proclaimed the good news of righteousness) in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained (restrained) my lips, O Lord, thou knowest.’

Yes my people, we need to go out and let the heathen and the heretic hear the Word of God! That’s our Great Commission! (Matt.28:19-20) It’s also the only way they will hear the Word. Remember too that faith is born, can only come by hearing the Word of God. (Rom.10:17)

Oh yes my people, we not only have to say like Bruh David says in Psalm 22 – A cry of anguish and song of praise – but also do it. ‘I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.’ (Ps.22:22)

We can’t afford to be afraid, and/or bashful and shy about proclaiming the Lord’s Word, for that’s our bounden duty, what’s totally expected of us!

Oh Friends, I had some other stuff to add, but we’ll leave that for tomorrow, the Lord willing, because I don’t want to stretch our short attention span too much (smile)

But let’s get real nuh, it’s high time we not only talk, but also truly walk the Christian walk, for it’s only by us doing so, will the Word of God flourish and last till time everlasting. Much LOVE!

…for the children’s sake…let’s shout the Word of God…from every rooftop…to every living creature…

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 8 July 2014 Matthew 24:13

Matthew 24:13.    But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Summer, oh beautiful summer! What would we do without you eh? Hn! Possibly go more than stir crazy from being cooped up inside for so long. And I hear a lot of laughter coming from down south.

Yes you southerners, you can laugh because summer is a year round treat for you all. But we northerners do appreciate our summer, after those long, cold, winter days and nights cosseted in close quarters.

That’s why we go crazy, behave like leggo-beasts, when the summer time comes around and we experience the thrilling rays of a sun that shines not only bright, but also hot and heavy, and we can get outside in the heat, half naked – sometimes totally naked – (smile) and let loose all the passion and enthusiasm we’ve stored up during the dreadful winter months.

And so far we’ve had beautiful summer weather; not too hot, but hot enough, with decent winds to keep us comfortable, so that the days and nights aren’t too muggy and sweaty.

And all God’s people declared a loud and hearty cheer of ‘Thank you Lord for this delightful summer weather! We hope that it continues like this all summer long! And in grateful appreciation, we praise and honour your glorious name! Amen!’

But Friends, please remember that the summer has just begun, so everything and anything is still possible. But we’ve just got to hold on to our optimism with hungry hope and expectant faith, without thinking about what lies ahead after summer – winter, with its cold, lonely days and dark, dreary nights.

And now that I’ve put the fear of winter into us, (smile) let’s turn to the word from our almanac today that shouts at us: ‘ENDURE!’ 

Yes Friends, we need to endure those long, dark, lonely days and nights of winter, be they physical or emotional, so that we can eventually come into the light and lightheartedness of summer. Whatever we’re going through my people, whenever we go though it, ENDURANCE is a MUST!

For as the ensuing quote from the war days British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill (1874-1965) declares: ‘Sure I am of this, that you have only to endure to conquer.’

And that’s indisputable truth my brethren! You may not always conquer when you endure, but you’ll NEVER CONQUER, UNLESS YOU ENDURE!

And that goes for our Christian faith more than anything else in this whole wide world! Jesus clearly states the need for endurance in our Bit: ‘But he that shall endure to the end, the same shall be saved.’

Oh Friends, there are so many Scripture passages that call for the express need of endurance on our earthly pilgrimage, that I’m just going to quote a few of them. Let’s begin with something from the gospel of Mark, where Jesus is relating the parable of the sower.

‘And these (seeds) are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in them selves; and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction (tribulation) or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended (caused to stumble).’ (Mark 4:16-17)

Yes my people, in God’s great universe, even seeds need to endure in the darkness of the earth for a time, until they are ready to sprout forth. And unfortunately, too many of us today are like those seeds that are sown on stony ground. As soon as any difficulties arise, we are quick to complain and bail out.

But my brethren, the hallmark of a true believer in Christ is in our strong power of endurance, our perseverance and steadfastness, regardless of our prevailing circumstances! That’s why Jesus also told the disciples: ‘In your patience (perseverance, long-suffering) possess ye your souls.’ (Luke 21:19)

Patience and perseverance are paramount in Christianity my people!

Meanwhile, in Bruh Paul’s famous chapter on LOVE, he boldly declares of that most venerable emotion: ‘(LOVE) Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.’ (1 Cor.13:7)

Yeh Friends, true LOVE is of God, and it endures everything that’s thrown against it, and in doing so, also lasts forever!

