Today’s Scrip-Bit 10 February 2014 Isaiah 9:16

Isaiah 9:16.   For the leaders of this people cause them to err: and they that are led of them are destroyed.

 
And now Friends, it’s another Monday morning, but one quite different to what I experienced and enjoyed last week. There is no open balcony, no more lush greenery overlooking a neatly coffered golf course, with cool sea breezes washing over me. Instead, it’s a closed basement, surrounded by mounds of snow, and cold winds blowing the down the avenue and the chimney. 
 
Ah Lord eh! What a bam, bam! And though my physical circumstances have changed for the worse, my spirit has to pick up the slack and keep me moving on, keep me excited about living with and working for Jesus. Yes my brethren, that’s a big problem in Christendom, for its members are not as excited as they should be to have Jesus in their lives. Most of us are tepid, lukewarm, like Jesus said of the church at Laodicea. (Rev.3:15-16)
 
But after all the wonderful things He’s done, and is still doing for us, we can certainly show a little more enthusiasm than we’re currently doing. We’re too listless and apathetic, fearful and anxious, and more concerned about what others will say and do if we show too much excitement and interest in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, the one who selflessly sacrificed His holy, sinless life to pay our large and abominable sin debt. 
 
But Friends, when Jesus comes into our lives, excited is exactly how we ought to live, so that others can see, feel, and then greatly desire to catch the excitement we generate through Him. That’s the only way they will be convinced of His great importance in their lives. So this Monday morning, as the work week looms dark and threatening, let’s forget about that and concentrate solely on Jesus.
 
Let’s ratchet up the gratitude in our souls, and sing our Monday Morning Battle Hymn with a whole lot of spunk, harmony and sincere feeling. As one big, tuneful, earthly choir, let’s sing: ‘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!’
 
Bravo, mih breddren, Bravo! That was great! And it ought to raise our level of excitement for Jesus. So let’s endeavour to keep that fire burning brightly in our souls all day long nuh, so that we can exude confidence and also show others how refreshing and wonderful it feels to be a true friend and confidante of Jesus, for truly, there’s nothing else in the world like it.
 
It’s completely different to what our Bit so sadly offers. ‘For the leaders of this people cause them to err: and they that are led of them are destroyed.’ 
 
Oh my brethren, Jesus doesn’t lead people astray and cause them to be destroyed. But right now that statement is very, very true about our leaders, and it’s our bounden duty to help it become much less so. Our current leaders seem to be just a bunch of crooked, selfish schemers, and under their evil and corrupt schemes the majority of the planet is suffering and slowly being destroyed. That includes both human beings and nature.
 
But my fellow believers, hear the Lord’s stand on the situation, as He makes it known through Isaiah. ‘Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness (misfortune) which they have prescribed. To turn aside (deprive) the needy from judgement (justice), and to take away the right (what is right) from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!’ (Is.10:1-2) 
 
Oh Friends, we all see the great travesty of injustice and oppression being played out every day in our evil, unjust world! But rest assured it will not continue for ever, for the Lord has promised its destruction.
 
‘And what will ye do in the day of visitation (punishment), and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory? Without me they shall bow down under (among) the prisoners, and they shall fall under (among) the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still (in judgement).’ (Is.10:3-4)
 
Ah mih people, have no fear, for justice from on high will eventually prevail. Our omnipotent God is not going to let Lucifer and his evil minions run roughshod over His beautiful creation for very long. So please be prepared. Get ready today, right now, for we know not when that justice will be delivered. But delivered it will be, through the Second Coming of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
 
And this time it won’t be as a  babe in swaddling bands, but as a full grown, fierce and powerful warrior king, coming to claim what is rightfully His. But until He returns, we His followers need to keep His faith and memory strong by living the way He desires, and causing others to want to accept Him as their Lord and Saviour too.
 
So let’s get to it this Monday morning nuh! Let’s show the world the power and majesty of Jesus, by allowing His Holy Spirit that dwells within us, to lead and guide us along the straight and narrow path that leads directly to heaven. That’s wisdom for the ages! Much LOVE!
 
…to truly live for Jesus…is the most exciting thing a mortal man can do on this evil earth…
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 18 October 2013 Proverbs 3:25-26

Proverbs 3:25-26.    Be not afraid of sudden fear (terror), neither of the desolation of (trouble from) the wicked when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken (caught).
 