We also know Bruh Paul’s memorable words to the Galatians on the subject: ‘And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not (do not lose heart). As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.’ (Gal.6:9-10)

And we’ll end with some more memorable words from Hebrews, re running our earthly race. ‘Wherefore seeing (since) we also are compassed about with (surrounded by) so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset (ensnare) us, and let us run with patience (endurance, perseverance) the race that is set before us.

Looking unto Jesus the author (originator) and finisher (perfector) of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction (hostility) of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint (discouraged) in your minds (souls).’ (Heb.12:1-3)

Ah mih people, standing strong and steadfast in faith, with patience, perseverance and endurance is of the utmost importance in our Christian walk!

So let’s take all we’ve heard this morning to heart and let it re-energize us nuh, help us to stand strong, bear all things, in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and thus persist, endure, and see our race of life through to the very end. That’s wisdom of and for the ages! Much LOVE!

…only as believers steadfastly endure their trials and tribulations…will the church of Christ grow…and more importantly…endure… 

P.S. Oh Friends, the ole fella’s shaking it somewhat rough this morning, due to a pretty late night and the untimely acting up of my allergies. But I’m practicing what I preach…I’m enduring. (smile) Much LOVE!

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 17 April 2013 1 Corinthians 1:22

1 Corinthians 1:22.     For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek wisdom. 
 
And then it was Wednesday! Oh Friends, we’re already halfway through the week. The days sure are moving quickly. And before I can catch myself, the enemy decides to throw a spanner in the works. My computer freezes while I’m trying to get going. Chuh! Didn’t anybody tell Lucifer it was too early to get on my case? Obviously not! But thankfully though, through strength and patience granted by Christ, after some fiddling and rebooting, it finally decided to do what it was meant to do. Now doesn’t that remind us of our own behaviour, re following Jesus? It sure does! We’re often just as stubborn and obstinate, refusing to do what we know we’re supposed to do in our Christian walk. That’s why I’m not as enamoured of computers as so many people are. They do have some useful purposes, but in general they’re too finicky, and choose not to respond, or respond negatively, at the most inopportune times. But unfortunately our world has placed its already feeble and watered-down lifeblood in the computer’s treacherous and nebulous hands. We’re even computing in the clouds now. (smile) Ah Friends, we’re placing way too much trust and control of our lives in the hands of machines and virtual reality networks often controlled by unscrupulous men, for my liking. It’s creating too many problems that we’re not in a position to solve. One simple glitch in some distant part of the world can cause untold loss to millions of people. But who am I to dispute the wishes of the people eh, or rather the powers that be, who are enticing us with fanciful stuff that we are lapping up like dogs lapping water? I’m just like a lone voice crying in the wilderness with no one to hear, or nobody’s listening to, because they’re too busy doing exactly what I’m crying out against. But that’s life in this modern world. I just have to grin and suck it up. And I’m doing just that. (smile) That’s enough of my crying for today though. Now here’s our Bit. ‘For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek wisdom.’ I decided to use the same Bit as yesterday to dig a little deeper into Bruh Paul’s contention about the Jews requiring signs. There are stories of signs throughout the entire Bible, but for our purposes, we’ll concentrate on some controversy in Jesus’ time, re signs. Possibly the most famous of Jesus’ disputes on signs occurred after He’d preached on good and corrupt fruit. ‘Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days in the whale’s (great fish’s) belly, so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgement with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, a greater than Jonah is here. The queen of the south (Sheba) (1 Kin.10:1-13) shall rise up in the judgement with this generation, and shall condemn it; for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, a greater than Solomon is here.’ (Matt.12:38-42) Ah mih breddren, don’t you just like how Jesus could lambaste and put down the hypocritical Jewish leaders? But they were either so dumb, steeped in their man made traditions, or too egotistical and taken up with their own authority and power struggle to appreciate Jesus’ words. Here He’s making them sound even worse than the people of Nineveh, who repented after Jonah spoke to them. And He was greater than Jonah. The same goes for the Queen of Sheba, who journeyed far to come and listen to the pearls of Cousin Sol’s wisdom. And Jesus was also greater than Sol, but yet they refused to listen to Him. How sad it is when we’re too busy to pay serious attention to matters that concern us, or simply think we know better than those sharing the information. And that’s exactly what’s still happening today my brethren, two thousand years after Jesus preached those words. We’re still too busy, too caught up in the web of deceit and evil of the lustful world to sit down and try to fathom Jesus’ words. And then there are also the naysayers, who simply cast Jesus aside and put their faith in science and man. Ah mih people, when will we ever learn that Jesus is the answer to all our problems eh? I certainly hope we do so before it’s too late. And we’ll end with some pertinent info from the scholars. ‘The word adulterous means unfaithful to God. It was a metaphor frequently used in the Old Testament for spiritual “adultery.” The prophet Jonah: Jesus uses Jonah’s burial in the fish for three days and three nights as an illustration of the three days and three nights that Christ would spend in the grave Himself. The reference to whale’s belly in verse 40 of the Authorized Version is unfortunate. The Greek word “ketos” means “a great sea creature,” not necessarily a whale. The Old Testament references are to a “great fish” (Jon.1:17). Notice that the Lord placed this entire account on the same level of historical reality as that with which He Himself was dealing.’ Oh Friends, unfortunately not much has changed in man’s thinking and doing since Jesus’ time, at least in regards to the eternal rest of our souls. We’re still being enticed by the flim flam things of man and the evil prince of darkness. But please don’t give, up, for remember where there’s life, there’s always hope. So let’s just keep on doing what our Lord and Saviour asks of us: to LOVE our God, LIVE our Faith, and SPREAD His Holy Word. That’s precious little to ask, when compared to His sacrifice. So let’s get to it nuh. Viva la LOVE Revolution! Much, much LOVE my people!…it is better to trust in the Lord…than to put confidence in man… (Ps.118:6) 
 
   
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 2 March 2013 Psalm 107:43

Psalm 107:43.      Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the LOVING-kindness of the Lord.

Oh Friends, neighbours and fellow believers, may the grace, peace, LOVE, mercy and forgiveness of Almighty God be on us all this Saturday morning, as we enjoy the heavenly blessings of this new day. As the Good Book so reassuringly reminds us: ‘It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.’ (Lam.3:22-23) And that my brethren, should be our sure foundation for a renewal, for a strengthening of our faith and trust in the Most High God Jehovah at the start of each new day. For if we don’t have that steadfast, unbreakable faith, nothing much is going to happen in our lives. And all God’s people gave a mighty shout of: ‘Praise the Lord, for He is worthy to be praised!’ And as the Good Book again reminds us: ‘But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.’ (Heb.11:6) Therefore Friends, to have a successful Christian walk we must truly believe that God is who he says He is, then we must seek Him sincerely, for those are the people whom He rewards. And even though our Bit doesn’t pertain in particular to those scriptures above, it still corroborates it all. ‘Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the LOVING-kindness of the Lord.’ Yes my brethren, the wise of heart will understand all things that have to do with God’s goodness, because they trust and seek Him with steadfast faith. Now let’s see what our Bit is specifically referring to. It comes from Psalm 107; God’s wonderful works to the children of men. The Psalm basically recounts some of the Lord’s goodness to Israel during their exodus from bondage in Egypt and exile in Babylon, despite their unfaithfulness and disobedience to Him. The verses before our Bit read thus: ‘Again, they are minished (diminished) and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow. He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness (void place), where there is no way. Yet setteth he the poor on high (far) from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.’ (Ps;107:39-41) Oh Friends, the Lord’s power is unbelievable! It’s so awesome in its magnitude and scope, that our simple minds can’t really fathom it! He can quickly bring us to our knees for disobedience, or just as speedily, lift us up majestically in rough times, if we call out to Him in all sincerity and truth, for He is faithful and gracious to His people. No wonder the psalmist goes on to conclude in the verse before our Bit: ‘The righteous shall see it and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth (be silenced). (Ps.107:42) And the moral of the story my fellow believers is – quoting the scholars – ‘a knowledge of God’s steadfastness and LOVE will cause rejoicing among the righteous, silence among the wicked, and meditation among the wise.’ There’s absolutely no doubt about that! Bruh David agrees, and says it thus: ‘And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doings. The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.’ (Ps.64:9-10) And the prophet Jeremiah, in talking about disobedience brings God’s judgement, has this to say on the subject: ‘And I will make Jerusalem heaps (a heap of ruins), and a den of dragons (jackals); and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant. Who is the wise man, that may understand this? and who is he to whom the mouth of the Lord hath spoken, that he may declare it, for what the land perisheth and is burned up like a wilderness, that none passeth through?’ (Jer.9:11-12) Meanwhile, Hosea puts it this way: ‘Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them; but the transgressors shall fall (stumble) therein.’ (Hos.14:9) Gospel truth my people! So Friends, today, let’s see if we can’t put it all together nuh! With all that encouraging and truthful scripture, let’s be wise; understand that the Lord is EL NUMERO UNO, NUMBER ONE in the universe He created. And even more importantly, let’s also act like He is indeed the top priority in our lives. For our God is indeed alive and kicking, a God of action, and one facet without the other is of no use. And furthermore, we need to believe that whatever He does IS RIGHT, and we were made to serve and worship Him in truth, faith, trust, complete surrender and LOVE! Only as we accept and faithfully do those things, will we be well rewarded, both on earth and in heaven. Much LOVE!…there is no wisdom…wiser than bowing to the dictates of Almighty God…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 13 February 2013 Luke 6:9

Luke 6:9.     Then Jesus said 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?