The young, female teacher turned to her class and asked: ‘Does anybody know what day today is?’
 
And much to her amazement, the dozen ‘kindergarters’ all joyfully shouted: ‘Today is Friday! Thank God, cause that means no school tomorrow, or the next day. Yeah! Thank God is Friday!’
 
Ah Friends, even the young and uninitiated know and look forward to the cycles of this earthly life. However, unlike the children, we adults have a responsibility to do godly stuff even on our days off. We might not like it, but it’s a sure duty in an adult believer’s life.
 
So with Lucifer knocking loudly on the doors of our hearts, minds and souls, telling us we don’t have to do anything of the sort, let’s chant our Friday Chant, so that we can conquer the evil thoughts of the enemy and get on with God’s tasks.
 
As one chanter 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 my fellow believers, somehow or the other we’ve got to get in those essentials of rest, relaxation and fellowship in our busy weekend lives, or else we’ll eventually succumb to mental, physical and spiritual exhaustion, which will only delight the deceitful Lucifer.
 
However, to successfully do those necessary things, while thwarting and disgusting the enemy, we have to stand faithful and trust our faithful and ever-LOVING God.
 
We have to live as our Bit so assuredly declares. ‘Be not afraid of sudden fear (terror), neither of the desolation of (trouble from) the wicked when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken (caught).’
 
Oh Friends, those are words of indisputable truth, as many of you know from personal experience, because you have adopted them and consciously live by them. Our God will NEVER leave nor forsake us!
 
The problem though is for us to truly believe it and then live by it. Obviously it’s not easy in this ungodly, evil world, but with the help of our omnipotent God, we can do anything we put our hearts, minds and souls to.
 
Now listen to some scriptures which support our Bit, beginning with Psalm 91 – God is a refuge and a fortress. And isn’t that the ultimate truth, my brethren!
 
The psalmist declares with supreme confidence: ‘Thou shalt not be afraid for (of) the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth (lays waste) at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
 
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation (dwelling place); There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
 
They shall bear (lift) thee up in their hands, lest thou dash (strike) thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and the adder (cobra): the young lion and the dragon (serpent) shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his LOVE upon me, therefore will I deliver him:
 
I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life (length of days) will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.’ (Ps.91:5-16)
 
Oh Friends, again, I never intended to use so much of the Psalm, but every verse just rang true to our Bit and raised the level of trust and excitement in my soul. Hope it does in yours too.
 
And we’ll close with this very meaningful scripture from Peter, re suffering and reward. ‘And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness sake, happy (blessed) are ye: and be not afraid of their terror (threats), neither be troubled;
 
But sanctify (set apart) the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer (a defence) to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear (reverential awe).’ (1 Pet.3:13-15)
 
Yes my people, as believers in and followers of Jesus Christ, we have to be strong and confident in the Lord, and also be ready to give good reason why we’re believers.
 
The scholars say this about that last verse. ‘3:15. An answer (Gr. apologian, “a defense of one’s beliefs:). The Christian faith is to be defended by a reasonable apologetic with meekness and fear.’
 
Oh how wonderful it would be if we could all answer the questions put to us with a quiet and confident strength and reverential awe!
 
So please let’s look to that today my Friends and fellow believers, for it’s what Jesus dearly desires of us. It’s essential that we know why we believe! Much LOVE!
 
…to bring others to Christ…both our speech and actions…must resound with confidence, humility and truth… 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 25 September 2012 Psalm 130:7

Psalm 130:7.   Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.

Oh Friends, summer is unfortunately over now, and autumn, fall, the season of marvellous colours; numerous variations of red, brown, yellow and gold, is officially upon us. Thankfully though, most of the leaves are still green, because the cold hasn’t really set in as yet. But the past few nights and mornings have been chilly, with a touch of frost on the ground in some areas, and the wind yesterday was pretty brisk and cold. I had to put on the heat in my house and car the last couple nights and early mornings. Chuh! But yuh know Friends, none of that really matters, for the Lord has promised to look after us in all kinds of weather and any unfortunate situations in which we become entangled. So it’s getting cold, and eventually it will fall to below freezing temps, and snow will fall, and all sorts of negative stuff will happen, because we can’t stop the world from turning and the weather from doing its thing. However my brethren, there is strong assurance for the believer to keep the faith and hope in the Lord. And I’m not only talking about the Bible stories, but also from personal experience my Friends, for I’ve found myself in some dicey situations, in real inclement weather, in which I feared greatly for my safety. But as you can see I’m still here to tell the story, to give the true testimony because our God is a good and faithful God! And I’m sure that many of you have had similar experiences. No wonder the psalmist says with great certainty: ‘I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning.’ (Ps.130:5-6) Then he continues in the same assured manner with our Bit. ‘Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy (LOVING-kindness), and with him is plenteous (abundant) redemption.’ Yes Friends, there is no better place to put our HOPE and TRUST than in the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, for He has lived up to everyone of His promises, proven Himself faithful from the day of creation, right up to the present time. So why should He not continue in that faithful vein eh? And one thing with our God, He doesn’t mince words; there are no grey areas in His word. He tells it like it is; simple and straightforward! If you do as I ask, I’ll look after you. But if you don’t, then crapaud smoke yuh pipe! Our God is like a human teacher who teaches and tells us about particular subjects, then tests us on them. And believe me Friends, some of those tests can be real rough, but our wonderful God has promised not to let us bear more than we can handle and also to make a way for us to handle whatever comes against us. And all God’s people gave out a mighty and joyful shout of: ‘Glory Hallelujah!’ But yet still Friends, too many of us get anxious and worried at the slightest mishap. Oh my people, it’s time we stop being afraid of our shadows, especially if we claim to be true followers of Jesus. It’s time to truly grow up and trust Him, and this calamitous time is a very good place for us to test our mettle of faith. I’ve learned from hard experience that it’s not easy, and that even when you do get and easy break, it’s usually in between two difficult ones. So to really get that deep-seated trust and faith going, we have to pack our souls with relevant scriptures to help raise whatever aspect we’re lacking. And since we’re talking about HOPE today, let’s get into some scriptures that excite that emotion in us. And there’s no better place to begin than in the Psalms, because they are possibly the greatest purveyors of HOPE in the Good Book. In Psalm 31, which talks about putting one’s trust in God, Bruh David, in the final verse, staunchly assures us: ‘Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.’ (Ps.31:24) Then in Psalm 42, an intense longing for God, the psalmist first questions himself, but also provides a strong and right answer, when he says: ‘Why art thou cast (bowed) down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I will yet praise him for the help of his countenance (presence).’ (Ps.42:5) Oh Friends, that’s the stuff from which sure strength, courage, trust and faith are built! Now hear this simple but powerful statement from Psalm 71, a prayer for help in old age. ‘But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.’ (Ps.71:14) Yes mih breddren, that’s exactly what I’m doing as the days of my life roll on. And I strongly suggest that all you old codgers out there should do it too. (smile) Now listen to Jeremiah: ‘The Lord is my portion saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.’ (Lam.3:24-26) Oh my people, even in the depths of his lamentations, where his soul was exceedingly sorrowful, Jeremiah still knew on which side his bread was buttered, and refused to give up HOPE in his wonderful God! The scholars note that ‘Jeremiah’s observation resembles those of other saints who have experienced great grief of soul.’ So why should we in all our trials and tribulations, and the constant state of coping in an evil, ungodly world not do the same eh? No reason whatsoever my people! Meanwhile Peter advises his readers thus with his call to Christian dedication: ‘Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind (prepare your mind for action), be sober, and hope to the end for the grace (and rest your hope fully upon the grace) that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.’ (1 Pet.1:13) And fellow believers, we’ll end with some moving words, a universal truth from Jeremiah, which will uplift our spirits to the zenith today. ‘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) Oh Friends, if Abraham’s God was Israel’s salvation back then, how much more is He ours today eh, in all the evil and ungodliness in which our world is so deeply mired? So fellow believers, let’s all stand strong in the Name of Jesus and fight the good fight, for salvation and eternal life cannot be had through any other source. Much LOVE!…and now Lord…what wait I for my HOPE is in thee…(Ps.39:7)   P.S. It’s a bit long, but I wanted to get in all those scriptures, and we can’t always have it the way we want it. And anyway it’s sweet, so why complain! (smile) Much LOVE! 
 