Well Friends, the pre-Lenten celebrations and festivities are now over for another year! Praise the Lord! Hn, hn! Now it’s time for us to buckle down to a Lenten season of prayer, meditation and fasting. Time to renew serious communication with our God and forget some of the frivolities of the world. Time to try and get into character with Jesus during the forty days He spent fasting in the wilderness. And the wonderful thing about this serious time of Christian reflection is that right after it, we have the most joyous celebration of all Christian events; Easter, where Christ sacrificed His holy life on the cross of Calvary, was buried, but valiantly conquered death and majestically rose again on the third day, so that we could also be raised and have eternal life. And all God’s people declared a mighty shout of ‘Glory Hallelujah! Blessed is the Lamb that was slain for us, but rose to bring eternal life to all who believe in Him!’ Yes Friends, it’s time for us to truly get serious about our Christian walk if we really desire to make a positive difference in this messed up world. That’s what our Leader Jesus desires of us. So why are we so reluctant to truly get involved at all levels of our society eh? We can’t make any positive changes by merely standing on the outside looking in. We need to get on the inside where all the action is taking place and be a positive force for peace, justice and LOVE! Otherwise we’re just wasting time, mouthing useless words. We need to get involved like Jesus does in our Bit. ‘Then Jesus said 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.’ Jesus knew full well that His actions would cause controversy, but He didn’t care, because He was right. That’s how we have to behave too my brethren. Don’t let the naysayers and evildoers turn us off or scare us with their threats or whatever, from doing what we know is right. The last time we saw Jesus, He told the man with the withered hand to stand up, and when he did, Jesus asked the Pharisees the question in our Bit. I guess He was greeted by silence. ‘And looking round about them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.’ (Luke 6:10) Oh my people, doesn’t that just make you real proud of our Saviour and Leader? It ought to. For with all the religious hypocrites gathered around Him, He had the gumption to do the right thing, though they thought it was wrong. Now listen to the scholar’s comment on our Bit: ‘Jesus illustrates the principle lying behind 6:5. If it was in one’s power to do good to someone in 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.’ And isn’t that a fact! Sadly though, many of us are still holding on to rigid, man-made traditions that ignore the plight of others in dire need. Oh Friends, if we truly want to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, then we have to stop doing that. Now hear the reaction of the hypocrites and them to the healing. ‘And they were filled with madness (rage); and communed one with another (discussed) what they might do to Jesus.’ (Luke 6:11) So they got good and angry because of Jesus’ actions, but that had no effect on Jesus. And my brethren, please remember what Jesus said about the Sabbath before all that confusion, as reported in Mark. ‘And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath. Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.’ (Mark 2:27-28) And the scholars have a good explanation of it all. ‘Jesus’ reasoning is that divine institutions on earth are to have a God-honouring, noble, and liberating function. Sabbath laws had for some degenerated into a mockery of God’s intent. Jesus, the Son of man and Lord…of the sabbath, having power to forgive sin, can also teach rightly regarding proper observance of the Jewish Sabbath. Jesus here touches a raw nerve, as the next incident shows.’ That’s the same one we’re talking about, the healing of the man on the Sabbath. And we’ll close with some more fateful words of Jesus on the topic of the Sabbath from the gospel of John, re the clash between healing and circumcision. ‘Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man. If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit (completely) whole on the sabbath day? Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgement.’ (John 7:22-24) Oh Friends, those last words of Jesus ought to resonate very loudly with us, because we still judge by appearances way too much to be very effective Christians. So today, let’s look at our individual lives and see if we’re making a mockery of any of God’s institutions, by holding on to the traditions of man. And if so, let’s correct them nuh, for it’s only with serious self-examination can we really find or figure out if we’re on the right path to salvation and eternal life with Jesus, which is the zenith of wisdom for all mankind. And luckily for us, this Lenten season is the best time for serious introspection. So let’s do it nuh. Much LOVE!…only by having the strength and faith…to do what’s right…can we ever make this world a better place…in Jesus’ name…Amen…
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 12 February 2013 Luke 6:9

Luke 6:9.    Then Jesus said 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?