 
 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 2 August 2012 Proverbs 13:12

Proverbs 13:12.           Hope deferred maketh the heart sick, but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
 
Oh Friends, the ole fella must be really getting old yes! Why am I saying that? Because this is Caribana week, sorry, it’s now officially called the Scotia Bank Caribbean Carnival, or something to that effect. There have been some lawsuits regarding the ownership of the name ‘Caribana,’ and whoever is running it now apparently can’t legally use that name. But Friends, from now until forever, it will always ring on in the minds of the local populace and visitors as Caribana. Anyway, as I was saying, Caribana week is in full swing and I’m not enthused or excited about any of the events. Even my beloved Pan Competition doesn’t awaken the usual enthusiasm. I suppose because I can’t jump and prance like I used to, due to my bad knees, I’ve just lost the excitement of the season. But don’t write me off just yet, for ole Lucifer has been whispering in my mind: ‘Go to the Caribana Parade. You can do it.’ And if I truly felt that excitement, I believe I could do it. However, it’s not only the state of my knees that have me unenthusiastic, but also the fact that these days when I go to the parade, I don’t see any of the people I use to party with over all those earlier years, Plus the young people’s attitude sucks, to put it mildly. They don’t know how to party in the streets, don’t know how to jump up without causing confusion. Unfortunately they only know about rushing and pushing, blatantly ignoring the space and rights of the other revellers. That’s why I understand they now have six foot barriers to prevent people from getting into the bands. Those barricades might just turn me off too, because as far as I’m concerned Caribana is a participatory event, not something to just stand on the sidelines and watch. Who knows though what will happen come the weekend? Only the Good Lord in His high heaven, and He’s not telling. But don’t be too surprised if you see the ole fella sashaying down the boulevard as best he can, for with our God, ANYTHING is possible. (smile)So saying, I guess I can slip in a quote from Gramps Schuller (Robert H) of the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove California. He says: ‘Blessed are those whose dreams are shaped by their hopes, not by their hurts.’ And that’s so very true Friends! When we concentrate on our hopes and dreams, rather than our hurts and disappointments, we always come out better off. That’s because hope entails positivity, reaching outwards and upwards to heaven and God, while hurts cater to negativity, looking down to Lucifer and Hades. And that’s why our Bit so rightly declares: ‘Hope deferred maketh the heart sick, but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.’ Yes my people, if we don’t have hope then we’re lost; we become depressed, anxious and easily traumatized. But when hope invades our souls, then we’re revitalized, enthused, become excited about Life and LOVE again. As Cousin Sol says later in the same chapter: ‘The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abominable to fools to depart from evil.’ (Prov.13:19) And the extraordinary good thing about hope is that when it revitalizes us, it grows like a well watered tree. Everything around us takes on a completely different look; a more positive and amenable feeling comes over us. I know we’re not supposed to live by our feelings, like a yo-yo, but feelings are a part of our God-given nature, and at times the negative ones will lead us, but hopefully not for very long. And remember Friends, that hope is the basis of all Christian endeavour, as Bruh Paul declares to the Roman Church: ‘For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for it? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience (perseverance) (eagerly) wait for it.’ (Rom.8:24-25) That my Friends is the irreversible, unalterable truth! If we see it, why hope for it eh? But when we don’t, then we eagerly hope for it and persevere until it becomes a reality. And this scripture verifies all that: ‘Now faith is the substance (realization) of things hoped for, the evidence (conviction) of things not seen.’ (Heb.11:1) That means brethren, before we can have faith, we must first have hope. It’s the seed of hope, planted in the deep, dark recesses of the rich soil of our souls, that germinates when watered by the Word of God and bursts out into the bright light of Jesus as faith. It’s like the little acorn that through God’s marvellous engineering eventually grows into a mighty, towering oak tree. Oh my people, we Christians are the only ones who have the hope of salvation and eternal life built into our belief system. But unfortunately, too many of us allow the negative appraisals and feelings of the world to lead us, so much so that we’re in danger of losing our hope. Friends, that’s something we definitely cannot allow to happen, because if we lose our hope in God, then we’ll be totally lost, shipwrecked, done like dinner! We might as well be dead. So in these troubled and fearful times, one thing we have to dearly hold on to is our hope; our hope in Jehovah God, who’s created us, who LOVES us unconditionally, and has promised never to leave or forsake us. As Bruh David so rightly declares in his prayer for self-understanding: ‘And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in thee.’ (Ps.39:7) Please remember that my brethren! And furthermore, let’s write it indelibly in our hearts, minds and souls, so that we won’t lose our hope. Much LOVE!…once there is the breath of life in our mortal bodies…then there’s always the seed of hope present in our spirits…
 

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