Aye Friends, getting old is a helluva thing yes! Yesterday morning after writing the Bit, out of the goodness of my heart, and my civic responsibility, (smile) I decided to at least clear the snow from my porch and the walkway. But would you believe that after about ten minutes out there, having only cleaned the porch and the steps leading down to the walkway, I began coughing? What really annoyed me is that I had been cough free for the previous two days. Well that coughing situation put paid to all my heartfelt goodness and civic responsibility, especially when the snow on the walkway was almost a foot high. If they wanted to charge or fine me for not clearing the walkway, then so be it, but I surely wasn’t going to continue doing anything that made me cough! What knocked me for a further six, was that later in the evening, after a short nap, I got up and felt this terrible pain in my right arm and shoulder. I had to laugh, because I had been fine all day. But them’s the breaks! (smile) Now that got me to thinking that if I was in T & T, taking in the wonderful sights and sounds of Carnival, I wouldn’t be having any stupid aches and pains and coughs. I wouldn’t be able to jump and prance, like I used to, but the old bones would have been warm, flexible and relaxed in the hot sun. Chuh! Anyway, today, Tuesday, is the day for the real Big Mas, where all the pretty costumes and their wearers come out to parade and play. Let’s hope and pray that everything goes off okay for all the pre-Lenten celebrations around the world, and no serious disasters or evil doings mar the festivities. And we’ll continue with our Bit from yesterday: ‘Then Jesus said 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?’ Ah Friends, what a potential time bomb of a question back in those overly strict and religious times! Now yesterday in the background leading up to the Bit, we saw where Jesus reminded the Pharisees of Bruh David and his men eating the holy bread in the temple meant only for the priests, when they were hungry and on the run from Saul. (1Sam.21:1-6) After that ‘He said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.’ (Luke 6:5) Obviously the Pharisees weren’t thrilled by that remark either, but they let it ride. Listen to the scholars comment on that verse. ‘Having already asserted His prerogative, like God Himself, to forgive sins (Luke 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.’ So true my people! And that’s the background to this later Sabbath when Jesus enters the synagogue and teaches, as He is won’t to. On this particular day though, a man with a withered right hand is present among the listeners, and as usual the hypocrite scribes and Pharisees are watching to see if He would heal on the Sabbath, to get something to accuse Him of. And though Jesus knew their thoughts, He nonetheless tells the man with the withered hand: ‘Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.’ (Luke 6:8) Now my brethren, you must admire Jesus’ for that; putting His belly and backbone into play, fully knowing the confusion His actions would cause. But knowing that He was in the right, He did what He had to do. Oh my fellow believers, how often do we stand up like Jesus for what is right eh, in spite of the opposition we know will come against us? I’m afraid I’ll have to say not too often, or rather not often enough, otherwise the church of Christ and His dictates wouldn’t be as maligned, unimportant and shunted aside as badly as it now is. Remember as followers of Christ we weren’t called to live an easy, problem free life, but to battle the evildoers and their actions, to be soldiers in this wicked, godless world. And soldiers only win battles when they stand strong in their convictions and fight with plenty belly and backbone for what they believe is right. And sadly my brethren, I believe that’s one area in which we’re falling down today. Christ’s followers have become soft and mamby pamby. We lead the good, relatively soft, easy life and don’t want to, or are afraid to put it in jeopardy by stirring up things, even when we see stuff happening that’s not right. Granted we all can’t be strong like Jesus, but if we’re truthful, we will all acknowledge that we can surely do better than we’re currently doing. So Friends, I’m asking us for the umpteenth time, if we really do LOVE Jesus and want to follow Him and make His church a worthwhile institution in this evil world, let’s pick up the slack in our Christian walk nuh. We need to be much better examples of His LOVE, mercy and forgiveness than we are. We need to bring the level of our actions up to the level of our talk, and even higher, because we can’t belabour people about Christ and His goodness when they are sick, hungry, naked and homeless. Remember Christianity is an action movement, and like Jesus we need to help the needy satisfy their physical wants and needs before we start preaching to them. You can see that’s how Jesus operated, and if we do likewise, we’ll certainly draw many more unbelievers to Him, which is one of our main purposes here on earth. And if some of us don’t want to hear that truth, then too bad yes! We’re no better than the hypocrite Pharisees! Sorry if I went off on a tangent there, but it aches my heart to see the way we supposed Christians, followers of Jesus Christ are behaving so spineless and afraid, so without true LOVE and compassion in a hurting world, where everybody’s looking, fearfully searching for something to hold on to, a something that can only be found in Jesus, a something that we have but are not sharing the way we should. Please Friends, let’s be serious about our bounden duty here on earth and fearlessly do it nuh, with the ever-faithful promises of Jesus and His certain assurance that we have to stand strong on. Only then can we consider ourselves true Christians, true followers of Jesus. Much LOVE!…to simply talk about Jesus…and not do the necessary actions…called for by that talk…is pure hypocrisy…

 
 

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